In my opinion which way to go all depends on your familiarity with generators, it's condition, and how handly you are. If a generator is performing well, simply taking it apart, inspecting the armature and possiblly cleaning the commutator, checking and possibly replacing the brushes, and inspecting and perhaps changing bearings/bushings, those things are pretty simple. If the mica needs undercutting, you can also do that yourself.

But if the generator is not working and might need to have the armature turned and undercut, checked for shorts, fields rewound or the like, I'd give it to a pro. Prices around here for just a simple armature turning and brushes and bearing/bushings is about $75. If you want cosmetics done, add atleast about $50. If you need a new armature or fields rewound, the price goes up from there.

Another 1947 Packard, a Custom, that has donated many parts to my Super Clipper.

Attach file:

---

  (207.55 KB)

Kevin,

A belated THANKS and Congratulations on your ongoing PROJECT (not the 54 Clipper, but PInfo website).

I second all the wonderful things said above by other members.
I also clicked the 'Donate' button (and included some back years as well).

You are the 2010 Packard Volunteer in my book.

Dan Leininger

Since the engines sold to American Motors had different specs from Packard or Clipper they couldn't have palmed off defective ones.

Unless someone can show me a 374 in a 56 Nash, with a couple of pistons missing.:)

Dear Macomb, (I can't spell your other handle, oops, I see it's Ramon)

I second Randy's suggestion.
I also agree that $150 is too high.

I got mine rebuilt by a self-employed 'pro' who charged me $42 parts and labor. He then asked me to bring in my voltage regulator so he could 'bench' set it to the generator. He also told me how to polarize the regulator correctly in replacing it. No extra charge for reg adjust and advise.

Here is what my "self-employed 'pro's" shop looks like so you can find one there in Macomb. It is in an older part of town in an old gas station where the tanks are removed. He does nothing but generator, alternator, starter repair/rebuilding. His shop is greasy with tagged-generators setting around on the floor. His coveralls were clean on Monday (they are dirtier when you go in on Friday). He charges an honest price. And he told me the back bearing always wears out faster because of stress from the pulley tension.

I am just sure there are good-old-boys that can tell you where to look for such a 'pro' there in Macomb, MI.

DanL

The block looks like this:

Attach file:

---

  (35.33 KB)


  (38.83 KB)

thanks R.B., my local shop gave me an estimate of $150. Sounds like your guy has the best price in town! I'm going to shop around a little bit before I commit. Thanks again for the input.

Ramon

Alburton,
Very professional info board. I love the your son's(?) smile from the window. 'Packards with youth' seem to be an endangered species in the auto-photo world. Mostly just old geezers like me standin' by a Packard. I need to get a pic of our grandson lookin' out my window. Thanks for sharing your idea!

I have 'the first Clipper.' I have the OPPOSITE marking problem of your car. Mine says 'Packard' but not 'Clipper.'

I put some window signs up for shows and the 1941 INFORMATION and Prices gets the most comments (even more than the car).

My theory is that "Everybody relates to money, but not everyone can imagine owning a Packard." I have left the window signs in place during 'daily driving' and get lots of people who walk over to the car and read my signs. I want to share the 'enjoyment' and get lots of smiles (almost as good as the ones in your pictures).

I may insult your 'graphics' intelligence with a couple of cell phone photos of my window signs.

Happy Clipper-ing
DanL

Attach file:

---

  (62.68 KB)


  (53.19 KB)

Great work! I have a blurb sheet hanging from my open hood at car shows detailing the car and the base price cost of every option that is on the car. Yours is sure to attract attention and you can tell the car people that want to learn because they will stop and actually read it.

My personal opinion is to have a pro rebuild the generator. He is set up to trim the commutator and undercut each commutator bar as well as having the new bushings, etc. A local shop rebuilds mine for $35.00, but I understand that is very cheap. Unless you have the equipment to do all that is required, I recommend having a pro do it.