[Sore Pancake]

Yeah i got a question. What is the difference between an alternator and a generator? I know that 1964 1/2 mustangs came with generators(mine has long since been replaced with a alternator) and i just wanted to know the advantages/Disadvantages of each.

Thanks,
Sore

[Veronica]

Hello. The alternator charging system is by far a better way of doing things. A generator pretty much supplies constant full output. This might sound like a good thing, and it is, until your battery boils dry or explodes from being over-charged. The alternator quits charging the battery once the battery has a full charge.That's why people quit using generators nearly half a century ago. Mopars started coming with alternators in 1960. There are no 'pros' to using a generator, only 'cons'.

[wrenchman]

Generators produce a DC current, which is what you need for automotive electrical systems. Alternators produce an AC current, which must then be converted into DC to function in these systems. This is accomplished with the use of diodes inside the alternator.

Both generators and alternators require a regulator to "throttle" the output. Some systems have the regulator built into the alternator.

Alternators charge better at lower engine speeds and are lighter than generators.

Unless you're concerned with originality, run an alternator system.

[Veronica]

Originally Posted by wrenchman

Generators produce a DC current, which is what you need for automotive electrical systems. Alternators produce an AC current, which must then be converted into DC to function in these systems. This is accomplished with the use of diodes inside the alternator.

Both generators and alternators require a regulator to "throttle" the output. Some systems have the regulator built into the alternator.

Alternators charge better at lower engine speeds and are lighter than generators.

Unless you're concerned with originality, run an alternator system.

Yeah. What he said.

[64 Mustang Mike]

Well to put it simply as said previously the generator produces a DC current output while the altenator produces a AC current output which needs to be rectified to DC current which the car needs. Both need to be regulated or the output could exceed 16+ volts which is the job of the voltage regulator for both systems. Know for the reason for the switch Generators do not produce very much voltage / current at lower rpms (idling in traffic) to profide enough output to keep the battery up whereas the Altenator produces (due to more windings and the battery supping the magnetic field vs magnets) more output at lower rpm's.
Myself I would leave the generator on the 1964 1/2 (I own myself) just due to the originality unless the rest of the car has been modified.

[bsintzel]

En-short: http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/Alte...atorTheory.htm

[bostick123]

i just got my mustang home today and found serval things wrong with it. first it said it was a 65 but 96 percent of the paper work says 1964, on it like the title and reg the org build papers say 65 but it was dated 12-21-64 any clue, vin 5Ro7C166117.

[Jay H 237]

Originally Posted by bostick123

i just got my mustang home today and found serval things wrong with it. first it said it was a 65 but 96 percent of the paper work says 1964, on it like the title and reg the org build papers say 65 but it was dated 12-21-64 any clue, vin 5Ro7C166117.

You have to realize that all Mustangs from April of 1964 to August of 1965 were built as "1965" models by Ford. Ford never made a "1964" or "1964.5" Mustang, they were ALL 65s. The 65s built between April of 64 and August of 64 are considered the early 65s and the ones from August of 64 to August of 65 are late 65s.

That's why your VIN starts with a 5, for VIN registration purposes it is a 65, same goes for insurance and what Ford had intended. Many people still like to call the early 65s 1964 and half cars and register them as 64s.

Your car was built around 20M or December 20th, 1964 (it conincides with your date of 21) according to my book. This is the late 65 production. Keep in mind auto production year is different from callendar year, the factories normally shut down the second week of August to retool for next years models and then start production back up a week later with the newer models.

So essentially 96% of your paperwork is wrong, someone mistakenly changed the year of the car on the paperwork.

[blk stang]

I have a 1964 black mustang and have lots of questions!

[blk stang]

I understand the difference between a generator and an alternator. How do you go about converting from a generator to an alternator????

[Veronica]

Hello. You do that like this. You will also need different brackets for the alternator, but, that isn't a big deal.