[DML] Alternator with lifetime warranty

[Stephen Rice <stevedmc@xxxxxxxxx>]

Earlier this morning someone sent me a private email asking about an
alternator cross reference.  I spent a little time putting together my
response and I think this information might be handy to any new people
out there that haven't heard of this cross reference.  Here it is:

Alternator (96 amp)
AutoZone Part #  DL1315-5-3
Price $104.99
Warranty: Lifetime
Cross Reference: 1991 Saturn SL

You will also need a GM alternator plug that will let you plug the
single Delorean wire into the Saturn alternator.  I don't have the
part number but it is available in the display area of Autozone.  Just
by the plug that fits into the new alternator and you should be fine.
You will see what I mean when you compare the electrical connections
on the alternators.  The Delorean alternator has a terminal where you
screw the wire in.  The Saturn alternator has a connector where you
plug the wire in.

AutoZone advice:  In this case it is safe to walk into AutoZone and
say your car is a Saturn.  If you ever walk in with just a part number
and no cross reference vehicle, just tell them you have a kit car.  If
you tell them you have a Delorean they will sometimes waste 10 minutes
insisting Delorean is listed in their computer under General Motors in
addition to all the other comments you will hear.

Notes: Swap pulley from old Delorean alternator.  If you ask nicely at
AutoZone they will let you borrow their impact wrench and will help
you swap pulleys at the store.  You may need to place a washer behind
the pulley when reinstalling it to keep it from rubbing against the
new alternator.  If this is the case, don't tighten the new pulley and
worry about the washer after you leave the store.

You will also notice the mount holes on the new alternator are smaller
than the Delorean alternator.  You have two options to correct this.
You can either drill the holes out to make them larger, or you can go
to Lowes/Home Depot and pickup a smaller bolt that will fit in the
holes of the new alternator.  I recommend getting a smaller bolt to
make future replacements easier.  Dilling out the new alternator won't
void your AutoZone warranty but you will be in a bind should you ever
have to replace it 500 miles from home.  By getting a skinnier bolt,
you ensure you will be able to swap alternators anywhere providing
AutoZone helps you swap the pulley.

Another note, you will need to craft some sort of spacer where the
bolt goes into the alternator.  The new alternator is missing about a
half inch of the mount found on the Delorean alternator.  You can fix
this by making a spacer made of washers wrapped in electrical tape, or
you can pickup a spacer at Lowes that fits your bolt and grind it down
to the propper size.  I recommend griding down a spacer to size as it
will make future replacements easier.

The spacer thing probably sounds weird but it will make perfect sense
when you compare the alternators side by side.  I recommend holding
onto your original alternator a few days before returning it for the
core charge so you can figure out the spacer I am talking about.  Its
really simple but having something to look at will make it even easier
to figure out.  The main thing is to ask them to loosen the pulleys on
both alternators if you don't have an impact wrench at home.  Those
suckers are a pain to get off without an impact wrench.

You may never need to replace your alternator again but if it ever
does fail there is a 99.999999% chance it won't be in your driveway.
I like working on my car wherever the problem may occur, and many
times its away from home.  I've only been towed once, and that was in
my first 24 hours of ownership.



-Steve Rice
#16510


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