AC Delco is good stuff, but.....
moogvo said:
I have a 107 amp AC Delco replacementin my Suburban. My burban is wired with all sorts of emergency lighting and communications gear. When I come to a stop in the rain at night with the turn signals on with the front and rear air on full blast and the wipers running while transmitting on the two-way radio, my voltage never drops below 13.7 volts
If you hear nothing else I say, Make sure to hear this: AC Delco.
NEVER buy a starter or alternator with a "lifetime warranty" from Auto-Zone, Advance Auto, etc. Their house brands SUCK! They are JUNK! They are "re-built" in a sweat shop-type factory where more than half of them don't even meet spec before being boxed up and shipped out.
Fix it once, and fix it right, I say. Buy the Delco the first time, and "Fuhgettaboutitt!"
I don't disagree that AC-Delco sells a quality product, but I've been on the floor of a couple of very good component rebuilders. A good rebuilder can't afford a high return rate. Shipping costs alone would eat into their bottom line. New bearings, brushes, diodes are pretty commonplace. The case, and the stator really don't require replacement so they are cleaned, tested and reused.
Every good shop protects its reputation by a rigorous testing program. Like I said, it's cheaper to build a quality product that to pay to ship it back and forth. The major chains watch their return rate and a competitive supplier is always looking to steal your contract with them.
A big problem the major chain stores have is taking back an rebuilt part that is OK. A DIY'er that thinks his electrical woes are caused by a bad alternator can whine to the parts clerk who finds it easier to swap the unit out that argue with the customer or help them correctly diagnose the trouble.
A lifetime warranty is nothing to sneeze at. An alternator is a simple 30 minute job to replace on most cars. If you change your vehicle every couple of years then it doesn't make a difference. As for me I'm keeping my burb til the wheels fall off, so a $100 for a lifetime alternator is a bargain.
Yes, junk is junk, and your experience may vary, but I don't have a problem buying rebuilt parts from a major retailer.