Generator Rebuild

[Firechickenzz]

Has anyone rebuilt a generator themselves?
It looks fairly simple.

Is it possible to swap parts like armature and field coils from a Model A generator into a 36 generator?

I also picked up a 30 amp saddle mount generator. Is it possible to use this on my 36?

 

[ndnchf]

I rebuild a lot of ford generators and know them pretty well. To do the job correctly is not easy, takes a lot of time and several special tools. '32 - '36 use a multi-piece double row thrust bearing to handle the fan thrust (I replace this with a modern sealed double row bearing). There is a fragile pot metal bearing retainer that is easily damaged without the special tool for removing it. Removing and installing field coils is every difficult without special tools. I don't mean to discourage you, but its not as easy as others may have you believe.

Here is a 1935 flathead V8 generator I finished last week.

 

[rockfla]

Has anyone rebuilt a generator themselves?
It looks fairly simple.

Is it possible to swap parts like armature and field coils from a Model A generator into a 36 generator?

I also picked up a 30 amp saddle mount generator. Is it possible to use this on my 36?

IF you haven't already seen from the pictures in post #2. Steve is "THE" man when it comes to generators.....do yourself a big favor and just box what you have up and send it to Steve in Virginia......there is NONE better!!!

 

[Kurt in NJ]

I made this out of 4” u channel, the bits are the harbor freight assortment, sometimes one has to be ground to fit the screws better, the holes in the top are drilled to just pass a 3/8 and 1/2” extension.
A muffler pipe expander can be used to expand the pole pieces.
A soldering iron of 300-600 watts comes in handy.
A armature growler with a meter is used to test armatures .— there are more complex tests to check output of the armature beyond just growler and short tests.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

Lost the picture

 

[52flthed]

Steve Blancard AKA user name “ndnchf”above ���� rebuilt 4 generators for me . You’re not going to find a better more complete rebuild. The work he does is superlative !

 

[TerryOH]

I suggest rebuilding yourself if so inclined.

 

[rotorwrench]

I have a good growler for testing armatures. A basic multimeter is a must. I have an arbor press and all sorts of pullers. I also have a good soldering iron for the brushes that have to be soldered. I have enough stuff to do most Ford starters and generators. Rewinding things can also be done but I prefer to let other folks do it when necessary. I know where I can take armatures to get the commutators cut and the mica undercut when I need to.

 

[Firechickenzz]

I found someone selling an armature lathe, mica cutter and growler. Thinking about it.

 

[tubman]

Duplicate post.

 

[tubman]

I have access to a "growler" to check armatures and have trued commutators on my mini-lathe. I have also replaced bushings and brushes. Anything beyond that goes to the pros. Actually, just replacing the "wear items" (bushings and brushes) is all that is needed most of the time.

 

[Firechickenzz]

So I found a shop local that does rebuilds. They called me today to let me know the bearing in the front housing seized which destroyed the armature and ripped out the field coils. in the process it egged out the front plate where the bearing sits.

So do I try to find a replacement front plate and armature, or do I go with a 49+ 2 brush generator I have and find a voltage regulator?

If I go with the 2 brush I need to find a pulley to mount the fan.

 

[ndnchf]

So I found a shop local that does rebuilds. They called me today to let me know the bearing in the front housing seized which destroyed the armature and ripped out the field coils. in the process it egged out the front plate where the bearing sits.

So do I try to find a replacement front plate and armature, or do I go with a 49+ 2 brush generator I have and find a voltage regulator?

If I go with the 2 brush I need to find a pulley to mount the fan.

That is a catastrophic failure! I'm gearing up for Hershey now, but can build you a new generator after I get back. If you want to go a step further, it could be converted to a 2-brush with an internal Electronic Voltage Regulator (EVR). I run one in my 1935's generator. With LED head and taillights, its the perfect combination.

 

[Firechickenzz]

How much for the full unit?

 

[Firechickenzz]

Does anyone know if the generator on a 37 is interchangeable with a 36 parts wise?

 

[Model51]

The 1937 generator uses a different armature and pulley. There may be some smaller parts that interchange. There are tables in the Ford Green parts book which list all of the pieces of each generator so you can go through them to find any common parts.

 

[Firechickenzz]

I dont have a copy of the Green bible yet. Would you know if the front plate with the mount is the same?

 

[ndnchf]

When you get into '37 - '39 generators, things get confusing. All '37 generators are not the same. The larger armature shaft is on some, but not all - a running change. The car front mount is the same into sometime in '37, the new one is pn 78-10139. The '37 trucks use a different front plate starting sime time in '36, pn 79-10139. These use a heavier single bearing rather than the complex 8 part double row tapered roller bearing of the earlier generators. Mixing these parts is problematic unless you really know what you are doing.
Steve

 

[v8fordman]

As Steve points out, there are two different front plates, one with a 78, one with a 79 part number. Those front plates take a different pulley as well. Interestingly, the one with the 79 part number is shown once in the passenger car owner’s manual, while the 78 part number plate is shown twice. The 79 part number is shown 3 times in the dealer presentation book while the 78 is not shown. Another one of those Ford mysteries.