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.