Alternator that looks like a generator. Is there such a thing.

[nitro-express]

I have a passing interest in the older Fords, the flathead V8 and the Y block engines.

In my limited experience with the generators and 6v, I was wondering if anyone has made an alternator that looks the same and replaces a generator.

I suppose an alternate solution would be to gut a generator and fit an alternator into the generator housing.

NE

[Zeke3]

Welcome aboard! Yes, one such company is E. J. Whitney Co., Inc. in California that does generator to alternator conversions. https://ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html

[corvette8n]

Speedway has them among others.
If you fix the issues with your original equipment you should be good to go. My ‘41 is still 6 volt with a generator and it’s still chugging after 83 years.

[drolston]

The PowerMax looks like a generator but is about 3/4" larger diameter than a stock generator. I did not last long. I took it to a generator shop who figured out that the polished aluminum generator-looking housing contained a small alternator from a Japanese car. They found a suitable replacement alternator to fit in its place, and that has been working okay for about four thousand miles.

[john in illinois]

I have a Whitney 12 v alternator on my roadster. He uses an original case and bearings so it can safely support a fan. Makes 6 V too.


John

[petehoovie]

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Originally Posted by john in illinois

I have a Whitney 12 v alternator on my roadster. He uses an original case and bearings so it can safely support a fan. Makes 6 V too.


John

[nitro-express]

Thanks.

[dean333]

No personal experience but I have heard the alternator/generator look alikes don’t vent effectively therefore prone to overheating and failure. That’s the reason I decided against one for my 33.

[deuce lover]

FYI,The Whitney units have an entirely new case.He does not use the old ones,only the front and back plates.

[Pat/Ohio]

I have a 12v generator style alternator on my '51 Victoria.

Pat

[Automotive Stud]

I have a powermaster on my '47 and a Whitney on my roadster. Both perform well but I must say the Whitney is much more convincing looking. It uses a factory rear plate and the front mount and pulley look original. I have a generator on my '40 and that works fine aswell.

[john in illinois]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

FYI,The Whitney units have an entirely new case.He does not use the old ones,only the front and back plates.

Yes I forgot he uses a new aluminum case with the ford back and front and Ford bearings fitted.


John

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio

I have a 12v generator style alternator on my '51 Victoria.

Pat

[51woodie]

I have a Powermaster 82016 6V Neg. ground on the 59AB in my '46 Coupe. It has 5000+ miles on it with no issues so far. I have kept the original wiring and regulator in place, and had the generator rebuilt for spare. Will likely change back to the gen. if the alternator goes south.

https://www.jegs.com/i/Powermaster/713/82016/10002/-1

[aussie merc]

power gen have got them selves a bad name over here due to their warranty attitude less and less outlets are handling them now [dont want to know about it and you did something wrong ]

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by nitro-express

I have a passing interest in the older Fords, the flathead V8 and the Y block engines.

In my limited experience with the generators and 6v, I was wondering if anyone has made an alternator that looks the same and replaces a generator.

I suppose an alternate solution would be to gut a generator and fit an alternator into the generator housing.

NE

To answer your specific question, YES, but I prefer a properly rebuilt original generator unless you have accessories that require a lot of power.

Charlie Stephens

[Karl]

Originally Posted by dean333

No personal experience but I have heard the alternator/generator look alikes don’t vent effectively therefore prone to overheating and failure. That’s the reason I decided against one for my 33.

Yep The original 33 generator I had on my early 34 fordor had no built in cooling vanes at the front -Whitney refused to make an alternator using the 33 casing due to the risk of overheating -We used a 34 generator casing with the inbuilt cooling vanes and it has been going strong for 6 years

[Shoebox]

I have a '32 roadster that has an original AC Delco generator that has alternator guts, the car is not proper for here as it has a Buick nailhead and is a highboy. The conversion was done by GenerNator and has worked wonderful for about 10 years. You might want to check their website.

[ndnchf]

I don't think anyone would argue that that an alternator is not a technological improvement over a generator. But for how most people drive these cars today, the question is - do you really need the technological improvement? Especially today with quality LED head and tail lights. The extra current available from an alternator may not be needed. For some it is, I have no problem with that - to each his own.

I rebuild original Ford generators just for fun, I know them pretty well. They are very high quality. When properly rebuilt and set up correctly, they will provide many years of trouble free service. This is an example of one I rebuilt recently.

[drolston]

Originally Posted by ndnchf

I don't think anyone would argue that that an alternator is not a technological improvement over a generator. But for how most people drive these people cars today, the question is - do you really need the technological improvement? Especially today with quality LED head and tail lights. The extra current available from an alternator may not be needed. For some it is, I have no problem with that - to each his own.

I rebuild original Ford generators just for fun, I know them pretty well. They are very high quality. When properly rebuilt and set up correctly, they will provide many years of trouble free service. This is an example of one I rebuilt recently.

Is there any way to rework a '41 6v positive ground generator to put out 12v negative ground? With a proper regulator, of course. Or does anyone sell such a generator/regulator combination?