Frustrating Alternator search

[CoastalDefender]

Hello all, I have had this account for a few years, but mostly read and learn. This forum is fantastic for that!

I have spent the last 3 days searching on here for an answer to my question, but no luck.

Here's my setup-
I have two '82 1.6l NA Diesels. One is a parts car.

My problem is the alternator went bad on my Driver, and as it's a non-turbo, non-AC, it won't fit the AC alt that I have on my parts-car.


Now, I pulled the alts on both and had them tested. Sure enough the non-AC alt was bad, but luckily the AC alt was good (gives me options).

Took the alt to O'Reilly's and NAPA here in the US. O'Reilly still hasn't got back to me on a price for a rebuilt one after 2 weeks. NAPA on the other hand is now getting the 3rd alt sent my way.


First alt from NAPA- Came overnight from Portland, P/n 8218. The pulley was too short, and the shaft inside the pulley was too short to put on the longer pulley from my core.

Second alt from NAPA- Took 1 week UPS from Bosch in Atlanta, Bosch # AL25M. Again, pully was too short and the shaft also too short to swap pulleys.

Now we have an AL26X Bosch coming from NAPA in Ontario, California. Hopefully it is here by Tuesday.


So here's my question- It seems there are a few different styles of rebuilt alternators available out there, but finding the one that will fit my NA Diesel w/o AC is a tough deed.

If the AL26X shows up and doesn't fit, I'm at a loss of what to do short of rebuilding my core at unknown expense and downtime.

Is there anyone out there that knows where to get an alternator for my 1.6l NA non-AC? Even if it's just the Alt that has a long shaft, I would be able to swap pulleys. Sites? Part Numbers? Etc?

Thanks everyone.

[Powered by Spearco]

I found one here localy @ Halsey Auto.
Call here for the PN and other info. 503-256-0182 Ask for Willy
They have the AL26X instock for $76 plus core.

[Rabbit on Roids]

hey buddy, you arent far from me, i got lots of parts. at least 3 working non a/c alts...

pm me, i wouldnt want much for one.

[CoastalDefender]

Thanks guys, I feel obligated to NAPA at this point since they've ate shipping and some of the cost on these three alts. But if this third shows up and won't work, I'll definitely be following up on that lead at Halsey's, as well as PMming you Roids.

[burn_your_money]

I would suspect that you are getting the MK2 version, I think it has the shorter pulley but it's been a while since I've seen a mk1

[Henchman]

Have you looked at AL113M ?

Ian

[Rabbit on Roids]

I would suspect that you are getting the MK2 version, I think it has the shorter pulley but it's been a while since I've seen a mk1

same thing i said to him buddy

[CoastalDefender]

Have you looked at AL113M ?

Ian

Looks like correct shaft/pulley, wrong bolt clock.

[CoastalDefender]

AL26X came in... Short shaft.

The pulley not only will not fit, it didn't even come with a pulley.

So I am thinking the part I will need is the bosch pulley that adapts the AL**X to AL**M...
http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/YN/D7269-BOS-F4050.html

$24 for a pulley?!?!?!!?

Damnit. I can't decide if I should just take the Alt and eat the pulley cost (no guarantee it will be a fit mind you), or if I should look elsewhere for an Alt (some nice board members here have offered up their spares), or if I should have the one I have rebuilt (to unknown specs).


Also, I put my Core back on the car tonight, it appears as if it's 1/8" to 1/4" misaligned to the other pulleys, is this normal?

[Dakotakid]

I'd recommend snagging a spare alternator from one of these guys. I've driven these noisy crates for years and I ALWAYS carry a spare alternator behind the seat and one of more spare regulators in the trunk. It is all about cheap security.
As for your last question: the pulleys should all line up...period. I think you may be running into gas car alternators in your search. Their shaft lengths are very similar to the N/A diesel length....and it seems your original may well be suspect.

Bosch alternators tend to go through brushes even with good slip rings. I always tried to snag Motorolas when I was running Mk. I's. I found that Motorolas just ran longer and much more trouble-free. I actually had one Motorola go well over 200,000 miles without brushes or bearings....just a constant source of juice!

You began by saying your alternator is shot or whatever. What does this mean? Did the bearings have obvious slop or was it merely tired brushes? Bosch brushes are super easy to replace. You can purchase brushes from O'Reilly's or other stores. They used to come as a set....but, lately there is only ONE brush in the boxes...so, you have to order two. Ask your parts man if there will be one or two in the box. They used to come with new springs as well. Seems like they don't anymore. So, just be careful on disassembly and catch your springs.

If you go to replace brushes, all you really need is a soldering gun...maybe a little solder...and some patience and attention. You can usually "dress up" your slip rings with some fine grit using the tips of your fingers. Just rotate the pulley by hand and clean up the slip rings. You won't do as well as a lathe cut, but, I've gone 10 or 20,000 miles just by doing this.

Eventually, slip rings do wear out.
Just trying to help.

[ozzie]

for what its worth... 

i have had a number of gas and diesel VW's over the last 20 years so i have accumulated a feww parts.  everytime i have needed an alternator i have pulled one out of the barn and put on the needed pulley and spacers to get things lined up and off i go. 

[macka]

are they going by the part number off the old alt or is a "parts expert" cross referencing it for you? They seem to be clueless.

[CoastalDefender]

You began by saying your alternator is shot or whatever. What does this mean? Did the bearings have obvious slop or was it merely tired brushes? Bosch brushes are super easy to replace. You can purchase brushes from O'Reilly's or other stores. They used to come as a set....but, lately there is only ONE brush in the boxes...so, you have to order two. Ask your parts man if there will be one or two in the box. They used to come with new springs as well. Seems like they don't anymore. So, just be careful on disassembly and catch your springs.

There are some excellent questions in there.  If you went to O'Reillys and they said it didn't charge, that does not mean that it needs to be replaced.  Two screws will replace the brush/regulator.  The bearings are a little harder to replace, but any industrial bearing place should be able to provide them.  Finally, most towns have an Auto Electric shop that will easily rebuild your existing alt by replacing the bearings/brushes, etc.

O'reilly just said it was kaput was all. Stuck it on the machine and wasn't charging. Was also making a strange noise.

However, I took the time Friday to stop by the local electric shop and talk to the guy there. He knew what it was and when I told him what I had, he told me it was the wrong one for my application anyway. Looks like I have a gasser one since the pulley is slightly short. So rebuilding the one I have won't help my situation.

He's going to check on the pulley on mon/tues for me for the Bosch AL26X. Seems like that's the best route at this point. We got the calipers out and did a lot of measuring and it looks like that will be the ticket.



Thanks for all the help on this guys, I really have learned a lot on these alts. Looks like the people that get the least love from alt remans are the Mk1 non-ac diesel dubbers.

And this thread isn't done until the car is running...

[somolovitch3]

1) {Too much Cold Med talking here) Why would you want an Alternator that was Frustrating?

2)  Got Parts/Fix yet?

[CoastalDefender]

1) {Too much Cold Med talking here) Why would you want an Alternator that was Frustrating?

2)  Got Parts/Fix yet?

2- Indeed. The part is AL26X from Bosch, however you must go out and find the Bosch extra-long pulley to put on there. It's quite a piece and ran me $40 for just the pulley. Sorry, I don't have a part number for it, my local Alternator/Starter shop was who acquired it for me.