2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Starters & alternators (rebuild)

[The patriot]

Was going to go with a Leece Neville alternator. Well I was outbid, so I guess I'm sticking with the Denso alternator.


I dont want to deal with the china imports of questionable quality.

I got a spare alternator on fleabay for something like 25 delivered. The bearings sound OK on the spare, and I dont think there's a bearing issue with the one on the truck. There's a slight noise in the front of the engine, but it seems to have started when I replaced the harmonic balancer. The replacement had mild rust on the belt grooves.

What's the best way to clean the aluminum case? I have a very small tumbler ..and a blaster (I'm thinking glass beads). I know I have to pull the bearings to do this. I just want it to look rebuilt. I guess it would be worth while to hit it with high heat clear afterwords....
I know I can buy the kit from Geno's, Larry B's, and a few places on the internet . (alternatorstarterparts.com etc)
Any tips/tricks on this job? Hints? Cheaper/better vendors? Reasonably priced ungrades? I've done this before, just not in the last 30 or so years.:-{}

Starter....same questions basically.

My truck has 130K on it and has had a pretty easy life. I did beat the dog snot out of the starter one time (out of fuel and didnt know it) but that was a few years ago and I dont foresee any issues. This winter it's been a little tougher starting, but I think that's due to me advancing the timing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GAmes]

I can't help you with the alternator, but with only 130k on it the starter more than likely only needs new contacts. Mine lasted over 600k after replacing the contacts from Larry B's only once. When it did fail, it was gone. Bearings, brushes and armature were all beyond hope. The contacts were still good.

 

[The patriot]

Thanks.
I'll tear it down before buying the parts.
It'll be nice to be able to save a little $$$ for a change.

 

[JR]

It sounds like your on the right track with the plastic beads. I've used walnut shell to polish parts and it worked well but Im sure your beads would do just fine too. Not real sure what to use for a clear coat, I've tried this on an old set of wheels and eventually they started turning a yellowish color. I'd almost be tempted to shoot a coat of etching primer followed by a coat of high gloss black on the starter once you've got it reassembled after rebuild. I gave my starter a freshen up last summer, more as a preventative maintenance deal than anything because it is still the original starter. The stamped tin cover on the end of the starter solenoid was very thin in mine so make sure to check yours out too. Probably a result of 17 years of humidity and salt. It wasn't horrible so I cleaned it up and added a coat of a metal filler to the outside. Once it dried I sanded it down and gave it a few coats of paint. Good as new.