Alternators: autozone vs advance vs oriellys - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

eymang · 03-18-2014, 07:54 PM

Today my alternator went out on my 91 vert. I want to stay within a budget with good quality so I looked at rebuilt alternators between auto part stores. I went by AutoZone to have them test mine. While there I compared the duralast and valuecraft side by side and both were exactly identical and I checked the regulator, rectifier, bearings all were new on both. The remanufacturer markings and part number were the same on both cases. I mentioned to the parts clerk these are the same and he insisted duralast was better. I asked many valuecraft come back and he said none that he's seen. So I'm thinking the higher price duralast is for the 2yr warranty. The valuecraft has a 1 yr warranty. Anyway, all the rebuilt alternators from these 3 main part stores are their house brand and exactly in price and warranty. So my question is has anyone bought a rebuilt alternator from any of these stores and which brand have you had luck with or not?

Obsessive Camaro Disorder · 03-19-2014, 06:26 PM

I've had my '92 15 years, when it comes to alternators, the cheapest one with a lifetime warranty will be the last one you'll ever buy. Just don't lose the receipt.

03-18-2014, 07:54 PM	#1
eymang Drives: 2011 2SS/RS & 1991 Vert Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 397 View My Garage	Alternators: autozone vs advance vs oriellys Today my alternator went out on my 91 vert. I want to stay within a budget with good quality so I looked at rebuilt alternators between auto part stores. I went by AutoZone to have them test mine. While there I compared the duralast and valuecraft side by side and both were exactly identical and I checked the regulator, rectifier, bearings all were new on both. The remanufacturer markings and part number were the same on both cases. I mentioned to the parts clerk these are the same and he insisted duralast was better. I asked many valuecraft come back and he said none that he's seen. So I'm thinking the higher price duralast is for the 2yr warranty. The valuecraft has a 1 yr warranty. Anyway, all the rebuilt alternators from these 3 main part stores are their house brand and exactly in price and warranty. So my question is has anyone bought a rebuilt alternator from any of these stores and which brand have you had luck with or not? Last edited by eymang; 03-18-2014 at 11:44 PM.

03-19-2014, 06:26 PM	#2
Obsessive Camaro Disorder Drives: 69 Camaro and 92 RS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 180	I've had my '92 15 years, when it comes to alternators, the cheapest one with a lifetime warranty will be the last one you'll ever buy. Just don't lose the receipt. __________________ There are 3 ways to do any project. Good, fast, and cheap. You can only choose two. If it's done good and fast, it isn't going to be cheap. If it's done good and cheap, it isn't going to be done fast. If it's done cheap and fast, it isn't going to be good.