Alternator Core

My alternator appears to have died today. I've ordered a reman Denso 130A for tomorrow since it was the best quality I could get in that short of a timeframe.

My question is, is it generally recommended to keep the original alternator and get it rebuilt or used as a core for suggested upgraded units (mean green, etc.), or are these original OEM unites not so coveted? I ask, because on some other vehicles I've seen people advocate for keeping and rebuilding.
TIA

 

Rebuilding isn't super difficult, and you can get an inexpensive rebuild kit from the usual places. Keep it for a winter project or something, and then you've got a spare on hand. Almost certainly not worth selling.

 

You can probably find a YouTube to help you along if you rebuild yourself. Good way to learn.

once you can rebuild an alternator, starters and other motors should be pretty easy to do.

 

Denso is supposed to be a reputable company. It’s just a standard alternator.

often times when people use the term rebuild they’re not actually doing a rebuild and just doing a small fraction of what is serviceable on a part not achieving the same result.

 

10 years ago I would've said maybe, but because of my health issues and arthritis it's not worth paying for doing those things for days afterwards. Selling my project car cuz of it too.

 

Oh I get that! If you don’t enjoy doing the work, I think it’s best left for someone else to do.

 

Fixing the OE alternator is typically replacing it's electronics; the diode pack and voltage regulator which R&R as one unit with a couple screws. Replacing the alternator itself is where the work comes in and it's far more difficult then replacing the unit's electronics. Ether way you still did 99% of the work.

 

The last alternator issue I had (and its been a while, knock on wood) I took the vehicle to a local shop that electronics / elecrical things like that is all they do.

The removed, rebuilt, replaced for less $ than buying just the reman part at some parts house was listed for.

If you have such a place in your area, it's good to consider.

 

Remember though, the quality of the parts a shop like that puts in may (or may not) be as good as the OE parts they replaced.

 

Fortunately those are the parts they typically use.

I mean their quality is enough that they have the contract for the county school buses. Not sure how many units there are, but they move 33,000 kids about 9 million miles per school year