Generator Bearings question

Kahuna

Kahuna

Well-known member
Several years ago I shortened a generator to use as a fan mount on my engine.
I have no idea what year Ford the generator is from- BUT, the front has a sealed ball bearing and the rear end has a sleeve bearing.
Because the "generator" is so short now, the sleeve bearing wears very rapidly.
Somewhere in my small brain I think I read that there were also rear bearing plates that had a ball bearing, but am not sure, and also do not know what years may have had them?
Can any one confirm or deny what I'm trying to say?
Here is a pic of what I'm working with.
Thanks for any assist
Regards
Jim
 

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'56 and newer (therefore 12v) generators had rear bearings. I can't say whether the endplates are the same otherwise as earlier ones. I would guess if you could make the one you have, you could either modify it to incorporate a bearing, or make a later style fit.
 
The endplate will go on fine but the bearing takes a different diameter shaft. I don't know if it is smaller or bigger. I wanted to use te the bearing endplate and it would not fit the armature.
 
Andy, can you explain that a bit more? What end plate? From what?, Etc. I can make the shaft whatever it needs to be.
Thankyou
Jim
 
Kahuna, I run a similar style fan mount; what I did was use two front plates, machined the legs of off one and used that at the back. A short section of tube between the two and machined up a suitable shaft. Uses the same bearings front and back.
 
If the bushing is wearing out quickly, either the belt is being tightened too much, and/or the rear plate or mount is misaligned.
 
That is a sweet looking engine. How about a picture showing it. Slack off the belt tension?
John
 
:p
Kahuna said:
Andy, can you explain that a bit more? What end plate? From what?, Etc. I can make the shaft whatever it needs to be.
Thankyou
Jim
Click to expand...

I was converting a 39 gen to 12V. I bought a 56 12V gen and switched the cases.I could not use the bearing endplate because the armature bearing surface was a different dia. I don't remeber which way. i just reassembled using the 39 endplate. It should not be hard to sleeve or turn down the shaft you have.
 
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I can't add anything to the above discussion, but I can say that this is one of the most beautiful, uniquely-detailed flatheads I have ever seen. I'll add that the "out of the norm" color choice as well as that insane intake manifold both serve well to just push your package over the top. How 'bout a picture or two of the whole thing? DD

193060
 
He posted several photos recently (last couple of days) on a different post of gas mileage. However, I wouldn't be opposed to him reposting them and/or adding to them!!!
 
Thanks everyone for the help and advice. The alignment is perfect, the belt is relatively loose. I just need a better bearing to manage the load.
The color is Cummins Diesel Beige in a Duplicolor spray can.
I'll add some pics later, as they don't exist on this computor. I have to go to the shop machine
Jim
 
Kahuna, using two front plates sounds like a good idea. What I was thinking is that now you have your induction setup settled, you could see if you can make your fan mount a little longer. Just an inch longer will reduce the bearing loads.

Add my name to the "I like it" list.

Mart.
 
Charlie Schwendler sells a sealed double row front bearing along with two spacers. The bearing increases the load the front bearing can take and there is no need to lube the bearing.
 
Here's a few pics
 

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The '56 & later 12 volt generators use a ball bearing end plate.
The end plate interchanges but the shaft diameter is smaller.
I would think it would be an easy fix.
 
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