I'd might like to replace the generator with an alternator and not have to worry about points, either. Has anybody done this and got some suggestions?
Any questions I have about my nailhead, I e-mail Russ Martin at www.nailheadbuick.com. He's da man. JimSig
Generators work just fine. If yours has the old bearings that need oil, replace them with some sealed units. While you're in there, replace the brushes. As far as the points go... pertronix. It will set you up for easy starts, and smooth idle and many worry free miles. (I'm a big fan, can you tell?)
Points ignitions and generators worked just fine for many, many years. I have never been a fan of electronic ignitions on hot rods, especially HEI's. To me they just look out of place. Points DO need more maintenance, but I have never had a points system fail me on the road, the same can't be said for HEI's. Generators or alternators might look OK depending on the build, but unless you have a lot of accessories, a generator will do just fine, and brushes are easy and cheap to replace.
On my '57 56R with 364, I took old generator away and used original bracket for Delco-Remy alternator. Keep it simple; used piece of flat bar, drilled four holes on it (two for bracket and two for attachments on the engineblock) to move bracket forward about inch or so. Alternator is attached to bracket with threaded rod and nuts. Stock upper bar was used for tightening. Wiring took some thinking because old Buicks originally start when pedal is being pushed down enough... wires go through starter relay, ignition lock, battery, generator and small switch next to carburator. Not using pedal ignition anymore because of 3x2, so my car has much more simple electrical system now. Now, with alternator, starter relay has four wires; from ign lock-relay-gnd and batt-relay-starter motor. Alternator has thick wire from bolt behind it to battery, and smaller wire from alternator through light to.. umm.. umm... was it ignition lock? Third (last remaining) wire (next to wire that goes to dash) in alternator is only couple inches long and goes to bolt behind alternator unit. Not originally designed that way I quess, but this wiring has worked for last nine years. Later I changed bracket a bit... well, I made totally new one! But it is copied from Buicks original bracket as much as I could, only changed attachment points. Keeping it simple... Hope this helps!
I don't know how similar your bracket is to the one on a 264/322 but.... To put a GM 1 wire alt on my '54 264 I just switched the serpentine pulley out for the v-belt one then welded a tab with hole in it onto the generator bracket because the mounting boss on the alternator was several inches shorter. Then the alternator bolted right up, lined up perfect, even used the factory tensioner. I can take some pictures when I get home if you would like. Ryland
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