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After running for a few minutes, the generator starts smoking. This is best noted when shutting off the engine and opening the hood where you can clearly see the smoke, not steam, but a burning smelling smoke coming from the end of the generator unit opposite where it connects to the engine. Now, is this a standard, "I need to remove the generator and have the generator rebuilt", or is it a different problem that can be solved with lubrication or something else. Any help, suggestions, or recommendations greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Rich

Have you noticed any other problems such as a hot to touch or overcharged battery or high reading on the ammeter? Assuming nothing mechanical such as a bearing going or some oil that is getting onto the commutator the only times I have seen generators getting hot enough to smoke was either a short in a winding or a sustained period of putting out maximum amps because of a stuck regulator. I know yours is third brush and no regulator as such but wonder if the brush could have slipped and is misadjusted or maybe its wire is touching the output and the field coils are getting maximum energy.

What has the ammeter been telling you?

These generators and critical internal parts are hardly plentiful and I suspect the chances are very good that much further operation could cause serious, perhaps irreversible damage. I'd remove it immediately for evaluation. As the front bearing remains with the timing chain you'll want to find a shop with the proper test bed for any repairs; just tell them it's an Owen-Dyneto and if they ask what that means, find another shop.

Thanks for the quick responses. Yeah, I think I'm gonna pull it and take it to Kanter's for service/rebuild.