Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-06-2020, 10:31 AM   #1
CC-Mo
Member
 
CC-Mo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Southern Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 86
Default Generator noise, '30 Tudor

I had JUST read an old thread about this awhile back.
Backstory, '30 Tudor. Owned it a couple months. Doing minor maintenance, running like a sewing machine currently. I've been lurking & learning a ton from you guys, and I thank you!
So I start the car yesterday to go for a Country drive.
Immediately I hear a dry squal sound. Kill the engine, lift the hood.
Start it back up trying to locate sound. Water pump? No. Gen? Yes.
So I pull it outside and see the little (add oil) cap by the rear bearing.
All I had handy was some W-D so I squirt in a little. Start it up and give it another shot. And the noise left. After probably a 5 mile drive it never came back luckily.
Brushes dragging? Bearing? I don't know.
The car was barely driven frequently before I bought it. Had been hid in a warehouse 35 years prior.
I'll keep an eye on it. Hope it stays away.... Not knowing anyone locally that could rebuild a gen if it comes to that.
And like most of the Country, everything is shut down due to the virus.
Sorry for the long post. Y'all keep teaching. I like learning about the fine Model A.
__________________
Southern Missouri
'30 Tudor sedan, Original
'33 5-Widow Coupe, Henry Steel, Merc Flathead, 50's Hotrod style.
CC-Mo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2020, 10:45 AM   #2
rocket1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland Park,N.J.
Posts: 1,108
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

I use 3 in i oil for the generator,or any light oil,you will probably find an oil cap also in the front of the generator behind the pulley.
rocket1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-06-2020, 11:09 AM   #3
CC-Mo
Member
 
CC-Mo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Southern Missouri Ozarks
Posts: 86
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

Quote:
Originally Posted by rocket1 View Post
I use 3 in i oil for the generator,or any light oil,you will probably find an oil cap also in the front of the generator behind the pulley.
Thanks for that. I didn't see a cap in the front yesterday. But I wasn't looking for one either after the noise stopped. I'll check it today.
After more research I'm going to re-oil the back one and oil the front one with light oil before I get flamed for useing WD!
__________________
Southern Missouri
'30 Tudor sedan, Original
'33 5-Widow Coupe, Henry Steel, Merc Flathead, 50's Hotrod style.
CC-Mo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2020, 11:28 AM   #4
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

I realize that all you had at the time is WD 40, and you may already know, but WD40 is not a lubricant,. It will actually flush lubricant out/away from what you are trying to lubricate.


In a pinch, pull the dipstick and use drops off the dipstick to lubricate. Any oil is better than no oil or WD40.


Also lubricate the distributor cap/well, Add till it will not take anymore/fill to full. Filling to full allows the oil to migrate up into the upper distributor shaft bushing. At the same time check/grease the distributor points arm/cam.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2020, 11:59 AM   #5
Jacksonlll
Senior Member
 
Jacksonlll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC
Posts: 1,686
Send a message via ICQ to Jacksonlll
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

30 closed cab, you are so right. People have to learn that WD 40 is a solvent, not a lube.
Jacksonlll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2020, 12:13 PM   #6
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacksonlll View Post
30 closed cab, you are so right. People have to learn that WD 40 is a solvent, not a lube.
I think CC-Mo already knows this due to his comment in his post. Added it to my post in case others on here were not aware it.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2020, 01:23 PM   #7
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

WD 40 is good for a lot of things but to thin for lubricating generator bearings and bushings . I have used 30 weight or some such heavier oil in mine since the early sixties with good results .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2020, 05:38 PM   #8
jrelliott
Senior Member
 
jrelliott's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 792
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

There was a video out not long ago about some young guys that replaced the engine oil with WD-40. The engine finally seized. Definitely WD-40 is not a lubricant.
jrelliott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2020, 06:08 PM   #9
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

Checking for the oil cups on the generator and then adding oil every now and again is all part of normal 'old car' maintenance.

If the generator is working as it should then a a couple drops of oil while changing the engine oil and greasing the chassis is a good thing.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-07-2020, 06:01 AM   #10
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: Generator noise, '30 Tudor

The front end plate has a narrow strap riveted to the plate, and this strap needs to be pushed to the side to expose the oil hole. Many original exposed ball bearings have been replaced by a sealed front bearing. If you are unsure which you have, then oil it, as it will do no harm.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:14 AM.