I just recently bought a 1962 skylark with a 3.5 215 engine. I am wanting to get rid of the old generator. I was just curious as to how to go about mounting an alternator. where can i obtain a set of brackets? any help would be greatly appreciated!
My guess is that you will have to make your own brackets. It is possible that the later British versions of the engine will have brackets for mounting an alternator that will bolt on, but whether they used a GM alternator will take some research. Most British electrical components of that era were not up to American reliability standards. I don't think that GM was using alternators in 1963 which was the last year for the engine in Buick, Olds, and Pontiac. Making your own brackets shouldn't be an impossible task. Just out of curiosity - What's wrong with the DC generator? GM's generators were the best generators in the industry.
As far as I know, '63 was the first year for GM alternators. That said, it's not certain that all GM cars had them at the same time. I'm sure someone with a '63 Special or Skylark with that motor will chime in.
It is not that there is anything wrong with the generator just thought I would be better off converting to an alternator. I have never owned a vehicle with a generator. My other buick is a 72 riv. I plan on rebuilding the motor and upgrading the ignition, so i thought converting to a alternator would be helpful for the higher output.
In a non-concours car, I think an upgrade to a 12Si alternator is a good idea. The wiring is easy, but the brackets will take some adaptation.
I'd run the generator myself.As long as your not adding any extra electrical load it will be fine. The biggest problem is finding a good quality regulator if yours goes out.There's still some of us rebuilders that can keep the generator alive for you if need be.:TU: If you really want to change over,i'd try seeing if a 300/340 alternator bracket would work for mounting.If so use a 10 or 12 SI unit.
Hey: I have a 63 skylark & have done a ton of research on the 61-63 mid size BOP, anyway 63 was the very first year that GM used alternators on these lil cars and the 3.5 215 motor was discontinued by GM after the 63 model year, this makes the alternator bracket for the 215 motor a "1 year only"bracket and are not easily found (good luck trying to make 1). They do come up on ebay periodically, but will cost you upwards of $100+. Good luck on your voyage and let me know if i can help you in anyway. Have a great day. Keith
I saw a few alternator brackets on ebay for the 215. If i remember right the one bracket is somewhat triangle shaped with 3 bolt holes. I surfed the web for pics of brackets and saw a few motors with that type of mount and they seem to mount on the front cover driver side. which would not work for me because that is where my power steering pump mounts. I just assumed that I should convert from the generator to the alternator since i plan on installing a pertronix ignitor 2 billet distributor and coil. If the generator will do just fine like a few people are saying, then i ham not opposed to keeping the generator.
Hey: I seen them brackets yesterday on ebay that your talking about. Personally I have no idea how the hell those things bolt up ... lol. I have the original factory alternator bracket on my car and it looks TOTALLY different than those things that that seller is selling. All other alternator brackets that i've seen on ebay in the past look just like mine does. Personally i'd wait for the correct one to come available. Hope this helps ... later Keith
awesome... i was thinking that they were not correct...and was hesitant to give them a shot. thanks for the info, saved me a bunch of time and frustration. Does your alternator mount on the lower passenger side by chance? that is the location of my generator.
Here is another option. Although an expensive one. http://www.powermastermotorsports.com/powergen.html I have a '61 that we use as a parts chaser at the shop and the generator system works great. If I ever have any trouble I would prolly have Jamie repair the OEM parts as I like the originality. Eric
Hey: Yeah i'm not sure if those are homeade brackets or what, but i'd think that guy would know more, he has parted out several 61-63 buick skylarks&specials and sold the parts on ebay. I bought my flywheel from him last year and got a good deal. Anyways yes the alternator sits in the same spot that the generator sets. FYI Rover bought the tooling for this great lil engine from GM in 1966 and produced the motor from 67 till very recent ... aka now you can go get a ported and railed electronic fuel injection system that was actually designed and made specifically for OUR lil motor!! Its the ONLY v8 engine produced in the muscle car era that you can do this with ... lol Keith
lol i went and looked at the brackets for my generator...and the brackets that are listed on ebay are just generator brackets, not alternator.
My Piper Comanche (built 1956) has a GM generator. I have owned the airplane since 1978. Total generator maintenance and repair in 36 years? Zero. Why in hel- would you want to swap a GM generator out?
I've experienced the exact opposite John, even after having mine rebuilt once. They are a helluva lot heavier, only provide 30-40amps, and god forbid it craps out on you if your not close to home. I guess my question is why the hell wouldn't you?! :grin:
I originally planned to replace mine because I thought it didn't work, but once it was polarized, it worked fine. Still have the single wire alternator and correct brackets if there comes a time when it fails.
The '62 Skylark Convertibles had alternators, cause a friend of mine had his judged and was knocked down for not having a gen, so he did the research at the Buick Gallery and found since the '63 was going to have an alternator that the '62 Skylark convertible "also 1962 Motor Trend Car of the Year" was a mid year car, they put the alternator on them.
I agree with the weight and output, but not the reliability. If you are not racing the car or adding something that draws a huge load, the GM generator is fine. Obviously if you are adding one of those 1,500 watt "ghetto blaster" stereos, The 30-40 Amp DC generator won't cut it. I would find it unusual for someone to use a 1963 automobile as a regular, long-haul driver. I have been thinking carefully about my original post, and I can't think of a single time that I had to replace either a generator or regulator on any of my GM cars. I have cleaned up a few commutators and installed brushes, but that's about it. I have nothing against swapping the generator for Delcotron, my point is simply, why bother?
I have a 62 Buick Special v6. Does anyone know a person to rebuild or sell parts for the generator? The top ear broke off mine. I'm in Ohio.
If you're interested in doing an alternator swap I have an alternator bracket (oem) for the v6 engine. Keith
