Bad generator - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Jurassic-1** · 11-15-2015, 01:19 PM

I have a 1955 1st series 3100 truck. The generator burned up inside. It is the 6 volt stock generator. It is the short one. 1st thing is where in phoenix can I get a new one or get it rebuilt and second will the longer one work and is there a benefit to it?

OrrieG · 11-15-2015, 03:37 PM

No help on Phoenix shops. The link below will take you to a page that shows the generator specs. Looks like there are two for those years, one for 3000 series, another for larger trucks. First is 40A, the other is 45A. Either should work ok.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/54153.htm

As a young lad I learned an important lesson. When you replace a generator, replace the voltage regulator too. A lot of times the generator going bad is a symptom of a bad VR, and a rebuilt will just get zapped. Luckily the rebuilder was easy on me, I gave him a few hours labor cleaning up his shop and he replaced the generator as a lesson learned. Do not forget the polarize the VR before starting up the engine.

**mr48chev** · 11-15-2015, 04:56 PM

O'Reillys shows to have rebuilt units. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...uck&vi=1487761

As Orrie said there are two length for the mounting brackets.

There should be more than one Starter/Generator/alternator shop in that area that can rebuild yours if you want it rebuilt.

Or you could contact Smith Auto Electric in Yakima WA and see about sending it to them to be rebuilt. They have done work for me for years and I buy parts from them and they do great work. Price ends up being about the same as a parts house rebuilt.

_Ogre · 11-16-2015, 11:59 AM

way back when ogre was just a baby...

we'd rebuild them in an hour, including the removal and installation
unless the generator is physically burnt up they are easy to rebuild
not much to them other than brushes and bushings
napco should be able to test the armature using a wiggler and sell you the parts
de-glaze the copper on the armature with emery cloth

**Jurassic-1** · 11-17-2015, 03:49 PM

I took it apart and the armature was toast. I found a good place in Phoenix called Copperstate. They had a rebuilt one in stock for $99 exchange. I installed it along with a new regulator and it is charging again. Thanks for the response.

_Ogre · 11-18-2015, 03:02 PM

congrats on your 1000th post

**mr48chev** · 11-18-2015, 04:42 PM

Cool beans on getting it squared away.

11-15-2015, 01:19 PM	#1
Jurassic-1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New River Arizona Posts: 1,180	Bad generator I have a 1955 1st series 3100 truck. The generator burned up inside. It is the 6 volt stock generator. It is the short one. 1st thing is where in phoenix can I get a new one or get it rebuilt and second will the longer one work and is there a benefit to it?

11-15-2015, 03:37 PM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Bad generator No help on Phoenix shops. The link below will take you to a page that shows the generator specs. Looks like there are two for those years, one for 3000 series, another for larger trucks. First is 40A, the other is 45A. Either should work ok. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...esto/54153.htm As a young lad I learned an important lesson. When you replace a generator, replace the voltage regulator too. A lot of times the generator going bad is a symptom of a bad VR, and a rebuilt will just get zapped. Luckily the rebuilder was easy on me, I gave him a few hours labor cleaning up his shop and he replaced the generator as a lesson learned. Do not forget the polarize the VR before starting up the engine. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

11-15-2015, 04:56 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,710	Re: Bad generator O'Reillys shows to have rebuilt units. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...uck&vi=1487761 As Orrie said there are two length for the mounting brackets. There should be more than one Starter/Generator/alternator shop in that area that can rebuild yours if you want it rebuilt. Or you could contact Smith Auto Electric in Yakima WA and see about sending it to them to be rebuilt. They have done work for me for years and I buy parts from them and they do great work. Price ends up being about the same as a parts house rebuilt. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-16-2015, 11:59 AM	#4
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Bad generator way back when ogre was just a baby... we'd rebuild them in an hour, including the removal and installation unless the generator is physically burnt up they are easy to rebuild not much to them other than brushes and bushings napco should be able to test the armature using a wiggler and sell you the parts de-glaze the copper on the armature with emery cloth __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-17-2015, 03:49 PM	#5
Jurassic-1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New River Arizona Posts: 1,180	Re: Bad generator I took it apart and the armature was toast. I found a good place in Phoenix called Copperstate. They had a rebuilt one in stock for $99 exchange. I installed it along with a new regulator and it is charging again. Thanks for the response.

11-18-2015, 03:02 PM	#6
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Bad generator congrats on your 1000th post __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-18-2015, 04:42 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,710	Re: Bad generator Cool beans on getting it squared away. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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