4104 Alternator

[gulfyankee]

Ok, my generator is DOA.....want to convert to an alternator. What is a good source? At the moment the bus is positive ground, but I am going to convert it to negative. Also am going to clean all of the terminals in the rear side panel. Is there a good way to do this, besides disassembly and elbow grease? As a side note, my oil pressure, water temperature and charging meter don't work. They just peg out. Working on this problem too.

[TedsBUSted]

I've looked at quite a few versions of this upgrade but can't say that there's an end-all answer, and I don't know of a one-stop source for the parts. So why am I replying, right?  

Usually the original generator mounting adapter and drive ring-gear is replaced with a somewhat common accessory drive pulley arrangement, and then a common belt-driven alternator of choice is mounted above the shift rods on a custom built bracket.

There's also the "hen's tooth" option of a direct bolt-on Leece Neville, air-cooled gear-drive alternator.

I think if I were converting one I'd try to  move the brake compressor to the generator  location and then work with the less crowded rear (of bus) location. Of course with a power steering pump that area is crowded too.

Some of the "stuff" in the regulator panel can be culled once the alternator conversion is made.

Ted

[zubzub]

I've done this recently.  check this link covering some of it.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=19862.msg216660#msg216660
 Asked around at a couple of truck garages  'til I found one (but i live in a city that still has 6-71 in snow removal equipment).  This mod is pretty common which is good for parts, not so good for prices.  There are a couple of different pulley drives, when I was looking it seemed there was one style that bolted directly to the gear and had no further lateral support, I avoided this one.  Most can be found online. After you have bolted the pulley on you need to fabricate a bracket for the Alt, which is pretty easy (but I haven't done it yet).
As to the gear driven alts, when I looked into it, my engine is set up for a direct  drive alt, and the ones available to me were the more common offset drive alt, so I didn't pursue it.  It also appears that the compressor and alt can change places, but I have yet to see pics of an install this way so figure if it works...plus the compressor is more   go/no go equipment than the alt. so it's nice to have it close.