TheSamba.com :: View topic - Best place to buy an alternator for my 1973 bus?

Fri Oct 17, 2014 6:33 am

Struggling with this one. Lifetime warranty Autozone deal is gone (manufacturer does not seem to have them anymore).

This one kinda scare me: http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1973/volkswagen/transporter/engine_electrical/alternator.html

Any suggestions?

Fri Oct 17, 2014 6:41 am

Oldbikedoc wrote: Struggling with this one. Lifetime warranty Autozone deal is gone (manufacturer does not seem to have them anymore).

This one kinda scare me: http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1973/volkswagen/transporter/engine_electrical/alternator.html

Any suggestions?

I just replaced my alternator. While not an overly difficult job, it wasn't a pleasant experience either. Because of this I would recommend a rebuilt Bosch starter by Bosch. Like the one below the one that scares you.

Probably the same as this:

http://www.busdepot.com/al75x

Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:26 am

Can you get yours rebuilt locally?

Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:21 am

Where in Southern California are you? There are a few shops from Los Angeles to San Diego that rebuild them.

Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:26 am

Ugh I just went through this. I got mine from Napa and the guy said it was the last one in the country...could be wrong.

The main thing is make sure everything matches up to your old one...including the stud sizes of the connectors. Mine were too long and I didn't realize and fried my entire wire harness and the alternator.

Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:36 am

See if you can find an old school starter shop, they can test/rebuild your original one to a higher quality than a new one.

Fri Oct 17, 2014 10:40 am

Greg in GA wrote: See if you can find an old school starter shop, they can test/rebuild your original one to a higher quality than a new one.

yea it depends on the shop. I had an original VW alternator rebuilt from a local guy and it didn't last very long.

Not sure about any where else, but trying to find a Chicago mechanic or anyone that works in the automotive industry that takes pride in their work is like finding a unicorn dancing on four leaf clover.

Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:19 am

I live about an hour north of Los Angeles and had a local shop rebuild my original. Came back looking like new and works great. I rebuilt one for a buddy and his works good to but doesn't look as nice. Brushes are available for a rebuild as long as the winding's aren't shorted out.

Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:58 pm

Thanks for the input guys. Found a guy in Riverside, that will rebuild for $85

Will try and track him down this week.