Alternator
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Now you're asking the tough questions! 
I guess you've got to be almost as knowledgeable about the product as the rebuilder. You've got to be able to speak the same language, and know the answers before you ask the questions. They have to be quality questions, too. He's got to assume that BS will get him nowhere. At least the first time you use that shop.
For instance:
I was talking to my "very technical" neighbor who is a hot-rodder, and also "mods" stuff. He suggested a rebuild shop, and since my local guy recently died, I was "looking around". First, I looked up that shop on-line, and there were a few sites where people could "rate" the shop. Two reviews really praised "Gary". So, when I went to the shop, I first asked for him.
(Old guy in corner) "He no longer works here".
Uggh.
"OK, I've got a Ford Six-G that needs a new rotor, F-600HD regulator, yes I want the HD, and quality-made bearings. How much?"
(Old guy in corner) "I dunno, but the guy up front will know. I'll get him back here for you".
(Young kid, after the same description to him) "Huh? What was that again? I'm not sure, but let me make a phone call".
(Young kid asks me to repeat the whole thing to him while he's relaying it into the phone) "The owner says eight-five bucks".
Now, I know that they're going to have a good percentage of that much into the job in parts alone. Where's their profit? Yea, they're going to cut a corner or two on me somewhere. I tell them, "That sounds fair, and if the alternator's owner will go for it, I'll be back with it".
As I turn to leave, the old guy in the corner follows me out, does me a BIG favor, and quietly says, "Gary's at Pacific out on Deering Street".
Guess what direction I headed.
Gary followed my description and said, "You know, we can do that two ways. We can put new brush rings on your rotor instead of a whole new rotor, but it's not as 'clean' a job. We may need a new diode pack because they are only pressed into the heat sink and sometimes get loose. There are two kinds of diodes, and I recommend using the better ones because they stand up to the heat better. I don't recommend trying to put new brushes into the regulator, like some people do, because when these slip rings go bad they start to spark, and the voltage spikes cause the regulator's electronics to eventually get intermittent. Probably around a hundred and sixty dollars, twenty-five less if we don't need the diode pack".
As I already knew from having had it apart, we didn't need the diode pack.
Do you think I made a good choice going out to Deering and looking for that shop?
By the way, Gary gave me the old rotor and a replacement brush assembly for me to install because he knew from our lengthy conversation that I was interested in having a rebuilt rotor for my 6G spare. Yea, it's not as "clean", but it'll serve my purpose.
Does that answer your question?
Pop
I guess you've got to be almost as knowledgeable about the product as the rebuilder. You've got to be able to speak the same language, and know the answers before you ask the questions. They have to be quality questions, too. He's got to assume that BS will get him nowhere. At least the first time you use that shop.
For instance:
I was talking to my "very technical" neighbor who is a hot-rodder, and also "mods" stuff. He suggested a rebuild shop, and since my local guy recently died, I was "looking around". First, I looked up that shop on-line, and there were a few sites where people could "rate" the shop. Two reviews really praised "Gary". So, when I went to the shop, I first asked for him.
(Old guy in corner) "He no longer works here".
Uggh.
"OK, I've got a Ford Six-G that needs a new rotor, F-600HD regulator, yes I want the HD, and quality-made bearings. How much?"
(Old guy in corner) "I dunno, but the guy up front will know. I'll get him back here for you".
(Young kid, after the same description to him) "Huh? What was that again? I'm not sure, but let me make a phone call".
(Young kid asks me to repeat the whole thing to him while he's relaying it into the phone) "The owner says eight-five bucks".
Now, I know that they're going to have a good percentage of that much into the job in parts alone. Where's their profit? Yea, they're going to cut a corner or two on me somewhere. I tell them, "That sounds fair, and if the alternator's owner will go for it, I'll be back with it".
As I turn to leave, the old guy in the corner follows me out, does me a BIG favor, and quietly says, "Gary's at Pacific out on Deering Street".
Guess what direction I headed.
Gary followed my description and said, "You know, we can do that two ways. We can put new brush rings on your rotor instead of a whole new rotor, but it's not as 'clean' a job. We may need a new diode pack because they are only pressed into the heat sink and sometimes get loose. There are two kinds of diodes, and I recommend using the better ones because they stand up to the heat better. I don't recommend trying to put new brushes into the regulator, like some people do, because when these slip rings go bad they start to spark, and the voltage spikes cause the regulator's electronics to eventually get intermittent. Probably around a hundred and sixty dollars, twenty-five less if we don't need the diode pack".
As I already knew from having had it apart, we didn't need the diode pack.
Do you think I made a good choice going out to Deering and looking for that shop?
By the way, Gary gave me the old rotor and a replacement brush assembly for me to install because he knew from our lengthy conversation that I was interested in having a rebuilt rotor for my 6G spare. Yea, it's not as "clean", but it'll serve my purpose.
Does that answer your question?
Pop
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Long Island,NY
It answers my question, telling me I have a lot of reading + tinkering + a bunch of life lessons to go. The best part is I'm one question closer than I was before I asked. Thanks Marv, I'm sure me and a few hundred others will have will have more questions along the way. Glad you're still answering the questions. Thanks again!!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
Now you're asking the tough questions!
I guess you've got to be almost as knowledgeable about the product as the rebuilder. You've got to be able to speak the same language, and know the answers before you ask the questions. They have to be quality questions, too. He's got to assume that BS will get him nowhere. At least the first time you use that shop.
For instance:
I was talking to my "very technical" neighbor who is a hot-rodder, and also "mods" stuff. He suggested a rebuild shop, and since my local guy recently died, I was "looking around". First, I looked up that shop on-line, and there were a few sites where people could "rate" the shop. Two reviews really praised "Gary". So, when I went to the shop, I first asked for him.
(Old guy in corner) "He no longer works here".
Uggh.
"OK, I've got a Ford Six-G that needs a new rotor, F-600HD regulator, yes I want the HD, and quality-made bearings. How much?"
(Old guy in corner) "I dunno, but the guy up front will know. I'll get him back here for you".
(Young kid, after the same description to him) "Huh? What was that again? I'm not sure, but let me make a phone call".
(Young kid asks me to repeat the whole thing to him while he's relaying it into the phone) "The owner says eight-five bucks".
Now, I know that they're going to have a good percentage of that much into the job in parts alone. Where's their profit? Yea, they're going to cut a corner or two on me somewhere. I tell them, "That sounds fair, and if the alternator's owner will go for it, I'll be back with it".
As I turn to leave, the old guy in the corner follows me out, does me a BIG favor, and quietly says, "Gary's at Pacific out on Deering Street".
Guess what direction I headed.
Gary followed my description and said, "You know, we can do that two ways. We can put new brush rings on your rotor instead of a whole new rotor, but it's not as 'clean' a job. We may need a new diode pack because they are only pressed into the heat sink and sometimes get loose. There are two kinds of diodes, and I recommend using the better ones because they stand up to the heat better. I don't recommend trying to put new brushes into the regulator, like some people do, because when these slip rings go bad they start to spark, and the voltage spikes cause the regulator's electronics to eventually get intermittent. Probably around a hundred and sixty dollars, twenty-five less if we don't need the diode pack".
As I already knew from having had it apart, we didn't need the diode pack.
Do you think I made a good choice going out to Deering and looking for that shop?
By the way, Gary gave me the old rotor and a replacement brush assembly for me to install because he knew from our lengthy conversation that I was interested in having a rebuilt rotor for my 6G spare. Yea, it's not as "clean", but it'll serve my purpose.
Does that answer your question?
Pop
I guess you've got to be almost as knowledgeable about the product as the rebuilder. You've got to be able to speak the same language, and know the answers before you ask the questions. They have to be quality questions, too. He's got to assume that BS will get him nowhere. At least the first time you use that shop.
For instance:
I was talking to my "very technical" neighbor who is a hot-rodder, and also "mods" stuff. He suggested a rebuild shop, and since my local guy recently died, I was "looking around". First, I looked up that shop on-line, and there were a few sites where people could "rate" the shop. Two reviews really praised "Gary". So, when I went to the shop, I first asked for him.
(Old guy in corner) "He no longer works here".
Uggh.
"OK, I've got a Ford Six-G that needs a new rotor, F-600HD regulator, yes I want the HD, and quality-made bearings. How much?"
(Old guy in corner) "I dunno, but the guy up front will know. I'll get him back here for you".
(Young kid, after the same description to him) "Huh? What was that again? I'm not sure, but let me make a phone call".
(Young kid asks me to repeat the whole thing to him while he's relaying it into the phone) "The owner says eight-five bucks".
Now, I know that they're going to have a good percentage of that much into the job in parts alone. Where's their profit? Yea, they're going to cut a corner or two on me somewhere. I tell them, "That sounds fair, and if the alternator's owner will go for it, I'll be back with it".
As I turn to leave, the old guy in the corner follows me out, does me a BIG favor, and quietly says, "Gary's at Pacific out on Deering Street".
Guess what direction I headed.
Gary followed my description and said, "You know, we can do that two ways. We can put new brush rings on your rotor instead of a whole new rotor, but it's not as 'clean' a job. We may need a new diode pack because they are only pressed into the heat sink and sometimes get loose. There are two kinds of diodes, and I recommend using the better ones because they stand up to the heat better. I don't recommend trying to put new brushes into the regulator, like some people do, because when these slip rings go bad they start to spark, and the voltage spikes cause the regulator's electronics to eventually get intermittent. Probably around a hundred and sixty dollars, twenty-five less if we don't need the diode pack".
As I already knew from having had it apart, we didn't need the diode pack.
Do you think I made a good choice going out to Deering and looking for that shop?
By the way, Gary gave me the old rotor and a replacement brush assembly for me to install because he knew from our lengthy conversation that I was interested in having a rebuilt rotor for my 6G spare. Yea, it's not as "clean", but it'll serve my purpose.
Does that answer your question?
Pop
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