| Author |
Message |
TheLadyBug
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2014
Posts: 639
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
 Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2015 9:44 pm Post subject: Question about distributors and generators/regulators for 54 |
 |
|
I've been looking and have my wires crossed. Some places I read I need a br3 distributor and others state a br8. What is correct for feb 54?
Also - I have a oct 58 thin slot generator. Is this possible? Or are my date codes fooling me?
If so - will the amperage be the same so as to use this generator with a round regulator? Or do I need to find an older generator? I was hoping to use the generator I have if it will work. If not... just spend more money, right? 
TIA
_________________
Charmaine
-------------
1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tasb
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6371
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:49 am Post subject: |
|
|
According to "Progressive Refinements" Prior to December 1953 the VE 4 BRS 383 was in use.
VJU 4 BR 2 December 1953- January 1954
VJU 4 BR 3 January 1954 - August 1954
VJU 4 BR 8 September 1954- July 1960
Thus 1954 was an interesting year for distributors as three different versions were used on the VW. What happened to VJU 4 BR 4 through 7? They are around but were used on makes other than VW.
As far as the generators go, the ratings are listed on the housings of both the generator and the regulator. You just need to match them up. Like the distributor the generator may have come from a different vehicle than a VW that retained the older style housing.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse
Last edited by tasb on Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:58 am; edited 2 times in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Trevor P
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2004
Posts: 863
Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
3foldfolly
Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2009
Posts: 894
Location: Edwardsville, Il
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheLadyBug
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2014
Posts: 639
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the replies - the vintage werks link was very informative.
The code on my generator is 10P, which leads me to believe it's Oct 58.
I am just hoping I can plop a 54 round regulator on it and have it work fine. If both amps are 160, it should work?
_________________
Charmaine
-------------
1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EverettB
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69809
Location: Phoenix Metro
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| TheLadyBug wrote: |
Thanks for the replies - the vintage werks link was very informative.
The code on my generator is 10P, which leads me to believe it's Oct 58.
I am just hoping I can plop a 54 round regulator on it and have it work fine. If both amps are 160, it should work? |
Yes, 10P = October, 1958
Unless I am remembering wrong, I didn't have any trouble using a later generator with a round regular on my old '55.
Yes, if the amps are the same there should not be an issue AFAIK.
_________________
How to Post Photos
Everett Barnes - [email protected] | My wanted ads
"Water is the only drink for a wise man" | "Communication prevents complaints"
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheLadyBug
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2014
Posts: 639
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have read this thread over and over and yes, this is why I was asking!  Someone had told me BR8 and the first photo says BR3. I wish we could pare that thread down to just photos of what is correct so I don't have to wade through millions of replies 
_________________
Charmaine
-------------
1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheLadyBug
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2014
Posts: 639
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| EverettB wrote: |
| TheLadyBug wrote: |
Thanks for the replies - the vintage werks link was very informative.
The code on my generator is 10P, which leads me to believe it's Oct 58.
I am just hoping I can plop a 54 round regulator on it and have it work fine. If both amps are 160, it should work? |
Yes, 10P = October, 1958
Unless I am remembering wrong, I didn't have any trouble using a later generator with a round regular on my old '55.
Yes, if the amps are the same there should not be an issue AFAIK. |
Thank you!
I will proceed and rebuild the generator I have then! Unless of course, a Feb 54 generator falls into my lap
Now to find this elusive round regulator. 
_________________
Charmaine
-------------
1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
tasb
The Distributor Distributor
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 6371
Location: Pentwater, Michigan
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 7:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
The round regulators are actually fairly common and so is the outrageous prices being asked for an untested unit. They don't even make good door stops!
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018
1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc
1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
txoval
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2004
Posts: 3552
Location: The Woodlands, TX
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 4:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Generator will be fine as Everett said.
I know you are looking to build a 100% correct 54, but the regulator prices are crazy to me. You can buy a new unit from NAPA for ~$60. I'd use it for driving...maybe buy a round one for shows?
Check out Glenn, Ed Fall, or Tasb for a distributor. I bought mine from Glenn |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TheLadyBug
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2014
Posts: 639
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 8:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks 
I've been talking to tasb about a distributor. Another item that's very high prices due to its rarity. I will pm the others to see what they have. Thank you for the info!
Yeah, even if I could find the regukatir housing for a reasonable price, I could hide a working one by the battery where no one would see it. But, crazy money for a regulator that I'll likely bypass anyway is bonkers.
Trevor already posted a link to Ed's site so that makes that easy 
_________________
Charmaine
-------------
1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
