I think I'm losing the generator on my 62 Ranchero.How much more reliable would an alternator be? I've lost one generator already, this one is a used one I had. I'm sure it just needs brushes, (when I tap on the back of it, it starts charging), but I'm looking for reliability. Should I just put a rebuilt on it, or should I switch to an alternator???
i've been ponderin' the same thing latley!!i have had some issues with my daily but the generater looks so darn cool!!!although the alternater will rid of some stress.i just cant do it
I agree. I'm kinda leaning toward keeping the generator on it, I guess what I'm asking is are generators any less reliable on a daily? I'd rather keep it if it's feasible.
In a normal " perfomance" application- the Generator is fine.....But if its a Hi rev-screamer- Id say alternator...high rpm's tend to "throw out" the brushes in the ol generators......
I wouldn't say they're less reliable, but they definitely don't work as well, and they require lots of maintenance. At the very least I'd try and find out if there's like a solid-state voltage regulator available that would work with the generator. My mechanical voltage regulator's given me WAY more trouble than the generator itself (I have to rev the engine way up after starting it to get it to start charging and it won't charge a dead battery up all the way). Also I can't idle in Drive at stoplights with the headlights AND heater blower on or it starts sucking from the battery. The generator DOES look cool though. I dunno why someone hasn't built an all-new alternator that fits in a generator housing, that'd sell like hotcakes. Of course, on my car, the generator operates the power steering pump, so even when I get around to installing an alternator I'll still have the generator
"lots of maintenance"? i've probably driven more trouble free miles on generators than i have with alternators-george
Poncho, I'm gunna sneek over in the middle of the night and put an alternator in your wagon!! You'll never know, you'll just wonder why it runs better and why the lights are brighter. Ahahahaha!!!!!!!
If i decide to change it over, what's best to use, GM one wire? That seems to be what everyone uses....
I've had great experiences with both!If they're both in good shape then they are reliable.had a 56 plymouth with the generator and at idle the headlights would dim a little,then when you hit the gas they went really bright,was really cool reminded me of christine,that car was really reliable with a generator.like anything else if it's in good shape it'll work good.I'd just rebuild the generator if you want the original look and if not alternators are easy to find.and also if you redo the generator a new voltage regulator couldn't hurt!
Not really...that is a COMMON mistake....you want to "sense" voltage at the JUNCTION of all wiring feeds.....with a one wire it senses at ONLY the lug on the back of the alternator go to... madelectrical.com ...and read what they say....... Jersey Skip
Pick something thats available everywhere... and on some of Auto Zones stuff they put a waranty on em... life time or something? Ultimate in pro-rating
my 56 had problems with the generator because the owner before me didn't know about polarizing generators and he went through a couple because of that. so i just bought an alternator. it is a GM single wire made for marine usage, wich just means its more heavy duty.at autoparts store it cost me about 75 bucks, and has worked great for along time now. i don't even have to carry a spare battery in the trunk anymore.
Well, generators require oiling every 1,000 miles, require new brushes every so often, and eventually they start to short out unless you cut down the mica in the commutator.
Generators are just like any other part of an older car...they work well, but will require more frequent attention than most newer vehicles or components! Modern cars go longer intervals between service, but they're not neccessarily more "reliable"...just "lower maintenence"! If you're used to setting valves, checking and adjusting points, greasing the chassis at every oil change, adjusting your steering gearbox, and making periodic brake adjustments on you're older ride, then oiling or checking the brushes in your generator isn't a big issue! It's something to consider...have you upgraded OTHER aspects of your vehicle...or do you plan to? Having an alternator on an otherwise unaltered old vehicle won't reduce the amount of attention you need to pay to the vehicle as a whole...so I'd consider keeping the generator! Having an old car as your daily rat is cool...and I think the extra attention they require just adds to the whole experience...but I'm a weirdo...so take it as you will!! (But ya know...I'm using a 12 volt system and an alternator on my 49!! )
Hack, the maintenance part doesn't bother me a bit. I just can't go out in the morning to leave for work and find out my charging system doesn't work. It's happened twice already, I don't wanna try for three! I know a car this old is never going to be totally reliable, but I maintain the hell outta it, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Im goin on 7 years in my 56 buick driven daily with a generator. I have had to rebuild it once... If its a custom that will never have the hood open, thats one thing, but in gereral fuck alternators, I guess Im a die-hard. When I converted my 54 chevy to 12v I put a generator in the car cuz Im stubborn, everyone made fun of me for it, but ya know what? I drove that car for a year or two everyday with absolutly no trouble....until I blew up the 6 cyl. and when I swap motors, the generator will still be there.... but Its just the looks, if I had a alternator hidden in a generator, Id be stoked... -J.
fat hack, i agree that having an old car as a daily driver is funner in a way because of the extra maintnence required. it boggles my mind to think that there are many people driving every day that don't even know how to open the hood, let alone check thier oil. they just take the car to the speedylube every 3000 miles like the little sticker in the window says. what a boring life. screw that
[ QUOTE ] Hack, the maintenance part doesn't bother me a bit. I just can't go out in the morning to leave for work and find out my charging system doesn't work. [/ QUOTE ] Well, FatHack has it nailed. If the maintenance part doesn't bother you, just get another generator. I don't know about later Fords, but my 68 GM generator is as reliable as can be.
My Daughter and son-in law have a 65 falcon w/t a 260 V8 and has driven it every day for the past 2 years. he has never had a generator problem,,,,,if they do i have a couple of extras,,,,,my daughter does not want her daddy hot rodding her falcon. HRP
The Jalopy Journal
