While I was waiting for someone to respond to my post about filling the master on my 55 Special, I attempted to get it running for more then 30 seconds. I hooked up an electric fuel pump to the carb and to a bucket of fresh gas, then ran a hose from the feed from the old pump to a gallon jug that way it could empty the tank while it ran. I noticed though it seems like the starter is trying to go back on while the engine is running. While I'm running the car I hear the sound like when you try to start an already running car. Also I noticed some smoke coming out of the front of my generator by the pully. On the dash the gauge for the gen goes up to the middle then drops then goes back up again and almost pulses, and it almost seems like the starter comes on everytime the gen drops voltage. What would cause that? I tried disconnecting the starter switch at the back of the carb once it was running but that didnt seem to help either. What could it be?

I cleaned my battery terminals, all the connections at the generator, the contacts inside the regulator and the ground that meets the block, after that the generator to stopped smoking, and the starter stopped engaging while it was running. However is it normal for the battery gauge to read slightly below the middle at idle and then shoot upward when you rev the car?

A generator system will normally show a discharge at an idle and pick up to charge when the engine is revved. The more stuff you have running, the more discharge the gauge will indicate. That's why everybody went to alternators.

I am very new to 50s cars, I've only had 60's and 70's muscle cars before, is there anyway to upgrade the generator like u can an alternator? Also does any one repro the brackets to mount an alternator?

You it may have had a bad contact in your regulator,seems it cleared itself.

I am very new to 50s cars, I've only had 60's and 70's muscle cars before, is there anyway to upgrade the generator like u can an alternator? Also does any one repro the brackets to mount an alternator?

Nobody makes a bracket but it's a common conversion.

A few articles about changing over:

http://www.teambuick.com/forums/showpost.php?p=57161&postcount=2

Hello.Is your 55 like the same 54.To crank engine get gaspedal down?
If the starter still runs when engine runs you must have elektrical
problems,wiring problems or generator failure.Measure the volts on
starter solenoid is it high when engine runs the plunger get the
solenoid to move whit sound in flywheel,starter.I hope you can
understand my spelling.I have take away the starter whit pedal
on my 54.Key to ign,dynaflow in park,a button to start up whit.

Stubbe in Sweden:shifter:

Thank you everyone who has tried to help, I got it all working now like it was intended to by GM. I figured I'd post all the info I have that way the next guy will have some info.

I finally got my shop manual today, and it actually covers this whole scenario that I was just lucky enough to fix. Apparently if you are having problems with the starter engaging after the car is started you need to do a couple things.

1.) Clean your battery terminals
2.) Clean all connections at the generator, also take the Generator off and clean where it meets the brackets and where the brackets meet the block. The generator actually gets its ground from them.
3.) Check your regulator out, it way not be functioning because of wear, or corrosion like mine was.
4.) Your last option is to remove the carburetor and disassemble and clean the switch. Once you remove the black switch theres a spring, some contacts, and a stainless steel check ball make sure all of them are clean and move freely, there is also a vaccum port built into that base that moves the check ball to deactivate the starter once the car is running, that port can get carbon built up and prevent the ball from moving.

Apparently due to its design if things arent working 100% right the generator can actually feed back and power the starter by itsself, driving you or me crazy haha. I just did all this and my starting system works pretty good, still cranking a little slow though. Next up Im changing all my battery wires to 4 gauge.