Generator brushes sticking? '51 Merc

M

mercuryct

Junior Member
Especially when not run for a while, the regulator on my stock 6V '51 Merc "pings" loudly, with the ammeter needle intermittently jerking back and forth from a high-charge position to a lower one; I'm told this is possibly the generator brushes sticking. Sometimes goes away after warm up, but it can't be good to run it this way. Are the brishes and springs easy to change by taking off the back cover of the generator--without a lot of parts coming loose? Thanks.
 
'Easy' is a relative term. What may be easy for you may be difficult for others so take it off the car pull it apart and inspect it. It will be a learning experience.
 
The hardest part will be re-installing the brushes to rub on the armature. With a little patience you will be able to do it.
 
Generally, the brush springs push on the"back end" of the brush. For assembly, push the brush WAY back so that the spring presses on the side of the brush. Once you get the generator together, it will be easy to just lift the spring off the side of the brush, push the brush down a bit and then the spring will find the right position. Also, the brush holders must be scrupulously clean. No burrs, no sticky gunk, no dirt...
 
I just use a piece of coat hangar and bend a 3/8" hook on the end. Just hook the spring and pull up enough to pull the brush out then set the spring back on the brush guide. To re-install the brush reverse the process . Easy. Unless your wife still has a corset hook:D John
 
Some generators, and most alternators, have small holes in the end plate to allow a wire to be inserted to hold the brushes up until the commutator or slip rings are in place. then the wire is pulled out. If the output is sporadic, it is likely that the bushes have worn enough to reduce the pressure of the springs
 
Just because somebody said it was the brushes don't make it so. The clicking you heard and the ammeter swing indicates a tripping circuit breaker to me.
 
Mike51Merc said:
Just because somebody said it was the brushes don't make it so. The clicking you heard and the ammeter swing indicates a tripping circuit breaker to me.
Click to expand...
That might be possible when the reading goes to the discharge side of the meter but what would cause the high charge reading?
 
Yes, the ammeter needle moves suddenly from its usual very slightly to right of center position to the right, about halfway from center to +, and then back again. I think I could tinker with a corset hook, or a coathanger, but it looks like I might go for a rebuild. Anyone know anyone reliable upstate NY/far western Connecticut? Thanks for all the replies.
 
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