Delco generator question

Hey all,

I noticed the last few times I ran my Allis D-17 I could hear a ever so slight noise.. usually when I idled the tractor down.

Today, it got louder.. so I started lookin into it, as I had just assumed it was the power steering belt that is getting really bad.

I have come to the determination that it's the generator.. as I ran the tractor for all of maybe 10 minutes and the generator was too hot to hardly touch, and I could feel the "rumble" when I put my welding glove on and touched it.

I don't think the generator is "damaged", but once I realized what was happening, I promptly shut it down.. but I suppose damage could have been done.. (has been charging so far, so I'm assuming)

The question is, I'm assuming this is a bearing/bushing issue.. but can I feasibly fix it myself, or should I just send it to a rebuilder and be done? I have a limited budget at the moment, so I'd like it to be fixed properly, but "economically" (there is a local guy that is reasonable, but I'm still betting it'd cost about 75 bucks to have him fix it.)

And I'll cut to the chase.. I REFUSE TO SWITCH TO AN ALTERNATOR.. The tractor is original still except for the seat, tires, battery, and the regular tune up parts, so I'm not gonna butcher it with an alternator.. Has started and charged fine as it is for nearly 6700 hours,(except for when the solenoid went out LOL) so why change it..

Thanks for opinions and suggestions in advance
Brad

Based on the detail and the diagnostic from your post, I agree-It sounds like you could fix it. To me, "fixing it" is not the same as "rebuilding it".

If you want to fix it, take it off and have a peek inside. Two bolts (or screws) and it will be apart. You can examine the bushings and see if the brushes have broken, or worn down. If you are comfortable with removing and installing a bushing, kits are available on this site with the bushing, brushes and brush springs.

In addition to the above, I like to turn my armature after testing. I bought an old lathe and under cutter on ebay a while back and enjoy doing this myself.

My email is open if you would like a .pdf file with some basic generator test procedures.

Go to a rebuilder and buy a bearing and a set of brushes and do it your self. It is probably the front ball bearing that is rough as the back bearing is a bushing. That should be it.

Changing the front bearing and rear bushing is something you can do. The rear bushing is in a blind hole, but you can back the bushing out of it's hole using the appropriate size thread tap.

Find one that just catches the inner surface of the bushing and threads itself in. When the tap hits the end of the hole, continue turning the tap, it will jack the bushing out of the hole, ready for you to press in the new one.
If the bushing has an oil hole, make sure it lines up with the hole and felt oil wick in the end plate.
Brushes are cheap and easy to install.

thanks guys,

I put a set of brushes in a small block chevy starter when I was younger, but never dealt with the bearings/bushings.

I'll chase some parts down and give it a try.. sounds simple enough, and I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so I should be all set.

Hopefully nothing else has been damaged yet.

Brad

That's a tip I'd never heard before. Thanks!

Works equally well to remove bushings from starter end plates.
Also I forgot to add, drop a 1/4 inch nut in the hole before screwing in the tap. It serves as a thrust pad to keep the sharp edges of the tap from gouging the end plate on gen or starter.

If you need to replace the front bearing the pulley will have to be removed. If it is tight it is very easy to bend the pulley when trying to remove it. I asked a friend of mine that rebuilds generators how he gets them off and he said he goes behind the pulley with a chisel to get them loose. Hopefully that will help you out.