Voltage Regulator

[rstrasser]

All12 volt generators are not equal. The regulator has to match the current output of the generator as well as how the field voltage is controlled. Most Autolite Generators supply voltage to the generators field terminal and most Delco generators ground the field terminal. In both cases by the voltage regulator to control the generators output.
Use the wrong regulator and the generator might not charge or possibly overcharge the battery. It is also possible to burn out the generator and or the regulator.
The 12 volt regulators have a battery terminal, a field terminal and a armature terminal and some have a 4th ground terminal. The 1957 Studebaker Service manual has a good right up on the various charging systems used. It is unfortunate that most old time electrical service shops no longer exist. They had the books that matched up the generator to the proper regulator. The shop that I worked in as a teenager no longer exists. The owner is retired living in PA.
Ron

[TWChamp]

Unfortunately many alternator/starter shops no longer know much about generators. I've had to repair a couple Model generators that were supposed to be repaired by a professional shop. The shop had the output and third brush wires mixed up and cooked the generators. Motor's Manuals from the 50's and early 60's have very good generator sections in the book. My 1950 Champion uses an Autolite generator and regulator. The regulator controls the ground on mine, just like many Delco Remy units do. The NOS regulator I found on ebay for my Stude didn't look NOS and wasn't listed as such. It had paint chips and very light corrosion from storage, but cleaned up nicely.

I would take your generator information on the tag and do a Google search to see if they list a regulator number to match it. Maybe you can find a good auto parts store that can look it up also, or find a good generator shop. Try B&M alternators/starters in Mpls. MN and the owner may be able to help you.

I just thought of something, the Motor's Flat Rate and Parts Manual lists generator numbers and regulator numbers. I'd look it up for you in mine, but my manual is only 1952 and older.

[aftontrix]

I sure appreciate all of the input. Thanks

I called the dealer two hours after I placed the order on-line and found that UPS had just picked it up. I checked my email and sure enough it had shipped. Their shipping is certainly fast. The person I talked to said they were "almost" certain it is the one I need. I wish he had left out the word "almost".

If I return it, I will have about $15 in shipping and that is 50 percent of the cost so I guess I will keep it. Is there any way I can compare the old one to the new one to verify what system it might be for(AutoLite or Delco)?
If the terminals are marked the same would that mean they are of the same system?

From what I have read, if it is the wrong voltage regulator it can fry the battery or the generator. The battery is new $100 and the generator was rebuilt locally $110. I don't need that.

I guess I will just have to look it over real good, do a little more research and then flip a coin.

Thanks again

[Skip Lackie]

OH NO, now I am in trouble. I do not know if I have an autolite or delco system. It is a 1957 Silver Hawk which came out of the factory as a 6 cylinder. A previous owner installed a 289 engine from a 1958 President. I have no idea what the charging system is. I would even be afraid to order a $100 one from the parts store.

How can you tell which system it is? The generator has a plate on it that says Delco Remy Model M02003 7D16. Does that identify anything?

I thought 12 volts was 12 volts rather it was from a delco or an autolite system. Obviously I am wrong. The current voltage regulator has three terminals on it. Any idea what system I may have?

Your problem may stem in part from the fact that you have a Silver Hawk that has been converted to a 289 V8. Silver Hawks came with a 6-cylinder engine and AutoLite electrics. The 289 came with Delco electrics. If you tell an auto parts guy you have a Silver Hawk, he's gonna assume you have AutoLite electrics. You, in effect, have low-buck Golden Hawk minus the supercharger and with a B pillar. There is no inherent reason that the AutoLite generator and regulator can't work with the V8, but most people making an engine transplant move all the OEM electrical components over when they move the engine. Since you have a bit of a mongrel (like a lot of us), when you order parts, you're gonna have to remember that the engine is 58 President.

Your generator number is actually 1102003, which is correct for a 58 President. The 7D16 is just the date it was made (April 16, 1957). The correct regulator is Delco 1119123. However, as noted above, an Echlin or other aftermarket regulator designed for a 58 President will do fine. You can sell the regulator you bought to someone with a 12-volt Champion 6 engine.

[studegary]

Your problem may stem in part from the fact that you have a Silver Hawk that has been converted to a 289 V8. Silver Hawks came with a 6-cylinder engine and AutoLite electrics. The 289 came with Delco electrics. If you tell an auto parts guy you have a Silver Hawk, he's gonna assume you have AutoLite electrics. You, in effect, have low-buck Golden Hawk minus the supercharger and with a B pillar. There is no inherent reason that the AutoLite generator and regulator can't work with the V8, but most people making an engine transplant move all the OEM electrical components over when they move the engine. Since you have a bit of a mongrel (like a lot of us), when you order parts, you're gonna have to remember that the engine is 58 President.

Your generator number is actually 1102003, which is correct for a 58 President. The 7D16 is just the date it was made (April 16, 1957). The correct regulator is Delco 1119123. However, as noted above, an Echlin or other aftermarket regulator designed for a 58 President will do fine. You can sell the regulator you bought to someone with a 12-volt Champion 6 engine.

Skip - Perhaps you were not fully awake yet <G>. 1957 Silver Hawks came as both six cylinder and V8 models (4K - 6 & 11K - V8) and both in coupe and hardtop (C & K) bodies. The poster does happen to have one of the 1957 Silver Hawks that started as a six.

[StudeRich]

Your problem may stem in part from the fact that you have a Silver Hawk that has been converted to a 289 V8. Silver Hawks came with a 6-cylinder engine and AutoLite electrics./Cut/

As Gary said, all '57 Silver Hawks were not Six Cylinder, only the 57G Models, in fact not very many.
Most were '57H President Models and had President 289 Engines with Delco Electrics.

[Skip Lackie]

Skip - Perhaps you were not fully awake yet <G>. 1957 Silver Hawks came as both six cylinder and V8 models (4K - 6 & 11K - V8) and both in coupe and hardtop (C & K) bodies. The poster does happen to have one of the 1957 Silver Hawks that started as a six.

Good point, thanks. Except for looking up the Delco numbers, wrote that from memory without benefit of Stude documentation. OTOH, not sure I ever knew 57 Silver Hawks came as a K body. Sadly, never owned a Hawk -- and at this point, probably won't.

[studegary]

As Gary said, all '57 Silver Hawks were not Six Cylinder, only the 57G Models, in fact not very many.
Most were '57H President Models and had President 289 Engines with Delco Electrics.

As I stated; "(4K - 6 & 11K - V8)". I wouldn't call 4K or 4K out of 15K , "not very many".

[studegary]

Good point, thanks. Except for looking up the Delco numbers, wrote that from memory without benefit of Stude documentation. OTOH, not sure I ever knew 57 Silver Hawks came as a K body. Sadly, never owned a Hawk -- and at this point, probably won't.

There were 368 K body 1957 Silver Hawk hardtops.

[Skip Lackie]

There were 368 K body 1957 Silver Hawk hardtops.

I guess I'll stick to Stude trucks.