Lasalle head project

[Rich Iannelli]

Decided to tackle a few issues with my '37 Lasalle Coupe. The divers side head was cracked.
My engine would cruise at 190 degrees while on the highway. Once back on side roads the temperature would reach 230 degrees. Then the vapor lock problem would occur.
      I removed the water pump and the center head bolts on the passenger side and flushed out the debris. It took me 2 weeks of using PB  blaster to remove the head bolts. 
Then removed the driver side head and cleaned out the water jackets with my pressure washer. Reassembled using the head and a copy of the head bolt sequence given to my by Harry Scott.
She fired back up and ran smooth.
I purschased a new stainless steel outlet pipe and wouldn't you know, it started to leak where the tube meets the flange. Tomorrow I'll put back the rusty outlet pipe that doesn't leak.
After all my efforts I still don't know if she will overheat.
I'll post an update after I get back from a short vacation.

Rich Iannelli

[jackworstell]

Is that a "Becker" set up you are using for the alternator ?

Jack Worstell

[Rich Iannelli]

Yes Jack. It works well. Before this setup, I converted the original generator to 12 volts. That worked fine but I wanted to make room for a duel carb setup.
Rich

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

That's my luck. Do a big project and add in 1 more thing like your outlet pipe and it leaks.
Nice job. Sounds like you took plenty of time to do it right.
Jeff

[Bobby B]

Rich,
Hi. I would be pissed off at the person who sold those to you. That is a lot of wasted labor. Did you at least call them to let them know what happened? Poor TIG welding techniques....
  Just out of curiosity, why so much Silicone/RTV around your head bolts? 
                                                                                           Bobby

[jackworstell]

Rich....we would like to install a "Becker" alternator set-up in our 1937 Cadillac series 60 .   The Becker adapter plate is not a problem to make...Steve Passmore sent me a sketch with dimensions.

But finding out which alternator Mr Becker used with his a adapter so far is a mystery.     It has to be small physically and it has to have enough "meat" in the front cover so it can be machined down so as to mate with the adapter plate. I have tried for several months off and on to ID the alternator but without any luck

So two questions
......................I guess your 1937 LaSalle is running 12 volts now ?
......................Would you know which alternator ( make, part number etc ) Mr Becker used with his adapter plate ?

We have a spare CS 121 alternator...it won't work with the Becker adapter....but we are pretty sure we can make brackets so it can be mounted on the front plate of the engine.......however.....the Becker set-up would be much neater.....and we would rather go this route if we can figure out the identity of "Becker" alternator

Thanks Jack

[Steve Passmore]

Jack, If there was a part number on Beckers setup I would certainly have told you by now.  I have fitted about 6 and I have never found any identification on any of them.

Have you looked into this one which is described as Delcos smallest? These and the 121 are not available here so I can't help.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Powermaster/Powermaster-GM-CS121-Style-Alternator/1534948/10002/-1

[jackworstell]

Steve.......yes I recall your telling me that your Becker alternators have no ID on them.    But I was hoping that....for whatever reason .....there was ID on Rich's  Becker alternator.

Yes I know about the CS 121 alternator.    In the two photos ( one from you one and one  from Rich ) I have of Becker installations....the alternator in these photos sure look like CS 121 units.  I bought a CS 121 from a junk yard and I have the adapter sketch you sent me and also a spare 346 front cover.   But so far I haven't figured out how to machine a CS 121 and make it work with the adapter plate and the 346 front cover.     I will be going out to see my buddy tomorrow (he has a machine shop )   and maybe I'm missing something that he will spot.

Jack

[59-in-pieces]

Guys,
Pardon my IGNORANCE, but what is a "Becker" alternator.
From what I gather - which is likely wrong - this is a "wolf in sheep's clothing" exercise.
Looks like a 6 volt generator, but is a 12 volt alternator??
Any pics.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[Steve Passmore]

These were very small alternators 6 or 12 volt with a custom bracket as a 'bolt on' for the flatheads Steve.    Made by 'Becker Electrics' some years ago.   Mr Becker sadly died and left no information on their construction.   His sons tried to find this information to continue production but then there was a big split in the family and that was the end of that.

Look at Rich's top picture.

[59-in-pieces]

Thanks, Steve.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[Steve Passmore]

5th picture. Sorry.

[35-709]

It would seem to me that any good, experienced auto electric shop could tell someone what brand and model the "Becker" alternator is, if not on sight, then certainly by some quick disassembly and inspection.  But, on the other hand, I also have to assume that someone has already thought of this --- just doesn't seem reasonable to me that an internal inspection would not quickly indicate the make and probably the model to an expert.

[Steve Passmore]

It would seem to me that any good, experienced auto electric shop could tell someone what brand and model the "Becker" alternator is, if not on sight, then certainly by some quick disassembly and inspection.  But, on the other hand, I also have to assume that someone has already thought of this --- just doesn't seem reasonable to me that an internal inspection would not quickly indicate the make and probably the model to an expert.

You're probably right. Beckers sons contacted me and wanted me to send one back so they could identify it's construction for manufacture. Sadly at that time there was no offer of covering my expenses to get it shipped to the US or any guarantee I would ever see it again and as it turned out the family split proved my cautious approach wise. I would never have seen it again.
I would gladly take one anywhere for identification but as it's not a model ever available here and counter staff are school graduates I can't help much. Perhaps Rich can?

[Rich Iannelli]

Hi guys,
When I get back from my vacation, I will check out the alternator in my car. If there is a number I will post it. 
And about that silicone on my head bolts. I put a small amount under the bolt for that coolant that made it past the threads. Still need to clean them up.
Thanks,

Rich

[59-in-pieces]

Steve,
No worries.
I just figured it was a UK metric counting thing.
I was lucky to have figured it out - here in the colonies.
Have fun,
Steve B.

[Steve Passmore]

Following on from this thread. I removed a Becker alternator this week from one of my cars, dismantled it and took it to our local Auto Electrical shop which has been in business for over 40 years.       Spent nearly an hour there while the very helpful guy behind the counter went through every book and web site not to mention taking it around to all the old mechanics working there and could not find any information on what number it originally had. He confirmed the number would have been removed during the machining of the front housing for the Becker front bracket.
As for recognizing the internals, they are all generic and all available luckily so these things can always be rebuilt.
When all that was exhausted we started discussing any other 'Mini' alternators of the type they use for racing so he invited me into his stores to peruse the 1000s on his shelves.
I was studying some of these smaller ones when from a dusty bottom shelf he said "here's a small one" and pulled out this Alternator which I'm sure is the type Becker used.  Hooray! I thought my search was over only to crash down to earth again when even after all the checks he did with the part number nothing came up.        It was one that they had rebuilt many years ago and not in a box and they had no idea what it came off.
We studied every book he had and couldn't find any reference to the number or any other that looked like it in his 'Alternator Encylopedia' books.    It has very long bracket 'ears' prior to the machining. He even had to guess a price for me as he had nothing in his data base.

I will be returning later today to collect it and will post pictures and the part number to see if anyone your side of the pond can identify its application.