Hey - an advantage to driving in England! We may pay 4 or 5 times as much
as you guys for petrol (gas), but at least we can get the parts we need!
When the pulley came off my alternator at 70mph a couple of years ago, I
called the AA, but also sent a couple of other guys to find the nearest
town and see if they could buy an alternator since I wasn't convinced the
AA would be able to do anything.
15 minutes later, the guys called me to say they'd found an alternator, but
it was supplied without a pulley. Well, that's not much use now, is it?
After 30 minutes, a bright yellow AA truck pulls up. The mechanic gets
out, takes a look at the alternator and says "Yep, should have a spare one
of them in the back of the truck." After 32 minutes, the guys call me
again to say they've found an alternator - nice one guys, but we already
got one ourselves. What's more, I didn't even have to get my hands dirty.
The AA mechanic replaced the alternator for me, took my credit card details
(to pay for the parts - fitting is free) and I was on the road again less
than an hour later.
I keep seeing ads on TV - "Get your breakdown cover from Green Flag, we're
cheaper than the AA". I'm sure you are cheaper, but do you carry Spitfire
parts on the back of your breakdown truck?????
(Ok, I have to admit, given the choice, I'd rather take the fuel which
costs the same per gallon as I pay per litre, which I use every day, than
have an alternator on the back of a breakdown truck, which I've needed once
in two years.....)
Dean
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Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 09:38:23 -0400
From: "Graziano, Michael" <michael.graziano@csfb.com>
Subject: RE: GM Alternator Conversion
So that god forbid my alternator goes on the side of the highway again, I
can get a replacement at Tom and Joe's Auto Parts in a hour.
Picture this:
"Hi. I need an alternator for a '78 LeSabre. GM part number DP7172-12.
It's a 60 amp double pulley alternator with a 12 o'clock wiring position.
You have it? In stock? Excellent. Here's my cash?"
Pretty easy. Or would you rather:
"Hi. I need an alternator for a '78 Triumph Spitfire. No, triumph is the
make. Spitfire is the model. No not the plane. It's a '78. No. I said
NOT THE PLANE. I know you don't have plane parts. It's a car from
Britian.
Yes, it was once a regularly imported car. Yes, even though it's not in
the computer it does exist. Don't you have the old parts books? "What's a
parts book?" you say... AArghh.. How about a '78 MG Midget? Is that in
the computer? No, I'm not calling you short. THat's it. Where's your
manager? You're the manager? You're like, 16. Fine. Where's the nearest
motel? "
Then later "Hi. Moss? I need an alternator overnight to bumblefuck,
America. No overnight there, you say...."
You get the idea? I once had my mother drive 3 hours to bring me my spare
alternator b/c I was stuck in a roadside shop on the NJ turnpike on a
Saturday night. While waiting, I looked on the shelf and saw a GM 7172
alternator sitting there... (I was already considering the converion and
remembered the #'s.)
MIke
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