Powergen or generator decision

[95476]

I am taking on another project.
This is a 59Y block that has a later 8BA style Powergen mounted to the driver's side head because of the lack of room on the Super Dual manifold for the front mounted generator.
The Powergen will hit the hood side panel if the hood is closed.
There is also no provision for the fan as it is assembled now.
I will be switching to an Edelbrock 1090 intake which will allows for a generator to be mounted in the center.
Any suggestions on a generator?
I had a converted generator with regulator on my roadster that worked well but I am now thinking the new setups might be better.
This will be going back as a 12 volt neg. ground system.
Thank you.

[aussiesteve]

Powergens suck
I went back to a 12V generator and couldn,t be happier.
6V generator with 12V field windings and a 12V regulator

[drolston]

My (expensive!) polished aluminum PowerGen generator-look-alike alternator fried itself after about 2000 miles of light loads. Local alternator shop replaced the guts with something hopefully more reliable.

[john in illinois]

If you want to use a Fan on it, the bearings are not made for fan use. An early generator has fan bearings.

John

[aussiesteve]

When my powergen died twice on one trip,the rebuilder told me that it used the cheapest GM rectifier and other parts and that the parts don,t like heat.
So then you stick it in a big chunk of Aluminum and wonder why it overheats.
Also,mine had a short in the field windings that powergen told me was there since it was new.
Great quality control!!

[RKS.PA]

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Have you considered a conventional 12 volt GM style alternator?

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by john in illinois

If you want to use a Fan on it, the bearings are not made for fan use. An early generator has fan bearings.

John

i think the early generators have the same bearing as the pilot bearing

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Have you considered a conventional 12 volt GM style alternator?

they don't like a fan on them ether

[95476]

Thank you Steve.
I will try and find the parts to put one together or just get one already done.
I appreciate all the input.
Thank you.

[Mac VP]

33-38 generators, plus the 39 Standard generator, all have the good Timken tapered roller bearing in the front. These are the only types that can consistently handle the fan load (where the fan blade is directly mounted to the generator pulley). These types may be converted to 12 volt by a shop that knows what they are doing. These early types also have the narrow mounting bracket, so they don’t fit snugly in the 42-48 wide mount intake manifolds. However, that can be remedied.

The 39 Deluxe and all subsequent Ford flathead generators ALL had the regular sealed ball bearing in the front, and this bearing is not adequate to handle a fan load long term. Since none of these models had a fan on the generator, they aren’t desirable unless you’ve got the fan located elsewhere.

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I am running a 12-volt powergen in my avatar - been 7 years and lots of hard miles. Still running good.

That being said, I carry an alternator and bracket just in case it should die. What can I say? I was a boy scout and the be prepared motto has stuck with me .... Lol!

[Tinker]

I always thought the short 36 gen was the hot ticket for dual carbs with the setback intake. although the current manifold better distributes fuel to all cylinders.

[Bored&Stroked]

Another option is to have E.J. Whitney convert your stock style generator into one with good quality alternator parts. I had them convert a 34-36 style generator for my 32 - and I kept it 6V Positive Ground. I wanted more amperage to run halogen bulbs in my headlights, so the stock generator at 16-18 amps would not cut it. Their conversion is not inexpensive, but I've had it on my 32 for a few years and it has been fantastic. They really do a nice job in making the converted setup look almost 100% stock (including what appears to be a "cut out" on top). The case is a bit larger diameter - but nobody has noticed this to date (except me). It is worth checking out:

http://www.ejwhitneyco.com/automotive.html

Good luck!


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[38bill]

You can also convert to a separate fan carrier but you will need a dual front crank pulley. This setup lets you use a stock style gen (or Power Gen) without a fan on it or even a modern style alt (ugly but cheap). I was lucky in that my 59ab came with the dual pulley so it was a simple bolt on after I sourced the parts needed. I am now running a 12V PowerGen. Fingers crossed it holds up, been OK so far. Nice thing is I can carry a modern style alt for a easy to swap backup if the PG takes a dump.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by 38bill

You can also convert to a separate fan carrier but you will need a dual front crank pulley. This setup lets you use a stock style gen (or Power Gen) without a fan on it or even a modern style alt (ugly but cheap). I was lucky in that my 59ab came with the dual pulley so it was a simple bolt on after I sourced the parts needed. I am now running a 12V PowerGen. Fingers crossed it holds up, been OK so far. Nice thing is I can carry a modern style alt for a easy to swap backup if the PG takes a dump.

I'm not sure that later setup is possible in his configuration - don't believe there is enough room between the radiator and the front of the engine for it to mount (at least in stock form). Can you give him a measurement from the front of the block to the outermost front side of the fan? (If it is easy to do).

[38bill]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

I'm not sure that later setup is possible in his configuration - don't believe there is enough room between the radiator and the front of the engine for it to mount (at least in stock form). Can you give him a measurement from the front of the block to the outermost front side of the fan? (If it is easy to do).

From the forward front edge of the intake manifold generator mount (looked like best/easiest place to measure) the front edge of the fan is 7". My radiator is 8 1/4" from the same edge of the intake so I have 1 1/4" clearance to the fan blade.

[Bored&Stroked]

Thanks 38Bill . . . awesome!

[estout81]

38bill,
Don't forget to oil the fan hub.

[38bill]

Originally Posted by estout81

38bill,
Don't forget to oil the fan hub.

It gets oiled and has been working for 19 years without a problem!

[hotrodA]

I need to retro my PG setup to that separate fan mount setup, since it's not deemed reliable.

Is that crankshaft pulley a truck item or something else?

Thanks!