The Ford Barn

acereske · 03-11-2020, 05:33 PM

I have a 1936 Ford Fordor sedan humpback with original V8 and 6 volt generator with positive ground. I am considering installing a positive ground 6 volt alternator to improve electrical for lighting purposes. Is it difficult? Should I purchase a kit? What do I do beginning to end? Al

51504bat · 03-11-2020, 05:47 PM

Assuming that you are still 6 volt positive ground. Here are a couple of options:

Quality Power

31510 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa, CA 92399

909-794-1600
https://www.qualitypowerauto.com/ite...ive-Ground.htm
https://www.qualitypowerauto.com/ite...to-Packard.htm

They have 12 volt conversion alternators as well. I used them for the 1 wire GM alternator for the 8ba in my '39 p/u as well as a 12 volt starter. Had an issue with the starter but they fixed it no problem.

acereske · 03-12-2020, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the information. You mentioned 1 wire hook up. To where and does it have to be a thicker wire like the other wiring throughout the chassis?

flatheadmurre · 03-12-2020, 02:31 PM

Don´t go for a high output alternator...2 good reasons...wiring ain´t designed to handle it...and belt doesn´t handle a lot of power without tightening it hard which will affect your waterpumps.
If your battery is in good shape you will be fine with the wiring no big loads on a stock -35.
Alternator will only put out what is needed...so stock wire will work if you keep battery charged and don´t add a lot of extra stuff.
A 10SI is more then you will ever need...in it´s simplest low output version.

Fordestes · 03-12-2020, 03:32 PM

I use 45 amp 10 s I Delco alternator converted to a 1 wire, no problems for 20 plus years . There are wide belt pulley conversions available for about $12.00 they come with special nut ,pulley and fan (well worth the money), I use a pulley from an 8B A generator also. it fits the Delco shaft but a washer cant be used due to shaft length.

Kurt in NJ · 03-12-2020, 04:00 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Good lighting can also be 6V. I have direct fit halogen bulbs in my A ,running on the generator , my lights are lighting the road as far as seal beams do
Alternator needs to turn faster than the generator, the fan on the generator is made to run at the generator speed
It doesn't matter how bright the bulbs are if the reflectors are tarnished or the bulb/ reflector shape or positioning are wrong and focus is bad

deuce_roadster · 03-12-2020, 04:24 PM

I have a 6v pos ground alternator on my 40 coupe, a generator would be too long due to the Holley 4bbl I have. Easy install. I took a bad voltage regulator and gutted the inside, and used the Battery terminal on it as the place the wire from the Alternator connected. Basically using the Vreg as a junction block. This way you can keep all the original wiring. I left the Arm and fld wires hooked up there and just taped the ends near where they would connect to the generator if I had one. These 2 wires will have no voltage in them. I did this with brand new wiring from Chris Olsen from Bend Oregon (541-410-8929). (If you have iffy wiring you should replace it, whether you have an ALT or Gen.) All your other gauges and switches will work as it did before the swap.

JasonOC · 03-13-2020, 05:27 AM

I'd go for 6V if I were you and, small tip, take it to a shop for installation, better safe than sorry if you don't have experience.

Tom-MI · 03-14-2020, 07:43 AM

The generator vs. alternator is not the problem, it is how are you are planning to cool the engine. If you want to use the original fan you have a big-time problem. The fan seat diameter is larger than the smaller alternator pulley. To get around this there are special pulleys that have a larger plate welded to the fromt of the smaller pulley that will allow you to bolt the '36 fan to the smaller diameter pulley. This is a short term fix. The alternator bearing won't take the extra load of the fan assembly for very long. The second problem is the fan spins at a super fast speed, even at an idle. It's scarry! You can imagine how fast the fan will be spinning at 45 mph!

If you get a chance contact Randy Rundle 785-632-3450 Fifth Ave Auto.

03-11-2020, 05:33 PM	#1
acereske Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Saginaw, MI USA Posts: 18	New alternator install I have a 1936 Ford Fordor sedan humpback with original V8 and 6 volt generator with positive ground. I am considering installing a positive ground 6 volt alternator to improve electrical for lighting purposes. Is it difficult? Should I purchase a kit? What do I do beginning to end? Al Last edited by acereske; 03-12-2020 at 01:46 PM. Reason: additional information

03-11-2020, 05:47 PM	#2
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,015	Re: New alternator install Assuming that you are still 6 volt positive ground. Here are a couple of options: Quality Power 31510 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa, CA 92399 909-794-1600 https://www.qualitypowerauto.com/ite...ive-Ground.htm https://www.qualitypowerauto.com/ite...to-Packard.htm They have 12 volt conversion alternators as well. I used them for the 1 wire GM alternator for the 8ba in my '39 p/u as well as a 12 volt starter. Had an issue with the starter but they fixed it no problem. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

03-12-2020, 01:55 PM	#3
acereske Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Saginaw, MI USA Posts: 18	Re: New alternator install Thanks for the information. You mentioned 1 wire hook up. To where and does it have to be a thicker wire like the other wiring throughout the chassis?

03-12-2020, 02:31 PM	#4
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: New alternator install Don´t go for a high output alternator...2 good reasons...wiring ain´t designed to handle it...and belt doesn´t handle a lot of power without tightening it hard which will affect your waterpumps. If your battery is in good shape you will be fine with the wiring no big loads on a stock -35. Alternator will only put out what is needed...so stock wire will work if you keep battery charged and don´t add a lot of extra stuff. A 10SI is more then you will ever need...in it´s simplest low output version.

03-12-2020, 03:32 PM	#5
Fordestes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 886	Re: New alternator install I use 45 amp 10 s I Delco alternator converted to a 1 wire, no problems for 20 plus years . There are wide belt pulley conversions available for about $12.00 they come with special nut ,pulley and fan (well worth the money), I use a pulley from an 8B A generator also. it fits the Delco shaft but a washer cant be used due to shaft length.

03-12-2020, 04:00 PM	#6
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,158	Re: New alternator install Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Good lighting can also be 6V. I have direct fit halogen bulbs in my A ,running on the generator , my lights are lighting the road as far as seal beams do Alternator needs to turn faster than the generator, the fan on the generator is made to run at the generator speed It doesn't matter how bright the bulbs are if the reflectors are tarnished or the bulb/ reflector shape or positioning are wrong and focus is bad

03-12-2020, 04:24 PM	#7
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: New alternator install I have a 6v pos ground alternator on my 40 coupe, a generator would be too long due to the Holley 4bbl I have. Easy install. I took a bad voltage regulator and gutted the inside, and used the Battery terminal on it as the place the wire from the Alternator connected. Basically using the Vreg as a junction block. This way you can keep all the original wiring. I left the Arm and fld wires hooked up there and just taped the ends near where they would connect to the generator if I had one. These 2 wires will have no voltage in them. I did this with brand new wiring from Chris Olsen from Bend Oregon (541-410-8929). (If you have iffy wiring you should replace it, whether you have an ALT or Gen.) All your other gauges and switches will work as it did before the swap.

03-13-2020, 05:27 AM	#8
JasonOC Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 4	Re: New alternator install I'd go for 6V if I were you and, small tip, take it to a shop for installation, better safe than sorry if you don't have experience.

03-14-2020, 07:43 AM	#9
Tom-MI Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 61	Re: New alternator install The generator vs. alternator is not the problem, it is how are you are planning to cool the engine. If you want to use the original fan you have a big-time problem. The fan seat diameter is larger than the smaller alternator pulley. To get around this there are special pulleys that have a larger plate welded to the fromt of the smaller pulley that will allow you to bolt the '36 fan to the smaller diameter pulley. This is a short term fix. The alternator bearing won't take the extra load of the fan assembly for very long. The second problem is the fan spins at a super fast speed, even at an idle. It's scarry! You can imagine how fast the fan will be spinning at 45 mph! If you get a chance contact Randy Rundle 785-632-3450 Fifth Ave Auto.