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By Tater Salad - 6 Years Ago
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Does anyone know if there was a difference in mid 50's generators or if the thunderbird had a unique one? I am in search of one for my car, but it seems the price triples or more when I mention what I'll be using the generator on.
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 6 Years Ago
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The T-Bird generator has a different rear plate that relocates the armature terminal. If that is not done, there is a likelihood that the armature terminal will touch the front of the block and ground out the generator output.
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By oldcarmark - 6 Years Ago
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Larry's Thunderbird shows them at $163.00 Exchange. Cheaper than the 56 Passenger Car Ones.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 6 Years Ago
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It was common for mechanics to replace 40A/6V T-Bird generators with more available/lower rated passenger core rebuilds. They will work ok, but adjusting the regulator & insulating the terminals likely couldn’t hurt. Original cores are getting scarce, so prices will reflect that. Don’t know exactly why the amp ratings were different, since I seem to remember the armature part # is the same (?). But, since repro end & ID plates are readily available, you wouldn’t want to trade in your original core if you could have it rebuilt instead.
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By paul2748 - 6 Years Ago
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The pulley in the front is different than a sedan - does not stick out as far. There is a conversion unit that the Tbird parts guys have that relocates the terminal, at least for a 56/57. I don't know if the 55 was different.. On my 56 I had both situations - the wrong pulley and the terminal situation. I got the conversion kit from CASCO and , luckily, the front pulley from a local starter/generator rebuilder.
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By Tater Salad - 6 Years Ago
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I did finally come across the one in larry's yesterday. Best price I've seen yet... by far. Thanks much
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By Tater Salad - 6 Years Ago
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I didn't get the generator or brackets, that was the only missing parts on the car. Thanks for your reply
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By Hoosier Hurricane - 6 Years Ago
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Keep in mind that when you look for brackets that the T-Bird is completely different than passenger car or truck brackets. Unless you want the Bird to be completely original, you may be better off to adapt an alternator.
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By cokefirst - 6 Years Ago
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The 1955 Thunderbird generator is 40 amps and the passenger car was 30 amps. the Thunderbird had a unique end plate to keep the battery wire on the back of the generator from coming in contact with the engine. The Thunderbird generator sits closer to the engine and will short out if you use a passenger car end plate.
If you want the look of a generator but the power of an alternator, I highly recommend the Power Gen unit. They look like a generator but they are an alternator. They are pricey, but I hve them on a couple of my cars and I like them. The 6 volt is only made in the one wire configuration which means it won't turn out our dash light BUT I spoke to them and they said they would make the two wire unit upon request. I am going to order one for my 55 Thunderbird and I already have the 12 volt units on my 57 Skyliner and 56 Thunderbird. I am also going to put on on me 56 Ford PU.
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By Tater Salad - 6 Years Ago
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Thanks Cokefirst,
Where are you purchasing those with two wire from?
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By cokefirst - 6 Years Ago
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I spoke to a tech at Powermaster about 9 months ago. Their website is http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/alternators.html. They said that they could make the 2 wire 6 volt positive ground unit for the Thunderbird and it would be no problem. They do not have them available right now. The only thing I didn't like about the Powermaster PowerGen generator is that they do not use a keyed shaft for the front pulley/fan. I had to replace this on my 12 volt 57 Ford because I have factory air and I didn't get it on tight enough and it slipped. It would not have been a problem with a keyed shaft. Other than that, I am sold on their products. Dan
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By jumpstart - 6 Years Ago
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tater sal; I have a good 55 generator from my 55 T-bird , I changed over to an alt 12 V.
My e-mail is fairlanebob@charter.net
Phone 530-526-3413 cell
Bob Harvey
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By cokefirst - 6 Years Ago
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I am sorry, I was misinformed. I did speak to them several months ago and was told that the 2 wire system could be made. I contacted them again, since I am almost ready to replace my alternator and I was told they could not do the 2 wire on the 6 volt positive ground. I think they are concerned that the demand would be too low, as I do not see why they can't make the 6 volt unit the same as the 12 volt model. I apologize.. Too bad, because I like their 12 volt units.
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