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Question on rebuilt generator - armature play?

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TR4nut

TR4nut

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I recently bought a Beck Arnley branded rebuilt generator for my 3A- it came without the pulley installed. I see that there is significant axial play on the armature shaft - probably 3/8-1/2" or so. Is this normal or a sign that there is an internal problem? Others I've compared to don't seem to have the play but they also have the pulley fan installed so I'm wondering if that is the reason.

Thanks
Randy
 
3/8" - 1/2" axial play on the shaft is definitely not "normal." Something in there is way too loose.
 
Randy,

I picked up 3 different Lucas generators off ebay -spent enough in shipping to buy a new, or rebuilt one... But I was able to make one useable unit from all the parts. Usually it's the case that is worn out because of a loose bolt (vibrates and digs/elongates the hole). In any case (no pun intended) any movement aside from roataional would need a dial indicator to measure -I can't see or feel any play in my completed unit. If you want some spare parts, let me know.

Jer
 
After having several bad experiences with getting generators rebuilt by local electrical shops, I ended up doing it myself for my TR4A and my wife's Spitfire. The one I did for my TR4A was still going strong at 75,000 miles when I stopped driving the car for other reasons (broken front suspension bracket).

I think the biggest problem I had with the local rebuilds was in the rear bushing wearing out prematurely. This is supposed to be an Oilite bushing which if I remember correctly (this was many years ago!) is supposed to be heated in oil prior to installation.

Scott
 
Thanks for the feedback.

I guess I could try to return the item, but I think it may be worth opening up the case to see what is going on. Price was a whopping $56 with shipping and core charge so it was worth the risk. Other than the play, it looks good, and I would expect Beck Arnley to normally be pretty reliable. But who knows, maybe I just found out the reason why the price was so low.

Randy
 
Dont despair you should re-build every re-conditioned generator you get(they are almost all flawed)once you weed out the fatal flaw then you are good to go_Often the front bearing is not installed for beans.....even had one that was lacking the rear bushing altogether!!!(talk about up in flames!!)
MD(mad dog)
 
If anyone is interested, I have an aluminum narrow belt pulley for a generator that I don't need.
 
The front ball bearing is sealed. The rear bushing could use a drop of oil from time-to-time. Same with the starter motor. There may (or may not) be a cover over the rear bushing.
 
Most of the TR generators I've seen have a small hole in the back to squirt some oil in.
 

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martx-5 said:
Most of the TR generators I've seen have a small hole in the back to squirt some oil in.
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All of the original ones I've seen have the hole. The early books say there should be a small rubber plug in the hole, but the later ones don't mention that, so I guess it was deleted.

The original front bearings were open and could be repacked; but most of the replacements are sealed. Probably not too many of the originals still in service.
 
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