1950s Delco Remey vs Echlin voltage regulator

[Bob Kielar]

I would like to buy a voltage regulator for my 55. The Delco made in USA is $68.00 while the NAPA Echlin maybe made in USA is $138.00. I wonder why such a price difference any opinions would be appreciated ? Any other brands I should be looking at? I know the old saying you get what you pay for.

Thanks,
Bob

[J. Russo]

Hi Bob,

What model Echlin matches your car?
I have an Echlin VR122 12 volt that only has about 20 miles on it.

I bought it for my 1941 before I decided to convert it back to 6 volts. $50. I paid over $100

John

[Bob Kielar]

My 55 would use an Echlin VR122. Did you have to adjust it at all?

Regards,
Bob

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

I can't remember the number we have on our 55.  I got it at Advance Autoparts.  But if/when you adjust it, you don't adjust the point gap. You adjust the spring tension. I had to contact the manufacturer for instructions.

Jeff R

[TJ Hopland]

I don't know about this specific part but I have noticed that Napa often has the oddball part here and there with a really different/ higher price for no apparent reason.  You look around and find the cheap versions for say $30, Napa may even have that option.  $75 maybe kinda seems like the average then like this you see Napa has one for $200.  Sometimes if you take a stab at trying to figure out if anyone else is selling that exact part and I have found cases where it appears other are selling that exact part for more in that $75 range.

Then there are the cases where you find the cheap one, standard one, and premium possibly OE ones all basically cost the same.  Why would you buy the cheap one?   How many of all the above cases is it the exact same part from the same factory just in a different box? 

[Jay Friedman]

According to my 1935-55 Cadillac Master Parts List, the correct voltage regulator for a '55 is a Delco 1118825.  In my own experience with my '49 I've always had the best results with NOS Delco voltage regulators correct for the year.  You can probably find one with the usual vendors as well as on ebay.

[toybox]

Hi Bob, The One Oreille's sells is the best deal I've found. Buy it once and save the box. They have a no Questions asked life time warranty. I have one on all my old rides. I did use the warranty once and they never asked anything about it ,just said the new one will be here in the morning. Of the three I've installed only the one failed in less then ten years. That seems like a good track record  to me. Tim

[J. Russo]

My 55 would use an Echlin VR122. Did you have to adjust it at all?

Regards,
Bob

I did not make any adjustments.

John

[Bob Kielar]

Hi Bob, The One Oreille's sells is the best deal I've found. Buy it once and save the box. They have a no Questions asked life time warranty. I have one on all my old rides. I did use the warranty once and they never asked anything about it ,just said the new one will be here in the morning. Of the three I've installed only the one failed in less then ten years. That seems like a good track record  to me. Tim

Are the ones you are using from O'Reillys the AC Delco or the Standard brand and did you have to make any adjustments to them ?

Thanks,
Bob

[toybox]

Standard

[bcroe]

But if/when you adjust it, you don't adjust the point gap. You adjust the spring tension. I had to contact the manufacturer for instructions.  Jeff R.

Yes follow the instructions, as I also found out so
long ago.  This sort of situation is a huge incentive
to convert to about a 79 alternator.  Bruce Roe

[Bob Kielar]

Hi Tim,
Did you have to make any adjustments to the contacts or springs?
Thanks,
Bob

[David King (kz78hy)]

If you have the car judged again, then the Delco is the way to go.  You will get a authenticity deduction for a non A/C unit.