1960 voltage regulators

OZ40

OZ40

Active Member
Hopefully this is the right place to post this. I'm thinking of replacing my old voltage regulators in my 2 1960 Buick Lesabre's. Question: One of my Buicks has the 401 4 bbl the other has the 364 2 bbl. I'm finding 2 voltage regulators online being the VR22 & VR24 what's the difference? Neither of my cars has a/c or power locks just ps & pb. The car with the 401 has a power convertible top though.....
 
1960 Buicks came with a standard 35 Amp generator no 1102181 or 1102302 along with a 35 Amp regulator. Cars with A/C or provisions for future A/C came with a 45 Amp heavy duty generator no 1102197 along with a 45 Amp regulator.

The Standard Motor Products VR22 35 Amp regulator corresponds to the standard 35 Amp Buick regulator part nos 1119168, 1119299, or 1119242.

The SMP VR24 45 Amp regulator corresponds to the heavy duty Buick regulator part no 1119617 or 1119601.

The trick is to determine the Amp rating of the generators. The only way to go wrong is to install a 45 Amp regulator for use with a 35 Amp generator. If the generator has been replaced we can probably look up the part no on it to determine rating.
 
Thanks Todd

Appreciate the info. I plan on removing the original generator and replacing it using a 1 or 3 wire alternator rated at around 100 amps. Any additional thoughts? This one is going to go on my '60 Lesabre flat roof 4 door non-post car w/364 2bbl As stated, non-a/c, no power locks or windows but I do have the suspension air bagged front and rear.
 
A regulator designed for use with a generator most likely will not be compatible with an alternator. The place to start building the new system and adding or deleting components will be the instruction sheet for the new alternator.

Uprating to a 100 Amp alternator will triple the available current output. Additional fusing or increased wire sizes will be needed to protect lines fed off the alternator.
 
Regulator

OZ40 said:
Appreciate the info. I plan on removing the original generator and replacing it using a 1 or 3 wire alternator rated at around 100 amps. Any additional thoughts? This one is going to go on my '60 Lesabre flat roof 4 door non-post car w/364 2bbl As stated, non-a/c, no power locks or windows but I do have the suspension air bagged front and rear.
Click to expand...

Use a 1 wire and NO regulator needed.



Ben
 
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