How do i know which alternator i need ( without taking it out first)? Parts guy says there are two different casing sizes.

go to a auto parts store and have them look up a belt for your car without a/c. keep in mind that you may have to try different size belts until you get one that will work. the ones that don`t work you can take back.

They didn't make any 1999 Town cars without a/c. You can get a belt but I would suggest using a string to get the size and then go the auto parts store and have them match it.

The idlers may be located differently on a non ac engine versus an ac engine, or the pulley sizes may be different. I have seen many different pulley sizes for the alternator alone! I suggest taking an old belt or a piece of string and routing it where the belt should go. Measure the length and see if your parts store can get a belt of that length.

Is the pulley on the new alternator the same size as the old one? I assume, since you got the old unit off, that you know that you have to hold the idler pulley against its spring to get enough slack to get the belt back on, and that you have routed the belt properly- if that's the case then pulley size or alternator case size is about the only thing that can be different now.

lp

You will need to turn yours in, at the parts store for a core,so just take your old one in, and they will match it up

what you might try is healycoils you can get them at the parts store. they come in different sizes to fit all needs. use these in conjunction with lock tight and it should solve your problem

well there are different prices for the alternator and labor.

I remember getting an alternator for a 1988 Oldsmobile where the price ranged from $56 to $130 in the year 1995. The labor to install would normally be $60 or so for a total of $110 to $210 for that vehicle in that time frame.

The alternator's warranty can vary from just 30 days to 90 days to 1 year typically, to a Lifetime Warranty.

I would check if the warranty period was the same for both prices.

Parts that are used in Lifetime Warranty alternators, whether or not the alternator lasts that long, can be better in many cases than parts (like the voltage regulator for instance) that are put into 1 year warranted alternators.

If you are going on a long trip, I wouldn't trust a 1 year warranted alternator as much as a Lifetime Warranted Alternator.

It should only take about 1 hour to 1.5 hours to change an alternator on top, and maybe 2 hours or more for alternators located further down into the engine cavity.

I would expect an alternator on an '02 Taurus to cost more than it did for my 1988 Oldsmobile, by the way.:)

There will be variations in the price for later model Ford vehicles such as yours.

That is to be expected.

If all the vacum hoses are the same size, cut a piece about a 1/4"off 1 of the hoses, and take it with you to
the parts store. Give the piece of hose to the parts guy/gal and tell them you need a 3 way vacum connector. Some are T shaped some are Y shaped get both they're cheap. Use the one that fits best without kinking the line. Also if you have different size
hose to the connecter, cut a 1/4" off each.
Hope this helps. Good luck

I would go to advance auto parts and have the battery tested, Also the alternator, The engine wont run if the alternator is bad, As soon as the battery goes dead the car will shut down, Any auto parts store usually will check the battery and alternator for free, make sure the battery is fully charged before you take it there. They will let you know what you need to replace...

its probably is a 130-amp but try this website to see if they have your truck listed its www.autozone.com and you can also call these guys they sell only GM-parts its Schram auto & truck parts and the number is 1-800-292-1032 and they website is www.schramauto.com and i hope i have been some help to you.