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!

Jim - Erie Colorado, 1957 Country Sedan

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

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

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

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!

Jim - Erie Colorado, 1957 Country Sedan

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?

Jim - Erie Colorado, 1957 Country Sedan

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!

Jim - Erie Colorado, 1957 Country Sedan

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?

Jim - Erie Colorado, 1957 Country Sedan

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

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

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.


Lawrenceville, GA

Are there no local rebuilders in the area? Often they have old parts on their shelf. Somone at the truckstop should know. Chuck

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