Generator
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,972
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Generator
The generator on my 64 works fine.
I have no additional electrical accessories and have no plans to add any other than installing relays to run the headlights.
Is there any reason to upgrade to an alternator?
I have no additional electrical accessories and have no plans to add any other than installing relays to run the headlights.
Is there any reason to upgrade to an alternator?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
They don't work too well with lots of short trips and idling at low RPM. Sure, there are good reasons to replace, but it's also easy to slip over the line into silliness too. They were tricky to get set right (the regulator) because driving around town (mostly) meant a bit "hotter" setting - but then taking a long highway trip meant boiling a battery dry.
Maybe the oldtimers can comment on this. One wire generator is pretty much set it and forget it. They provide charging current at low RPM. I would suggest though, if you think you need relays for your headlights you're not done yet though. Modern headlights work better - no question - but it's not like they were driving around half blind back in the day either.
Maybe the oldtimers can comment on this. One wire generator is pretty much set it and forget it. They provide charging current at low RPM. I would suggest though, if you think you need relays for your headlights you're not done yet though. Modern headlights work better - no question - but it's not like they were driving around half blind back in the day either.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The problem is, where will you find alternator mounting brackets for a 1964?
Alternators (Auto-Lite) became standard equipment in 1965. 1961/64's were available with optional alternators, but they were the Leece Neville.
Alternators (Auto-Lite) became standard equipment in 1965. 1961/64's were available with optional alternators, but they were the Leece Neville.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,972
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There are several vendors that sell y-block alternator brackets.
I rarely drive the truck at night, adding the relay kit for the headlights is primarily to take the load off the headlight switch and 50 year old wiring.
I rarely drive the truck at night, adding the relay kit for the headlights is primarily to take the load off the headlight switch and 50 year old wiring.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 80
From: tujunga, calif
Ive run mine all these years with just a generator and only one failure when a brush spring broke. It broke at the Salten Sea and I still made home to Los Angeles on just the battery, maybe a 100+ miles..
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Y block alternator brackets are available, or alternatively (heh) stealth generators with modern innards inside. Those are pretty spendy though, suitable for restorations.
Spent a little while messing around with the generator regulator, the battery was charging and it would always start - but it wasn't close to rated current output or being topped off. This will kill a battery off pretty quick. It works fine now.
There isn't a lot of extra capacity in a 30 amp anything once you add up lights, ignition, heater blower so it has to be set right. The thing to remember, the battery has only one function - starting the engine, the generator takes the load after that. Take the time to check the voltages and current output are just right. Too hot, and batteries boil or the generator slings solder.
Not sure how long the brushes last, but they probably fail at the least convenient time. Most people don't want to make a career out of messing around with them, they'd rather be cruising!
Spent a little while messing around with the generator regulator, the battery was charging and it would always start - but it wasn't close to rated current output or being topped off. This will kill a battery off pretty quick. It works fine now.
There isn't a lot of extra capacity in a 30 amp anything once you add up lights, ignition, heater blower so it has to be set right. The thing to remember, the battery has only one function - starting the engine, the generator takes the load after that. Take the time to check the voltages and current output are just right. Too hot, and batteries boil or the generator slings solder.
Not sure how long the brushes last, but they probably fail at the least convenient time. Most people don't want to make a career out of messing around with them, they'd rather be cruising!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I think Bosch makes one that will work, if you dig in the archives somebody pointed that out a while back.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,771
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From: tujunga, calif
Failures can happen in any electronics, just ask any auto parts store how many rebuilt alternators they sell each year.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
Nothing wrong with keeping the generator as long as you don't start adding on more things that put a load on it. I have one on a 56 ford that works great , been on it for 20 years. My 64 falcon came with a generator, last year they were on cars. Later in it's life i went to an alternator ,had to change and splice wires to make it work. Used it that way for a lot of years and never did add any extra electrical items on it , still original. But i rebuilt the car a few years ago with new wiring under the hood. Not wanting to cut and slice it again, i just rebuilt the old generator and installed it.
I say if it's not broken and not adding on , leave it like it is. You can still get generators rebuilt but the new rebuilt ones i see for sale have a high price tag on them. Bearings and brushes are cheap and they don't just quit all at once most of the time. AS far as adjusting the regulator , unless you know what you are doing , leave it be. Yeh . i'm one of the "old timers " that grew up with the generator era. They are a pretty simple system made for those times compared to what we have now days.
I say if it's not broken and not adding on , leave it like it is. You can still get generators rebuilt but the new rebuilt ones i see for sale have a high price tag on them. Bearings and brushes are cheap and they don't just quit all at once most of the time. AS far as adjusting the regulator , unless you know what you are doing , leave it be. Yeh . i'm one of the "old timers " that grew up with the generator era. They are a pretty simple system made for those times compared to what we have now days.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
That's part of the problem, hardly anybody knows how to setup a voltage regulator anymore. So I learned myself. It's not rocket science. The older manuals are pretty much a requirement, though, when working with obsolete systems.
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