Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

[Ed S.]

Looking for a source for a 10DN (37 amp) alternator rebuild kit. Have searched this forum for source contacts - none mentioned. Searched Summit, Rock Auto, Advanced and other chain parts vendors - they don't carry them.

The only thing I can find is dozens of E-Bay vendors - no info regarding source of their critical parts such as diodes and bearings = likely no name overseas shops pumping them out. There has to be a source for reliable - good quality components for these kits - a lot of them are rebuilt every week.

Thanks for any recommendations.

[Richard M.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

Ed, I looked at some of those Ebay kits just now, seems they include many parts you don't need as they cover many different types. Unsure who makes what and where from either.

NAPA had been my supplier for alternator parts. They don't have a "kit" for the older units, but have diodes, bearings, brushes, connectors, etc.

Brushes w/Springs & Holder ECH R429

Individual Brushes w/Springs(pair) ECH R427

Main(Drive) Bearing BRG 6203RSJ (NAPA - Higher Quality)

Main(Drive) Bearing PGB P6203RSJ (Proformer - cheaper)

They don't show the small rear needle bearing, but may have it in their catalog.

The 6203RSJ bearing is a very common bearing, but best to stay high quality, a.k.a. higher price. The asian off-shore bearings are junk, as you likely know.

If you need diodes, they have those also. I believe these are for the 37A unit, but best to verify. You'd need 3 of each, but I think they also offer a Trio for each type under a different part#.

Negative ECH AC2N
Positive ECH AC2P

The alternator parts I've received from them in the past are the Echlin brand, which were quality parts. Not sure these days but I prefer the NAPA brand rather than guessing.

Rich

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

Rich - thanks for the very detailed list of part #s & sources. I found a few of the items on the NAPA website but not all. Your info helps a lot. NAPA typically sells good stuff - trusted source. That said, two bits of info FYI on this issue. I sent a question to one E Bay vendor that lists a kit for $37 and change - I asked, "where are the parts in this kit made - what country". The vendor replied, "China, Taiwan, India". As I suspected - not interested. Then, I was referred to a website for a company called "CPI Divisions" - based in the USA. Among other product brands, CPI owns Victory Lap auto parts which specializes in rebuild kits for alternators, starters and solenoids. I found old threads in the NCRS forum recommending Victory Lap products but could never find a website for them. I gotta tell you, the CPI website is extensive but disjointed - you get lost navigating it - but..... they sell a complete kit for a 10DN alternator, and many others as well. This may be the best kept secret since the rear engine Corvette was first conceived. Here is the link to the 10DN kit - I would appreciate your opinion of it versus buying individual parts from NAPA. https://www.cpidivisions.com/product/GMA-10DN/. The business opens in a few minutes, I am going to call them and ask where these parts are manufactured. Will report what I find.

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

So here is the deal with Victory Lap repair kits. CPI, which owns Victory Lap does not manufacture any parts that go into alternator and starter rebuild kits. They buy them all from a company in FL called "WAI Global" - it is an industrial manufacturing company that produces all kinds of stuff, including alternator parts. Right on the website it they have a short blurb that states alternator and starter parts are manufactured in Shanghai, China. It appears that it is not a small mom and pop operation - 100K sq ft factory. etc etc... What can I say... .would not surprise me if NAPA and GM and other brands get their parts from WAI. Thoughts?

[Richard M.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

Ed,

That kit appears complete, but as you say the suppliers are from outsourced distributors with unknown traceability. Today that's the way it always seems. Still seems a bit pricey for all of that offshore stuff. You might want to price the Napa parts for a total and compare.

I for one would not want the offshore bearings. The Napa Drive End bearing I got for that one I rebuilt was NTN(Canada). The Commutator End bearing was fine so I reused it.

Napa D.E. bearing
P9140012.jpg

As far as the other parts in the CPI kit, maybe they'd be okay.

An aside. Our front load Maytag washing machine, about 15 years old, was making a loud grinding noise during the spin cycle. I knew it was the main shaft bearings likely from compromised leaky seals. I bought a kit which included the bearings(suspected China) and several special seals. I bought the kit mainly for the seals. I didn't trust the bearings.

I cross-referenced the bearings and found SKF replacements(6206RS/6207RS). I paid way more for those 2 bearings than I did for the whole kit with special seals and the junk bearings. When I got all of the parts a few days later, the bearings supplied in the kit looked horrible, poor machining, just plain junk. There wasn't even a country of origin on them. No way was I going to tear this washer apart again later to save a few bucks. The SKF bearings were excellent quality.

This was 4 years ago. The spin cycle is still fine with the SKF bearings. If I had used the ones in the kit I'd probably be doing it all over again.

Rich

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

I think I am going to go the NAPA rout - interesting, NAPA's brand is Echlin - I did a bit of research on Echlin, all their manufacturers are in the far east too! But.... I gotta assume the quality is good - given the volume they manufacture and sell. I accept that not everything from the far east is inferior - but it is critical to ensure that the stuff you buy that is made there is not being produced in a back yard shop with a dirt floor and a few goats running around. Regarding WAI Global corp and Victory Lap parts, WAI is an exclusive supplier for Bosch auto electronic parts - you have to assume their products are high quality. Good discussion - I hope all learned some useful info on these small, obscure but important restoration parts.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

I buy the parts from Napa, but usually check out what ones I need before I go there.
The local outlet has a couple of guys who know how to look up the info, and a couple who do not.

[Richard M.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

Patrick, Yes I have a "Napaprolink" account with my local store. What's good about it is that it tells me what they have on the shelves, or in their DC's(Distribution Centers). I can order parts online and have them typically next morning, or sooner.

Ed, I think you'll be good with Napa, plus if you have issues you can check back with them directly. Plus if you order something and you don't like it at the counter, they'll just send it back. I've done that and they understand.

So, that rear CE needle bearing, I have some here for spares. IIRC originals were Torrington.

The USA version is made by INA. Part# BCH06604 Napa doesn't show it but I'd think they could get it for you, or online, e.g. Here. Not sure where made these days though.

INA
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[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

Rich - Thank you very much - NAPA it is! Is this a great organization and thread or what. I love this.

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

I like NAPA - not everything they sell is made in the USA but you can count on the quality of their parts. Went to my local NAPA store today - with a list of 6 items, I left with just 1, the large front bearing. Not only did they not have the other items in stock (no surprise but not an issue either) but.... they no longer carry them. Rear needle bearing, Negative diodes, Positive diodes, brushes, capacitor ---- nope, no longer available, can't even order them from NAPA. So it is to the internet & E Bay vendors I go.

[Richard M.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

Ed,

Strange, I show those parts available through my local Napa(via my napaprolink account which shows quantities available).
Except it appears the Negative diodes say to check store for availability. I missed that earlier.

e.g. From their Distribution Center stock....

ECHR429 Brushes and Holder - 49 available
ECHAC2P Pos Diode - 13 available

Not sure why your local store isn't seeing what I'm seeing. It shows you can order parts from napaonline.com and it's free shipping over $35.

Rich

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

I experienced the same when I checked on line, there is a comment that says "call and check for availability". I went to the store in person, went through a number of Echlin p/n's --- not stocked locally, not available from the distribution center. They did have 2 Neg diodes at the dist center - shipping fee to the local store would be $13 and change. Also - the Echlin diodes have a small imprint logo or something stamped into the metal in the center of the face. Clearly visible. I found diodes on an E bay site - $3 each, ordered them. I did find a correct Thorington NOS rear bearing on an obscure parts site, $5! All of these small parts are made in Asia now for US based suppliers. Some are high quality, some are suspect, few are physically identical to NOS. That is life.

[Duke W.]

Re: Alternator Rebuild Kit source recommendation

Like ignition parts, I'm pretty sure that current name brand electrical parts for starters and alternators are manufactured by Standard Motor Products. This would include Echlin, BWD, Niehoff, Delco, and SMP's own house brands Standard and Bluestreak.

Duke