generator vs altnernator

Ive been reading the threads about one wire alt and how to wire a three wire alt and the question I keep asking myself is that if a HAMB friendly car replicates a 50's or 40's build,why are you useing an alt in the first place? My chev was built (the last time) in 64, which was well into the era of alternators,but I kept the generator because it ran the ps pump. Yes,I had ps on it in 1959 (the first build) and the 57 chev gen/pump just followed along each time. There were no bosses or tapped holes in my trusty 1/8 over 283 back then so there was no easy choice. Ive pretty much decided to let the gen/pump follow along agaain unless you guys can give me a real good reason not to!

 

Good luck figuring that out.

 

Figureing what out?

 

figuring out this

 

I'd say it's a matter of preference. I would also think that while they both could do thier job well, the alternator is probably easier to replace if you get stuck in a town that hasn't seen a generator since 1960.

Traditioally and anally correct? Generator.

 

I know what you are saying TrboMax. I laugh every time I see a stock or 40s, 50s early 60s style car where everything is in place, open the hood and there's a friggin Alt. staring back at you. I laugh even harder when they paint them black to try and disguise them to "look like" a Gen.
For the most part, it's overkill just like Ford 9 inches and Muncie 4 speeds and unless you are adding alot of electrical items to your car, the original Gen will work fine.

 

Generators are easier to work on than Alternators. As long as you maintain it, making sure the brushes are ok and oil it every so often, they work fine. As I said, Alts are overkill in most of the H.A.M.B style cars. I saw a 99 percent stock Model A with a Alt. That's why it was 99 and not 100 percent stock. Are you going to say that's a good thing to have that Alt?? Come on, it's overkill.

 

If you sweat little details like having a generator vs alternator or mechanical fan vs electric fan or mechanical fuel pump vs electric fuel pump, knock yourself out. It is really a personal choice you and you alone have to make, unless someone else is funding your build.

Personally, I put function over form every time and like stuff that works, so I make my decisions based on what I feel is right for me and my car. To do otherwise is just being a sheep, IMO.

Don

 

I'm with you on this. It's your car. Do it how you want it.

 

^^Amen^^

 

Work on? Sure.... if you have or can get the parts. Man, I've only had to replace my alternator once. That was when I switched to a chrome one. I've got a friend with a '53 shoebox. His generator went out last year in Edna, TX. Population about 7,000... maybe. Had to get towed back to Houston because he couldn't get a new one or parts at the mom and pop parts store. So, which is better in that situation? Pride or efficency?

Now..... if you're trully, down to the bone, hardcore traditional...... go for it. Make misery fun, that's part of the traditional cred, I guess. Nothing wrong with it. It's all about choices.

And didn't this get run into the ground last month? Hmm.....

 

Those "little details" are what count the most. It's pointless to make a effort to make a car say 50s period correct with period correct parts and then install a Alt? It's senseless when the Gen will do just fine.

 

I did not see it last month.I'm not an anal traditionalist,but since my 301 wont mount a pump I'm gonna leave it like it was!I just needed to know!

 

All that I can add to this, is if it was working for you before, I'm sure it will be fine now. Most, if not all of our old junk will leave you in a motel if it piles up 20 miles east of the 'Wolrld's Largest Ball of String', but, that's kinda part of the deal right?

 

Gospel!

 

Classic thread. Nobody good on Leno, so here we go.



Sent from my rotary phone.

 

I have a picture of my car parked in front of the "World's Largest Ball of Twine (string)"...Cawker City, Kansas.

 

I am in the same situation with my 37 Chevy p/u right now,when I installed the 235 20 years ago I put on a alternator since it was quick and easy but how things have changed. Over the last coupe of years I have made the 235 look like a 216 so the alternator just does not look right on it and I am going back to a generator but going to try to find the higher amp generator from a bigger GM car that had more options. Alternators just dont look right on period looking cars to me and since I dont take long trips in it the generator should do just fine.

 

I grew up putting up with all those little "details" and have had my fill of adjusting points, headlights that dim to about 2 candle power at traffic lights, vacuum wipers that you have to stop accelerating to allow them to work, and stuff like that. What always gets overlooked about tradition is that hot rodders were always looking for the newest, greatest new advancement and as soon as the latest issue of Hot Rod came out we were pulling out antiquated parts and replacing them with things like alternators, electronic ignitions, etc.

I totally "get" how some people want to create a car as close to what they feel a hot rod of the 50's or 60's would have been like, but allow those of us who have done that routine a bunch of times already the luxury of now building our cars to have a somewhat classic look but with modern power and accessories.

We don't deny you the right to build your cars how you want, just allow us the same consideration.

Don

Oh, BTW, the Olds engine in my rpu project will have a generator and point type distributor, mainly because I have them and they will fit that engine better IMO. So I am not totally against those parts in some cases.

 

Are GOOD quality regulators still manufactured?

 

I understand what you are saying. I just feel that with alot these old cars, Alts are overkill. Unless you really need the amps for some non-original electrical component, Gens work fine. They have worked fine for me. I got my first car in 1978 which was a 55 Nomad (still kick myself over selling it) and I drove that car everyday with the stock Gen. Same thing with my 61 Impala I had and my 57 Chevy. All Gens. My current project is a 51 Chevy AD Truck and I am using the stock Gen.
I feel the way I do and you feel the way you do. No harm done man. It's all cool. Peace

 

I think it's fear. It's not easy to run a generator. Very difficult to to get one with a 1-800 number. I don't bother to look closely at a flathead engine with an alternator plastered on top. You might as well have taken a dump on your intake than mount a "1 wire alternator" More than 1 wire is just too complicated There can't be anything cool there. To me it's as bad as Billet wheels.

It's your car but an alternator tells me that you are either lazy or don't know how to work on a car. I understand that I'm very shallow for this but that's who I am. thin? no shallow? probably.

I'd like to challenge young guys to learn about generators. I had to but if you really like historic automobiles. It's not as difficult as it may seem. Try it you'll like it.

 

Couple of things, if your engine Doesn't has holes or bosses to mount a Alt. why ask??lol second thing, If generators "work fine" they would still be on cars & third its easy enough to carry a spare set of brushes & bearings for a generator, so if your running one & get stuck out in the boonies just take a hour & change them.You can clean out the grooves with any small screw driver & sand paper & be on your way!
JimV
Also if the can has a hood keep it closed! then everything is traditional!!lololol

 

i get what your all saying, heres my opinion, generators do work well , we all know this and charge batteries fine,etc , alternators also work well and charge batteries fine, generators do look better especially on flat heads,
some ignition upgrades do need non spiking charging systems, personally i say if an alternator is needed then run a powergen, yes its a fake generator we all know this, but they do charge at 90 amps now at idle, and yes 1 wire hook up, doesnt make you lazy, it makes things basic and uncomplicated, this is not a bad thing, why have more wires than you really need, basics are good in my mind, this thread is like asking should i run the stock starter or get a mini hi torque starter that already has a start solenoid on it, therefore again making ease for wiring
I say run what ever you wanna run on your car as its yours, not everyone has to be a sheep, theres no right or wrong, you just do what works for you

 

For simplicity sake, the Delco 10si alternator is so dang cheap (29.99 at most parts places) that in since it takes the place of both the gen and the voltage reg, it is a pretty sound choice. I've gone both routes. I wired up my 55' Willys with a 10si just for extra changing power, brighter lights, plus I plan on mounting a winch down the road and that will certainly help. But...like others have said if you already have a gen and want to keep it in the vintage, I'd absolutely stay with that - as long as the 15-25 amps a generator puts out will work for you, and in most cases with JUST headlights...that's fine.

The only thing I'd stress is DO NOT use a 1 wire alternator. They are more expensive than a 10si, and you don't get all the benefits of having a voltage sensing (field) wire out there determining the voltage down the pipeline, rather than right at the alternator, which is a false reading. Stay away from self-exciting alternators - there's no reason to pay 50.00 for one when you can have a 10si for next to nothing and with no battery light (most old cars don't have one) its literally one wire extra to hook up ANYWHERE in the voltage path you want to.

 

I always figured a good fix on the road for a generator problem was to stick another battery in ( buy,borrow, "borrow"). That got you a LONG ways especially if you bump start and didn't run the lights. The regulator and ignition was covered by having some spare used parts stashed away. Although this knowledge is good for trad rods it was gained by too many years on British Motorcycles, re Lucas "Prince of Darkness".

 

There is a lot of misinformation about the abilities of a generator.


My 42 yr old daily, came from the factory with electronic fuel injection, AND a generator.


The lights are bright, and do not dim at idle. I know why, but I will let you wonder.



by the way, the car also has points.



...and I don't have triple A, or a cell....and I've had it for 5.5 years now, and have never been towed. I don't have a newer car, and this is a true daily, because I have no spouse with a new car I could use.

 

Put a mag in the car, as long as it's daytime you can drive forever without a working generator. Everyone knows that proper hot rods have a magneto