Hi guys,
 
The auto electrician is waiting to use hoist next door to remove the alternator.  If he says it's cactus or it can be re-built am I better to get him to re-build or try & get one already re-built.  Obviously cost is a factor, but time plays a big part too as I don't have another car.
 
Thanks for your input. 
 
(remember.......... don't get all technical on me, I'll get confused, lol )
 
 

Alternators are rarely totally cactus. usually they stop working because the "Brushes" have worn down inside them. or they stop working because the electrical "regulator" inside them fries itself.
 
if you have real time constraints then they should be available new for the 3SGE its a simple matter of out and in. but costs will be high, probably upward of $200+ for the unit alone for cheapies. $300 odd for Bosch unit.
 
if there is nothing wrong with the regulator you can always go for a Brushes swap which is about a 10min job and all auto elecs should have brushes on the shelf. but if you go full rebuild he will swap every serviceable component for a new one which *may* cost as much a new one but will take longer as he will need to probably buy in specific parts.

Just had call from Auto Elec.  The guys in the workshop next to him are going to put her up on the hoist & take the alternator out, but won't finish that until tomorrow morning & the Auto Elec won't have much time to have a look tomorrow due to doctor visit or something. :(  Hopefully when he does have a look it will be just bushes or regulator & not re-build. 
Won't be going far on the weekend.

If you are not doing it yourself (I never did). I would strongly advise against rebuilding it.
Buy a new one and pay labour only once.
 
Last thing you would want is get one part of the alternator rebuilt, and six months down the track another component to fail and you would have to pay the labour to remove it all over again.

chase_d
If you are not doing it yourself (I never did). I would strongly advise against rebuilding it.
Buy a new one and pay labour only once.
 
Last thing you would want is get one part of the alternator rebuilt, and six months down the track another component to fail and you would have to pay the labour to remove it all over again.

Yeah I was thinking that if he tells me it's cactus & needs a rebuild I'll try & find one that's already done.

One thing to know with SW20's is that the NA and turbo alternators are different sizes, and a turbo alternator will not fit an NA bracket.
Also early model alts had a round plug, while later model ones had an oval plug, so care is needed when replacing.
 

Hi Shaz. 
the alternator for your car 89-91 part number (27060-74250) are N/A any more, the only one that is is the 11/92-99 alternator (my model) and part number is (27060-74430) and is only available out of Japan, and retails for 900$ 

So buying  a 'NEW' genuine one, wont really be an option, Road and track may have rebuilt ones sitting on the shelf, but i doubt they are 200$ 

you could try your luck with aftermarket, but in the little time ive been in spares for (6months at toyota) 
70% do not fit, or are different, or are just poor quality and **** themselves in a few years. and are still 2-400$ for something half decent, no wear near the quality of TOYOTA 

i would try road and track or get yours rebuilt pending the condition if its only a reg or brushes.

Or wreckers, but in newcastle BBT jap parts had one wreck in there whole life, and have sold the engine as complete. 

Best of luck

I'm half expecting a flaming from this but if time and cost is an issue, just buy a second hand unit from someone here.
 
Alternators are generally pretty durable. After all, the original has been going for over 20 years.

IMR22C
I'm half expecting a flaming from this but if time and cost is an issue, just buy a second hand unit from someone here.
 
Alternators are generally pretty durable. After all, the original has been going for over 20 years.

Thank you. 

No flaming from me............ I have no idea on cost of buying one already re-built verses re-building the one I have verses 2nd hand unit or if there are any good 2nd hand units available.
Will see what he says tomorrow after he's had a look at it. 
Altho if I'd known that it took a mechanic to take it out before the auto elec could look I'd have probably gone somewhere that could do both bits.   ah well.......... I keep learning.

If it was any other type of car, most auto sparky's would have "whipped it out" no problem.  As soon as they see where it is, and the room they don't have to work in it goes into the too hard basket.