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By Duck - 11 Years Ago
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Good Evening Fellow Rocketeers; Well, so far I've spent more time screwing around with a generator and regulator ( both of which do neither) than driving the Duck this spring. I'm sure many of you are much more adept at repairing this system than I, but I'm way beyond my cutoff point patience-wise with this antiquated flustercluck. I've decided to finally join the modern world by installing an alternator. I've read quite a bit on the interweb about conversion brackets, and with the exception of the $200.00+ setup offered by CASCO, I've yet to find one that doesn't require some cobbling to make it work on a 'bird. I did see one that uses an extended pulley on the alt, but it looks cheesey, IMO. I was wondering if and what the consensus is here regarding the different brackets & pieces sold by various vendors? What I'm looking for is cheap, easy & easy on the eyes- pick two (and no, I don't want to date anybodie's sister) Thanks /Duck
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By simplyconnected - 11 Years Ago
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Congrat's, Duck. I hope you got a Ford alt., anything but a one-wire.
I found it easy to make my own brackets. My alt is from a newer Crown Vic and so is the electric fan. I did it that way so I know the alt is big enough to run the fan at idle. Since I mounted the fan over a year ago on our '59 Galaxie, no heat problems. Ford & Chevy gen and alt pulleys are all interchangable. If you're taking the serpentine belt pulley off, make sure you use the little spacers behind the new belt pulley. When I first mounted the 130-amp alt the single V-belt squealed. One of my buddies had a slightly larger spare pulley from a Chevy gen. A larger pulley does three things: It's easier for the engine to drive (because the pulley has a longer 'lever'), the belt has more surface area for more bite, and it goes slightly slower at idle speed. This thing puts out like gangbusters and I kept my GEN light. Everything works the way you would expect: Throw a belt and the GEN light comes on. Insert and turn the key to run and the GEN light comes on. Now I can cruise in stopped traffic for hours. My battery won't drain, and the electric fan keeps my 292 Y cool. Best move I ever did.
One important word of caution... Use a Mega-fuse on the alt wire. Solid state devices (diodes & SCR's) can short at any time. When it happens your battery will dump everything it has as fast as possible. Without a fuse, your wire becomes the fuse. If you happen to be away from home when you do blow a fuse, the car will still run off the battery. At least it will get you home. - Dave
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By pegleg - 11 Years Ago
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Simply, I spent my first twelve years in GP Woods, so i know where you live! I used a reman single wire on my 57. Pretty happy with the way it works and it was simple enough for me to wire. I liked the price too, around 40 bucks, no core.
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By charliemccraney - 11 Years Ago
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I like my one wire, too. Not one problem with it.
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By Y8er - 11 Years Ago
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Don Hyde with FordCraft in Plano, TX - (972) 423-4636 has a nice, adjustable one that was recommended to me by Amos Minter.
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By Y8er - 11 Years Ago
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...BTW, I'm considering a PowerGen (alternator that looks like a generator). Any experience out there with these? Thanks!
Paul
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By The Master Cylinder - 11 Years Ago
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I know some guys with Flat Motors that are running Powergen Alternators, mainly because an alternator plain looks out of place on top of a Ford Flathead. They work and look good but man are they expensive ~$400.
I'm running a GM 3 wire on my '55 Ranchwagon, mainly so I can retain the stock 'GEN' idiot light in the dash.
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By speedpro56 - 11 Years Ago
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I'm using the original generator brackets on the ford alternator in my 56 tbird with no problems. Used a metal tube spacer to fill in the open space at the top where the long bolt goes, just cut to fit. Any other adjustments can be made with a washer or two.
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By bird55 - 11 Years Ago
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I use the one you mention from Don Hyde. This one was designed many years ago to also carry a small air conditioner/compressor. It has worked great for me ad does double duty.
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By speedpro56 - 11 Years Ago
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Duck, you can't get any cheaper than using your own Tbird brackets and it looks great and is original. The guys see it every time I take it to Columbus and I'm sure Charlie may even have a picture of it??
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By speedpro56 - 11 Years Ago
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Duck, go to the link on the forum 2010 Friday's expo Charlie McCraney's pictures first page bottom 4th picture to the right. That shows the original tbird bracket with an alternator. Hope this helps.
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By Duck - 11 Years Ago
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I had no idea I could "re-purpose" the original bracket- I think I'll take my cup of coffee out to the garage next Saturday morning and have a looky lou. I wish I could swing for the seats and buy the gen looking alt, but it's not in the cards, at present. Thanks for the thoughts. /Duck
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By Vic Correnti - 11 Years Ago
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Duck, it looks like this if chromed!
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By simplyconnected - 11 Years Ago
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Before I permanently mount things I try them out. Being cheap, I stole the alt out of my Mustang and mounted it in the '55. My real intent was to retrofit the 292 in our '59 Galaxie since that's the 'family' cruiser.
CLICK HERE for my alt-to-Y-block conversion.
At the very first Woodward Dream Cruise, I discovered my battery was slowly getting low because of the electric fan and hours of idle speeds. Not good. That's why I went with a 130 amp Ford alt.
Frank, if you ever make it home, stop over. I'm still in Royal Oak where many of my friends enjoy their classic cars and hot rods. I'm also in the phone book or you can google my phone number (248) 544-8834 <---had it since '71.
Charlie, I'm glad you're happy with the one-wire. Many hot rods wouldn't be except for the one-wire. Just know there are drawbacks. If it suits your needs, God Bless You. - Dave Dare
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