Why can't my generator move?

[Sparky]

My generator is shown in the attached picture. The circled areas show where the generator housing nearly touches the engine at the top and the water pipe at the bottom. Right now everything works fine and the fan belt tension is good, but there is no adjustment possible if the belt wears. Also I have to remove the generator pulley to remove or install the belt. This is a '29 radiator. What's wrong?

[Railcarmover]

take the numbers off your belt,go to parts house and ask for one 1" longer.

BX-40 size belt works perfectly

[Sparky]

The belt I have is fine. If it was longer I wouldn't be able to get it tight, because the generator can't pivot.

[Jacksonlll]

Your return pipe should be a little more rearward. Move it back a bit and that will give room for your generator to swing out. Then get a belt that is a little longer and don’t run the tension very tight. No need to and a tight belt can cause problems. Just tight enough to run things. Good luck.

[Railcarmover]

The generator should pivot,loosen the bolt on the bottom.Oh,now I see your problem,your lower radiator pipe is rotated,loosen the clamps and rotate it down to clear the generator.

[BillLee/Chandler, TX]

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Originally Posted by Sparky

My generator is shown in the attached picture. The circled areas show where the generator housing nearly touches the engine at the top and the water pipe at the bottom. Right now everything works fine and the fan belt tension is good, but there is no adjustment possible if the belt wears. Also I have to remove the generator pulley to remove or install the belt. This is a '29 radiator. What's wrong?

You may have the wrong water pipe. Check out the Judging Standards, page 3-7.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by BillLee/Chandler, TX

You may have the wrong water pipe. Check out the Judging Standards, page 3-7.

Could it be a pipe for a powerhouse generator?

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Could it be a pipe for a powerhouse generator?

I think Sparky may be on to something. In the picture if you look at the upper hose on the pipe, the pipe seems to be coming out on that hose on an angle.


Incorrect Pipe?

[Bob C]

See Vince's site for the different outlet pipes. http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/waterpipes.htm


Bob

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Bob C

See Vince's site for the different outlet pipes. http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/waterpipes.htm


Bob

I think my pipe most resembles the A-8291-B which is second from the top.

[Patrick L.]

It looks like you have the wrong belt and lower pipe.

[Benson]

Is it one of those alternators that is stuffed into a custom generator
case?

Case looks larger in diameter than stock.

[Davew]

Could the pipe be on backwards? I looked at mine and the long straight comes from the radiator.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Davew

Could the pipe be on backwards? I looked at mine and the long straight comes from the radiator.

Do not think so, the drain valve is in the right place. If on backwards it would be on the up slope of the pipe.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Benson

Is it one of those alternators that is stuffed into a custom generator
case?

Case looks larger in diameter than stock.

Nope, stock generator.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by Jacksonlll

Your return pipe should be a little more rearward. Move it back a bit and that will give room for your generator to swing out. Then get a belt that is a little longer and don’t run the tension very tight. No need to and a tight belt can cause problems. Just tight enough to run things. Good luck.

I think JacksonIII is correct. I had the same problem. Slide the water pipe back. As it goes into the engine side hose farther it will straighten out. It also appears to be slightly twisted as the valve should point straight down. Easy to try first before changing out a lot of parts.

[Bob C]

If your radiator is a 1928-29 you may have a 1930-31 pipe which has the
wrong bend for the radiator outlet.


Bob

[Sparky]

That’s what I wondered, but the suppliers seem to sell only the ‘28 powerhouse version and a “one size fits all” 29-31 version.
I’ll try twisting and sliding it and see if that helps.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Berts
https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...&category_id=0

[bucket-o-rust]

Look at your generator mount bolt and mounting area. I see in your picture something that looks like a very odd piece of metal or something that does not belong in that area at least that part is not on my generator. If I took the same picture of my generator as you my picture would not have that part in it. I think your problem is the bolt that mounts your generator is not correct.

[Badpuppy]

Originally Posted by Sparky

I think my pipe most resembles the A-8291-B which is second from the top.

To my eye it looks more like the top one. But then, you're a lot closer to it than i am.

I believe the dates shown correspond to the three generators used on the model A - Powerhouse (top), "long nose" (second) and "short nose" (third).
Your generator is a short nose. If your car is a 1928 model, it probably had the Powerhouse generator originally.

[ericr]

the '29s connection seems tight at best, but I had the better luck using the earlier Powerhouse tube rather than the one-size-fits-all since it has more clearance designed into it.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Wonder who started the rumor about a "Powerhouse pipe"?


There is no such thing. The lower pipe is made for 1928-1929, or 1930-1931.


The 28-9 radiator should have the bottom outlet pointing slightly outward and the pipe should match it. The pipe should have the bend down low, and not near the center, as the 30-1 pipe does. Your pipe and angle look wrong to me.

[Sparky]

I don't know if anyone started a "rumor", but that seems to be the way the suppliers describe them. For example here is the description from Snyders:

[jimvette59]

Turn your pipe around.

[Sparky]

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Originally Posted by jimvette59

Turn your pipe around.

That would help with the clearance but then the drain would be in the wrong spot.

[ericr]

well to add to the rumor mill, doesn't the lower radiator hose on the '29 get twisted a tiny amount when connected to the pipe, whereas on the 30-31 the connection is a complete straight shot into the lower tank?

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by ericr

well to add to the rumor mill, doesn't the lower radiator hose on the '29 get twisted a tiny amount when connected to the pipe, whereas on the 30-31 the connection is a complete straight shot into the lower tank?

Not with the right pipe.


Bob

[Sparky]

Thanks for the picture Bob, I think that pipe will solve my problem. Very nice looking engine, is it yours?

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Thanks for the picture Bob, I think that pipe will solve my problem. Very nice looking engine, is it yours?

I wish. That is Gary Karr's 492 point Tudor.


Bob

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Not with the right pipe.


Bob

not to prolong this unduly, but isn't that Powerhouse resting right against the hose clamp, or is that my glasses?