[C1] Generator
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Clermont Fl
Generator
I'm trying to figure out what generator is in my car, 1959 230 HP. I know that GM used the 1102043 from 1956 to 1961, what is supposed to be in my car, but my generator doesn't have the ID tag on it. Is there any other way to identify the generator, pulley size, mounting bolts, physical size? It is a tach drive. Thanks for any info.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,144
Army
If you can verify engine RPM with an electronic tach and your dash gauge agrees then the pulley size is prob OK. A Judging Guide may be of some help but if the tag is missing it might be hard to ID the unit. A whole bunch of generators got replaced with all or some parts off passenger cars. Here is a little blurb to try to identify the situation.
Oh - I am your neighbor, down the street a few miles in Oakland, FL
Oh - I am your neighbor, down the street a few miles in Oakland, FL
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Oct 28, 2020 at 06:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Clermont Fl
Generator
Hello neighbor. We had a conversation at a show back last fall ?? at Margaritaville. Beautiful car by the way.
It's looking like I have a mix match of parts in the generator and tachometer area. The info that you posted shows that I have the correct rear end frame for the 1102043 generator. The next issue is the pulley. I have a 2 3/8 diameter, where I think a 2 5/8 is correct???
On to the tach. My tach reads twice the RPMS that the engine is actually running. Could this tach be a distributor driven one? The face doesn't match the other ones that I've seen on a 59, but matches a 61 low red line one. Another bunch of pieces put together? I've crawled under the dash but can't see any dates or markings on the tach can. Any help or info would be very much appreciated.
It's looking like I have a mix match of parts in the generator and tachometer area. The info that you posted shows that I have the correct rear end frame for the 1102043 generator. The next issue is the pulley. I have a 2 3/8 diameter, where I think a 2 5/8 is correct???
On to the tach. My tach reads twice the RPMS that the engine is actually running. Could this tach be a distributor driven one? The face doesn't match the other ones that I've seen on a 59, but matches a 61 low red line one. Another bunch of pieces put together? I've crawled under the dash but can't see any dates or markings on the tach can. Any help or info would be very much appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 311
From: St. Petersburg FL
My tach reads twice the RPMS that the engine is actually running. Could this tach be a distributor driven one? The face doesn't match the other ones that I've seen on a 59, but matches a 61 low red line one. Another bunch of pieces put together? I've crawled under the dash but can't see any dates or markings on the tach can. Any help or info would be very much appreciated.
If this is the issue, I think you have a couple of options for getting the rpms to read properly. You could change out or recalibrate the tachometer, you could switch to a tach drive distributor, or (I think) you could use a cable ratio adapter.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 79
Likes: 4
From: Texas
I'm trying to figure out what generator is in my car, 1959 230 HP. I know that GM used the 1102043 from 1956 to 1961, what is supposed to be in my car, but my generator doesn't have the ID tag on it. Is there any other way to identify the generator, pulley size, mounting bolts, physical size? It is a tach drive. Thanks for any info.
Good luck
Tom
