best alternator for the $$$

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

spenser21

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
151
Reaction score
3
Location
a
First Name
a
Truck Year
1
Truck Model
1
Engine Size
1
so im not to thrilled about switching alternators all the time. Does anyone recommend a good alternator that's not going to cost 100s...
would be going on my 74 k10 350/350
 

4WDKC

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2016
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
1,090
Location
Southern Florida
First Name
Kacy
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
350
Not sure what you are using that is killing alternators, but I was looking at the one on my 87 and it looks like 120-140 amp from an LT1 fbody, caprice, impala, roadmonster should bolt on factory mount, just need to adapt wiring to new plug.
 

75gmck25

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Posts
2,017
Reaction score
1,808
Location
Northern Virginia
First Name
Bruce
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
K25 Camper Special TH350 NP203
Engine Size
5.7
Probably the least expensive choice is a rebuilt GM 12si (vs. your current 10si) with a single groove pulley. The max rating for a stock 12si is 94 amp capacity. You should upgrade the charge wire to handle the higher amps, but the rest of your stock wiring will plug right in to a 12si.

Bruce
 

spenser21

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
151
Reaction score
3
Location
a
First Name
a
Truck Year
1
Truck Model
1
Engine Size
1
thanks guys, still chasing problems but I only want to replace stuff once lol
 

fussfeld

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Posts
340
Reaction score
54
Location
east coast
First Name
j
Truck Year
83
Truck Model
c-10
Engine Size
4.3 v-6 262CID
i think delco Remy is good.
 

77 K20

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Posts
3,075
Reaction score
3,044
Location
Montana
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K20 5" lift
Engine Size
HT383 fuel injected
Probably the least expensive choice is a rebuilt GM 12si (vs. your current 10si) with a single groove pulley. The max rating for a stock 12si is 94 amp capacity. You should upgrade the charge wire to handle the higher amps, but the rest of your stock wiring will plug right in to a 12si.

Bruce

That is what I did. The 12si puts out a LOT more amps at low RPM compared to a 10si. The 12si unit has some upgraded cooling capability. New fan on the front and some more open vents at the rear.

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
What alternator amp wise or designation would have came on a fully loaded 87 Silverado with power windows? Sorry for the interjection.
 

MikeB

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Posts
1,745
Reaction score
935
Location
Justin, TX
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1969
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
I've had a 12SI rebuilt by AC Delco in a 69 C10 for around 12-14 years. Go here to find the P/N, and then check out Amazon and Rock Auto for prices. http://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/catalog/catalog_search.php


My 82 C10 has a rebuilt 10SI alternator from O'Reilly Auto. Looked like new when I bought it, and and has a lifetime warranty. So you might want to see if any of your local parts stores offer a lifetime warranty.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,956
Reaction score
23,465
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
What alternator amp wise or designation would have came on a fully loaded 87 Silverado with power windows? Sorry for the interjection.

Should have been a 105 amp CS130 style with a 5-groove serpentine style pulley.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,956
Reaction score
23,465
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Ok so that would be a pretty decent one then?

Jep. I've put a couple of them into older squares as an upgrade. A 140 amp CS144 can work also.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,789
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
Jep. I've put a couple of them into older squares as an upgrade. A 140 amp CS144 can work also.
I have one from an 86 454 that came out of a motor home that was V belt but had the plastic fan like my 87 one does. It’s gotta handle my fan, distributor and fuel pump it should be fine the 87 one that is
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,734
Reaction score
9,523
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
@HonkeyKongjr
I use the "cs130"? -105 amp- for a 1986 Corvette. That's cheap and has a lifetime warranty.
Buy that plug thingy, swap pulleys and it bolts up NP.

You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach


There's the part numbers. Pictured is my salvage yard core and the Borg-Warner pigtail. I had change off my Ben to buy lunch! ...at 7-11... but lunch none-the-less! :)
 
Last edited:

Hatchet54

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Posts
276
Reaction score
248
Location
Wyoming
First Name
Red
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
1500 Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350

Hatchet54

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Posts
276
Reaction score
248
Location
Wyoming
First Name
Red
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
1500 Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,848
Posts
903,416
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top