Fix that starter/generator yourself.

[OldAndInTheWay]

Really foggy and damp outside this morning. Thinking? What can I do while the fog burns off? Well the Starter/Generator that was on the O I just got needed work to get going and is something I can do on the kitchen table!

Here goes.










90% of the time the only thing wrong with these units is that they are dirty/rusty inside.










Get yourself some sandpaper and clean up the commutator and armature. The dirt and rust/grime keeps the current from going where it needs to go.

Here is what a little work looks like.





You don't have to get all off, just most.

I checked the brushes and decided to replace them. The old ones were getting worn out. Here is new next to old:



Clean up what you can and be careful putting it back together and make sure the brushes are working (tight against the commutator).

All done and it checks out to be working great again.





Total cost: $8. (New brushes).





Now will paint it when I do the rest of the Original's paint.


PS

During the overhaul I noticed the bearings are sealed units so the oilers are not needed on this one. Don't know if they had been replaced in the past.





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[_DX3_]

Great write up and pics

[Diz Jr.]

Nice work on the starter generator

[ACecil]

Great job! Thanks for sharing.

[nikster]

Great job.
Think I just may tackle my 3 generators on some cold day in January? Why wait for something to go wrong?

NIK,

May I ask? Where does one order the brush's from?

[OldAndInTheWay]

The brushes came from a local guy that rebuilds generators and alternators. Most areas will have someone who does it for a living or as a sideline to their regular job. The parts chains, autozone and the like will not have them but you might try them anyway. I called around and they had some but not what I needed. The older parts stores like Napa didn't have them but I asked them where I might find them and they told me about this guy that rebuilds them. My friend that does Car restorations also told me about this guy, he does their generators. I called the guy and he just said to bring one of the brushes in and he would have it. The guy just looked at the brush and went to a bin and pulled out a pair. We talked about an hour. He had everything there to rebuild and test stuff like mine to huge generators off of big equipment.

I'm sure you can find them online also. I did find the part no. online but in the end didn't need it. I didn't want to wait for ordering and shipping. I think I got them for less using this guy.

[cwatsonhpm]

Great Photos, if you mount the armature in a drill press and spin on your lowest setting with some emery cloth, it will clean up the commutator and rust nicely. A light coat of spray laquer on the windings, not on the com, will slow down further oxidization

[Pegleg]

Great photos, mine quite generating but the starter works fine. I was reluctant to pull it and clean it up and replace brushes. I am ready to restore it now that I have some good pix to guide me. Thanks for all the good info.

[4SPEED]

I need to do the bearings on the O . starts fine, just the bearing noise is driving me nuts

[Pegleg]

Is the pulley threaded on the shaft? I got the retaining nut off very easily, but the pulley is either rusted on or threaded I don't want to use undue force. Thanks for your help.