The Ford Barn

Ziggster · 09-02-2022, 05:40 AM

Came across this on a V8 flathead at Jalopy Jam Up last Friday. Generator is normally in that position, but has been moved to PS if the engine. Posted it on the HAMB, but no responses.

KiWinUS · 09-02-2022, 05:56 AM

Dummy idler for fan and belt made from front and rear generator housings. Old school. I have one like it off an old race car from 60,s in NZ. Okay

glennpm · 09-02-2022, 07:58 AM

What was the supposed use?

danliveshere · 09-02-2022, 08:12 AM

With that type twin carb manifold there’s not enough room for the generator. So the generator is offset and the pulley is used to drive the fan and keep the fan belt tight

glennpm · 09-02-2022, 08:33 AM

Thanks Dan

GB SISSON · 09-02-2022, 08:48 AM

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That's my favorite kind of genius. We all have those parts around, the mounting is still 'spot on'. It's cheap, it's all ford, and no drilling, welding or other modifications to original equipment.

Ziggster · 09-02-2022, 11:09 AM

Thanks guys! Would have never of guessed.

petehoovie · 09-02-2022, 12:39 PM

aussie merc · 09-03-2022, 02:05 AM

not so dumb it works whats more so simple

Bored&Stroked · 09-03-2022, 08:28 AM

I've made a few of those from old generators. Something to note - you have to think about how you're going to come up with a shaft. If you happen to have an old generator armature that works with the same unit, then you can use a hydraulic press to press all the windings/plates off of it (obviously destroying them) - you then rework it for its new usage. This gets you the correct fan-side end on it, it's threaded, etc..

First you cut-down the center case to the length you need (or use a piece of DOM tubing like I did). Once you've figured out the correct case length, then figure out how much you need to shorten the shaft. I then shorten the shaft on my lathe and rework the end of it to go into the rear bushing/bearing.

Here are a couple quick vids I made last year when I was making one of these:

https://youtube.com/shorts/xE0NEHkf3aQ

https://youtube.com/shorts/JdF1Xjo9rNw

09-02-2022, 05:56 AM	#2
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,963	Re: What is this thing? Dummy idler for fan and belt made from front and rear generator housings. Old school. I have one like it off an old race car from 60,s in NZ. Okay

09-02-2022, 07:58 AM	#3
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: What is this thing? What was the supposed use?

09-02-2022, 08:12 AM	#4
danliveshere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cairns , Australia Posts: 746	Re: What is this thing? With that type twin carb manifold there’s not enough room for the generator. So the generator is offset and the pulley is used to drive the fan and keep the fan belt tight

09-02-2022, 08:33 AM	#5
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,981	Re: What is this thing? Thanks Dan

09-02-2022, 08:48 AM	#6
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,943	Re: What is this thing? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That's my favorite kind of genius. We all have those parts around, the mounting is still 'spot on'. It's cheap, it's all ford, and no drilling, welding or other modifications to original equipment. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

09-02-2022, 11:09 AM	#7
Ziggster Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 855	Re: What is this thing? Thanks guys! Would have never of guessed.

09-02-2022, 12:39 PM	#8
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,156	Re: What is this thing? __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

09-03-2022, 02:05 AM	#9
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,034	Re: What is this thing? not so dumb it works whats more so simple

09-03-2022, 08:28 AM	#10
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	Re: What is this thing? I've made a few of those from old generators. Something to note - you have to think about how you're going to come up with a shaft. If you happen to have an old generator armature that works with the same unit, then you can use a hydraulic press to press all the windings/plates off of it (obviously destroying them) - you then rework it for its new usage. This gets you the correct fan-side end on it, it's threaded, etc.. First you cut-down the center case to the length you need (or use a piece of DOM tubing like I did). Once you've figured out the correct case length, then figure out how much you need to shorten the shaft. I then shorten the shaft on my lathe and rework the end of it to go into the rear bushing/bearing. Here are a couple quick vids I made last year when I was making one of these: https://youtube.com/shorts/xE0NEHkf3aQ https://youtube.com/shorts/JdF1Xjo9rNw