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By jrw429 - 14 Years Ago
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I just bought a 1957 Country Sedan. Pretty much all original, lovely car. I've been driving it for the past two days to get home. I've put over 800 miles in. At the end of today, the generator stopped working. I was able to get about 20 miles to a truck stop and hotel, which was great. However, I'm now faced with trying to figure out how to get the final 370 miles to my home near Denver. Any advice? Naturally it is a Friday night, which makes getting parts more difficult.
Is it possible to do a mini-rebuild on the generator and get it working again? Can I get a replacement generator, and shipped quickly? There seems to be excess play in the current generator's shaft. The mechanics here tried to tighten the belt, but it just got loose again right away. Or can I swap out the generator for an internally regulated alternator? But what about pulleys, brackets and wiring?
Glad to have all of you out there to help me. I've been lurking for a couple months while I was working on getting this wagon. I didn't really want this to be my first post on the forum, but oh well.
Thanks!
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By rick55 - 14 Years Ago
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If you can't find anyone with a replacement generator, it would probably be easier to buy a couple of batteries and disconnect wiring to the generator and run it as a total loss system. If you are driving during the day without any accessories running it would last. If an ignition system draws 3amps , you should get 30 hours out of a90 amp hour battery, though with having to start the car and using brakes and indicators it would be closer to 20 hours. You could charge up a battery overnight if you are breaking up the journey. I only ever buy the cheapest battery I can find these days as cheap or dear they all seem to last the same amount of time.
Having someone supply and fit an alternator may be a bit expensive as they may not be conversant with the method of fitting them to Y blocks.
Regards
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By Oldmics - 14 Years Ago
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I concur with rick55 suggestion. Two batterys and head home.Just drive during the day and dont use any electrical apparatus.Keep an ear out in case the bearing in the genny decides to sieze. Good luck,Oldmics
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By jrw429 - 14 Years Ago
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Ah ha! Good info. I was thinking of running it off the battery. I had no idea of the range I could get. I asked the mechanics here and they said I could get maybe 20-30 miles. I have 370 miles to go, about a 6-7 hour drive. I'll be running during the day. No accessories running at all except the engine.
If the forum members concur this is a viable plan, I'll go for it!
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By jrw429 - 14 Years Ago
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Crud. I think I heard the generator bearing whining just now as I pulled up to my motel room. First time I heard that noise, and we had it running with the mechanics for 10-15 minutes. Is there some way to get a tensioner or idler in there so I could take the generator off the belt? Or just give it a go, and bring an extra belt as well?
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By jrw429 - 14 Years Ago
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Drove it back over to the mechanics. Got an awesome deal on a battery. The previous battery is on the charger now. The generator sounded fine on the way over, and I'll keep an ear open for any possible trouble. Now time for some rest and I'll head home in the morning. Thanks for the advice!
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By jrw429 - 14 Years Ago
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Oh, any recommendations for a rebuild kit for a 1957 generator? I'm guessing front and back bushings and new brushes would be all it needs, yes?
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By MoonShadow - 14 Years Ago
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You will probably hear every little noise on the way home. Good luck with it! A couple of charged up batteries and daytime running should do it. Let us know how it goes. Chuck
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By charliemccraney - 14 Years Ago
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You will definitely get more than 20 to 30 miles. When I first bought my truck, the charging system didn't work so I carried another battery around with me.
I wonder if those charge/ discharge cycles have contributed to it's lasting so long. I got it shortly after buying the truck and it's still going strong. It's probably a 10 year old battery now.
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By MoonShadow - 14 Years Ago
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Are there no local rebuilders in the area? Often they have old parts on their shelf. Somone at the truckstop should know. Chuck
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By jrw429 - 14 Years Ago
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I'm at Little America, Wyoming. It is a HUGE truck stop, hundreds of trucks here tonight. I've spent several hours with the big-rig mechanics, and they don't know of anyone anywhere near here who would have parts, or who would have prior experience working on a Y-block. And now that it is the weekend, it is less likely to find local help. (They said it is hunting season, and I'll find no one around until Monday.) So, running on the battery is my plan.
By the way, the mechanics here have been terrific. I've always been off-put by the many billboards Little America has on Interstate 80 so I've never stopped in. Now out of necessity, I find they are really good folks.
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By 54Customline4dr - 14 Years Ago
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Are you at Little America in Cheyenne? I have a 57 12V generator off an F100 from my 292 core. The 292 is going in my 54 with a 6V so I don't need it, will swap you straight up.
Pat
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By PF Arcand - 14 Years Ago
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jrw: Is the generator actually fried or did it just stop working? If it looks normal, it may just need brushes & cleanup. How old is the regulator? Is there a NAPA in the area?. Might be able to get parts..probably listed under 1964 Ford pickup. Hope this helps.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 14 Years Ago
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jrw: Once on a T-Bird club tour, one of the car's generator quit. I could see through the slot that the brush was worn down to the point that the brush spring was hanging on the brush holder and not pushing the brush against the armature. I found a popsicle stick on the ground, carved it with my pocket knife until I had a piece that would fit on top of the brush and under the spring. Worked until we got to our destination 400 miles away, where we installed new brushes.
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By 292fan - 14 Years Ago
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jrw, gosh I sure wish I could help ya. I'm here on the east coast looking at my freshly rebuilt unit I could give you. Hope you get to your destination. Incidentally, if anyone is traveling on the east coast(NJ,PA,DE) area and needs help, I am available. Steve at six zero nine, eight three nine,four zero eight five. Good luck!
292fan
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By jrw429 - 14 Years Ago
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Thanks everyone. I made it home using just the new battery. I had the original battery in a paper bag in the front seat just in case, but didn't need it. Now it is time to buy parts to get that generator rebuilt.
Jim
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By bird55 - 14 Years Ago
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don't forget to polarize the new setup OR might even be a good time to consider an upgrade to an alternator instead.
Glad you made it home safe.
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By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
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So lets see some pics of your "new " car.
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