I am going to convert my 37 Chevy p/u that has a 235 back to a generator and have one that came off of a 58 235 but I think I want a higher amp generator from a larger more equipped car instead,since I will most likely find one at a swapmeet what do I need to look for to tell if its the higher amp generator. I know the number on the tag will tell but I have no info on them so there has to be a tell tale sign of the larger generators.
Nobody can tell me how to spot the larger amp GM generator?,they all look the same to me and the only generators I seen that were stamped what amps there were are Fords.
You can take the one you have to a good rebuilder and they can put larger windings in it and up the amperage.
You also need to alter the amp cutout adjustment on the volt reg. Or it will still have a max amp output that is controled by your old feeble volt regulator. And anyway, Why would you need more than the 30 or 35 amps that the standard ones put out? You added up all the electrical accesories and think you can use up all them amps? I f you are just looking for a charge rate at idle, than you need to speed up the idle or run a smaller pulley on the generator. Frank.
I heard the generators from the fully loaded cars are the ones with the higher amps so I figured it would be cheaper to find one than have a lower amp model modified,I might be adding hologen headlights so the more power the better. It has a 40 something amp alternator on it now so if I can get the same size generator it would be great,I think there is something about the end plate being different on the higher amp generators then the regular 30 to 35 amp version but cant remember just what it is.
If it has a 40 amp on it now that is higher than the norm. . Checking Napaonline I found 30 amp generators for 60 Impalas and the 59 Cadillac Fleetwood generator was 30 amps. You might find a generator intended for a police car or an ambulance that had a higher output. If you have a higher amperage demand than that you may better off staying with an alternator and being done with it as a generator isn't going to keep up with a system with high demands. They are fine if you have a basic setup with just a heater and a basic radio though.
Its just a basic truck with the usual lights and radio,no heater at this time but is planned. I was told a generator that came out of a car with a/c had more amps then the regular generator but who knows if that is correct,the alternator looks out of place on a 235 that was made to look like a 216 so that is why I am going back to a generator.
Gm alternators have the amps stamped on the case. Look at this ebay ad to see ... this one is 37amp http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Camaro...Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d9a0484b&vxp=mtr
Some generators have serial a number? stamped into them.(not in a prominent location) I was able to find these numbers in a Motors Manual and their location. They listed the application and the amperage so that you know what VR to order. If you look it up you can look through a pile of old generators in a junk yard to find the one you want. I only did it once and I can not remember the details but it is doable.
I forgot about the Motors manuals I have as they have more info then most so its time for some research tonight after work,those Motors manuals are some times better then a factory shop manual.
Thanks to my Motors manual I came up with the numbers for a few 40 to 55 amp generators so now to find one,I need to find another manual to keep in the house for easy look up and probably no need to ask many questions any more as those manuals have it all.
Good for you. Spread the gospel of a generator on an old car. My buddies think I'm nuts but this looks so much better than the modern alternator that was brand new but removed for artistic reasons. PS that's an NOS Cal Custom stainless Ford generator cover from the 60s. I love vintage speed parts too.
I have a 30 amp generator on my '57, it has never been a problem. Halogen headlights, heater, stereo, and no problems! Your truck will be just fine with a 30 amp generator. KK
I am going to see if I can come up with at least a 40 amp,the 55 amp caddy generator might be very hard to find but if all fails I do have a 30 amp I can use.
I bet that there are vendors that cater to the professional cars...ambulances and he****s that came with generators to handle the extra loads. I'd buy 2 VRs and keep one in the car. Finding one on the road could be difficult. I too think that it is overkill for a hotrod but I do understand your desire. I'm pretty sure you can't tell by looking at it so you may be the only one that knows but I get it.
On high output Delco gen the housing, not including end plates is 7 and 1/4" long. On std output gen the housing is somewhat shorter, maybe about an inch. If you want a ball bearing aluminum rear end plate, obtain one from a John Deere tractor, the last year or so before they switched to alts. The i.d. of the ball bearing is larger than the armature shaft so you will need to fabricate a simple spacer bushing. the bearing end plate from some IH tractors will also work, but the one I saw was cast iron. This makes a really trouble free setup. Greg
Look at the case.30-35 amp cases usually (I will not say always) have very little open space in the cases.Just a few thin opening front and back.The higher amp cases usually(I will not say always) have large openings front and back.Many of the very high amp units have openings large enough to see the windings quite easily.Higher amps equal higher temps generated hence the need to let that heat out.I have bought dozens of alternators this way at swaps and junkyards without bothering to see what amperage they were and checking later found this method to be very accurate.
The Jalopy Journal
