I had the same trouble on a road trip once. The front bearing on the generator gave up. Luckily we were a couple miles from an old fashioned starter and generator shop in Canada outside of Windsor. It was an easy fix and I suspect the bearing is a common size at an auto parts store too, take it out and see.

The back end of the generator likely has a bronze bushing but some models also had a bearing. If I were still running a generator I'd wand to find an end cover with bearing. However the bushing should also be easy to replace and they certainly last a long time too.

Grigg

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-