I haven't been on here in a while mostly because I haven't driven the car for a while. This is my first time posting in a while because I just got back from deployment.. enough about that though. Towards the end of April when I first got my '56 88 the "GEN" light was randomly coming on but not staying on very long. Now about 5 months later the light it staying on pretty much the whole time. I am not car savy, but I asked my dad and I believe he said it may have been something with a belt. A little more info on the car is it has a Holley Pro-Jection 2 Barrel Digital fuel injection instead of the carb. It has a spot for the AC but nothing is hooked up. Any thought on this? Should I pick up a new generator? I found one on Ebay for prety cheap, but also used and untested. Sorry for the copious amounts of typing...
Thank you,
Shaun

 

Shaun, I suggest you take your car to a local auto parts store. They can test your generator there. If your generator belt is loose then tighten it. Try Kanter, RockAuto, or Fusicks for car parts before using Evil-bay.

 

Thanks olds on both post. I will look into doing both, I have a pretty hectic schedule and really don't have the necessary equipment or space to do most jobs, I am trying and learning as I go though.

 

One issue for the GEN light staying on could be the GEN is not producing the voltage (higher than the BAT) required to charge the BAT. This could be due to the GEN belt being lose and slipping on the pully, bad GEN, bad voltage regulator, high risistance in the charging ckt. or an open in the GEN etc.

You can take the GEN to the store for a test but go one better and take the GEN and Voltage Reg to a shop that will test both for you. Then your just left with testing your charging ckts wires.

 

One of the main drawbacks to a generator is that all the current flows through the brushes, so they wear out fairly often. They are very easy to change, and this is a far, far better repair if you have an original unit than sticking on a rebuilt one. Look for a gray-haired mechanic that remembers how to fix a '56. . . the fix shouldn't take much time or money, either.
Thank you for your service!
DW

 

X2... The old mechanics who know how to change brushes can save you a lot of $$ and leave you with your original generator. Old = experience.

I even replaced the brushes in my Ford's original alternator just last year. They cost 5 bucks and it only took an hour (from start to finish).

 

Rob and Danny have a good point. If you find out that your generator isn't charging properly then it would be a good idea to replace the brushes. If you are handy with tools it isn't that hard to do.

 

Where's the resident auto electrical shop owner dude from Pittsburgh?

It still has a generator?, the Holley deal is nearly state of the art, all original looking otherwise and that's hidden?

Did you put the Pro-Jection deal on? Always neat to see those type mods and how they're done.

Got pics?

 

I didn't do the Pro-Jection it was on there when I picked the car up. I will have to swing by one f the old shops to see if I can't get is looked at. I am not exactly a genius when it comes to cars, well heck I really don't even know what I am doing.... yet.