The Ford Barn

bruce lee · 03-15-2017, 09:17 AM

Hello guys,

Can y'all tell me what is the best way to lube a generator. A friend of mine never lubed his and it froze up and broke and sent the fan through the radiator. I don't want this to happen to me so I would like to know what the best oil/lube to use. Gear oil maybe? Thank you.

A bones · 03-15-2017, 09:57 AM

The practice used to be to hit the cups with a drop or two of whatever motor oil was in the squeeze oiler can. The big deal though, was the generator and distributor were hit each and every time the oil got changed. Oil changes were more frequent than what we consider today. The old boys needed lots of attention, and they got it.

JM 35 Sedan · 03-15-2017, 11:12 AM

I keep a small can of 3 in 1 oil in with the service items and parts I carry in my car. I usually add a few drops to both front and rear oil cups on generator, carburetor linkage, and other areas that occasionally need a little lube.
Sometimes during road trips, I will drip a couple drops of motor oil from the dip stick into those generator oil cups, while checking the engine oil level, rather than dig into the back of my car to get to the 3 in 1 oil.

bruce lee · 03-15-2017, 11:41 AM

Ok thanks guys. I figured motor oil would work but I just wanted to be sure they didn't use a thicker gear type oil. So as long as I don't run er dry I will be fine. Thanks again. Bruce.

rotorwrench · 03-15-2017, 12:33 PM

Ford recommended a drop or so off the dip stick into the oiler hole when checking the oil. I would prefer nice clean drop of oil myself.

cmbrucew · 03-15-2017, 01:29 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Ford recommended a drop or so off the dip stick into the oiler hole when checking the oil. I would prefer nice clean drop of oil myself.

Isn't that a 6203 bearing, same as pilot bearing in the flywheel?
Bruce

Joe Immler · 03-15-2017, 03:10 PM

I use 3 in 1 30wt. for electric motors. It is is a blue and white bottle instead of the red and white. Generator has been on car for 15 years and no problems.

Kube · 03-15-2017, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Isn't that a 6203 bearing, same as pilot bearing in the flywheel?
Bruce

Yes.

Charlie Stephens · 03-15-2017, 05:06 PM

Sorry I can not tell you what oil to use since I don't know what kind of car you have. As a data point the '32 V8 used engine oil per the lubrication chart. Do you have an instruction manual for your car that has a lubrication chart?

Charlie Stephens

JSeery · 03-15-2017, 05:28 PM

Ok, from the F1 Ford shop manual,

From Lubrication Chart: Every 1000 miles Generator - Oil Cap, Few drops of Engine Oil (Do Not Over-Lubricate).

From test:

1000-Mile Lubrication
GENERATOR. Lubricate the generator with a few drops of engine oil. Use care not to drip oil on generator brushes. Do not over-lubricate.

bruce lee · 03-15-2017, 05:34 PM

My car is an original 32 ford roadster with a 36 generator with the cut out on top. Sorry it's not the stock 32 motor. I'm running a 46 59a block at 286". Thanks

Old Henry · 03-15-2017, 05:38 PM

'47 sedan operator's manual says S.A.E. 20 every 1000 miles. I actually use gear oil. Figure it will last longer.

V8COOPMAN · 03-15-2017, 05:54 PM

Soooo......maybe gear oil in the engine would make it last longer? DD

koates · 03-15-2017, 06:44 PM

The original front generator bearings on a 1932-38 FORD V8 are not 6203 type ball bearings but rather a pair of tapered roller type fitted back to back, Ford part # 18-10094. When I rebuild these early generators I pack the front tapered roller bearings with High temp disc brake front wheel bearing grease and don't oil them ever after that. I only use 30 weight new engine oil in the generator rear bronze bush. Just a couple of drops only in the oiler otherwise oil will end up on the commutator and brushes. Regards, Kevin.

03-15-2017, 09:17 AM	#1
bruce lee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Nipomo ca. Posts: 132	What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. Hello guys, Can y'all tell me what is the best way to lube a generator. A friend of mine never lubed his and it froze up and broke and sent the fan through the radiator. I don't want this to happen to me so I would like to know what the best oil/lube to use. Gear oil maybe? Thank you.

03-15-2017, 09:57 AM	#2
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,350	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. The practice used to be to hit the cups with a drop or two of whatever motor oil was in the squeeze oiler can. The big deal though, was the generator and distributor were hit each and every time the oil got changed. Oil changes were more frequent than what we consider today. The old boys needed lots of attention, and they got it. __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

03-15-2017, 11:12 AM	#3
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,876	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. I keep a small can of 3 in 1 oil in with the service items and parts I carry in my car. I usually add a few drops to both front and rear oil cups on generator, carburetor linkage, and other areas that occasionally need a little lube. Sometimes during road trips, I will drip a couple drops of motor oil from the dip stick into those generator oil cups, while checking the engine oil level, rather than dig into the back of my car to get to the 3 in 1 oil. __________________ *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*

03-15-2017, 11:41 AM	#4
bruce lee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Nipomo ca. Posts: 132	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. Ok thanks guys. I figured motor oil would work but I just wanted to be sure they didn't use a thicker gear type oil. So as long as I don't run er dry I will be fine. Thanks again. Bruce.

03-15-2017, 12:33 PM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,411	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. Ford recommended a drop or so off the dip stick into the oiler hole when checking the oil. I would prefer nice clean drop of oil myself.

03-15-2017, 03:10 PM	#7
Joe Immler Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Massillon, Ohio Posts: 783	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. I use 3 in 1 30wt. for electric motors. It is is a blue and white bottle instead of the red and white. Generator has been on car for 15 years and no problems.

03-15-2017, 05:06 PM	#9
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,305	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. Sorry I can not tell you what oil to use since I don't know what kind of car you have. As a data point the '32 V8 used engine oil per the lubrication chart. Do you have an instruction manual for your car that has a lubrication chart? Charlie Stephens

03-15-2017, 05:28 PM	#10
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. Ok, from the F1 Ford shop manual, From Lubrication Chart: Every 1000 miles Generator - Oil Cap, Few drops of Engine Oil (Do Not Over-Lubricate). From test: 1000-Mile Lubrication GENERATOR. Lubricate the generator with a few drops of engine oil. Use care not to drip oil on generator brushes. Do not over-lubricate.

03-15-2017, 05:34 PM	#11
bruce lee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Nipomo ca. Posts: 132	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. My car is an original 32 ford roadster with a 36 generator with the cut out on top. Sorry it's not the stock 32 motor. I'm running a 46 59a block at 286". Thanks

03-15-2017, 05:38 PM	#12
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. '47 sedan operator's manual says S.A.E. 20 every 1000 miles. I actually use gear oil. Figure it will last longer. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

03-15-2017, 05:54 PM	#13
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,184	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. Soooo......maybe gear oil in the engine would make it last longer? DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

03-15-2017, 06:44 PM	#14
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,185	Re: What kind of oil to use for generator lubing. The original front generator bearings on a 1932-38 FORD V8 are not 6203 type ball bearings but rather a pair of tapered roller type fitted back to back, Ford part # 18-10094. When I rebuild these early generators I pack the front tapered roller bearings with High temp disc brake front wheel bearing grease and don't oil them ever after that. I only use 30 weight new engine oil in the generator rear bronze bush. Just a couple of drops only in the oiler otherwise oil will end up on the commutator and brushes. Regards, Kevin.