generator vs. alternator

I still have a generator, I would like to convert. What does it take to do this?

well on my 62, i used brackets from c.r.a.p. dunno their website as i bought mine off ebay they had a listing there im sure you could find some there or at least a link. not sure about your motor but mine was a 7 o-clock location for the genny, kept it there. the only problems i had with the brackets was that the back mounting bracket had to be trimmed up, more like hacked up. i did however use a highoutput alternator from pa preformance, and i belive it was a little larger than a normal alt. anyways after a few days of cursing, smashed fingers, and fabricating(with my trusty dremel) it went into place had to shim the bracket out so the belt would align properly, (the front bracket is a little thinner than i would like and had some flex when tightening the top bolt down moved the alt back just enough to be out of alignment)but with a few washers i was able to compensate for it. got a slightly shorter belt... lets see dont rember the exact size.. couldnt been more than an inch shorter than stock. once that was done i tore out the regulator, and old wiring. put in new stuff, wont go into detail about that can if you want me to. might be easier if you goto www.madelectrical.com i used their website for wiring up my new system, should give you a good idea as to what you'll need to do to use a alt in a old car, and what alt u can use, i didnt use the delco because i wanted some serious juice. i know the site is a little chebbie orianted, but if you read through their articles you'll find some really good info, i learned alot from there and belive me it helped when i put in the alt. but everything has worked flawlessly,so far. sorry this was such a long post just wanted to help out, went through quite a bit to find out what i needed. hope some of this helps

I think I am more looking for a nice bolt on kit without the hassles.

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On 2004-01-06 07:31, jeff63390 wrote:
I think I am more looking for a nice bolt on kit without the hassles.
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I'm not saying they aren't out there but not easy to find anything bolt on that doesn't pose a problem of some kind. Heck, i put a new waterpump on mine and had to do some altering because the area the gen bracket bolted to was missing the peg and didn't have 2 holes the same distance outward.

Deb

has anyone used the gearheads cruiser kit for about $330?

well yeah what i described above sounds like alot of work, but most things end up being more of a hassle then we plan. but really wasnt and was definetly worth it. not to mention looks very good and clean. havent heard of the kit your talking about sounds steep to me, my setup including everything,(95amp pa alt included) cost about that much,bracket was 100, prolly could have got a better one for cheaper(live &amp; learn i guess) for a regular alt, 60, wires and brackets prolly another 100, so really you shouldnt have to spend more than 200, on something like this. if you go to http://www.critesrestoration.com/galaxie.htm they have brackets and conversion mod but i belive the mod is just a regulator, which if you use a 2G or newer alt it will already have the regulator built in.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: westcoastgalaxie on 1/7/04 3:16pm ]</font>

You could just buy the entire accessory drive from a '65-later FE, they all had alt after '65. Never had a gen car, so I can't help with this swap very much, but here is where I would start. Seems to me you would need all of the brackets including PS, if you have it, and maybe the timing cover from the donor car/truck. You may also need the water pump if you have the original with no mounting boss for accessories.

GEARHEADS EXCLUSIVE
FE Engine Alternator and Brackets for 1958-1964


Package includes: 140 Amp single wire alternator, Brackets and all hardware needed for installation.
Low profile mounting point.
Allows you to eliminate your original Voltage Regulator and wiring because of Internal Regulator.
Chrome housing for improved appearance.
This item sells for $335.00, including UPS shipping.

this is the gearheads package

I remember sometime around 74-75, my dad changing over a 63 chevy to alternator but don't know what he had to do. Didn't have or didn't know about all the fancy kits they have to do things with now. One of these days I'll have to switch. I have an alt and bracket but it isn't the one wire, it's off a Ford truck.

Deb

1964 Mercury's had alternators so you could surce the proper FE brackets from that application. I doubt they changed much in '65 when the entire line got Alts, but water pump differences might cause some mounting grief. The '64 is closer designwise than the '65 and up cars. Stu[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_spongebob.gif[/img]