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I have a 1946 clipper 8cylinder. I just found out today that it has a bad generator. How hard are these to rebuild or does anybody know how much they cost to get rebuilt? Or is there something I should try to do to it first since the car has been sitting for 25 years. I drove the car around the block a few times everything is in good working condition except for that.

Jengler84,

Precision Power in Lansing , Michigan
1 800 794-5962. They rebuilt my voltage reg/cutout did an
excellent job, seems like it took about a 4-6 weeks.

Packard 385

Nothing terribly special about the generator/regulator as it was in lots of cars of the era. If you have an old time auto electric shop nearby they should be able to diagnose or repair your generator. If not, one of our posters, startergenrebuilder (or better known as Jason at AER) can probably help you out as well. He has been able to supply parts for others who were having problems with older gen/regs.
Contact info:
Advanced Electrical Rebuilders
www.aerrebuild.com
jason@aerrebuild.com

Jason who posted above, supplied me with all the parts to rebuild my generator.

New Armature, brushs, terminal posts, bearings,and a brand new, old stock regulator all of which is now working perfect.

All delivered quickly,

54 Packard Cavalier.


Jim

I should mention that maybe things just need to be cleaned like contact points in the regulator, or the commutator on the armature in the generator.

You should re-polarize the generator as well.

After sitting 25 years.

Jim

You can read about how to re-polarize a generator at Polarizing where Jim describes the process.

Seems very likely that will need to be done after 25 years!

You can also test your generator by running it like an electric motor. Connect a 6V battery to the generator and it should 'motor'. If it does then you can listen for brush and bearing noise, or commutator wear. That's a start. (Might be wise to place a 30amp fuse in the line just in case there's a short circuit in the wiring somewhere).