Generator Question-part two

[Dennis/CT]

Thanks for the answers on my first question.My second question is,the oil fill cap,when you put oil in it where does it go? There is no hole in the bushing to let the oil into the shaft area. What does the oil do? just cool down the bushing?

 

[LeroyM]

You need to drill a small hole into the brass/copper looking bushing. Oil will then flow inside, there is a wick inside the generator that catches the drop or two of oil.

At least on my generator there was.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

The bushing should be made of powdered metal (oilite bushing), the oil goes into the felt wick, the wick touches the bushing ,the bushing holds just enough oil for lubing ---drilling a hole directly through the bushing can flood it and the excess oil can get on the commutator and into the brushes

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

What Kurt said!

Also don't forget to oil the front bearing. I just did work on a nice low mileage original generator with a rough front bearing because it seems it never was oiled. Use a screwdrive to push the cover to the side and add a few drops of oil a couple times a year. Over oiling the front bearing won't hurt anything.

 

[Barry in St.Paul]

I just came across a warning in the Ford Service Bulletins that said Do not drill a hole in the rear generator bushing, it will ruin the generator! So, people wondered the same thing back then apparently.