(51295 mi) I should have known...Generator-Regulator

I often wonder why I wait for something to go wrong before I act.  I suppose that it's human nature.

Generator Regulator is a vital link to all things electrical in the engine of a 1951 Chrysler.  In fact, it can appear that everything is breaking down, electrically speaking, when it's only one nasty gremlin.  He was hiding in the Generator Regulator.

Looking back, I should have known.  The symptoms were clear:  (1) The Ammeter was showing constant charging at a constant rate; (3) a variety of electrical items would work and then not; and (3) light bulbs were being burned out.  My reaction to these occurrences showed a concentration on the symptoms.   I had supposed that the car waited too long a time in storage, and things were going awry from neglect.  Not so!  It was just one device.  Fortunately, the car received a complete re-wiring, brand new generator, new plugs, and new coil, as a result.  Hopefully we can consider this to be the end of the electrical breakdown, maybe.

(51295 mi) Another tool in the battle against time and age...

"WITHOUT special service tools, many of today's commonplace service operations would not be practical to perform economically in most dealer service shops. Such tools are of low cost practical designs that allow a semi-skilled mechanic to accurately duplicate original manufacturing and assembly methods. These tools are developed in co-operation with the vehicle manufacturer's design and service engineers as an important aid for the dealer who must render dependable service for every unit of the car or truck. Thus, special service tools help .the dealer's shop turn out first quality service work at a fair price to his customers and earn the shop a satisfactory profit as well. Such special tools are usually provided by the dealership to supplement each mechanic's personal hand tools. These tools are effectively used by car dealers-fleet owners-independent service shops-mechanics-parts jobbers and
even some car or truck owners."

I have two of many special shop tools produced for Chrysler Motors by the Miller Manufacturing Company of the long-deceased Detroit, Michigan.  I received my second tool today!  It is gauge C-853!

Seen on the right, it gauges the positioning of the spring for the proper return of the clutch pedal.  My pedal has been misbehaving for about 15 years.  This gauge will put it BACK in line. :)

(42002 mi) Seat Covers to cover the Seats.

 Re-Upholster OR Cover it Over?  If you are short on cash and can patiently examine eBay week after week, you can buy an original MoPAR Seat Cover.  As it so happens, that is what I did.

On May 2nd, 1951, Donald Motors of Tryon, North Carolina ordered my Seat Covers (Part No. 1315 347).  Obviously, they never reached the intended automobile, because 60 years later they covered the seats in my 1951 Chrysler.  Unfortunately, these seat covers are not actually designed for my particular car, but (without changing them a stitch) I have made good use of them.  The original upholstery is sadly advanced in its deterioration.  I have one last recourse in getting the right upholstery for the car.  I will have the fabric re-made... in the future.  When I have the money... maybe.

(00000 mi) All in the Family

Here's a partial view of my Chrysler's Family Tree in 1951.

(00000 mi) Birth of my Car...

Using Fedco Numbering System for Chrysler cars in 1951 and my Vehicle Number, I have deduced that my car was born in September 1951.  Unfortunately, I cannot find more detailed information because it was generally not kept.  Let's see what was happening in 1951...shall we?

(51295 mi) The Parts Department - my closet.

A well-stocked parts department (known as my closet) is absolutely essential in maintaining your Chrysler.  Before the Internet, parts were found in the junkyard, really old parts stores with old stock, and the specialty  expensive purveyors of old and reproduction parts.  Ebay seems to have changed it all.  Combined with the closing of dealerships throughout America, NOS (New Old Stock) parts have flooded the market.  My collection looks like a 1950's parts department, and this pleases me to no end.  In fact, I have scanned the boxes and have printed stickers for those parts which do not have their original boxes.

(51295 mi) Disaster! Well...irritation...

Remember the post "The Car Won't Start! Auuuuughh!"?  Haha!  It happened again and under the same circumstances.  Darkness prevailed over the land, and the evil gremlin (shown on the right) decided to wreak havoc on my electrical system.  The naughty clue, which should have exposed the gremlin, (had I been aware) was the new headlamp's condition - burned out!  Why in the devil (or gremlin) would a brand new headlamp be burned out?  Voltage surge.  How would a gremlin create a voltage surge?  Voltage-Regulator!  So we consult the Chrysler Shop Manual and the Master Technician Service Conference booklet entitled "Special Reference to The Generator Regulator" (Special thanks to the Imperial Club, who's hallowed halls of knowledge have offered many an insight.)

    WHAT THE GENERATOR REGULATOR DOES

    The generator regulator has the job of controlling the flow (amperes) and pressure (volts) of the current put out by the generator, according to the needs of the electrical system of the car, and up to the rated capacity of the generator. It keeps the generator from putting out more current than is needed, which would overcharge the battery and shorten the life of distributor contact points, lights and other electrical units.

"Voltage regulator points which open at too high a voltage cause high voltage in the circuit. This may burn out the light bulbs and shorten the life of the ignition coil, distributor contact points and other electrical units. It burns up the guy who drives the car, too."

I'm especially feeling that last italicised and underlined statement.

Next step, test all the regulators according to the book to prove my hypothesis, i.e. gremlins and voltage regulators.