Generator options.

kimbercarrier

Junior Member
So I'm getting close to starting my decade long 1940 ford pickup project.

I have the stock generator installed (as far as I know it works).
I had the coil converted to 12 volts, plan on using the original starter as is for now.

It was my understanding that the generator will charge whatever voltage the field is energized with.... so if I have a 12v battery it will charge 12v. Is this true? I do understand that long term this may not be the best Choice. I do have a proper 12v regulator installed.

This is a Sunday cruiser.... probably less than 30 miles a month, 6 months a year of driving.

I thought about the power Master 1 wire "generator" but there seems to be alot of negative thoughts on their quality.
 
No, you need to install 12v field coils in the generator. But you really are better off keeping it all 6v. They start and run just fine on 6v. BTW, 1938-1940 is a two-year only generator, a somewhat rare bird.
 
My 12v generator is made up of front end plate from the 6v generator, the armature, the barrel with field coils and rear end plate from a 1956-64 (12v) generator... This works. Trim off the mounting ear. You now have a ball bearing instead of the bushing in the back.
Use the 1956+ voltage regulator.

Karl
 
OR just get with NDNCHF and have him work his magic for you, there is NONE better for generators.....NONE.
 
I did the same as Karl. Got a reman. generator from Rockauto, it looked like all new parts inside, much cheaper than buying a new one. Went similar route wirh starter.
 
I’ll second that; NDNCHF rebuilt 4 generators for me . His work exemplifies true professional work. I learned a lot about what really should go into a rebuilt unit.
 
My 12v generator is made up of front end plate from the 6v generator, the armature, the barrel with field coils and rear end plate from a 1956-64 (12v) generator... This works. Trim off the mounting ear. You now have a ball bearing instead of the bushing in the back.
Use the 1956+ voltage regulator.

Karl

I had a '57 T-bird at the time with a bunch of spare parts. I got to looking at the generator and figured out they could be used on flatheads. I did the thing you did, just changed the front plate of the T-bird generator to a flathead one. The T-birds generator case even had the flathead's alignment pin hole to fit the flathead intake. Another plus was the rear cover used a bearing instead of a brass bushing. I ground off the not needed 12V mounting flange on the rear cover. I've never used this generator; it's waiting for me to finish something for me to stick it on.
 
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