Delco generator for little C

Thought spring was over but I guess Mother Nature had other plans. There's 3-4 inches on the ground here tonight; that wind has a real bite to it, and another log in the ol' wood stove sure feels might comfortin'.

Have a question for anyone out there that knows something about the delco-remy generator on the little C.

After doing a lot of clean-up and replacement, I got her running last Saturday afternoon, only to discover that the generator wasn't generatin'! I was only measuring residual voltage (2-3 volts) at the field terminal AND armature terminals. I've taken the generator down and have to admit that things were pretty dirty on the inside. Cleaned the armature and inside the case; checked continuity through the field coils, ok; brushes are worn but serviceable (till I can find some new ones); commutator was blackened a bit, so polished it down (wish I had an commutator lathe) and cleaned the mica out between the segments, but then I got to lookin' and here's where I am a bit confused.

There are three brushes in the generator; one for the armature, one for the field, and a third that (I believe) the AC book identifies as the "ground brush". It even mentions adjusting this brush if your output isn't what it should be. Odd thing (to me) was that the field lead was attached to this third "ground brush"....Is this the way it's suppose to be? I can't see that this will work. The other two brushes are insulated from the frame....am I missing something here?

Would appreciate any help, or a lead on a manual.

Thanks fellas, I'm head back closer to the woodstove.

Dave

Three brush generator.

Thanks alot for your response (the comments and the wiring diagram). I really appreciate it.

It's been a pretty busy week, and I just haven't had a chance to set down here and write.

The other night found my wife and me at the St. Joseph, Michigan library for a special event. Afterwards, I did some digging in some old, old Chilton's manuals and found a section on 12-volt, 3 brush generators, figured it couldn't be too far from our little C, copied it and, one night last week settled in to finding the problem. Got the generator workin' just fine after reworking the commutator, like I said, a little more and making certain the brushes were seated proper, and followed the troubleshooting guide and verified that it was (more than likely) a combination of generator AND regulator. Once the generator was functioning, it was a matter of the regulator. Found a replacement, and now have a nice, steady charge registering on the ammeter.

Got out yesterday, plowed the garden, and about an acre in the "west forty" (it's our 2-acre field). She was just purrin' like a kitten!!

Again, thanks fellas for your help. Hope someday to return the favor.

Dave