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Good afternoon all, i was wondering if anyone could give some advise on rebuilding/reconditioning a generator for a 53 Patrician with a 327. Is this a difficult job? Is it best to pay a pro to do the job? I'm willing to tackle the job, but not too familiar with what to do. Can anyone help? thanks in advance for your comments!

Ramon from Michigan

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.

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

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

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.

Did you try the shop on Gratiot north of 12 mile? It is not the cheapest but they do all my work and have all the parts and equipment to do the job right. Last year they rebuilt one for my 56 400 and got me back on the road in one day.

Hello Packards1, that is the shop that quoted me $150. Do you know of any other places in the area that can do this kind of work? Thanks in advance for the advice. Ramon

I don't have anyone else to send you to. I drive all the way from Dearborn for his quality work. You can check Hemmings Motor News for rebuilders, but the shipping both ways will negate any savings.

I paid about $120 10-15 years ago. It was an independent parts store that had to send it out, but it came back looking like new. The $150 doesn't seem too out of line if they fully restore it (derust, paint, etc.)

Ramon, Robert Walters alternators-Starters on Grand River in Redford (between 7 mile and Beech Daly)rebuilt mine, years ago, did just fine. I think these days they would charge about what the guy on Gratiot does, and that would be a lot closer to you.