Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I have a friend who has a 1902 Oldsmobile replica car whom I am helping to get going again. It is (I think) 3/4 scale, made of wood and is (was) powered by a 6 HP Craftsman small engine. The exhaust valve is burnt and we decided to just install a new engine instead of dinking with it. The car has an electric start- the details of which and questions are further down.
We were thinking of just installing a self- contained new small engine in the HP range complete with alternator and starter. The problem with this option is that we are limited in the choices of self contained engines and the ones looked at do not physically fit in the allotted space. We are thinking of going back to the original setup of which engine choices are practically endless.
Here’s the crook that I hope someone can assist: The existing starter and charger are one in the same. It is an old Delco generator (motor) that acts as a starter then when running it acts as the generator. When starting, the full current goes through a floor pedal starting switch (similar to the old headlight dimmer switches of older cars) to the generator to turn it over. Once started, somehow the current then reverses to come from the generator (starter) to maintain the battery. The part that is confusing is that the “battery to starter” circuit goes through the starter switch as described, and then the “generator to battery” circuit must deliver current back to the battery but not through the starting switch circuit. It as if there are 2 “systems” but only one (sort of) circuit? HMmmm?
Is any one out there familiar with this type of setup that I might be able top communicate further as to the proper wiring of this deal? The vehicle has been sitting in a garage for the past 25 or so years and there was not much left of the wiring system to document. The car will be delivered to my garage this weekend and I will be able to provide more info at that time.
We were thinking of just installing a self- contained new small engine in the HP range complete with alternator and starter. The problem with this option is that we are limited in the choices of self contained engines and the ones looked at do not physically fit in the allotted space. We are thinking of going back to the original setup of which engine choices are practically endless.
Here’s the crook that I hope someone can assist: The existing starter and charger are one in the same. It is an old Delco generator (motor) that acts as a starter then when running it acts as the generator. When starting, the full current goes through a floor pedal starting switch (similar to the old headlight dimmer switches of older cars) to the generator to turn it over. Once started, somehow the current then reverses to come from the generator (starter) to maintain the battery. The part that is confusing is that the “battery to starter” circuit goes through the starter switch as described, and then the “generator to battery” circuit must deliver current back to the battery but not through the starting switch circuit. It as if there are 2 “systems” but only one (sort of) circuit? HMmmm?
Is any one out there familiar with this type of setup that I might be able top communicate further as to the proper wiring of this deal? The vehicle has been sitting in a garage for the past 25 or so years and there was not much left of the wiring system to document. The car will be delivered to my garage this weekend and I will be able to provide more info at that time.
