Alternators
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster, Pa.
A local auto-electric rebuild shop usually does a much better job than the parts house chains that get them at rock-bottom, cut-rate prices from rebuilders that barely get them working after they were already someone else's failure.
There is no art remaining in rebuilding anything in today's throw-away world. No one seems to be able to do it themselves any more, so most get them from a supply chain that begins with junk in the hands of a minimum-wage "technician".
No wonder they have to offer that lifetime warranty! No one would buy that crap otherwise.
The real problem is readily-available repair parts for the components of our trucks.
I grew up in a world where you could buy replacement diaphragms and valves for mechanical fuel pumps, and you rebuilt your own, but no more. Not available to the public. Not enough profit in selling a $5 part to get a $100 component fixed when you can just sell the whole $100 part instead.
I have bought many brush kits for generators, alternators, and starter motors. They're getting harder to find nowadays. Last year I was still able to get a brush set/regulator for my 6G, so I did. It's still tickin' away.
I was always able to control the quality of the parts and workmanship that I put into my own repairs.
Now, I'm more and more at the mercy of that minimum-wage guy, and it's because he's the only one who can lay his hands on the parts.
Pop
There is no art remaining in rebuilding anything in today's throw-away world. No one seems to be able to do it themselves any more, so most get them from a supply chain that begins with junk in the hands of a minimum-wage "technician".
No wonder they have to offer that lifetime warranty! No one would buy that crap otherwise.
The real problem is readily-available repair parts for the components of our trucks.
I grew up in a world where you could buy replacement diaphragms and valves for mechanical fuel pumps, and you rebuilt your own, but no more. Not available to the public. Not enough profit in selling a $5 part to get a $100 component fixed when you can just sell the whole $100 part instead.
I have bought many brush kits for generators, alternators, and starter motors. They're getting harder to find nowadays. Last year I was still able to get a brush set/regulator for my 6G, so I did. It's still tickin' away.
I was always able to control the quality of the parts and workmanship that I put into my own repairs.
Now, I'm more and more at the mercy of that minimum-wage guy, and it's because he's the only one who can lay his hands on the parts.
Pop
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 8
From: Fleetwood, PA
Pop, very well said, my father in law to this day tries to rebuild eveything he can get his hands on. My air compressor stopped working and we tore it apart and found the brushes were bad, called a few places and this one place had them, only a couple sets left, so I bought two at 5.00 bucks a pair. Saved myself about 80.00 bucks to go and buy a new comp.
since that day i saved and finally bought my 2000 PSD for 10.000 . Kids my age just dont care. everything i have tools equiptment i have saved for and bought, or refinished from whatever i got for free.
i go to Penn state for college. kids look at me like i am a million bucks when i jump their car or change there tire. mean while im in the parking lot using a generator and 20 gal air compressor to install my new trip shocks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 8
From: Fleetwood, PA
hahah by the way, i actually though you were in jail until i realized you could get banned from reps....oh boy
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mich52
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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