If I were to buy an alternator, does it have to be matched to my particular car??? Or can I for instance get a bigger one from the junkyard, from a different car, and make it fit? Is this a possibility, if not maybe I can get an SSEI alternator.

u can I DID i got a 185 amp i jus kept the casing and change the inside

Cool, thats very good, I don't want to spend a lot of money on an Alt right now. Hmm, now I can run my subs I hope. Lately they have been putting a real drain on the alternator.

just this past saturday, I was in the junkyard for an alternator myself. On most of what I have seen, the amps are either on a sticker on the underside of the alternator, or the number is engraved in the underside of the alternator. I wasn't fussy, since my car isn't a major amp draw, so I just went with a std. 105 amp unit. I don't know, maybe you can find a more powerful unit. If the attachment points, connectors, etc. are the same, it should swap without any internal work. Good luck.

It may not be that straight forward but it is pausible. Removing the internals of an alternator and re-assembley can be tricky on the exact models, swapping parts from various alternators to fit can be futile.
The decay in your charging system may actualy be your battery, how old is it?

I wouldn't install a used alternator if it were free. A weak alternator can stress a battery, and you'll end up replacing both early again anyway. It'* worth your time and money to plan ahead, and buy a quality warantee unit AND new battery at the same time.

If it'* in your budget, seriously consider the alternators from Domestic Performance. They have higher outputs, and improved rear bearing design (the most common failure for our stock alternators).

Dang, Will, that'* what I was gonna say!! Used electronics = bad...

Used alternators, batteries, tires, windwhield wiper blades.....all these items are considered 'consumable'. Alternators are unique. Not always in this category, but in our case, they are.

If I had the money, sure, I'd get a quality reman unit. But I don't. It'* been a tough winter. All I know is that for a measley $10.00, I got an alternator that'* worlds better than what I had on there.

In my current financial situation, I can't ask for much more than that.

If you have to, you have to. Been there, done that. But start saving for a good one too.