what 12 volt regulator for 51 chevy ?

I have a 51 chevy, that was converted to 12 volt generator. It stopped charging (yes I polarized it), and I checked it by grounding the field output. It increased output to 12.5 volts from only 1.5. The manual indicates this means the regulator is the problem. My question is what regulator should I ask for at the parts store? I am a ford guy and I don't even know when chevy went to 12 volts. My guess would be 1957, cause thats about when ford converted, but I knew the parts guy would be of no help. So I came to the source.

Thanks

Hotrob

 

they went 12v in 1955.

 

So 1955 and later voltage regulator should work with the re-wound generator. Do you know how late they used the generator?

 

I had a GM generator rebuilt this summer and the shop selected a regulator that matched the output of the generator. I'm far from an expert on the subject, but there are a number of GM regulator part numbers, so I assume they are tailored to generator output. My approach was expensive. Maybe you can take your generator to a rebuilder and just ask for a matching reguator.

 

Thanks, but I need to get something tomorrow, hopefully off the shelf.