Ford 8N Generator, 6 Volt

J. J. R.

Member
My 1952 side distributor 8N generator is shorting out and bearings are bad. I've decided to keep the 6-volt system because it works great. So, I've been looking around for a remanufactured three post generator to replace it. Seems almost all of them out there have mounting brackets on the end castings. Mine is completely round, no fan and sits in a three-point mounting saddle. I have found only a few like it but they are extremely expensive, over $300. There are allot of generators out there at a much better price under $200. However, most seem to have one long belt adjusting mounting arm on the casting ends. Any ideas? Thank you.
 
(quoted from post at 15:00:05 05/29/22) My 1952 side distributor 8N generator is shorting out and bearings are bad. I've decided to keep the 6-volt system because it works great. So, I've been looking around for a remanufactured three post generator to replace it. Seems almost all of them out there have mounting brackets on the end castings. Mine is completely round, no fan and sits in a three-point mounting saddle. I have found only a few like it but they are extremely expensive, over $300. There are allot of generators out there at a much better price under $200. However, most seem to have one long belt adjusting mounting arm on the casting ends. Any ideas? Thank you.
Have your rebuilt!
 
Not sure of your location, but I have been using these guys for years.
They can rebuild ANYTHING and it comes back like brand new!

https://www.walzsrebuilt.com/
 
I live in Wisconsin. Shipping cost would be an issue. But thanks guys. There is a small rebuild kit out there. I may take it apart myself and see if I can save it. Again, thank you guys.
 
In the small City[55,000] which is about 10 milkes away from my home,there are two starter/generator shops. There is another one in a smaller Town about 15 miles away. There is a lot of agriculture and manufacturing around here,so you might google starter/generator rebuilders near you. I had mine rebuilt 15 years ago,still works well.
 
I had good luck with rebuild kit. I found a wire from the coil to the terminal going through the end of the generator was broken, (PO had been in the generator previously). spliced the wire and it has been working great for two summers now!

mvphoto92662.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 17:00:05 05/29/22) Any ideas?
Find a local rebuild shop

......generator is shorting out and bearings are bad
...... There is a small rebuild kit out there. I may take it apart myself and see if I can save it

By the sounds of it, probably could benefit from a professional rebuild
 
(quoted from post at 14:00:05 05/29/22) My 1952 side distributor 8N generator is shorting out and bearings are bad. I've decided to keep the 6-volt system because it works great. So, I've been looking around for a remanufactured three post generator to replace it. Seems almost all of them out there have mounting brackets on the end castings. Mine is completely round, no fan and sits in a three-point mounting saddle. I have found only a few like it but they are extremely expensive, over $300. There are allot of generators out there at a much better price under $200. However, most seem to have one long belt adjusting mounting arm on the casting ends. Any ideas? Thank you.

"generator is shorting out"

What, exactly, does that mean/what are you observing?


"bearings are bad"

There's a ball bearing and a bushing, both of which are available and easy to replace.

Has the bushing worn enough that the armature has rubbed HARD on the filed polepieces, damaging the armature or the field windings?

Whatever is wrong you should be able to find parts and repair it yourself, the hardest thing would be to deal with the screws that hold the field polepieces to the generator belly IF the field coils need to be replaced.
 
(quoted from post at 16:00:05 05/29/22) My 1952 side distributor 8N generator is shorting out and bearings are bad. I've decided to keep the 6-volt system because it works great. So, I've been looking around for a remanufactured three post generator to replace it. Seems almost all of them out there have mounting brackets on the end castings. Mine is completely round, no fan and sits in a three-point mounting saddle. I have found only a few like it but they are extremely expensive, over $300. There are allot of generators out there at a much better price under $200. However, most seem to have one long belt adjusting mounting arm on the casting ends. Any ideas? Thank you.

Is this the generator you are describing?
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/8N10001_Generator-6-Volt_18710.htm

If so, YT has a rebuild kit and an armature:
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/GRK401_Generator-Repair-Kit_26442.htm
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/FAA10005BR_Generator-Armature_30861.htm

Or as others have suggested, find a rebuilder near you. You said you were in Wisconsin, so here's one:

Hauser Auto Electric
11356 N Cedarburg Rd
Mequon, WI 53092-1931
tel:(262) 242-9440

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.224...4!1s1mmpqR6ws5pWAwdHqo9u0g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192



This post was edited by Jim WI on 05/30/2022 at 11:56 am.
 
(quoted from post at 16:00:05 05/29/22) My 1952 side distributor 8N generator is shorting out and bearings are bad. I've decided to keep the 6-volt system because it works great. So, I've been looking around for a remanufactured three post generator to replace it. Seems almost all of them out there have mounting brackets on the end castings. Mine is completely round, no fan and sits in a three-point mounting saddle. I have found only a few like it but they are extremely expensive, over $300. There are allot of generators out there at a much better price under $200. However, most seem to have one long belt adjusting mounting arm on the casting ends. Any ideas? Thank you.

Is this the generator you are describing?
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/8N10001_Generator-6-Volt_18710.htm

If so, YT has a rebuild kit and an armature:
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/GRK401_Generator-Repair-Kit_26442.htm
https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/FAA10005BR_Generator-Armature_30861.htm

Or as others have suggested, find a rebuilder near you. You said you were in Wisconsin, so here's one:

Hauser Auto Electric
11356 N Cedarburg Rd
Mequon, WI 53092-1931
tel:(262) 242-9440
 
Rebuilding can be very expensive and I think caution should be used spending too much on a 6 volt system. There are many out there that might have good used 6 volt generators they might send to you for the price of shipping. They get removed when switching to 12 volts. I have personally scrapped three because no one wants them. Gets harder and harder to find folks that know how to rebuild this stuff without charging a lot of money.
 
It is growling and sometimes shows a grounding on the amp gauge. Seems to be quiet and smooth with the belt off.
 
I've had experience rebuilding automotive alternators and generators when I was young. Now that I've found parts I may try it myself. I
don't have a magnetic growler tester, but I'm hopeful I can test it out with a meter.
 
(quoted from post at 16:37:39 05/30/22) I've had experience rebuilding automotive alternators and generators when I was young. Now that I've found parts I may try it myself. I
don't have a magnetic growler tester, but I'm hopeful I can test it out with a meter.

Good deal!

Should be easy enough to replace the front ball bearing (pulley UNSCREWS, IIRC) and the bushing.

If it hasn't yet rubbed enough internally to get hot enough to damage windings that may be all it needs, plus possibly brushes.
 
Isn't that the truth. All the old-time mechanics around here are pretty much gone to that great tractor repair shop in the sky. That
great generation is lost to time. Of course, I'm 67 myself. But your right. I've done the 12-volt conversion myself on a 641 in lue of
repairing all the bad 6-volt stuff that was bad. I'd like to keep this one stock if I can. I have seen some guys put a 12-volt generator
instead of a newer alternator to keep the original appearance. That's a win, win. Good operation and original looks.
 
The kit I'm looking at has that new ball bearing and new brushes at a reasonable price. I'll give a good look over when I take it apart
to see if it's worth trying to save. The good thing is that there are many options out there to keep these old gems alive.
 

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