53NavyJeep.com

A Frame Off Restoration

April 2017

Generator and Altenator

Rebuilt Generator
The generator and new regulator are back on, charging strong! We took the Jeep out for a test drive. After returning we noticed a little fuel leaking from the fitting at the fuel pump. This is just part of the tweaking we have to do to get it “ship shape” and ready for this season’s parades and shows.

Generator Allignment

Generator Allignment
In working with the 12 volt conversion generator we noticed that the pulley was not properly aligned with the other pulleys. It was about 1/2 inch short. To fix the problem we hand to trim the generator bracket, relocate the bolt wholes and add a few more washers for spacers.

Regulator Fail!

BadRegulator
After rebuilding the generator and reinstalling it we watched the gauge jump to 14 volts as the refurbished generator got back to work. We drove the Jeep a few times around the block and parked it. About 15 minutes later we noticed smoke coming from the engine bay. It was the generator bellowing out smoke with that terrible odor of burnt wiring. It turns out we had a regulator failure and it shorted out the generator, destroying the armature. Restoration is not a perfect road!

* Note:
We may have been the cause of the regulator failure!
[See Lessons Learned]

Rebuilding the Generator

Rebuild the Generator
The Jeep was making a squealing sound after driving it for a short time. It sounded like a failing bearing. We suspect the generator so we rebuild it.

* Note: This turned out to be a misdiagnosis. [See Learning Curve]