This is an original 1953 GMC truck with 6 volt system and I have searched this forum and cannot find a step by step set of instructions. I pulled the generator and replaced it with a one wire gm 1987 camaro alternator. I installed a 12volt condensor and coil. My problem is the wiring. There were 2 wires on the generator, one thin and one thick, still in cloth insulation. There were 3 wires to the regulator batt, arm, and field. There is a plug on alt. with a red wire and a white wire, plus the one post on back of the alt. Please help with these wires, either a reply or even a phone call, 573-259-7595 and I live at Monument Colorado. I even emailed the local car club and received no response. This truck is my son's who is at the US Air Force Academy and is our project for his summer vacation. Thank you for any help, Rocky
A 53 GMC truck would have a 6 volt POSITIVE GROUND system. Changing it to run 12volt negative ground is more involved than swapping the old generator with a new alternator and wiring in the alternator. The gas gauge (and radio if you have one) will need to be changed to 12v negative ground parts. If the new gauge will run 30 ohms full and 0 ohms empty you can keep the old fuel level sending unit in the tank. If the only reason the change to 12V - ground is that your son needs his music there are inverters that convert -6 to +12 that he could use to power the radio. A properly maintained 6 volt positive ground system will start the truck and power the lamps just fine. You can even buy 6v halogen headlamps that wont care if they are positive or negative ground. I'd recommend either getting a pro (or a talented hobbiest) to do the job for you or installing a 6 volt positive ground alternator. Look here for lots of 6volt bits and pieces: http://www.fifthaveinternetgarage.com/ Google "6 volt alternator" for lots of people selling 6 volt alternators in both positive and negative ground.
It is not to get his music! If you knew how hard cadets work in the classroom and at their military duties at the Air Force Academy maybe you would temper your stereotyping.The battery was dead and the generator needed rebuilding. He just bought the truck and as usual a smart reply about the music instead of help. All I asked for was directions and didn't ask for smart remarks and I was polite. I had hoped someone could send me a link or directions.
You may be too thinned skinned and humorless to enjoy the people on this site. You just flew off and ragged on one of the most helpfull and knowledgeable guys on this site that gave you some good information. If Brit 50 gets on your case you may want to pull the covers up over your head. With that said, I am going to take a chance and give you some tips in hopes you can lighten up. Our host sells the alt mount bracket, the big wire off the back of the alt can be tied to the wire that goes to the "ARM" or "A" terminal on the factory regulator (disconnect from reg.) and your amp gauge will probably read backwards so just switch the wires on the back of it if it does. For a 12v positive ground alternator call Quality Power Auto 909-794-1600 for just an alt or a complete conversion kit. I DO NOT like doing one this way because invariably someone will hook a charger or jumpers up wrong and knock the diodes out of the somewhat expensive alternator. Much better to convert to 12v neg ground so all modern accessories will work and parts are everywhere and less expensive. Oh yeah, I received an appointment to the very first class at the Air Force Academy in 1955 but turned it down because I was intent on studies in biochemistry and the AFA is geared towards engineering. Compared to biochem those guys have a tip toe through the tulips but it is still an honor for all it represents.
I am to thin skinned and I've always heard about people that got an appoinment to an academy and turned it down!!
Evan, you beat me to the punch! Evan, as usual, you beat me in a much needed reply! Yours is much more polictically correct than mine was going to be! Rocky, let me say first off that I am very proud of your son and I wish him the best. My dad visited the AF Academy as an instructor in the late 40's and early '50's while stationed at Lowry AFB in Aurora, Colorado! I hope that your son gets the opportunity to fly a B-52 while commisioned, especially an early version of it, because chances are that Bill Hanlon worked on it! As far as finding step by step instructions on modifying these trucks, they do not exist. If you are restoring a truck to its original condition, there are volumes of info. If you cross that line, you better find the people who've been there, done that. People like Evan, Bill, Nate etc. Don't piss them off from the "get go" or you'll still be wondering how to wire a 12 volt negative ground alternator to a 6 volt postive ground system.
Good Lord, parks - settle down and read this thread: https://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=7283&highlight=turn+signal It might not answer your question exactly, but it might get you pointed in the right direction. I have no idea of your experience, but if you've spent much time around older and/or British cars you'll find that many people go to great lengths to convert 6-volt or positive-ground vehicles to 12 volt, negative ground systems for simple reasons such as radios. I'm converting my '51 to 12 volt to avoid an issue I had with a positive-"earthed" Austin-Healey I had; my brother borrowed it and left the lights on. He tried to jump it. It was a painful and expensive project to repair the damage. My son (who is a great kid, but would never qualify for the academy) will drive the truck, and I'm sure that either he or I will need to jump-start it at some point. I don't want to go through the exercise again. As far as understanding how hard cadets work, the stories I've heard from my friends that attended the academy amaze, impress, and sometimes amuse me. Congratulations on having a son that got accepted there. But just because he's a cadet doesn't mean that he's above wanting a modern stereo system. You appear to be new to the forum. You strayed that Bill "as usual" had a smart reply. You're right, Bill usually has smart replies; I think we're using different definitions of the word, though. If you stick around the forum I think you'll find a lot of people who are willing to help. Everything from retro-grouches (a bicycling term for cyclists like me) to people who always want to go with the most modern approach. Please share if you find an answer to your alternator dilemma, I'm sure that others are in the same boat as you and your son. --Harry
Guys, I gave you some wrong info; the wire from the back of the alternator goes to the BATTERY (BAT) terminal on the regulator NOT the armature terminal. Long story on the turning down the appointment. My sister was a career AF woman, rare then, and served in the MATS (Military Air Transport Service) in what amounted to an ailine hostess that wore a uniform. The MATS planes transported high ranking officers, Washington big-wigs, and other high powered persons along with it's regular cargo duty. Through her and her contact with senator Guy Gillette of Iowa in the 50's I received the opportunity but was intent on a career in Biol/Chem/Med and others had a much stronger program at that time. It deeply hurt my sister after she had made such an effort and was a gut wrenching decision on my part. I might stand alone in my refusal and have often wondered "what if". Also declined opportunities at MIT and Cal Tech but it is the Academy that has stayed with me because I think of it everytime my now deceased sister comes to mind. Just think, I might could have been a retired general laying under one of these old trucks with oil dripping on my hair and rust falling into my eyes. Bet Neil (Brit 50) still wouldn't call me "Sir". I repeat, your son has received a rare opportunity in a most honorable endeaver and hope the best for him. We need more of the same.
Sorry if you took my post as hostile. What I was trying to do was save you from burning up the gas gauge (and maybe the radio) when you converted from a 6v + ground to a 12v - ground system. I guess I should have put the emphasis on the word IF in my sentence "If the only reason the change to 12V - ground is that your son needs his music there are inverters that convert -6 to +12 that he could use to power the radio." Later in my post I recommend "installing a 6 volt positive ground alternator". This would require the least amount of changes while providing a more robust output. Good luck to your son in his education and career. Sergeant Bill Hanlon AF18743756 USAF Strategic Air Command Oklahoma, Okinawa, Guam, Phillipines
Soooooo What kind of music does your son listen to anyways and do they have stereos in B52's?......lol Big Tim
I was at the maintenance debrief of a B-52 flight where the crew would go over problems that they had logged during the flight. The guy from the radio shop was sitting beside me and when the crew entered the room he quietly says "oh $#i+". The 6 man crew had an extra that day. A Lt. Col. who was the chief instructor pilot on the base. The colonel was older that Methusalah and the radio tech told me he later never met a radio he liked. Sure enough, the colonel wrote up "instructor pilot's position intercom volume too low" or something like that. By the way, the radio tech had less than a week before he was getting out of the USAF. My shop (auto pilot) also had some problem with this same aircraft. As luck would have it I was assigned to fix the problem. When I finished with the repair I went to the crew chief to get the log book so I could "sign off" the repair. Right above my entry was the entry from the short time radio tech. "Removed short between headphones."
Dont complain we are all THE experts ! Mister Parks You started in the wrong way in my opinion " complaining about the service before you have got the answers " All people have one thing in commen here at this forum ...... They dont complain and are all the worlds "best experts" on there subdjekt. Like Bill Hanlon for instansce .He is one of them just because he is a knowlegeble guy that knows a lot about trucks and airplaines. I am looking forward to the day that you give us some of your expertise if you have any to share with us ! Until then ...... Sinc. Martinius Berg/Norway
12 Volt Alternator Good morning Mr. Parks . I don't really know how to find my old posts to give you a link but , I used the same '87 Camaro alternator in my '49 3100 , I just used one wire from the " BATT " terminal of the old voltage regulator , it was fine , doesn't begin to charge utill the engine REVs past 3,000 RPM's . I was able to use the original generator bracket by flipping it 180° & drilling one new hole , then it used the original engine mounting bolts & holes . I too , highly recommend changing to a negative ground system , it's pretty simple and details are here in the older posts . I'll be happy to assist any way I can but my response time is rather slow do to limited InterNet access . Tell your Boy , WELL DONE and thank you .
Some one please help I have a 1953 gmc pickup truck that i bought about a year ago and it was running fine on 6 volt negative ground... I was having issues with my lights cutting out after a certain amount of time and after reading a few blogs i found out my truck could possibly be a positive ground, so i figured i would switch it over to positive ground to see if that would resolve my issue.... The truck started and ran fine for a day but stalled out on me in the middle of traffic a day later and i havent been able to get it going since.... This was about two months ago... Ive replaced the spark plug wires, the distibutor cap, the coil, and recharged the battery... Only now the battery i got doesnt even want to turn the motor over so i could see if it will start.... What should i do??? Someone please help me.... PLEASE!!!!
Could someone please pass the popcorn? I have been accused of using the wrong tone of voice in a typed message before, heck for that matter, I have used the wrong tone of voice face to face too. Sometimes I learn from my mistakes, sometimes I touch hot stuff over and over.
Diggy, Let's isolate your problem. First take your battery to a parts store and have them test it even if it's new. If good for sure then take the wire and battery cable off the terminal on the starter and then put ONLY the battery cable back on. It makes no difference to a starter whether it's hooked up positive or negative ground. Hook the other (ground) cable up directly to the starter. Try to turn over. If it doesn't take the cable off the starter terminal and brush it against the starter case, it should throw fire big time. If not inspect the cables and cable ends closely for any corrosion or looseness. Also pull the starter switch; the little tin case on top with the spring loaded plunger, and check out the copper contacts. If bad it won't let current reach the windings. While the switch is off touch the hot cable against the windings contact and see if the starter spins. If it does the switch is bad. If not the starter is bad. If everything checks out okay put the truck in high gear and rock back or forward to see if the fan blade moves. If it does the engine is free and should be since it was running. Once this is done DO NOT hook the main feed wire back up to the starter terminal post because with the lights going on and off you have an electrical problem. You can get a cheap short finder from some place like Harbor Freight or use a compass which will swing the needle 180 degrees as it passes over a short but the best way is to pull either battery cable off and hook a volt meter between the cable and the battery post. It will show a voltage drain if there is any draw for any reason. You can then pull one wire loose at a time till the meter drops to zero. Start with the charging system. Also since you have jumped back and forth between positive and negative ground your generator may need polarizing and a coil only puts out a fraction of its capacity if the polarity is backward.
