Projects 1959 edsel ranger build

I figured by '59 a car would have a fuse panel. Mine was full of fuse holders under the dash, but looked factory or else it was well done by someone. I'm driving my car 2 years and I'm still shaking some bugs out of it, but have made upgrades as well.

 

There are 6 fuses in a panel underneath the dash on right side of the steering column. Also there are circuit breakers for the headlights in the kick panel on the driver side

 

more info

 

So my timing chain came in! Getting it on tonight! Pictures and updates to come!

~Hotrodmnm

 

Well now that's about the craziest lookin' fuse panel I've ever seen. Looks like something out of the back of an old Zenith black & white TV set. Guess I've lived a sheltered life... Haven't spent enough time under the dash of a '59 Edsel.

 

Alright, so I got the timing chain on, however I forgot to get the gasket set I ordered in today so i will be picking that up in the morning and hopefully finishing the job either tomorrow or over the weekend! But that has given me some time to keep cleaning the cover and painted!

~Hotrodmnm

 

Don't forget the spring and cam*****on....

 

Also don't forget to line up the timing marks correctly. You are young but have more knowledge than most girls twice your age.

 

So I got the gaskets today, painted the cover. I promise those are not runs, just reflections[emoji4] but I will be painting the pulley and getting it together this weekend. Then it seems like I need rebuild my generator.

~Hotrodmnm

 

Looking good and getting there girl. Is there anything that you can't do? Now your rebuilding your own generator or is dad showing you how?

 

I've been researching, they're mostly just brushes right? I've rebuilt alternators myself, cant be too much different... the only way to learn is to open it up and find the problem!

~Hotrodmnm

 

There's more to a generator when rebuild time comes. Yes, in many respects the maintenance is the same, but generators have a commutator, not slip rings.

The factory service manual will have detailed instructions for rebuilding/testing, reading them would be a good thing. But****uming that it was functioning OK, just worn brushes or a noisy bearing, you still need to pay attention to the commutator. Signs of chattering, burning, or an uneven surface means it should be turned. If you have any uneven wear/burn spots, you should probably check the armature for shorts/opens. Some will dress the commutator with sandpaper or emery cloth, not a good idea as the abrasive can embed in the soft copper. If you're going to use anything on one, use a scotchbrite pad. They really should be turned on a lathe built for the purpose for best results.

The other biggy is clearing the insulation between commutator segments. As the copper wears away, this comes flush with the surface and can result in reduced output. This must be cut to below the surface, there'll be a spec in the manual. If it's too shallow, the crack will fill with carbon dust and reduce output. The dedicated lathe will have an attachment for this, but you can do it at home with a ground-down piece of hacksaw blade (and a lot of patience! LOL!).

Generators have more wearing parts in them, so just putting brushes and bearings in won't guarantee it's fixed or that output will be where it's supposed to be.

 

This a good time to replace that seal in the cover while it's off

 

I do have a new one I haven't put the seal back in because I was painting it, I didn't want anything to happen to the seal. So I will be putting it back on right before I put the cover on to make sure no damage is done.

~Hotrodmnm

 

Crazy Steve makes a lot of good points in his post. They are not as simple as an alternator. Have you checked u-tube for any tutorials? That is where they will probably be if any exist.

 

I have seen a couple here and there, but I think all the bearings and such are okay, it's not making any noise or anything like that, it just won't charge, I've checked the regulator and cleaned the points in it to make sure it is getting a good connection. But still nothing. I will definitely have to look into my generator a little more before taking it apart.

~Hotrodmnm

 

It may not hurt to polarize it again since the regulator was disconnected. Just a suggestion and you'd have to look it up, but a simple process. In my past, I would replace both the generator and regulator at the same time and follow the polarization instructions. I usually had an electric shop rebuild the generator for me to save time. It pays to be friendly with such a shop. I am on my 3rd one of fixing cars for 45 years.

 

Yes polarizing it was discussed. We unfortunately dont have any shops near us that do that type of work. My dad has done many generators in his time and will be guiding me. But has agreed to step back and let me do it this should be the last step before it is off to a couple shows before the summer ends.

~Hotrodmnm

 

I like your attitude! Not afraid to attempt something new mechanically but not afraid to ask Dad for help when you know you may be in too deep

 

Thank you! I like trying to figure things out myself, but dad always has the answers when you need them

~Hotrodmnm

 

It seems I forgot to post, but my car is back together, I'm going to be getting new spark plug wires and a new distributor cap tonight, to make sure everything is good there, it seems like I have gotten the timing where it needs to be now I will be checking all my plugs as well, kind out sounds like it's missing, I'm hoping it's just a plug and not a valve but time will tell!

~Hotrodmnm

 

In the picture you do not have your vacuum advance hooked up. Were you running it like that? Could be why it wasn't running good.

 

And it has the OG clamps on the bypass hose...

 

It had a miss for a long time, I went back and looked at an earlier post. The wires and cap look old, so it may be all tune up related.

 

I'm hoping so. I'm hoping it's just a "bad connection " and something isn't majorly wrong.

~Hotrodmnm

 

So new wires and cap are on! Runs way smoother!

~Hotrodmnm

 

I was running it without it to make sure I wasnt getting too much vaccume

~Hotrodmnm

 

I see that you have it hooked back up and it is now running smoother. When you had it disconnected you should have had it plugged. I use golf tees for this purpose as I don't hit golf balls off of them.

 

I stuck the hose on the stud for the air cleaner and I didn't have a leak so that's good

~Hotrodmnm