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Farmall M 12v conversion problems

T

tcanthonyii

Member
Ok so I've been working on and off all week on my conversion project. I finished the bracket today, got it all mounted up but I can't see how it is supposed to fit under the hood w/o touching. I've got it setup so i have an 1/8 inch all around it but when the tractor runs it the sheet metal will be hitting the alternator. Is this going to be a problem? It also doesn't leave me any room for adjustment. I am using an alternator from a 1975 chevy pickup with a 350 motor. Any help would be be greatly appreciated My wife is getting mad that her car is sitting out in the cold every night.

Also my old 6v system has a bed regulator and a borrowed battery from a friend who needs it back. Can I hook up everything for 12 v and run it w/o an alternator? My old system wasn't charging anyways and I don't typically use the lights (mostly b/c i had no working charging system). That would atleast let me get this out of the garage.

Haven't some of you also had success using a foreign type alternator as well?


Thanks


T.C.
 
The alternator needs to be all the way towards the valve cover. A secondary adjuster on the outside belt run, pulling outward, is best. THe original IH bracket can be turned upside down to gain the vertical clearance. (it is possible to use the Alt as an adjuster, but the belt needs to be put on as the alternator is put into the lower pivot, not when in place.) Sure, the tractor can be run W/O the charging system. Negative ground, Take the bulbs out of the lights (need to any way). No issue other than keeping things out of the belts and fan. JimN
 
it might not help at this stage, but i just converted my 330U to 12V -ve ground, and found that an "Ultima 14231" alternator (from my local Oreilly autoparts), was the same width (but shorter) than the original generator, and that i could use it directly without making any brackets or modifying hoods.

Had friends who converted their 350U with the "standard" GM 1-wire alternator and had to make the bracket, and modify hoods.

The Ultima 14231 is off a 78-79 Nissan 620 Pickup. go figure. it wasn't that much more expensive.

I found this alternator after reading a post here on YT with someone doing something similar, can't seem to find it at the moment.

hope this helps,
 
My 12 volt A has not had altenator or generator for years I keep good battery in it and put charger on it every time I park it. It always starts even after setting for months and is sometimes run 5 to 6 hours with no problem so you should not have problem with yours if you do not get altenator going for a while.
 
I was just at the bone yard last friday. shoulda grabbed one of those foriegn alternators. For this application they may have worked better as they are way smaller.

Thanks for the assistance guys. I'm going to try it first w/o a tensioner and see what happens. Worst case scenario i just don't run an alt till this summer when it's a little warmer and I'll have some daylight/warmth to work on the beaste.

No how in the world do I get the belts off?


T.C.
 
Jim is right on the bracket. We got a fractional length belt to put on the alternator--Gates makes 1/2 inch increments in the 38 to 48 inch generator/ alternator belt area--one will fit. We also made an adjustable tightener using two pieces of 5/16 or 3/8 strap slightly longer than 1/2 the length of the original tightener. By hinging the 2 pieces in the middle, you can have an infinite length tightener.
I've done many Delco conversions, & never have had to modify the hood.
 

tcanthonyii, the M is the easy one to install a Delco alternator on without it touching. Plenty of room. People tuck those alternators up under H hoods without modifying the hood.

The secret is in bringing the lower pivot of the alternator down and away from the engine. We didn't flip the bracket over, it wasn't enough to get the alternator to clear. Dad welded a piece of flat bar on to the side of the bracket, and drilled new holes, to bring the whole thing down and forward. Plenty of room for adjustment and plenty of hood clearance.

The absolute worst thing you can do is "modify" the hood. No cutting out sections, or banging bulges into the hood, or leaving it flop in the breeze, please.
 
Guys I must totally be having fabricator's block. I cannot seem to get this right. I've attached pictures. The only way I can get it to clear the hood is if i leave the bracket pointing up but then the pulley's don't line up. I've have to shim it to make it fit. Any ideas would be great.


Thanks


T.C.


malt1.jpg

malt2.jpg
 
Ok so after an auction this morning where I froze my butt off I got back out the garage. Finally got it to fit. Contrary to all of your suggestions and experience I was able to get it working by leaving the original bracket in the original position but bend it up a bit. Now it fits like a champ. If i bend it a little more up I can even use it as a a tensioner. I'll have to shim it off the bracket to get it lighned up properly but that is not a big deal. I must have the wrong alternator or I'm just dunce b/c I can't figure out how it would fit any other way. You all definitely have more experience than I. I'm just a young guy and I love picking your brains. I wish others my age were able to do the same.

Thanks for all the help. With out you I would not have thought about bending the bracket. Plus I have an aversion to messing with original parts. Now i'll be on the lookout for a replacement should I ever put 6v back on here.


Thanks a ton.


T.C.
 
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