I returned the alternator some you guys helped me with - thanks a lot - and the guy decided to remove the voltage regulator and look inside. The hole one of the machine screws should have fit was oval in shape - probably about 8 mm the long way, so the screw had no anchor in the case. Instead the bright rebuilder had put a nut inside the case so the screw could hold the regulator. In my opinion, the nut wasn't in exactly the right place anyway, so the regulator wasn't positioned right. In addition, the machine screw went through the nut and into the diode "holder" (don't know what the proper name is).

This guy was ticked. He said it was one of the last reman alternators he had gotten from these guys and had since changed to another shop in town that has been around for a few hundred years or so. He's stuck with the alternator, since the other folks have since gone out of business. Of course, he made good, but I felt kind of bad that he got screwed. He's gotten to be a good friend.

I learned a couple of things, though. It's worth spending a few minutes checking out stuff under the hood once in a while (besides checking fluids and such). Some of the electrical connectors needed attention, and I re-wrapped some of the wires. It wasn't all bad.

Jim Hampton