I'm trying to keep the engine compartment as stock looking as possible and am looking for a replacement alternator for the generator on my '56 Ford Y-block. Awhile ago, I saw one that looks and mounts same as the generator does but now that I need it, can't recollect who had it? I checked the vendors here, didn't see it. Anybody know where they're available? Thanks!
Whats so bad about a Generator? Dressing up a Alt to look like a Gen sounds a bit Street Rodderish to me...
Thanks for the source data man. Gee i was gonna put a CD player in the car too but now I guess I'll stick with my Realtone transistor AM radio & just hang it from the mirror . . .
Yeah, what a coincidence... You logged on to Traditional site, and found a guy who likes Traditional stuff. What are the odds...
My gen. works fine for me at idle, even with heater and wipers on. Maybe just time to rebuild the gen.?
when did Ford make the change to alternators? late fifties? early sixties? why not dress the motor up to look like a stock '59, or whenever they did change, and put an alternator in there.
Ford was pretty late to switch. ( I think it was at least the mid '60s ) What I would do if I wanted to run a Altinator is just slap one on, and not worry about it. Or, if it needs to be more Period looking, do what the Hot Rodders did when Alts first came out. I think it was Mopar, with a wild looking finned unit, and use one of those. That way it could be a old modification. An Alt dressed up to look like a Gen will never be more that that. It will just be Fake and Lame...
It sounds like you have a lot of extra money. Keep the generator and send the extra money to me. All kidding aside, unless you have some unusual electrical load requirements the generator should be just fine. Remember however that all rebuilds are not created equal. Some rebuilders just replace the failed part (like brushes) and send the unit down the road. A major auto parts chain was caught a few years back buying starters and generators from a wrecking yard, painting them and selling them as rebuilt. Talk to local club members and find a trustworthy rebuilder. Explain to him that you want all of the wear parts replaced. The result should last longer than you own the car. Charlie Stephens
http://www.gener-nator.com/ are these the same ones listed? they are NICE i want one! i looked all over last year to buy one & they all cost toooooooo freakin much! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!
Just bought a 64 Ford wagon, it mostly all original, including the stock gen. I believe Ford switched around 65-66 to an alternator. I'm keeping mine the same.
Those fake generators are cool but what if your stuck 200 miles away, or in that case 10 miles away, and the alternator fries? Right off the bat your stuck waiting til one is shipped out, or rebuilt while you wait. This is the MOPAR version from '66. In a way it is kinda a period upgrade, and they are under $60 with no trade-in, available at most auto parts stores. I don't mind the fake generators if they are on more period strict car, but if there are other obviously newer upgrades, like chinese wire, or even zip ties, than whats the use. TP
Some of us lived through the 50's and 60's and have not-so-fond memories of generators. Rebuilding 'em; undercutting mica; flashing the field and filing on regulator points. Been there and done that; have no desire to go back again. I converted my 56 Ford wagon to a Mopar alternator in '72 and the only thing I've run a generator on since is my 40 Ford. And it'll get an alternator when the flathead goes back in. Generator or alternator; run what you want in your car and don't worry about what others think!
Save your money. Those things are pricey. I think around $400-$500. Run the stock generator as long as you dont have some 10000 watt system with big speaker boxes in the trunk. You don't have to worry about brackets or nothin'
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