When is an alternator correct for a custom ?

There was something said in the form of a reply a few days ago by Lothiandon------"it's ALL good." I can live with that idea. I don't need to relive any of my youthful breakdowns to be "traditional".

 

Just wanted to learn when average rodders/custom guys started switching to alternators on the regular. Learning a little history, not building a car to suit anyones needs but my own. Say im building a period custom with a late 60's style in fact an alternator would be correct ! This is a place to discuss factual history right... it seems half of the thread has disappeared w the switch to the new format. The question has been answered, there was never a debate on reliability, "worrying about who cares" what I build or whether your hood stays open or closed on a custom etc... thanks to those that took the time to read the original post and asnwer accordingly. I dont want to change history to suit my needs, just learn what was really happening.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

When? Right now.

 

X2!

 

That's the $64,000 question.

 

I've always liked alternators, inherently better to look at (compact), work much better. I really like early Mopar alternator design, in the aesthetic sense.

 

If it's a custom.....anything goes. Unless you meant traditional custom and are keeping it within an era.

 

Bwahahaha!

 

old cheaters way run it off the drive line . my 60 olds has it in stock location I think more on safe and what if I brake down in ?

 

In 1966 and at the age of 18, I bought my first Old Car. It was a '39 Chevy Master 85 with original beam axle front suspension. I worked and saved for the day that I could afford to do a V-8 conversion. Since this was also my first build and being a Chevy Fan, the choice was simple.
An older friend and mentor took me to his favorite junkyard where I purchased a Power Pack (4 bbl) 283 with Power-Glide still attached. I also purchased a 55 Chevy rear end with 5 lug wheels and a few other 55 Chevy parts.
The engine was complete and out of a 1964 Impala showing 30,000 miles on the speedometer. The motor had all of the bells and whistles hanging on front including the fan and "alternator." The junkyard dealer even threw in the voltage regulator from the Impala. Once the conversion was complete my '39 Chevy became my daily driver.
All of the dates and year of manufacture parts fall under the H.A.M.B. rules according to the Pre-1965 designation. I never thought of my '39 as being a Traditional Build ! Most people in 1966-67 and 68 did not even consider the car as a Hot Rod and the term Street Rod had not been invented. It was just a Damn Old Car with a Dumb *** Teenage Driver.
The point is what year is your power plant ??? If it falls within the H.A.M.B. Guidelines run whatever it came with that year of manufacture. If it came with an alternator, use an alternator. Same goes for generators.
I for one was not going to search for a generator when I already had the original alternator that came with my 64 issue 283. At age 18, I never thought that I would want a generator on my car just to please someone else almost 50 years later.................Jeff