QuestionDick, I have a 1950 chevy deluxe 2 dr. sport coupe 6 cyl (216)
3 0n the tree. I recently replaced the generator. The gen is not putting out any charge. I was told that I need to cold flash the gen before it will work? Can you tell me how to do this. Thanks Steve
AnswerYes, what they are telling you is that the generator needs to be "polarized". This may be true, and it won't hurt anything to try it, but I doubt that is your problem - more likely there is a problem elsewhere in the electrical system.
For what it is worth, then, get a fairly heavy piece of wire - #12 or larger, long enough to reach from the armature terminal of the generator (the larger of the two main terminals - the smaller one is the "field" connection). The two terminals may have "A" and "F" next to them - but the armature is always the one with the heavier wire, and usualy has the larger nut on it.
ANYWAY....connect your wire to the armature terminal with a clip lead or slip it under the nut and tighten it so you know it is making good connection, and then "MOMENTARILY"!!! touch it to the hot (+) terminal of your 6 volt battery. This will make a big spark, but it won't hurt you or anything else. Just tap it, long enough to see the spark, that is all you need to do..
OK, now remove the added wire, and see if the generator is charging OK now. If not, and the shop that supplied the generator has tested it and found it to be good, we have some more detective work to do. But I'll save my fingertips for now while you do that first step (polarizing it). Write back to me if you need more help.
Dick (who drove a 51 Chevy 2 dr coupe all through college, way back when it was an almost new car!) Great car!
