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#90042 03/03/2004 1:47 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 343 Member | | Member Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 343 | I am rebuilding both my Generator and Starter and I was wondering what was the best method to cleanup the Armatures without damaging them. I would like to clean both the copper contact area as well as the steel surface area, which spins near the magnets. Thanks.
1954 GMC 1/2-ton Longbed
1971 Pontiac LeMans Sport
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#90043 03/03/2004 2:39 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I used a nylon scrub pad and alchohol to clean mine. It turned out quite nice. | | |
#90044 03/04/2004 1:14 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 343 Member | | Member Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 343 |
1954 GMC 1/2-ton Longbed
1971 Pontiac LeMans Sport
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#90045 03/04/2004 4:01 AM | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 208 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 208 | cujo8, you'll need to clean out the slots on the area where the brushes make contact. I think that's called the comutator, I not sure.
Clean out one end of a slot with a knife, little by little. Make a slot cleaner from an old hacksaw blade ground down to the size of the slot and clean out the rest of the slots or grooves.
That's the way I did mine and it worked fine.
This might not be OSHA or GM approved but it worked OK for me.
Union, Justice and Confidence
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#90046 03/04/2004 4:59 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 110 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 110 | To clean the commutator, use a strip of 320 or
400 grit sandpaper and pull it back and forth
like polishing shoes. Don't dig between the
segments because it will leave edges for the
brushes to go across and shorten the life of
the brushes. It's not necessary to clean the
metal part that spins inside of the field coils
unless they are really packed with dirt or a
thick layer of rust. Be careful not to break
the insulation on any of the wires (starter or
generator) because it may short out part or all
the windings. The main thing is to check the
front and rear bushings or bearings for wear.
Truck Tinker from Talking Rock, Ga. | | |
#90047 03/04/2004 9:01 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 230 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 230 | You only undercut the mica between the commutator segments on the generator , _not_ the starter .
-Nate
There is no problem so difficult it cannot be overcome by generous application of brute force & ignorance
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#90048 03/05/2004 12:52 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I am aware of these other procedures and on a true rebuild, they should be done. In my case, I was cleaning it up to see how it would perform, and it worked really well. I didn't want to mess any further with a healthy generator. If I decide to do more to the generator, I will look for a really oldtime shop and get it done. | | |
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