I have a 54 Lincoln Capri with the 317 y block. Totally rebuilt. It's basically stock. I did put a dizzy from a 60 292, an oil pump and shaft that'll work. I'm considering going with a 6 volt alternator instead of the genny. I'd like to know if I need to change out anything on the engine. I just want to have a daily driver that charges and is reliable. Has anybody changed their genny for an alternator? Is there a downside? Do I need to change anything out? Will buy one that looks like original. I'm going to put a pic of this beautiful lyb. I considered going with a 12 volt conversion but saw the 6colt alternator and thought it would be an easier way to get reliable electrical system. If anyone has any info about this, please let me know how it is. Thanks y'all
6 volt alternator
- Thread starter B-ster
- Start date
mercman from oz
Well-known member
Rebuilt 317 CID 1954 Lincoln Y Block - B-ster - very nice.
51504bat
Well-known member
This is an option for a 6 volt alternator that looks like a generator. Don't know if they convert Y block generators or not. If they do it won't be cheap.
Classic Automotive - Converting Vintage Automotive Generators to Alternators: E.J. Whitney Company, Inc. - Fullerton California (ejwhitneyco.com)
Another option is for a typical looking alternator. These guys list a 6 volt positive ground alternator and brackets for your Lincoln. I've bought several 12 volt negative ground alternators and brackets for flatheads from them since they are just up the freeway from me. I did buy a Powermaster flathead starter from them once that turned out to be a POS but that was the starter not them. And they did repair it once N/C instead of returning it to Powermaster. The second time was a total internal destruct of the starter which was not repairable.
chrome alternators,starters,Odyssey, batteries (qualitypowerauto.com)
Classic Automotive - Converting Vintage Automotive Generators to Alternators: E.J. Whitney Company, Inc. - Fullerton California (ejwhitneyco.com)
Another option is for a typical looking alternator. These guys list a 6 volt positive ground alternator and brackets for your Lincoln. I've bought several 12 volt negative ground alternators and brackets for flatheads from them since they are just up the freeway from me. I did buy a Powermaster flathead starter from them once that turned out to be a POS but that was the starter not them. And they did repair it once N/C instead of returning it to Powermaster. The second time was a total internal destruct of the starter which was not repairable.
chrome alternators,starters,Odyssey, batteries (qualitypowerauto.com)
RKS.PA
Well-known member
The answer to your question about what needs to be changed on the engine when converting to an alternator is basically, "not much"! You will either get rid of the voltage regulator...voltage regulation is built into the alternator in most instances, i.e. one wire, or leave it in place, but combine some of the connection in it....don't have the instructions in front of me now on that part, but remember it was pretty straight forward.
Just a question though, although an alternator will charge the battery at idle, a properly working 6 volt generator should keep your battery up to snuff. I'm a big fan of Optima 6 volt batteries for our vintage cars.
Just a question though, although an alternator will charge the battery at idle, a properly working 6 volt generator should keep your battery up to snuff. I'm a big fan of Optima 6 volt batteries for our vintage cars.
The generator that came on the car is a 50 amp. The Lincoln has power everything even factory ac. I don't know how to test it to see if it even works so I was going to replace it and with the cost of a replacement I can get the alternator instead. Figured it would be a good idea. A middle of the road between the less than efficient 6 volt and the expensive 12 volt conversion. I would get the alternator that looks like the genny.
Are 6 volt wires available cuz I cut some cuz they were really dried out and I was going to do the conversion and rewire. Now if I stay 6v I'll need to do some piecing of the wiring.
Another question, is an alternator pos or neg ground?
Are 6 volt wires available cuz I cut some cuz they were really dried out and I was going to do the conversion and rewire. Now if I stay 6v I'll need to do some piecing of the wiring.
Another question, is an alternator pos or neg ground?
RKS.PA
Well-known member
Testing the generator output is pretty straight forward. You need a multimeter set to volts. Believe your system is positive ground, so you put the black lead on your meter (-) to the Batt terminal on the generator and the red lead (+) to any grounded surface. If the generator is working properly, you should be getting about 7.2 volts at fast idle. (I know this presumes you have the engine in the car and the generator is operating. If you want to have it tested off the engine, I'd take it to an auto electric shop and get them to run it up on their test equipment.
You'll find that the "Power Gen" alternators that look like a generator are expensive compared to a "conventional" one wire alternator. If appearance is not as important as function, save your $$ and go with a standard positive ground alternator.
Also to convert, you will need a special bracket in place of the stock generator mount.
You'll find that the "Power Gen" alternators that look like a generator are expensive compared to a "conventional" one wire alternator. If appearance is not as important as function, save your $$ and go with a standard positive ground alternator.
Also to convert, you will need a special bracket in place of the stock generator mount.