Alternators don\u2019t exist so you\u2019ll be using aftermarket brands like AC Delco unless you can find a rebuilt Denso.
Reviews of AC DELCO alternator
99 votes
For the price difference just get ACdelco they’re a reliable brand that doesn’t create shit and will stand behind a warranty.
Its a total crapshoot anymore. I had an ac delco gold series last maybe 800 miles before it almost caught fire. Yet in the past I've had em last years and 100k+...
I used ACDelco on my Hyundai Santa Fe and only lasted 8 months before almost leaving me stranded. Also noticed that aftermarket alternators lugs my engine especially during high output while original genuine alternators do not.
I had beefed up my audio system and the stock alternator could no longer keep up with the amperage demand. I decided to upgrade it myself. Eventually that unit gave out.
The 1/2" combination wrench gets cut in the middle, so yea you have a box end on a short shank that a the box end of another wrench can be used on it to lever with (over to the right, where you have room). The 1/2" size is used so it's fits tight on that 13mm bolt head, which is probably going to be hard to break loose. It's just something to try, may not work and you'll have to remove the injection pump. When I did it, it was so tight I think a 13mm box end would have just rounded off the bolt head, but it worked and I put the bracket back on the same way. I had to remove it to take the water pump housing off. Water pumps are called 30 or 40mm for the diameter of the center of the waterpump pulley. So it's really about the pulley that works with it. Thing is, I tried to change to a 40mm pump and pulley to a 1.6D that had a 30mm pump/pulley and it wouldn't go into that housing without jamming. So I think the housings are specific, for 30 or 40mm waterpumps. There may be exceptions but I wouldn't mess around and mix them - the way the impeller fits into it's housing is critical to how it works. Getting an alternator to work is actually not as hard as getting a pulley that will line up. You have to do everything else first, line up everything. When I changed my mk1 engine I had to add single washers to the inside of my 30mm water pump pulley to bring it out a tad because it was rubbing on the timing cover. Not sure why that is but my old engine used a 40mm waterpump/pulley and housing. After all that is lined up up then you calculate what you'll need for the alternator. Toywagen used to sell a kit with a pulley but they're gone now, it wasn't cheap though. Getting a pulley that will work is a "big" deal. A long nose alternator with pulley you can modify is more forgiving than a short nose with 1 piece extended pulley. You'll have to figure out what to want to do. Twice, I ended up just buying any cheap alternator on rockauto that was clocked correct and had a long nose shaft I could make work. That ford pulley I used on my mk2 is like 50 bucks now. Nevertheless, since you have the mk2 bracket I'd try to figure out how to use that with a mk2 alternator and then get the offset for the pulley. Those alternators all have 17mm shafts, so big washers can give a little adjustement. I hope you have an impact for getting the pulley bolt off and on, makes it way easier. The mk2 alternator is a worthy upgrade, the wiring and the bigger pivot bolt. If you can't get the pulley to line up, might want to look at rockauto to see what mk2 alternators they have. Seems all mk2's have short nose alts but here's one with an extended pulley. What you are doing, a single belt system, I don't think was stock on any mk2. Some people grind on the case of the alternator where it fits into the pivot to give move it a few mm over. Kinda wierd, this mk2 alternator has the old mk1 plug. More Information for ACDELCO 3341729 Maybe this will help researching ideas for brackets and alternator for non AC - page 1 - MK2 Golf/Jetta and Audi 5k - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source. researching ideas for brackets and alternator for non AC - page 1 - MK2 Golf/Jetta and Audi 5k - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source. vwdiesel.net
I'd suggest doing the Petroworks CS130 mount kit paired with an AC Delco 88877221. This is the setup I have in my Samurai and it is working great for my needs. Note that while that alternator part number has the correct pulley for the Samurai, the clocking of the housing is not correct so you do have to re-clock the front housing. Also, I would suggest adding a separate direct power output from the alternator to your battery and increasing the size of the battery ground as the stock wiring was not sized for a 100A alternator.
Remy and AC Delco are good. I have never had any issues with WAI parts and I had not had any real issues with BBB until very recently.
I had the AC Delco alternator (an OEM part) in my 1994 Saturn SL2 rebuilt in 2015 by Alternator & Starter Co. At the time, no new OEM or aftermarket alternators were available for a Saturn that old, and the guru who advised me on Saturn repairs told me I would have better luck with a local rebuild rather than a commercially remanufactured replacement.
I'm showing a new acdelco 135amp alternator for roughly $163 plus shipping through rockauto.
Acdelco is oem for GM. They make high-quality parts, never been disappointed by one.
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What we know about AC DELCO alternator
The brand is registered in USA. Official website: http://www.acdelco.com/.
In March 2026, PartReview users have a mixed opinion of AC DELCO alternator.
PR Score — 72 out of 100, based on 32 reviews and 99 votes. 22 positive reviews, 3 neutral reviews, 7 negative reviews. Average rating — 3.5 (out of 5). Vote balance: 72 up, 27 down.
In the ranking of the best alternator this part is at position 5, behind VALEO and OEM Toyota , but ahead of OEM Honda and Motorcraft.
Users also evaluated the qualities of AC DELCO alternator:
- Warning light - battery light appears on the dashboard - rated negatively. 2.3 points out of 5.
- Lights - headlights flicker or dim at idle - rated ambivalently. 3.1 points out of 5.
- Noise - whine or chirp from the alternator area - rated negatively. 0.8 points out of 5.
Alternator AC DELCO in car-specific ratings
See which car brands and models owners choose AC DELCO alternator for. Below are car-specific ratings where this part is in the Top-3:
- AC DELCO ranked #1 in alternator ratings for: Honda Fit, Honda S2000 .
- AC DELCO ranked #2 for: Volkswagen Golf, Honda Element .
- AC DELCO ranked #3 for: Nissan Maxima .
Alternator AC DELCO in comparisons
There are 17 comparisons of AC DELCO alternator with other manufacturers on PartReview.
In particular, see which alternator are better: AC DELCO or Mitsuboshi, OEM KIA or AC DELCO, AC DELCO or GENERAL MOTORS, AC DELCO or OEM BMW, AC DELCO or OEM Mazda .