Wow - this has become quite a thread. I just don't get it. Why does everyone dislike Bosch stuff? The Volvo builders seem to think it's okay even now - what do we know now that they don't? I'm not trying to be a jerk: I really want to know: what's the benefit of putting a Delco alternator into a Volvo?

Phil's car is the only one I've seen in person that runs a Delco. I've heard of others that have good results with the thing but haven't seen any. Boris has one in his red rocket 122 and he's had nothing but trouble with it; last I heard, he wants to switch to a Bosch. Marcus and Belinda have one in their 444 and have had nothing but trouble with it (actually, they've had 5 in their car in the last few months). I had them in 6 of the 'merican made cars that I owned in the past, and every single one had to be replaced at least once.

As far as Lucas and Bosch... hmm... I have one Lucas switch in my 122 sedan and it's the only switch in the whole car that actually does absolutely nothing (there are lots of extra switches in this car, several of which are US made - I don't insist on German stuff; I just want reliable stuff). All the Bosch stuff that's original to the car works perfectly. All the Bosch stuff that's not original to the car works perfectly. All the Hella stuff (also German) both original and non works perfectly.

Bosch is German, where they make Mercedes, Audi, Porsche and BMW - cars that typically have a reputation for mechanical excellence that nothing in the US has been able to touch. Does a Lincoln compare to a BMW in terms of build quality? How about an Edsel? Pontiac Fiero! Plymouth Voyager. Um... no.

I'll admit I'm biased. I'm biased. I'm biased because I know 1 person who has a good running Delco and lots of others who don't; and because my last alternator was used when I installed it, ran fine for 150+K, cost me $55 to have rebuilt, and works great. I've had it since 1992. Going to a bunch of trouble to retrofit a nonoriginal alternator that may or may not be any better seems like buying a million dollar house and then picking out a swimming pool from Kmart.

I'm also curious why anyone would spend $120 plus whatever conversion parts are needed to put a Delco into a car when all that's needed to install a Bosch is a bolt and a charging regulator. Here in Portland, a professionally rebuilt Bosch alternator with solid warrantee is well below $120. And they'll install larger pulleys at no extra charge so you can run 8000rpms without overspinning the thing.

No offense intended - none. But what IS the attraction?

Best,

Cameron
Rose City