Original ammeter

[CompClassics]

Sorry I had a brain fart, the gauge is actually a Lucas unit (brought to my attention by Dan C), I have sitting here at the shop on an early Cobra I am restoring...

[xb-60]

Hey, we all get brain farts (don't we?).
I did see the similar 20 amp gauge on EBay yesterday. I also saw a 30 amp gauge for GBP 429
It's like most rare things we chase for our cars, they will eventually come up within range of our acceptable price.

Cheers,
Glen

[rsk289]

Well, if there are no components drawing more than 30A, it doesn't have to be able to handle anything over 30A. Unless there is a huge stereo system, extra lights everywhere etc. the only thing that might draw high current is the cooling fan. A generator/alternator won't produce 30A unless a component is asking for it.
Having said that, I had my 30A BM4 ammeter upgraded by Speedycables internally to handle 50A just in case, as I have a pretty big aftermarket electric fan to try to keep the thing cool in traffic. There's no way of knowing visually that the ammeter has been uprated - it just doesn't deflect quite as far as it used to. Frankly I think they're only useful for showing charge/discharge.

[xb-60]

Roger, my ideal plan (haha) would see the fitment of a Lucas generator, so not thinking of big current draw. I have a big lump of cast iron (a very early Mustang gennie bracket) stowed somewhere in my garage. A lot of other things need to slot in place first though....and I'm getting off-topic a little.....

Cheers,
Glen

[rsk289]

I think the Lucas generator used a fabricated steel bracket, which Gerry at Hawk Cars is now remanufacturing.
I have a couple of Sunbeam Tiger 260/289 generator brackets, which are the big heavy cast iron variety - but these were for the Autolite generator, which I also have one of if anyone's interested.
My 289 has a Lucas generator (Dynator) with the fabricated steel brackets and a tacho drive off the rear.

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by rsk289

I think the Lucas generator used a fabricated steel bracket,

More specifically, CSX2xxx Cobras fitted with any of the versions of 260 c.i.d. engines received Lucas® tachometer drive generators with large diameter cast aluminum sheave and fan combinations mounted on fabricated steel mounting brackets. (These comments don’t cover COB or COX prefix chassis.)

During December 1962, see Bob Mannel’s book, Ford started production of the High Performance 289 engine. Initial production must have been real slow because I have seen very few parts dated in that time frame. At the introduction of the HP289 engine Ford generators and Ford mounting and adjustment parts replaced what AC Cars had been supplying as far as CSX20xx cars were concerned when engine supplies met up with chassis in need of engines. HP289 engine production got faster circa February 1963 and relatively large numbers of HP289 specific pieces dated March 1963 are circulating.

One cannot rely on chassis numbers alone because chassis were not finished in order. The type or vintage of engine a chassis received depended on what was available at the time somebody got to the point of installing an engine.

Summary Of CSX2xxx Street Cars With British Electrical Systems :
Early cars with XHP-260, HP260, or Fairlane 260 2-V (CSX2006) engines: Expect Lucas tachometer drive generator, large cast aluminum sheave/fan, and fabricated steel generator mounting system supplied by AC cars.

CSX20xx through CSX2200 except CSX2126: Expect some version of Ford Fairlane HP289 (Ford made several design level changes of parts or whole assemblies more than once per model year.) engine with Ford charging system components; HP289 generator assembly with large diameter sheave (not the high performance FE engine style sheave), Ford cast steel mounting bracket, and Ford wrought steel adjustment arm.

[rsk289]

Dan, as far as I can tell from my access to COB/COX cars, they continued with the Lucas generator and fabricated bracket, at least up to around December '64.

Roger