Just as the title suggests. Alternator is going out on my 84-SE, and I need to get a new one. Who sells good stuff for good prices?

Any issue with just getting an Autozone one? (if they have them, haven't checked.)

(and why the hell would an 02 sensor cost $207 from mazda trix?? No I didn't buy it)

 

Usually you can get rebuilt ones relatively inexpensively, though I know in SoCal they cost a fortune compared to Canadian prices. I recently helped a friend swap out the alternator in his Ford Ranger (uses a lot of Mazda parts) and what would have been a $60 alternator in Saskatoon was $299 in Northridge.

 

yeah, I'm not expecting any trouble, but I just thought I'd ask here 1st as always...

 

I have '83 GSL, I got my alternator from AutoZone actually. It was $60 with lifetime warranty, I imagine yours wouldn't be much more if they carry it.

 

NAPA or Autozone

 

Get a second gen alt and change over the fusible links to a second gen fuse block. Hanman's old post on this is very good. I got a second gen boneyard alt and it is fine. Cost 50 bucks. Don't pay a boneyard any more than a core charge for an alternator. If you get a used one, beware of the auto shops that have testers for these. I tested one at our local Schucks and it read bad so I got another and it tested bad too! No way I say and trot off to another store where both test out ok. The 86/87 alts with an 80 amp main buss are great. Be sure to get the bolt and the spacer on the bolt if you pull one from a yard.

 

if you're going to do it, go with a Pre-88 Turbo II alternator. It is a straight swap, with significantly more amps.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't pay over 200. I have seen several performance companies selling after market alt's for under 200 with almost twice as many amps. I would get one from like autozone or kragen cause they give you lifetime warranties.

 

Well, niether autozone or kragen's have lifetime warranties, but they are 119 and 125 respectively.

 

I wanna get a higher amperage alternator, what can I do beside a 2nd gen alternator? I was hoping for like an 80-100 amp sucker to help along my car with the HUGE stereo that will be going in eventually...

~T.J.

 

3rd Gen Alternator = 100 amps. Must modify sepentine pulley to V-belt though.