Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hopefully an easy question. My understanding is that the little oil cap on the top of the generator is for lubing the unit. Should I be using regular old motor oil or something else, like 3 in 1 or some other lubricant?

I had been using regular motor oil.
However, when I had my generator rebuilt, it was VERY inexpensive to have the rebuilder install sealed bearings, so I no longer have to add oil.

Postwar lube charts say SAE 20 engine oil but this one from the 55-6 manual goes on to specify how much and how often although 10 drops sounds a bit much for a car not seeing daily use. That was probably for a high use car and even then too much oil can seep out and deposit a film on the commutator. I suspect the same recommendations would be OK for the prewar belt driven generators if they have similar oil cups.

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A replacement, fully sealed, bearing for the drive end of the generator does not need oiling and should not be oiled. The bushing at the commutator end still requires oiling. I would think for infrequently driven and low annual miles a couple of drops per year should suffice. I used whatever engine oil was being used at the time.