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Generator Bracket

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healeygal

Jedi Warrior
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Next question - is there a problem with generator brackets, or is it just me? Have to admit, the first one I had was a little misshapen, and after 20+ years broke a piece off the back end of the generator (healeygal technical term - "end piece") where it bolts to the bracket. The replacement bracket looked nice and straight, and fit the replacement end piece very well. There was, however, a problem with the nuts vibrating loose, so went back and they put on lock washers. That worked well for a year to two, until last week when the car was in the shop and the mechanic noticed a crack in the bracket and welded it, so we'll see how it goes... The car rides very steady and stable, no problem with scuttle shake at 55 or rattling when I go over railroad tracks - the shocks are about 3 years old, sway bar work done then, too. I often check the belt, and there is always a good amount of play, so I was wondering - is this a bracket problem, vibration problem or just a healeygal problem?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Sharon
BN1
 
Sharon,
It isn't clear to me if you are talking about the steel mounting bracket on the engine or the aluminum mounting tab on the generator. I suspect that you must be talking about the aluminum end plate on the generator. If so, the generator tabs inside to inside dimension must be exactly the same as the generator bracket outside dimension or stress will be put on the fragile aluminum generator end brackets. They will not stand any sideways pressures.

If the generator tabs are not a snug fit over the engine bracket, use shim washers between the rear generator tab & the engine mounted bracket to make a snug fit.
D
 
[ QUOTE ]
is this a bracket problem, vibration problem or just a healeygal problem??

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Sharon,

I have seen many of the brackets that have been rewelded so I don't think it is a HealeyGal problem! In fact, my spare motor has both the ears welded back on (talking about the combination bracket/tappet cover on the 6 cyl. ...opps, just checked and it is a different design on the 4 cyl.) I do like Dave's suggestion though to check that it is shimmed properly.

Cheers,
John

p.s. have any pictures of your newly painted Healey?
 
Hi Dave,

Sorry I wasn't clear on which part I was talking about. It was kind of hard trying to describe it. The part I had to have welded recently is the bracket on the engine that holds onto the generator. It's pretty thick, heavy looking metal and has about four very closely-spaced bolts holding it onto the engine, so I was surprised it developed the crack that had to be welded.

Actually I had problems with both items - the above-mentioned bracket and the bottom of the generator. A while back, a piece broke away from the hole in the end plate on the bottom of the generator. Luckily found a replacement. Just went out and looked at it - there is an extra washer in there (the shim washer you mentioned, I assume), so that everything fits just right, end plate isn't being stretched sideways. Thanks for mentioning that - helps me understand what I'm looking at!

Hi John,

I've got pictures of the Healey, but don't have a web page/don't know how to get them into a post! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif Funny thing is, in the pictures I've got, her old paint job looks just as good as her new one. Live and in person is another story!

Sharon
 
HI John, Yes it is a slightly different design but seems to suffer the same fatigue failures that I have seen on the six cylinder cars.If the failure was weldable that suggested the bracket attached to the engine was failing. I am not sure what the vibration source is that causes the failure since neither of my cars has exhibited it.On the early 3/8" fan belted cars perhaps vibration that has been alluded to and which reportedly led to the adoption of the 1/2" belts may be the culprit. However, I run 3/8" belts on both of the cars ? -FWIW---Keoke
 
Sharon,

If you want to email me some pictures (now or when you get better super shiny ones!)I can put them on my webspace. That way you can link to them as needed.

Cheers,
John
 
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