O'Reilly Auto Alternator

tessiers · Apr 29, 2015

Second one that I have bought in the last couple of years that doesn't work brand new. I even swapped it out with a working one on another tractor to make sure it wasn't me. Just a simple 1 wire 12v generator conversion. I hate to be too hard on them, but this is crazy, I have 3 hrs. tied up and 3 trips to town for what should have been a 1/2 hr. job, anyone else have this trouble or is it just me?

SimS · Apr 29, 2015

By "brand new" do you mean reman/rebuilt? If so, I have had some problems with O'Reilly's also. My store is quick to replace but the time wasted is a real pain. I have looked at some of their "rebuilt" units and I still see crud and grease inside the alternator. I have the best luck at NAPA with AutoZone and Advanced coming in 2nd and 3rd before O'Reillys. O'Reillys is generally the cheapest priced units but I guess you get what you pay for.

SimS

tessiers · Apr 29, 2015

Yes, I do mean remanufactured. I usually use Motor Supply a local parts shop, but on Sunday they are closed and you know, save time waste time. I'm a pretty easy going fellow, just frustrating the time thing, I never even considered the price to be honest with you.

pmsmechanic · Apr 29, 2015

So why even bother going to town for an alternator? I stock $20 rebuild kits and take them apart and install the new pieces and I have a rebuilt alternator. You can change a regular GM alternator to single wire with just a kit.

gwstang · Apr 30, 2015

I have an old Ford 8N with the alternator conversion. About 10 years ago the alt went out and I went to the local Advance Auto store and got a rebuilt one. I've had to swap it out twice over the years but the lifetime warranty was nice! I have a folder for each vehicle and I've saved receipts from way back in the 80's on equipment. It's come in really handy several times...especially for my '66 mustang...lol. They hate to see me coming... :laughing: The only problem with the receipts is that they purposely use an ink that becomes "invisible" after about 3 or 4 years.

I write on the receipt what it is and when it was purchased to help with that problem and they put the warranty under my phone number anyway and don't even ask for a receipt anymore for a warranted item.

skyhook · Apr 30, 2015

gwstang, I know what you mean, I usually put three or four receipts together and photo copy them for just that very reason.

tessiers · Apr 30, 2015

Follow up: They were real decent about the whole thing, apologized, gave me a new one, and $20 gift card to boot. Not enough for my time but a good gesture and I left feeling like they used me right. Can't ask for much better than that.

gwstang · Apr 30, 2015

skyhook said:
gwstang, I know what you mean, I usually put three or four receipts together and photo copy them for just that very reason.

Excellent idea!

gwstang · Apr 30, 2015

Oreillys is good about helping. The one I go to has an older guy named Sandy and he is a real hot rodder. has some nice Rods that he likes to work/drive. I usually try to go when he is there to ask questions on my '66 mustang. He was very helpful when I swapped the old 289 out for a 5.0 HO. Then adding EFI was another.

flyerdan · May 1, 2015

Always have them bench test the alt before you leave the store; there is such a high failure rate out of the box in the chicom remans that they're pretty much used to it by now.