Technical 235 voltage regulator

Just a quick question I'm building my 57 Chevy truck and I'm using my original generator with the 235. I need to get a regulator but the original is pricey as hell, can I use any 12 volt regulator or should I try to find a g.m close to it

 

They are about 50 bucks through Rock Auto either Delco or Standard. 1957 CHEVROLET TRUCK 3.8L 235cid L6 Voltage Regulator | RockAuto
You don't have to go through the truck trinket/ vintage car parts places and pay jacked up prices to get many of the parts for these rigs. Still they are slow movers and are more expensive now and if you run them you pay the price.
Some of the same parts numbers are a bit more spendy at O'Reilly's though. Voltage Regulator - 1957 Chevrolet Truck | O'Reilly Auto Parts (oreillyauto.com)
You have to know the amp rating of your generator.

The one thing you might do is figure out which regulator either Delco or Standard ignition is correct and search just that part as in __ voltage regulator on Ebay and hope one of the people who buy out warehouse stock and stick the part on Ebay for a few bucks with very little info as to what it fits has one listed with reasonable shipping costs. I have had luck on some otherwise spendy parts for older rigs that way.

 

Or stop by your local generator alternator repair shop. They'll probably have one, and he might even help to tune your system so it charges even at idle and your headlights don't dim.

 

I was taught way back that there are A and B style generators so regulators will not interchange between the two. I don't know what the difference was since I learned all this when generators were already obsolete. It is sort of like what present day mechanics know about carburetors.