I'm using the powermaster powergen alternators as well and they work and look great! Will not go back to a generator, just the insurance of safety with the alternator is worth it to me.


-Gary Burnette-

I too like the look of the original generator but I seem to have problems with the brush springs.  The original ones always lasted a long time, but the replacement ones seem to break after a couple of years of moderate use.  I have 5 vehicles with generators, and I was always having one fail at the most in-opportune time.  My oldest vehicle is a 1931 Model AA ton and a half stake bed truck.  I put halogen bulbs in the headlamps so I could have some light and the generator produced 15 amps and the lights took 30.  I saw several alternator set ups, but they look way out of place.  I started looking at Powermaster Powergen alternators.  They are NOT cheap, about $400, BUT, they look like a generator and put out plenty of power.  So far I have put them on my Model A, 57 Ford retractable, and my 1956 Ford Thunderbird.  I am going to put one on my 1955 Ford Thunderbird and my 1956 Ford pick up.  I am sold on these.  They make a 12 volt model that will work the gen light on the dash and they are a direct drop in.  Only a slight wiring change and I did the wiring through my voltage regulator so it looks stock to all but the trained eye.  My 55 is 6 volt positive ground and they make a model for that set up..  The only reason I have not purchased one for my 55 Thunderbird yet is because they don't have the two wire system on that model to operate the generator light. Once they make that modification, I am ordering one for that car.

Actually, I've had generators last a long long time, what might not last as long is the voltage regulator but that's lot easier to deal with on a lonely road someplace in Montana than a bad alternator.  I carry a 21cp bulb in a socket with two wires handy, you connect these from the BAT connection on the regulator to the FLD terminal and it will feed enough to make your generator charge, you'll get home and with no calls to AAA, this with the Ford 6v system.  With a GM generator you hook the bulb to the FLD, the other wire to a convenient ground.  If you ground the FLD terminal with a simple wire it will charge full blast, not good for your battery but it can get you home.  Cars, generator, alternators, they can all fail at one time or other, I guess nothing is fool-proof.

warren

It’s easy to forget why alternators ultimately replaced generators.  While generators do get the job done, they are another frequent service point on a vehicle that’s driven regularly.  In a performance application, generators do fail prematurely simply due to the rpms that are generated.  Using larger diameter pulleys helps but that’s only a work around.  I find alternators good for 150K+ miles without servicing and that alone is a good enough reason for me to use them in place of generators.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I've run generators on all my 50s early 60s Fords, never had a problem that $15.00 in parts couldn't fix. 

After I put the 312 in my car in place of the 292 I had issues with slow starter turn over with the 6 volt system. I could not use all the initial timing that gave the best power and start the car when warmed up. I added a 12 volt gen, changed the lite bulbs added a resistor between the radio and fan motor and a 12 volt battery. I kept the 6 volt starter ( been working 30 + years).
It is easy to find a 12 volt battery  and or jump start the car. Brighter headlights too. Pete

Alternators are lighter, and more compact. Unless you car is idling for an extremely long time the low output should not be a problem. You can change the pulley size to charge at idle but only if your engine does not see the higher RPM's otherwise the centrifugal forces could cause the armature windings to throw out. If you don't have lots of power consuming accessories and are not having problems then I would see no reason to go to the trouble to change the generator out. 

An alternator will charge at idle while a generator will not. Also you can run an engine without a battery hooked up if you have a failure. You cannot do that with a generator. Other than higher amperage outputs I think that's about it. 

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

This may be a novice question but what's the advantage of switching over to an allternator? My car is basically stock with an MSD dizzy. I don't have air a radio or anything else that would rob power. How would a alternator benifit my car?

Durham Missouri

They do have 6 volt positive ground alternators.  I have seen lists for them.  The Model A guys use them as well as others.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ