delco generators

karl f · Mar 13, 2009

now that the word is out about letter series and newer with stock 12v generators, i have a few questions that i hope help myself and others.
how do you identify long shaft vs. short shaft? what's the measurements from the case to end of shaft? and is there an easy way to do so without measuring if spotting parts in a junk yard from a car or unfamiliar tractor make/model (like would double pulley always mean long shaft)?

i assume gm cars/trucks newer than 54 would also be a good source for a 12v delco generator. any shortcomings to that assumption? of course where the heck do you find a junkyard with parts cars that old at salvage/reasonable prices...

karl f

glennster · Mar 13, 2009

dont take this a gospel, but the 12v gennys that i have are an inch longer than the 6v. 12v is 8 inches, 6v are 7 inches. heres a pic of em. keep your eyes out for old cars and pickups junked in fencelines and such, a lot of the older industrial equipment had 12v gennys too. i have a 1957 hyster forklift with a v-4 wisconson motor that has a one wire adjustable genny. you move the brush and it will charge from 6v to 12v. and its a little dude, not much bigger than a soda pop can.
<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/glennster_01/?action=view&current=DSCF1757.jpg" target="_blank">

DSCF1757.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>
Untitled URL Link

RN · Mar 13, 2009

Ford had a small size generator on the Falcons and vans 1960-1964(?)- these came from the english Fords and were also used on some industrial applications- rebuilders catalogs file it under the Falcon application usually. They would fit in IHC H and Ms without having to bend the hood for clearance. Bosch generators specd for VW 67-72(?) could also be mounted in same space- had the adjustable 2 piece pulley similar to the IHC. RN
RN

Janicholson · Mar 13, 2009

See Glenster's remark below for length of shaft. If it is off of a Farmall, it is one or the other. If it is off of a JD or other (car/truck) all bets are off.
If it is a Ford generator (and many others) it will be a "B" circuit generator. Be very careful with unknown generators. The B generators use a voltage supply to the field from the VR. The "A" style on Farmalls uses a ground to the F terminal. If hooked up, or tested as though it were the other they will smoke like a green stick fire for several minutes. To tell for sure "A" or "B", Pull all wires off of the unit (mark as needed). Lift the brushes off of the commutator and put a piece of cardboard under the brushes. Use an ohm meter from the field terminal to ground. If there is a connection, Near zero Ohms, it is a "B" circuit
generator as found on Fords. If no conduction, it is an "A" circuit as found on Farmalls. JimN
Untitled URL Link

karl f · Mar 13, 2009

good advice jim! seems generators are one of those parts always mistakenly filed under the "all the same" category.

For those that need more help on their finds, a good old fashioned electrical rebuild shop would be a great asset of information, testing, and parts. I know of one in st cloud mn, Red's Electric.

karl f

karl f · Mar 13, 2009

thanks glennster. Never realized there also were different body lengths. Assumed delco was delco, ford was ford, lucas was useless

and so on...
are those all delco generators in the picture?

I would bet the little pop can model has a low amperage output and is meant for no lights or accessories.

you should see the generator for an old Overland car. the "pulley end" is actually mounted to the engine block, has a gear attatched, and is driven by the timing gears. the other end houses the distributor! other fancy ones i've heard of in automotive have a power steering pump mounted on the back end.

i'll be measuring all the generators i find now.

karl f

Owen Aaland · Mar 14, 2009

What you are looking for when we are referring to the long shaft is the amount of shaft sticking out of the drive end frame. In Glen's pictures the top two are long shaft models. They are necessary to use the adjustable pulley that is on the top generator. The bottom generator has the shorter shaft. If you were to put the adjustable pulley on that one there would not be enough threads sticking out of the pulley to get the nut on.

glennster · Mar 14, 2009

karl, they are all delco gennys. i'll try and get some pics this weekend of the gennys on my h, one of my m's and the w9, those three have delco 12v gennys. the gennys were from 61-62 chevy automobiles. another good place to find the gennys are farm and consignment auctions. check the hayracks and you will prolly find a 5 gallon pail with a couple gennys and a few starters in there. seems like most farms have a junk box with all kinda goodies in it. (course the older i get, the more junk boxes i got!!)

Commentator · Mar 14, 2009

My literature has no picture or drawing showing the points to be used in measuring. My guess is that the length shown is the length of shaft projecting from the unit when assembled. 1 100 501 is long shaft 1 3/4". 1 100 531 is short shaft 1 1/4". Each is rated at least 20 amps output.

karl f · Mar 14, 2009

just measured a 12v parts generator off a case 730 (delco), it is 7 inches from ear to ear. so there are 7 inch long 12v generators too. That means bring a tape measure when hunting!

karl f

delco generators

karl f

Well-known Member

glennster

Well-known Member

RN

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

karl f

Well-known Member

karl f

Well-known Member

Owen Aaland

Well-known Member

glennster

Well-known Member

Commentator

Member

karl f

Well-known Member

Similar threads