It's your car, do what you want with it.
There was nothing wrong with the original design of your car's charging
system - if it were repaired to it's like new state, it would serve you well
for many years, just at it did when the car was new. In addition, it's
parts were all simple and easily understood, and could be repaired by any
competent mechanic from pieces on hand. You could drive it to southern
Guatemala and the local "taller" could fix it for you - there are no
transistors, diodes, slip rings or other tricky modern stuff in it.
The modern single wire alternator is indeed a vast improvement in
performance and reliability, but when it fails, (and it will, some day) you
are dead in the water until you find a replacement. The mechanic will not
be able to look in a dusty old book to see what your car has installed - he
will have to go by guess and by gosh, hoping to pick the right replacement
part. My advice is to find out in excruciating detail exactly what vehicle
this replacement charging system came on originally, and record for
posterity the wiring changes made, and carry this information in the glove
box for the day, perhaps 5 years down the road, when you will need it and
not remember exactly what was done.
The hobby has all manner of participants. Some like to preserve original
features, some like a modern reliability in an old looking car. Some feel a
responsibility to maintain historically correct vehicles for later
generations to wonder at.
The truly original examples of the older cars slowly disappear, as they are
modernized with improved technology. Pretty soon, all we will have is old
"looking" cars driving around with Honda running gear.
Dick Benjamin
----- Original Message -----
From: <Imperial59crown@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 1:44 AM
Subject: IML: New Alternator on my '59
> I brought my '59 Crown to my mechanic today to help me figure out where my
> electrical problem is coming from, since I tested both the generator, and
> regulator, and found they were both giving off a weak signal. My mechanic
> gave me several options, but suggested that I put in an alternator, which
> would be more reliable. He gave me several options, saying I could go with
an
> alternator from a '63, or '64, whenever they started using them, or he
could
> make a bracket and hang a new chromed Chevy alternator and regulator
> combined, with just one wire, and it was very powerful. He warned me that
if
> I took that option, the Mopar Police would be all over me! I thought about
> the options, and came to the conclusion that I didn't really care what was
> charging my electrical system, as long as it was more reliable than what I
> had. I also told him that I was willing to update the mechanical, and
> electrical systems to make the car more reliable, as long as it has the
> original engine, body, and interior style. Please don't hate me, but after
> seeing that big chromed Chevy alternator, I told him go for it. I will of
> course keep the original generator, and regulator, and brackets, but may
sell
> them if the alternator works out O.K. When I think deep down, I am really
> thinking of this car as more than just something to fix up, and take to
> shows, but more like a slightly less than everyday driver. I've even
thought
> about buying two '59's, and driving the one that is running on any given
day.
> The only thing stopping me is gas mileage, since I drive about 20 miles to
> work one way each day. I love my Imperial, and will do anything within my
> means to keep her on the road. Hopefully tomorrow I will get her back with
> her new shiny Chevy alternator. Don't hate me too much, it's a Chevy
> alternator, but made for Chevy pro stocks. I think the old lady will be
very
> happy with it, after all, she deserves the latest technology! Bill '59
Crown
>
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