Help with 3G alternator

woody258

Member

May 10, 2003

40

0

6

Oregon

Jan 14, 2006

#1

• Jan 14, 2006

• #1

Ok, I had upgraded my 75amp to a 95 some time ago. I wasn't happy with it and got a "deal" on a 130amp 3G on ebay. The guy said it was a OEM rebuilt with 500mi. Got it today and it appears to be the right one, ears at 180 deg etc..and the hole is threaded. But when I turn the shaft, I hear a little squeak inside and the case looks pretty dirty for 500 mi. I'll go ahead and hook it up and see or maybe have a local shop take a look at it first. There are no part #'s on the case, just Motorsport, is there a way to be sure it's a 130 amp? Thanks for your input!

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

2,674

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89

Dallas, TX

Jan 14, 2006

#2

• Jan 14, 2006

• #2

You can take it to most any auto parts chain and they can test it for free.
Sounds like he might be lying to you about the 500 miles thing a little but as long as it works and you got a good deal on it.

Heres what it should look like for comparison.

 

woody258

Member

May 10, 2003

40

0

6

Oregon

Jan 14, 2006

#3

• Jan 14, 2006

• #3

Thanks Sleeper for the pic. Looks the same to me. I'll see if someone can check it out for me. I'm a little worried about the squeak, hoping it doesn't need bearings or sumpin.

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

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89

Dallas, TX

Jan 14, 2006

#4

• Jan 14, 2006

• #4

No problem.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

Darkwriter77

Resident Ranting Negative Nancy

5 Year Member

Jul 1, 2005

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Apache Junction, AZ

Jan 14, 2006

#5

• Jan 14, 2006

• #5

Maybe a bad bearing, maybe not. You'll know for sure when you put it on a bench-tester if it's got a bad bearing, as it'll make a hideous squeal/whine or a rapid click/buzz noise. I can take almost a third of the alternators off a parts store shelf, give 'em a spin, and they make all sorts of weird squeaks, scrapes, and brushing sounds. Reman units are kinda hit and miss, and sometimes all the reman companies do is just throw on a new voltage regulator, sandblast/paint, and rebox 'em.

How good a deal is a "good deal?" Like, fifty bucks? You can score a lifetime-warrantied reman 3g alt from most parts shacks for around $150 - you can cheat 'em on the core by turning in your 2g alt if the parts dude isn't wise to what you're doing. Ummm ... not that I would ever do something sneaky like that, myself, of course...

 

woody258

Member

May 10, 2003

40

0

6

Oregon

Jan 14, 2006

#6

• Jan 14, 2006

• #6

Thanks Dark. Yeah, I paid $65 shipped so I'm not in it too much. I'll take it somewhere to get it checked. The case looks kind a ****ty so I'll try and clean it up with scotchbrite or something if it checks out.

 

8

8950HO

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

658

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Jan 14, 2006

#7

• Jan 14, 2006

• #7

The little squeak you hear is probably the brushes riding on the rotor slip rings.

 

woody258

Member

May 10, 2003

40

0

6

Oregon

Jan 20, 2006

#8

• Jan 20, 2006

• #8

Well, I took it to Schucks and it tested fine. Put it on after altering the bracket. I'm going to swap the stock pulley for my ASP alluminum which is actually a tiny bit smaller. Going to see if it helps my low idle charge. I may still end up going with the overdrive alt pulley. I've got an auto tranny and hate my lights dimming at stop lights. Wish I had an amp tester to confirm it's putting out more than my 95amp but I'm sure it probably is.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Jan 20, 2006

#9

• Jan 20, 2006

• #9

Woody, if your idle is a hair low, it will affect the output a great deal at hot idle with a load on the system. Bumping the idle might help a little.........

Good luck.

 

04sleeper

Founding Member

Jun 22, 2002

2,674

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89

Dallas, TX

Jan 21, 2006

#10

• Jan 21, 2006

• #10

Do you run an underdrive crank pulley?

 

woody258

Member

May 10, 2003

40

0

6

Oregon

Jan 21, 2006

#11

• Jan 21, 2006

• #11

Yeah Sleeper I run ASP pulleys. I swapped the stock 3g for my ASP which is slightly smaller and it seemed to help a bit at idle. I think I'll be ok it I edge up the idle a bit.