I test painted two spots and the winner is flat black. The red makes it look like a cheap date on the wrong side of town <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I also took pics of my new starter and alternator that I picked up on ebay(for a grand total of $45 plus $30 shipping!). These are Isuzu tagged and packaged remans. The alternator doesn't have a vacuum pump but my pump only has 30,000 miles on it. The great thing about buying on ebay is you don't have to give up your cores so I have my working originals in case these new ones give me trouble or for years down the road when the new ones give out. Check out the starter and alternator at my engine rebuilding photo album