Best brand alternators

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Apr 12, 2017 | 07:46 AM

raye321

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 160

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Best brand alternators

Hi I have a 1986 E 150 300ci 6cyl engine. I needed to replace the alternator and bought a new Napa alternator. That alternator lasted about 5 months before it started to fail. The dash gauge would start to flicker and sometimes swing to the left to discharge then back to charge again. It had a warranty so I got another and after about 3 months the same thing happened.
What's out there on the market that is a reliable alternator? I try and stay away from remanufactured one's but Napa has been the only alternator I found that sold as "new". All others for that year van are reman. Anyone have any experience with Wilson alternators? I've heard they are a good brand but the only one I can find for my van is a reman. one.

Apr 12, 2017 | 08:57 AM

EagleFreek

Tuned

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 425

Likes: 1

From: Fayetteville, TN

Reman stuff these days are junk. I take my alternators and starters to a local rebuilder and have had great success.

Apr 12, 2017 | 06:55 PM

jeffreyclay

Elder User

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 545

Likes: 1

From: Bedford, Va

It's really frustrating that for decades the remans are still no better than 3rd place. In the chain stores they're advertising "new diodes, new brushes, new bearings and regulators" but they don't say who made the parts. I think we all could agree that it's crap from China or if you see a logo of American brand, it's likely to be a chinese counterfeit. Eaglefreek has the best solution. I try to stay away from AA and AZ other than oil (when it's on sale).

Apr 12, 2017 | 11:37 PM

Hank85713

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 2,414

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From: Tucson USA

I have used Autozone stuff with great results. Buy the good ones not the cheapies they will have lifetime guarantees and I have only had to take one back in which was on my ranger and it was at least 10 years old. We put one on my sons f150 several years ago and an upgraded battery and its still going strong. Napa is owned I think by a china company now so you get just like everyone else but now with a name brand thats not what it used to be.

Apr 12, 2017 | 11:46 PM

Tedster9

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 19,311

Likes: 97

From: Waterloo, Iowa

I wouldn't core an OEM alternator if I could help it. The remans are hit and miss.

Apr 13, 2017 | 07:37 AM

jeffreyclay

Elder User

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 545

Likes: 1

From: Bedford, Va

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hank85713

I have used Autozone stuff with great results. Buy the good ones not the cheapies they will have lifetime guarantees and I have only had to take one back in which was on my ranger and it was at least 10 years old. We put one on my sons f150 several years ago and an upgraded battery and its still going strong. Napa is owned I think by a china company now so you get just like everyone else but now with a name brand thats not what it used to be.

Not as of yet. Owned by Genuine Parts, GPC ticker NYSE, an American corporation.

Apr 13, 2017 | 01:14 PM

raye321

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 160

Likes: 0

Best brand alternator

I just called the local alternator repair shop near me and they are out of business. I still have the original alternator and would like to rebuild it myself. Does anyone know where I can get a repair kit for a 1986 ford E150 4.9L engine 65 amp alternator? I look at autozone advance etc but no luck.