I have been recommended a company that does this and have spoke to the chap and liked very much what I heard so will give it a go. For reference my alternator is a Bosch 140amp not 120amp as the earlier models were (I presume it changed when they were facelifted in late 2002).
If you could PM the recommended place that would be appreciated as I'm probably going to get another one done as part of this year's rebuild. I started looking into alternator rebuild places unfortunately about 4 days before the UK shutdown happened so ended up having to fit the non-rebuilt Ebay alternator to the car that needed it. Having had a set of petrol injectors refurbed with outstanding results I am very much of the 'make do and mend' mentality with some of these simpler components if one can find somewhere reliable.
Nothing 'make do and mend' about what I've had done this morning I can assure you but I do understand what you mean.
The service I had today was just brilliant and was done almost while I waited, well I went to ECP and stood outside in a queue for an hour to pick up the belt and tensioner that I also required. When I went back my alternator was ready and waiting for me, maybe 2 hours total!
My old alternator was taken apart completely and every component removed before everything that could be replaced being replaced, the aluminium casing being fully restored and even lacquered for better protection and a brand new genuine INA pulley fitted.
It genuinely has come back completely brand new looking and I have been assured that internally it is 'as new' in every way too and will perform as such.
TPS wanted £388 odd plus vat for the same identical 'new' Bosch 140amp alternator which I don't believe would be any better and I wouldn't be surprised if all are actually reconditioned like turbo chargers apparently are as I believe that was requiring mine on an exchange basis (but not 100% on that as I did have a few quotes).
The owner of the company I used has been reconditioning starter motors and alternators for 30 years so he obviously knows his stuff.
His premises are exactly what I like, an old school engineering, almost Cottage industry feel doing a specialised 'proper job' with no flash or hype.
I haven’t fit it yet though so it wouldn't be right of me to sing his praises too highly but I couldn't be happier so far with what I've got, the service I got and the price I paid.
The company name is Rotating Electrics Ltd and is on an industrial estate in a place called Stechford in Birmingham.
I mentioned to the owner Mark that I would mention his services, and it actually gave me the idea to suggest we start a thread for recommendations of companies/individuals who provide services that members might need, as with the cars getting to the age they now are, inevitably things will need doing or parts repairing, reconditioning or replacing and it would certainly be nice to have a reference point where you could look and find someone that has been recommended and you can trust to do the right job and at the right price with no fear of getting ripped off.