Generator alternative for 331 Hemi?

Im trying to keep this rod looking early '50s down to every detail, and the generator on my 331 Hemi looks awesome, but it has some huge power steering crap attached to it and I'd like to run one of those magneto looking electronic dizzys, so 6V is pretty much out the window. Anyone out there make an alternator that doesn't look so modern? Anyway to remove the power steering and convert the generator? Any help or ideas would be great. Thanks,
-Dean

 

BTTT

-Dean

 

You could whip up some brackets and use a later(56+ ford and Mopar, 55+ chevy) 12V generator. In fact, a later Mopar generator should be a direct swap.

 

I pulled the power steering pump off the back of my generator back in the sixties. I had a friend machine up an aluminum block-off plate to cover the bearing.

The power steering uses ball bearings while the non-power steering generator uses bushings. I've never replaced the bearings in my generator in 40 years and it was USED, straight out of the junk yard, when I put it on there in the first place.

You can put one of those first-generation ChryCo alternators down on the front of the block on the right side where the idler pulley bolts up. They're pretty period-looking.

I have BOTH an alternator AND a generator. The alternator's down there where the idler used to be. Put that baby on in '76.
I ran a support strap (old generator bracket) from the rear of the through-bolt up to a bolt hole in the head. I doubled up on the generator belt tension bracket bolt for another tensioner bracket for the alternator.

Hafta see if I have any pics.

 

What about the Powergen hot rod stuff, looks like a generator but is realiable and has the output of an alternater.

 

You should just be able to remove the power steering pump off the back if the bearing is open than the bearing should be an 203. Just go get a sealed 203 bearing and change it. If you want to convert it to 12 volt send it to me.

 

If you do this buy 2 so when you are broke down in who knows where and no one can help you will be able to finish the trip.

 

Linky to the powergen:
http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/powergen.html
Dirty2, you have a bad experience with these?

 

didnt see one for the 331. Can you get the GM one to mount on the 331? IM haveing the same dilemma...

 

Summit has the black ones for $350. Kind of expensive, but its about what I would pay around here to have one custom built. My problem is that I called Powermasters since I've got a '56 Dodge with power steering and their equipment doesn't bolt up to the PS pumps as of yet. They said maybe by this Fall or next Spring. I may just try and mount a later PS pump somewhere else. The problem for us Poly head guys is that we have NO bolt bosses on the front of the heads like the Hemis do.

But, I think I may go the Powergen route on my 331 Hemi with the Universal Black one, they don't have a Mopar specific one yet.

 

Mount bolts to the intake & i've run my adj brackets from the crossover or W/P.

 

Your right George, I've been looking at some that mount to the two front intake bolts and then come down to bolt onto one of the water crossover bolts.

This is a fabbing lesson for me.

 

I would think there's a bunch of Mopar generators that would be a straight bolt on.

 

OEM intakes have mount holes on drivers side angling 90 deg vs the intake bolts for the oem generator.

 

Yeah, it cost me a good penny to buy an original Dodge '56 4bbl intake manifold so I would have the front bolt boss of those two you are referring to. '57 Dodge's don't have that. That's most likely how I'll bolt on an alternator on our Dodge, and the a/c will have to have a bracket made on the passenger side to mount the compressor, again, coming off the front intake bolts.

My 331 will probably use Hot Heads timing cover, so they and others make easy a/c, alt., and PS brackets that bolt right up to their covers. But I'll have blower drives, etc. which will be enough crud to get around.

 

FWIW, you DON'T want to use a generator if you're using electronic ignition or any type of computerized engine management systems (like hidden EFI).. generatore are electrically noisy and will screw up a computer and many electronic ignitions, including MSD.

 

Thanks desoto, that's good to know. Confirms my wish to use an alternator.

 

Yeah, transistorized ignition doesn't like dirty power. The regular ol' run of the mill Mopar finned aluminum alternators are about the best looking ones available, reliable and cheap too!

 

I just used a 12v generator from a 55 New Yorker, and left the p/s pump off the back, with a sealed bearing. It looks identical to the original 6v generator.

 

Those are my favorite alternators too...if I switch later, that's what I would use!

 

When I converted my 6 volt 54 Imperial to 12 volts I took the generator down to my local Rebuilder Shop (starters/generators) to get it converted. The owner said no need to modify your generator! Just change your voltage regulator to a 12 volt unit from a 56 Chrysler which is what I did and Presto! A 12 volt car now.

Had to of course swap polarity from positive ground to neg. and change out the bulbs but that was pretty easy too. Still using the steering pump too but thats another story.