Saint....do you know anything about the BMW alternator?
One would assume that a "BMW alternator" means a Bosch unit, and the 348 never came with a Bosch alternator, although some of them DID come with Bosch starters. I still want to know how a raccoon could damage the alternator to the point that it can't be rebuilt with standard Delco parts. It went through the ventilated metal panel AND the alternator shield AND either smashed the housing (????) or shorted out the wiring (????). And you didn't get a warning light? If it happened, it happened, but I'd like to know how.
Not at all.... It may be a fine alternative to the Delco and the Nippondenso but not for $5000. It is after all just magnets spinning in a static field. There's no way that could be worth more than my daily driver.
When I rebuilt my ND alternator I did it because of a slight squeak in one of the bearings. I was just being proactive but upon examination of the other parts it really did not need it. A lot of guys are rebuilding just because they are installing beefier electrical parts for larger amperage. I've got another 348 at the shop right now with the old Delco unit and it's a mess. Ernie is right the cost is a bit high. We all know what alternators cost and how cheap it is to do the work. These parts are so freaking expensive from Ferrari because they have an F1 team to support. They buy some pretty nice robots for new vehicle assembly as well. I support Ferrari in their racing efforts but I can't foot the bill for them in this fashion. I too have a favorite rebuilder for alternators, and starters and will be asking them to find an ND unit for my customers car. If I need to make a bracket or harness then so be it. It's not hard to make quality parts that look original. At least he and I won't be broke at the end of the day. If I could afford an alternator for $5K I sure as hell would not have bought a 348.
Exactly. There is concours and then there are daily drivers. If you are actually driving your 348, then buy a good alternator and install the correct bracket and pulley on it. You'll be out less than $500 and be good to go for years, especially if your replacement alternator was rebuilt by someone decent who used high quality parts. Alternators are generic, industry-standard parts. Sure, there are a few 6 volt and 24 volt systems out there, but those are freakishly rare. Ferrari and all major automotive manufacturers almost exclusively use standard 12 volt electrical systems. This means that the difference between one alternator over another is the pulley and bracket and plug. Some have different shields...metal parts that can be hand-fabbed on the fly for pennies in seconds by the smallest metal shop in the tiniest town. Should you upgrade alternators? Yes (of course, an "upgrade" is not an insurance company obligation). Should you pay $5k for a Ferrari upgrade kit? Yes, if you are entering concours competitions. No if you have a daily driver or racer. And the cheap/fast way to upgrade alternators is to rebuild the one that you have with better internal components. We've got whole pictorial threads on how to do this...and it is very easy for a novice to knock out.
Better yet, why don't you get the parts from a parted 348 with the ND unit mark it up and make some money for yourself. Don't work with the adjuster too much! They are the enemy. How many years have I paid premiums without filing a claim....Hmmm.
Wow. For once I am almost speechless. Remove alternator. Take to reputable repair shop. Replace internals with good parts. Pay $100-150 bucks, tip a $20 for grins because the economy is bad. Replace and enjoy. My 512TR had the alternator go bad. Delco. Same internals as a '92 Caprice. Neighbor has '92 Caprice. He still has original OEM alternator. Today. Seriously. Car looks like a hunk of crap. We joked about a swap. I replaced internals with uprated goods. $100. Still working fine (in hands of another fchatter). Sorry, but $4000 to "get it fixed right" is INSANE. Send it to Street and Performance (hot rod shop specializing in GM) if you want to go crazy. Alternators are alternators, period. The casing and mounting are the only things "Ferrari" about it. I feel like I am on crazy pills!
Let's fire a raccoon at each of them and see if one survives better than another. Heck, for 5k we should be able to fire a moose at the darn thing and do no damage! Goth, make us a moose gun! As I understand it, somebody's saying that the "upgraded" alternator was needed. The original "non-upgraded" alternator did not fail until the raccoon was stuffed into it at speed. Therefore, the upgraded alternator must be 'coonproof to be better. Right?
I have not seen any pictures of the old alternator....actually, not that old as I have a bill from the previous owner who had it repaired a couple of years ago. At any rate, whatever damage was done, the adjuster HAS seen it and is satisfied it needs to be replaced. I am wondering why they (dealer) wants to use a BMW alternator as opposed to another Delco or Nipondenso.....if I have a choice, which I may, I wanted some insight into what may be the best alternative. I have paid premiums for many, many years (34) and never used either my home or car insurance. I really don't feel all that bad for my insurer. I am a car nut and will likely continue to pay premiums for years to come. As we speak and I am paying for 9 vehicles, excluding a "new" '52 Ford pickup I am restoring. I want to keep my car "original" however not at the expense of being left on the side of the road every couple of years. Miltonian: I understand the metal shield was bent up into the alternator causing the major damage. Thanks to each of you for taking the time to help me out.....this site IS a "brotherhood" inclusive of the occasional "brotherly" disagreements...
I do not see any reason to reject the conversion to a BMW unit but there are many unanswered questions. It would obviously need to be a correctly done conversion and not just jury rigged. One of the reasons many cars have switched over from Bosch, Ferrari included, was because Bosch was refusing to downsize the 100+ amp alternators to a physical size the manufacturers wanted for packaging and cost reasons. If it is a Bosch they are considering, is it small enough in size and large enough in output? If there is a Bosch that fits those requirements the conversion would, or should be of great interest to many.
I would replace the alternator with a upgraded Delco product. In my own shop I have replaced many alternators with Delco units. I used the old 27si units to replace a lot of the original Lucas units found on Jaguars of the 60's, 70's and 80's. I have rebuilt and modified many of them and found them to be very reliable. Other that upgrading the bearings for higher engine speeds I would stick with the original unit. Just my $.02 worth. Jamieh
Well, I guess I'll either have to borrow $5k from some 348 owner or rebuild my Delco that finally gave up the ghost after 6+ years and many trips to the red line. Bad bearing. So glad it wasn't a belt tensioner making that noise. Yep, had my girlfriend with me 1000 miles from home and had to call my wife to come get us. Talk about tension in the room! (Not really, just gigging Rifledriver here ). Learned a valuable lesson, tho. The bottom bolt apparently should go in from the rear so it can be removed by removing the strut that holds the shifter cables. I had to cut the darn thing in half to get it out since the bulkhead was in the way! (Thanks, RD if you're still reading after my previous gig-you saved me lots of time. And thanks Ernie for researching proper rebuild parts. How about that, Ernie and Rifledriver both helping me? Almost like they're both here, having a beer together.)
Just go tell your banker you'll need a 12-month note to get you a new alternator I'm sure he will understand. Tell him Rifledriver said so.
as the continuing saga goes on.......the insurance company wants to rebuild the alternator.....no one wants to give them a price on the rebuilding.....the ferrari dealer says that it won't last and they don't want to get involved with a rebuilt unit. SO, my car is sitting at the ferrari dealer with nothing going on. My only concern is that this alternator lasted all these years, will the rebuilt one have a warranty? I understand the insurer not wanting to pay for an upgrade, however, what do they do when a part is no longer available? If they are only responsible to return the car to the condition it was in before the collision, then why do I now have a front spoiler with body filler in it - the old one didn't have any........I wish I had never taken the car out for that last drive before winter set in.
I'm sorry if I'm being difficult. What, exactly, is wrong with the old alternator (if you have been told)?
If your shop won't rebuild, then force the insurance company to buy a new one (IE - get a lawyer to write a letter). You have taken it to the shop of your choice, which is within your right, and the insurance has to pay for the shop to do the work under their work guidelines. Rape or not for a $5K alternator, the shop won't get involved with a rebuild (which from the experts sounds like a bad idea for reliability) and therefore too bad, so sad, the insurance company is going to get dinged for a Ferrari part that is "Ferrari" priced. Insurance companies are in business to take your premiums and deny your claims. FIGHT THEM.
Time value of money. A rebuilt Delco alternator is $120, tops...and that's using beefier internal components than OEM so that the thing actually lasts. How much is your time worth to "fight" over $120 part while having your Ferrari locked away in some shop where you can't drive it? Also, keep in mind that insurance rarely covers mechanical failures. Blow your engine and you are SOL. The OP is lucky that his alternator failure is being pegged to a roadkill; otherwise he'd be on the hook for the entire repair. In short, the OP should go to the Ferrari shop, pick up his broken alternator, take it *himself* to a reputable magneto shop, get it rebuilt properly, return to the Ferrari shop, and either have it installed there or else make appropriate arrangements. I watched the Wynn Ferrari dealership in Vegas do the above in less than 2 hours to get one of our fellow F-chatters back on the road. Nice service bays, there!
If my memory serves me correct it got into a fight with a flying raccoon. Both of them were d.o.a. after the fight. So make sure you when you get that upgraded alternator, it's the coon proof version, the flying type of course.
Here's one for $203. http://www.ferrariparts4less.com/auto_parts/348-engine_electrical-f4000_10017bos_1.html
What would you do if you were out for a drive and the racoon did not cross your path and later your alternator crapped out? Common sense is needed here. If you would spend 5K then keep the fight going, if not get the car fixed and be done with it.
