Alternator conversion question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 144
Likes: 29
From: Oxford Mi
Alternator conversion question
I have seen several posts about the advantages of converting from a generator to an alternator. My 59 still has the original generator and is working fine, has never failed since I have been driving this car since 1967. I am getting interested in converting to an alternator but what about the tach drive. How would the tach drive be set-up on a 283/230 engine
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 32
From: Sarasota Florida
Originally Posted by jpaul
I have seen several posts about the advantages of converting from a generator to an alternator. My 59 still has the original generator and is working fine, has never failed since I have been driving this car since 1967. I am getting interested in converting to an alternator but what about the tach drive. How would the tach drive be set-up on a 283/230 engine
Just my .02
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 27
From: St. Joseph Mo
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I have a '62 Corvair with stock generator/regulator and it has been dead reliable. As long as the electrical load remains as original there is no real reason to change. If adding air conditioning the situation is a lot different and an alternator is a wise move.
There is an alternator setup for a tach drive cable. I think it was a post by AZDoug?
I have a '62 Corvair with stock generator/regulator and it has been dead reliable. As long as the electrical load remains as original there is no real reason to change. If adding air conditioning the situation is a lot different and an alternator is a wise move.
There is an alternator setup for a tach drive cable. I think it was a post by AZDoug?
Last edited by 67L36Driver; Apr 11, 2006 at 09:17 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
I recently saw an add linked from this forum to a company making alternators that look like GM generators. If you find the link on a search, you may find they have what you need - or that you can adapt it with your current generator end plate.
Try here:
http://electrotech.net/Merchant2/mer...egory_Code=PAS
or a company named Powermaster
Try here:
http://electrotech.net/Merchant2/mer...egory_Code=PAS
or a company named Powermaster
Last edited by magicv8; Apr 11, 2006 at 09:28 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
I just completed this swap on my 1960, generator to alternator swap. To make the tach work, I used a later model tach drive distributor. I want to say it was a 1973 unit. The replacement part number for the main distributor shaft is the same from 1962 to 1974. So as far as drive speed I would guess it should work accurately. The tach is the same from 1958 to 1962 as far as I know, and since 1962 tach were distributor driven and the part number for the distributor shaft is the same up to 1974 I think it should work accurately. I have not double checked the accuracy of my setup next to an aftermarket style electronic tach but I would guess it is very accurate. Check mad electric for your wiring on the alternator swap. They are very helpful. Only reason I changed to the alternator is because I plan on driving this car alot. Last I checked you cannot get a generator at the local parts store anymore but you can get an alternator. Besides, the swap is easily reversible. Let me know if I can be of more help. I have detailed the swap in a previous thread
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,984
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From: CT
Originally Posted by magicv8
gcd1962 - how do you match the drive speed?
There is a calibration adjustment on the tach if needed, but you have to remove the tach to do it (have it done). If early gen drive ratio is much different, you could always swap the tach head from a later model, but I think they are the same from 58-62
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
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From: Washington Michigan
With generator-driven tachs, the cable runs at crankshaft speed; with distributor-driven tachs, the cable runs at 1/2-crankshaft speed. The guts of the tach are different between the two - a distributor-driven tach has "Reads Twice Cable Speed" ink-stamped on the outside of the case.
