Well i got the poor thing back on the road. Her's my saga though. originally given verbal prices for parts and labour which added to $330, the next morning after thinking it over that's not too bad so told the largest Auto Elec workshop here I'd like to go ahead and for something in writing.

Several hours later I get quote now at $400 Plus given they hit me with a $30 charge just to spin it up making it $430 spent. Most decent places i would expect to either not charge for a test but I was happy to shell that out and hopeful they'd take that into account if i gave them the work .

Ah, nup. So no work for them then. Any way ordered a used one from NZ $140 delivered after currency adjustment which is good enough providing it works. (Taranaki Partsworld)

Well after 10 days or so it arrived today. Flimsy box and not looking good, alternator actually looked ok, 1994 date, but must have been dropped on the pulley so that's stuffed.

Ok, could swap mine over in a pinch, but then I start looking closer at it . With the rectifier pack which is clearly visible from the rear there are 6 diodes (3 pairs) each surface soldered to the heatsinks and normally there is a 1-2mm air gap between them however I noticed something not right as 1 pair were touching each other which is impossible if mounted correctly.

Yep, 1 diode has broken free from the heatsink so in effect open cct. Great!

Fortunately in the time I was waiting I took matters in my own hand and researched the parts to rebuild mine.

Got the bearings from CBC,
large front bearing MD618679(1800A020) 17 x 47 x 14 mm used NTN 6303LLHC3/L412 $16.50
small rear MD611928 used NTN EC1SC8A37LLH1CN(B8-85D )8X23X14mm $14.30

Did a special purchase through Supercheap from Cooldrive for the regulator and rectifier.

Regulator MD618673, Transpo IM830
Rectifier MD618672 I used Transpo IMR00062 but this is actually the wrong one. The pack itself had 8 diodes, had the correct terminal post and mounting centres were correct however the plastic shroud was just the wrong profile and slightly too large. I got creative(destructive) and made it fit, 2 diodes simply are not used no drama there.

Collectively $100 after 10% discount, orderd from Melbourne Friday arvo arived Monday arvo Darwin ! Really impressed and they charged only $10-15 for this express service.

One of the biggest problems I find going aftermarket is the incorrect and conflicting pictures and dimensions. With this car at least at least 2 places quoted me a new alternator to fit but when I checked the part numbers they were in fact for the 4G63 motor, no good for 6A12 and they knew I had the 6A12. even cooldrive shows one to fit but incorrect regulator pins 4 as opposed to my 2 pin arrangement. I suspect this for sure is for 6A12 but the later ones like FTO where they changed to a 4 pin arrangement. It was quoted as a direct replacement base on the Alternator model number?

I would have bit the bullet and ordered an OEM rectifier from O'seas but I needed this going again sooner rather than later.

All up the bits cost me $130, running sweet again.

Hopefully Parts world just gives me a refund and I keep the bad one i got. If so I may invest in an OEM rectifier and pulley for this as a backup. It appears the parts may become discontinued and no longer available from what I'm seeing online.