Generator noise, '30 Tudor

CC-Mo

CC-Mo

Member
I had JUST read an old thread about this awhile back.
Backstory, '30 Tudor. Owned it a couple months. Doing minor maintenance, running like a sewing machine currently. I've been lurking & learning a ton from you guys, and I thank you!
So I start the car yesterday to go for a Country drive.
Immediately I hear a dry squal sound. Kill the engine, lift the hood.
Start it back up trying to locate sound. Water pump? No. Gen? Yes.
So I pull it outside and see the little (add oil) cap by the rear bearing.
All I had handy was some W-D so I squirt in a little. Start it up and give it another shot. And the noise left. After probably a 5 mile drive it never came back luckily.
Brushes dragging? Bearing? I don't know.
The car was barely driven frequently before I bought it. Had been hid in a warehouse 35 years prior.
I'll keep an eye on it. Hope it stays away.... Not knowing anyone locally that could rebuild a gen if it comes to that.
And like most of the Country, everything is shut down due to the virus.
Sorry for the long post. Y'all keep teaching. I like learning about the fine Model A.
 
I use 3 in i oil for the generator,or any light oil,you will probably find an oil cap also in the front of the generator behind the pulley.
 
rocket1 said:
I use 3 in i oil for the generator,or any light oil,you will probably find an oil cap also in the front of the generator behind the pulley.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. I didn't see a cap in the front yesterday. But I wasn't looking for one either after the noise stopped. I'll check it today.
After more research I'm going to re-oil the back one and oil the front one with light oil before I get flamed for useing WD!
 
I realize that all you had at the time is WD 40, and you may already know, but WD40 is not a lubricant,. It will actually flush lubricant out/away from what you are trying to lubricate.


In a pinch, pull the dipstick and use drops off the dipstick to lubricate. Any oil is better than no oil or WD40.


Also lubricate the distributor cap/well, Add till it will not take anymore/fill to full. Filling to full allows the oil to migrate up into the upper distributor shaft bushing. At the same time check/grease the distributor points arm/cam.
 
WD 40 is good for a lot of things but to thin for lubricating generator bearings and bushings . I have used 30 weight or some such heavier oil in mine since the early sixties with good results .
 
There was a video out not long ago about some young guys that replaced the engine oil with WD-40. The engine finally seized. Definitely WD-40 is not a lubricant.
 
Checking for the oil cups on the generator and then adding oil every now and again is all part of normal 'old car' maintenance.

If the generator is working as it should then a a couple drops of oil while changing the engine oil and greasing the chassis is a good thing.
 
The front end plate has a narrow strap riveted to the plate, and this strap needs to be pushed to the side to expose the oil hole. Many original exposed ball bearings have been replaced by a sealed front bearing. If you are unsure which you have, then oil it, as it will do no harm.
 
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