The Ford Barn

Robert/Texas · 11-01-2012, 07:18 PM

The generator on my 1937 Ford suddenly stopped working. This is an original unrestored car with about 60k miles on and I believe that the generator (looking at the wires) is the original one and may never have been out of the car.

I took the generator to a small radiator/auto electric repair shop in a nearby town. The mechanic there says that the insides are burned badly and he doesn't know if he can get parts for it.

Last years MACs catalog shows that they have rebuilt ones for $149 plus a $100 core charge. My generator looks very good on the outside but I don't know if it will pass their core exchange requirements.

Does anyone have any experience with MACs generators and were they satisfied with them? What other vendors or rebuilders would be recommended?

All help will be appreciated.

Lawrie · 11-01-2012, 11:53 PM

Get onto ebay,I bought all the parts to repair the gen on my 33.new armature ,brushes, end,bearings the lot.
Lawrie

Terry,OH · 11-02-2012, 05:50 AM

Using a USPS flat rate box ship the generator to Buckeye Auto Electric
547 Hoyt St. Painesville, Ohio 44077 you can call Joe at 440-354-2060 or 800-USA-5561. Using your externals he can repair the internals and set the third brush.

Robert/Texas · 11-02-2012, 06:13 AM

Thanks to both of you. I found one on ebay and get to keep my old one. I'll let you know if this doesn't work out.

JM 35 Sedan · 11-02-2012, 07:00 AM

The generator from ebay could also have problems. Getting your original repaired by a reputable/reliable re-builder sounds like a better option to me.

ken ct · 11-02-2012, 09:00 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

What you bought is another used gen. which could be in as bad a shape as yours. Send the old one out to be rebuilt as John said. OMO ken ct.

Charlie ny · 11-02-2012, 09:47 AM

Robert,
What Terry said.....there is no ,repeat ,no shortage of parts for these
three brush gens. Good insurance is a diode equipped cut out as well.
Charlie ny

don's 37 · 11-02-2012, 11:01 AM

I purchased a new generator for my '37 from Mac's and have had good luck with it.

Robert/Texas · 11-02-2012, 02:16 PM

Thanks to all of you. The ebay generator that I bought is a rebuilt one with all new internal parts except for the armature which has been turned. I think this is the same guy as I bought a Model T generator from about 15 or 20 years ago and I am still happy with that. I also ordered a new voltage regulator/cutout from Fun Projects. I have had one of his cutouts on a Model A for about 3 years with no problems.

11-01-2012, 07:18 PM	#1
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	1937 Generator The generator on my 1937 Ford suddenly stopped working. This is an original unrestored car with about 60k miles on and I believe that the generator (looking at the wires) is the original one and may never have been out of the car. I took the generator to a small radiator/auto electric repair shop in a nearby town. The mechanic there says that the insides are burned badly and he doesn't know if he can get parts for it. Last years MACs catalog shows that they have rebuilt ones for $149 plus a $100 core charge. My generator looks very good on the outside but I don't know if it will pass their core exchange requirements. Does anyone have any experience with MACs generators and were they satisfied with them? What other vendors or rebuilders would be recommended? All help will be appreciated.

11-01-2012, 11:53 PM	#2
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,218	Re: 1937 Generator Get onto ebay,I bought all the parts to repair the gen on my 33.new armature ,brushes, end,bearings the lot. Lawrie

11-02-2012, 05:50 AM	#3
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 1937 Generator Using a USPS flat rate box ship the generator to Buckeye Auto Electric 547 Hoyt St. Painesville, Ohio 44077 you can call Joe at 440-354-2060 or 800-USA-5561. Using your externals he can repair the internals and set the third brush.

11-02-2012, 06:13 AM	#4
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Re: 1937 Generator Thanks to both of you. I found one on ebay and get to keep my old one. I'll let you know if this doesn't work out.

11-02-2012, 07:00 AM	#5
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: 1937 Generator The generator from ebay could also have problems. Getting your original repaired by a reputable/reliable re-builder sounds like a better option to me. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

11-02-2012, 09:00 AM	#6
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: 1937 Generator Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) What you bought is another used gen. which could be in as bad a shape as yours. Send the old one out to be rebuilt as John said. OMO ken ct.

11-02-2012, 09:47 AM	#7
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: 1937 Generator Robert, What Terry said.....there is no ,repeat ,no shortage of parts for these three brush gens. Good insurance is a diode equipped cut out as well. Charlie ny

11-02-2012, 11:01 AM	#8
don's 37 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmyra, NY Posts: 195	Re: 1937 Generator I purchased a new generator for my '37 from Mac's and have had good luck with it.

11-02-2012, 02:16 PM	#9
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Re: 1937 Generator Thanks to all of you. The ebay generator that I bought is a rebuilt one with all new internal parts except for the armature which has been turned. I think this is the same guy as I bought a Model T generator from about 15 or 20 years ago and I am still happy with that. I also ordered a new voltage regulator/cutout from Fun Projects. I have had one of his cutouts on a Model A for about 3 years with no problems.