Re: [DML] Delco Alternator swap instructions; LONG!

["basfe25" <dmcman73@xxxx>]

Your argument is not valid with "maybe and evaluation of whether 
they should own a DeLorean should be in question" if they decide to 
install a rebuilt alternator. What you are saying is that then 
ANYONE with ANY car should be re-evaluated in owning ANY car if they 
install a rebuilt alternator. Are you saying that anyone that owns a 
motor vehicle should not be entitled to own one if they install 
anything rebuilt? Or even a mechanic that installs re-built 
stuff...should he be "re-evaluated" for even being a mechanic? What 
about your "rebuild" of the door lock module? That is a critical 
part since that part can cause a FIRE if done improperly...should 
YOU be re-evaluated for even being a vendor!? Or how about your 
fudged setup of your fuel systems using straight fuel line for the 
pick up line in the tank that can kink when installed instead of 
using the proper formed one that will lie the way it is formed. Or 
what about all the other components that you "re-build"!? 

Your also calling anyone that uses another setup over another that 
costs less CHEAP? Hell I don't know about you but the economy is 
down the crapper right now and every penny I own is watched very 
carefully. I don't consider that being "cheap". If people out there 
are well off and can afford to buy 2 cars and all the "expensive" 
parts then good for them...I'm not one of them. Doesn't make me 
cheap though just careful with my money. I do my homework before 
doing any modification that deviates from the Delorean's setup. It's 
4 years now and I am still restoring/modifying my Delorean. Between 
$$$ and working out problems it's taking me that long. I guess what 
your saying then is that I should have no right in owning this 
vehicle then...well I have news for you...tough S---! I own one. I 
do not believe in the rush/slap together job.

Let's define "re-built". The guy I purchased the alternator replaces 
all electronics in the alternator, the bearings with high quality 
ones and the brushes. The only things that do not get changed are 
the casing and armature that has the windings. Where do you get your 
rebuilt ones from that they only replace the bad stuff only!?

You do not have to change the lower mounting brace, read the 
instructions again and look at the picture. The same lower mounting 
bracket is used along with the original belt and bolts. Look...when 
I did this there was no other available swap for around $100. The 
alternator I have is rebuilt with a lifetime warranty. Fact is, new 
or rebuilt the alternator will go at anytime; whether the alternator 
outlast the car or blows out a week after you install it. I never 
said this is THE best way, but just another way. People will do what 
they want with their cars even if it means to put 2 engines in it or 
make it into a monster truck or whatever. If someone wants to put a 
common reliable cheap alternator in their D's...that's their choice. 
It's not installed half assed; a new pig tail is installed and 
not "hotwired" and the alternator is mounted sturdy. If someone was 
to buy my car tomorrow and needed to replace the alternator for 
whatever reason it's very simple and straight forward. Most likely 
the people who will be installing these themselves will have the 
knowledge to know what's wrong if it doesn't work. Others who have 
no idea but want this will be leaving it up to their mechanic. I 
would rather have this alternator...even if it turned out to be more 
expensive (which it isn't, it's much cheaper) for the peace of mind 
if I take my car out of state and God forbid for whatever reason the 
alternator goes. I can skip down to any auto parts store and swap it 
out and install it with minimal tools that day and continue my 
journey. It's the peace of mind for me. Same thing with the water 
pump...I purchased the common available Volvo water pump with the 
bolt on pulley and purchased the bolt on pulley for it to work with 
the Delorean from Darryl. Again, no special presses needed or having 
to wait for a shipment to come in...trip to the auto parts store and 
I'm off and running again. Everything is reliable, not half assed 
installed or "fudged" to work. If you look at my setup you would 
think it came like that from the factory. I'm not bashing any of the 
D venders set up at all....it very simple and clean and it's also 
the best setup for someone who wants to install it with no work at 
all or someone that wants to run Concourse at times; they can swap 
the alternator out with the original that came with the car when 
needed. I went my route since I have a good friend that runs an 
alternator rebuild shop and I got it dirt cheap and didn't need a 
core. Other people that had emailed me have said the same 
thing...one of them had even said that they (or a friend of theirs) 
works directly for GM and that they can get the alternator for next 
to nothing. You can buy NEW alternators....I choose a rebuild since 
I've always used my friends rebuilt alternators and they have never 
given me a problem and have actually outlasted some new ones...not 
to mention a lifetime guarantee on it (not because that I knew the 
guy because that's his written policy). And no I can't start getting 
alternators from him to start selling to people...he supplies the 
automotive parts industry and he did me a favor to give me one 
without a core. If I started to buy them from him with no cores he 
would start loosing since he wouldn't have those cores coming in to 
rebuild to replenish his supply. You can get alternators without a 
core?just have to pay a core charge (or give them your original D's 
alternator, they sometimes accept that).

Bottom line, it's just another choice for someone to do?that's all. 
People will do what they want with theirs cars.

I'm done venting.

Steve ("The unfit delorean owner" according to Mr. Hervey)

--- In dmcnews@xxxx, dherv10@xxxx wrote:
> Steve, 
> I read the article, It's good. But I don't understand why someone 
would want 
> to cut down the alternator mounting bracket, change the lower 
mounting brace 
> and get a rebuilt alternator ( used parts ) when they can get a 
brand new 110 
> amp+ for $179.00 with all New Delco parts and in most locations 
available 
> parts and if everything is OK with the cars wiring and something 
isn't going 
> to short out the regulator and would last another 20 years. Not to 
omit the ( 
> Free ) tech help if something goes wrong. I don't think Pep Boys 
will 
> understand the circuit on the car. If $68.00 or so exchange and 
lifetime 
> warranty is the best someone can afford for a critical part of the 
car, then 
> maybe and evaluation of whether they should own a DeLorean should 
be in 
> question. ??????. 
> Are we that cheap. Whether you buy the alternator from me or any 
of the other 
> Delorean vendors that we support and give free tech help just like 
myself, 
> Rob Grady, DMC Houston ,DMC Joe and DMC California and others, I 
don't 
> understand what's the big deal. 110 amp will get you by if that is 
all you 
> want but if you need more current or you sell the car after the 
> modifications, then the next poor soul will have to contend with 
the 
> modification job done on the car. 
> We all hear enough about electrical mod's done and other mod's 
done that next 
> one doesn't understand what the last one did. There were no 
instructions left 
> for the next owner.
> I just don't understand why we have to be so cheap. Pep Boys and 
others can't 
> support the car.
> John Hervey
> www.specialTauto.com 
> 
>  
> 
> The alternator is a Delco 7939-3i that is from a 90-91 Chevy 
Lumina with a 
> 3.1 Litre engine. It is rated to output 105 amps, although the 
unit I have 
> outputs 114 max. Keep in mind that every rebuilt alternator is 
going to have 
> a different max output on the amps. The casing of this alternator 
is about 
> the same size as the Ducellier, but the mounting holes are 
different. When 
> purchasing the Alternator ask the parts guy if he can swap the 
Serpentine 
> belt pulley that comes with the Alternator with a Single belt 
pulley.