Brush gobbler

[Ryan Wright]

Hey folks,

This job is done. My generator is running again. Granted I only ran it
for a couple of minutes to test things, but it's all looking good. God
willing it will be good for the next 1800 hours of operation.

Sometime in the next few days I'll have a how-to, complete with
pictures, on my web site. I'll post a link here when it's done.

Not really a bad job. Certainly the most difficult job I've performed
on my coach, but nowhere near the most difficult automotive job I've
done. The average back yard mechanic could do this in a weekend easy.
I'm just an average, mostly self taught guy. I think I spent ~10 hours
or so in total under the coach.

Huge thanks to Ralph Fullenwider, without his advice early on I would
not have attempted this, and without his advice in the middle of it I
might have given up. The tricks I learned from him will be detailed in
my write-up for all to see and enjoy.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92


On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 11:31 AM, Ryan Wright wrote:
> Nah - I don't think I need the metal strap thing they sent me. It's
> definitely not the metal shim. I'm going to send it back. I asked why
> they sent it and the parts guy didn't really know, other than it said
> "ring" in the description and he thought it might be related to the
> slip rings.
>
> You saw Ralph's message off-list with the right part number. Per
> Kohler, the correct part number of 238134 has been replaced by 359447.
> You can't get the 238134 anymore. My distributer said that my spec
> number referenced 238134, but looking that up pointed him to the
> supposedly new/improved part 359447. Of course, the parts are entirely
> different in the way they mate to the drive shaft. He's going to call
> Kohler and find out what the deal is. I'm going to do the same.
>
> On the brush/spring tension, it's certainly possible. Per Ralph's
> advice I'm going to triple check the grounds as well, but I'm
> replacing the springs. I already bought new brushes, springs, brush
> holder (why not, it was only twenty bucks), bearing, etc. I figure if
> I'm in there, might as well replace it all. These little parts are
> dirt cheap. I've got a whopping hundred bucks into this repair
> including spare brushes & springs to keep on board.
>
> -Ryan
>
> On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 6:12 AM, thomas_sorrentino
> wrote:
>> Ryan,
>> From what I can see of my slip ring it looks worn just like yours. I
>> read somewhere that low/no brush spring tension causes that. My spec
>> number is 135013, three after yours. Please let me know the correct
>> part number for your slip ring. I'm thinking about buying one to
>> have on hand, so I'll have two to choose from and be able to finish
>> the job. Then send the one I don't use back.
>> The other part they sent you "thin metal strap". I'm not sure if
>> it's the same thing, but when I installed new brushes, there was a
>> metal shim on the brush holder mount. I assume to adjust the brushes
>> to line up with the slip rings. Thanks again for your help.
>>
>> Tom Sorrentino
>> 1987 PT38
>> Bedford Hills, NY
>>
>