How noisy should the generator be?

[jsd245]

So I changed the  filters, set the points, adjusted the carb and the truck runs and idles very nicely. However I was hearing a noise- tough to describe, definitely something rotating, rumbling sort of. It resonates a bit. Loud enough to notice.  So with the old screwdriver to the ear trick I narrowed it down to the generator. I took the belt off so it was turning any more and sure enough noise was gone. The engine purrs and with no generator or fan turning it is very quiet. Quieter than my 2014. You can hear the valve train  a bit, but that’s it. This  engine seems to be in very good condition. The more I run it the more I am convinced it has very few miles and the 26k on the odometer is accurate. 
 

Generator  is charging fine, I didn’t feel any play in the shaft. I put a few drops of oil in each oil cup which didn’t seem to make a difference when I put the belt back on. Is this just how noisy these generators  are, or is the generator on borrowed time? I occurred to me that when I run my portable generator the generator head itself has a distinct and separate sound from the motor, definitely noticeable. Am I hearing the same sort of thing? 
 

another thing I noted  is how quickly the engine  heated up with no fan. I thought because it was fairly cold it would take a while. The temp gauge works on this truck. Normally running at high the temp is basically just rising a bit above the bottom line. With no fan the temp was in the middle of the gauge in just a few minutes. I have yet to actually drive this truck other than around my driveway because I need to rebuild the master and have no brakes, so I don’t know yet where the temp goes under load. 

[Tooljunkie]

Generator should be pretty quiet. So whether its brushes or bearings is up to you to determine. And if you want to attempt it yourself. 
im thinking s couple bearings is all it will need to quieten down. 
 

runnnig with no pump, no circulation, head heats up quick. Sender is in head. Go figure…

[jsd245]

Right- no pump. Duh. I was just thinking fan, but of course the pump wasn’t turning either! Yeah. Definitely think it needs the bearings replaced then. Might as well change the brushes while I’m at it. Doesn’t look extremely difficult. 

[Brent B3B]

If it is the bearing, call DCM and give Steve your generator number he will probably have the bearing. 

Mine went out in my one ton when I was in Minnesota “back to the 50’s” 

 

i blame Minnesota! LOL

 

[Dodgeb4ya]

Should be totally quiet.

Front Bearing most likely..

Edited January 14, 2022 by Dodgeb4ya

[Merle Coggins]

Have you tried adding some oil into the oil cups for the front and rear bearings on your generator? Maybe they're just running dry. 

[ggdad1951]

52 minutes ago, Merle Coggins said:

Have you tried adding some oil into the oil cups for the front and rear bearings on your generator? Maybe they're just running dry. 

 

yah he said he did that up a few posts.

[1949 Wraith]

My generator on my '42 was noisy when I first got it. The previous owner only used the vehicle sparingly over many years. I added oil to the oilers and it didn't seem to make much difference at first, but I kept adding a few drops every month or so, and now she is nice and quiet. It has always charged correctly.

[Merle Coggins]

21 minutes ago, ggdad1951 said:

 

yah he said he did that up a few posts.

 

I guess I skipped over that part. 

[jsd245]

2 hours ago, Merle Coggins said:

 

I guess I skipped over that part. 

I added a few drops- but it occurs to me, a few drops of oil is what it calls for is the car is being regularly maintained- This has sat for at least 5 years. And lord knows if anyone ever added oil to the cup before that. Cold be those felts in there have no oil left soaked in. It seems the initial fill on that cup need to be a bit more to get those felts saturated with oil.  I could try adding a bit more I suppose. Yet my experience is once you can hear a bearing like that its already too late. 

Edited January 14, 2022 by jsd245
edit

[lostviking]

Depends on if it's just noisy or a grinding sound. I'd add the oil immediately. Let it soak in and add a bit more. When it doesn't need any more, the felt won't suck it up right away.

[jsd245]

So yes this bearing is shot after I got this apart. Bushing in the other end has some wear too. This generator has another pulley screwed on the end in place of the nut. I believe it was running a plow hydraulic pump. Maybe why the bearing failed given this has relatively few miles. 
 

for the bearing- I am replacing with a sealed bearing. Any reason not to do this? Not sure why I’d go back to the open bearing  hoping the oil makes it in. 
 

now I need to find a generator nut . 

[Tooljunkie]

Alternators today run hundreds of thousands of miles on sealed bearings. No reason why it wont work in the gennie.  Less likely to fail due to contamination.