Alternator questions

[cougar9150]

Last week I replaced my belt, tensioner assembly, and both idler pulleys. When I had everything off of the car I checked all of the other components and noticed a nice wobble in my alternator pulley.
Ford has already informed me that the pulley by itself is not available. I don't believe the pulley itself is the problem. From past experience I can deduce that this is either the shaft or bearings going bad.

I have been on line looking at rebuilt OEM units and some of them don't come with the stock clutched pulley. This leads me to 2 questions:
How hard is it to pull the stock pulley and does it require a special tool? I have seen in my searches talk of this but cannot find specific info about the tool and where to get it.
Will it cause any ill effects if I just install a new alternator with the standard pulley?
I can't afford to go the high output road or I would buy the PA Performance 200A unit. I know people have used the DB electric one that’s much cheaper with no problems.
I have bought 2 alternators in the past from PA and feel the most secure using their products. This is just out of my range for the moment. Plus with a blown out knee I can't spend a lot of time working on rewiring the car or I'll be stuck on the couch for days. I'm not supposed to do anything at all but refuse to pay for something that will take me 20 minutes.
Thanks for the info guys as always I appreciate your input.

[Peace2Peep]

I've got a 250 amp alternator for sale...some swear by the clutch pulley others dont...I have used both with similar if not the same results. The PA performance alternators are good, but others are good as well. I have had some performance alternators go bad so I recommend doing your homework!

[cougar9150]

Wow thanks everyone!:rolleyes:
I decided on the PA direct replacement. http://www.paperformance.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=294
Not a super high output but no 1000W stereo system for me. More than I wanted to spend but for a decent rebuilt unit w/the pulley your looking at around $200.00 to $250.00. Might as well spend the extra money and get the easy swap out w/higher amps at idle.
Thanks for the offer Peace2Peep, I just don't need that much power and with the bum leg someone else has to do the work for me. I just can't bring myself to trust anyone but myself to do wiring on my vehicles.

[2DMAX]

Did you receive your alternator and if so, were there any issues with installation or other?
I decided on the same unit you did, but have to wait for a few days to get it. There web site order form only stated it for non-supercharged so is that an issue?

[Peace2Peep]

If you buy the supercharged version it does not come with the clutch pulley. The clutch pulley keeps their alternator from being able to turn and operate in reverse(which PA's alternators can run that way, you just have to specify when you order). I got the non-clutch and then they sent me the clutch because I have no supercharger for now...

[2DMAX]

Thanks for that information. I noticed on their web site that it didn't give you an option to tick off for s/c or non and after reading your reply, I called them just before they were shipping it and they were able to make the changes. Thanks for saving me the time and effort in getting it right!!

[cougar9150]

I just ordered it Sunday. Once it is here and I get it in I'll send some feedback. PA is good about the products so I wouldn't foresee any install problems.
I ordered the clutch pulley just in case my old one was bad. Not sure what the problem is; if it is the bearings or pulley itself. I figure once I get the PA unit installed I will rebuild the old factory unit myself just to have a spare or to sell.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

How bad is the wobble? If you buy a reman, it's going to have *some* wobble as well. So will many stock parts. It's just not going to be perfect. If you go spin alternators or other pullied accesories on a whole bunch of cars in the parking lot, none of them are going to be perfectly true.

[cougar9150]

Got the PA installed in 15 minutes. Works like a champs doesn't bog down like the original did.
The wobble was pretty bad, enough to eat a belt in about a month and a half. The bearing are gone in the original. I just want to pull it apart because I'm curious of how hard they are to rebuild.