The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Starter & Alternator Rebuilding??

Hello,
I am new to this forum, but long time vistor of this site. I have a 1971 chevy C-10 pickup with the 402 V8 big block. It has the original starter and alternator, but hey need to be rebuilt. Can anyone tell me of a parts company that sells a rebuild kit or at least the parts I need to rebuild both parts??
Thanks.

Welcome aboard! You should be able to get all of the parts from the flaps (freinldy local parts store), Napa would be a good place to start, or if you have locally owned place that's been around for a while, they might have them, too. Advance, O'Reillys, and Zone might be able to get them, but they will probably try to sell you a whole new/rebuilt unit.
One thing I can say about napa, if you use them, is that if you get the Napa/Echlin regular for the alternator, you will be pleased with the performance. The Echlin regulators are using the same technology used in the newer GM cars, much more accurate then the originals. I swapped out the regulator in the alternator in mine for one. Made a huge difference.

ShadeTree71,

Welcome to the Stovebolt...the "new" Stovebolt! You will probably be able to buy many of the parts, but they won't be packaged as a 'kit' per se. I would assume you want to do these chores yourself because you enjoy working on mechanical things, and you want to save some loot.

There are probably some procedures that would be required on the starter that are beyond just replacement. If the commutator needs to be turned and mica needs undercutting, you would need the tools and skills to accomplish these tasks.

The alternator might need bearings and brushes...I'm not sure the brushes would be on the shelf at a FLAPS.

Doing these things for the enjoyment is the name of the game, but buying factory rebuilt items might get you a better product in the long run. Whatever you decide, good luck and welcome to the garage.

Stuart

Replaced the alternator on my '67 c-50 w/ an alternator that has an internal voltage regulator in it. If the internal volt reg goes south, replacing it will be easy too. If you go that route you'll need to modify the wiring a bit, as you can't run through 2 voltage regulators. Either way you chose, it's a good idea to bring your old alternator with you when you go purchase a new one. You may find the replacement alternators don't have the same pulley as yours. This was the case with mine (duel belt pulley). The guy just pulled off my old pulley & zipped it onto the new alt. If you have a pulley that's difficult to find a replacement, you don't want it damaged, so it's a good idea to go to a place that specializes in doing starters & alternators. That's what I did, with no regrets.

Rebuilding your own units is a great choice. I,ve been doing my own GM,s for many years. Like the guys say the parts are readily available from a parts store. The quality is often better then what you get in a reman. The parts like brushes & diods on the older alt,s with external regs. are getting a little spotty. Some can,t supply them anymore. The brgs. are all the same. There are some rebuild kits for starters but you don,t need them.

I'll agree with that. maybe a new set of brushes and the end plate bushings to freshen it up. That's all I did to mine.

Thanks for posting your ideas. This is very helpful.