I recently acquired a Caterpillar D318 diesel electric set with only 569 hours on it. The serial number on the engine block is 3V5294 and the bill of material number is 8F2625. Would anyone know the approximate year of production?

The unit is in really good condition, the diesel starts immediately and runs smoothly, but the exciter generator has an issue. One of the field magnets is open circuit so, the exciter does not produce voltage to supply the main generator rotor. All other generator components check fine electrically with no shorts/open circuits where there shouldn't be. The other three exciter field magnets also test good. The exciter is 100 volts and 15 amps and the part number is on the plate 8F8919. From the D318 Diesel Electric Set parts book, the field coil is part number 9F165 and the pole piece as 6F2624. I believe my chances of finding a coil (NOS or used) is probably near zero if not zero so, Im asking this forum for options. I have asked several motor rewinders in the Houston, TX area and all say they don't work on these coils. Southern Rewinding Services in Tampa has been recommended, but I have yet to contact them. Would anyone know of a rewinder who would perform the work? I probably could carefully do it myself (create a winding form, order wire, Glyptal, fish paper, etc) with some guidance. 

Thank. you. Any help would be appreciated.

-Don.

first built 1947 3v5001

3V5294 is a 1950 model.

I know nothing of generators so no help on that. If this project does not go forward, please list it in for sale here and not just send it to scrap. I know of a 9u D6 that ran one of those generator engines for year. The owner did regret not changing governors around. But generally was very happy with the engine.

I wanted to follow up in my original post concerning my D318 exciter generator.

After calling and driving around the Houston area for several months, I finally found a small motor rewinder willing to take on the job of rewinding the field magnet. Many thanks to Cory at Electric Motors, Inc. who did the work. It took a while, but in all fairness, hurricane Beryl generated a lot of work for them in the subsequent weeks. My job was put on the back burner to take care of their regular customers, which I fully understand. Anyway, the exciter works fine and the generator set now produces stable power as it should. My only complaint was they painted the exciter blue. It was a good thing I had some Cat yellow spray paint.

I also ran across a small company selling brushes for old and discontinued DC motors: DC Motor Parts in Princeton WV. They have a web site, but you have to order by phone. When I asked about the brushes for the exciter, the comment was they don't get much call for Louis Allis brushes anymore, but they did have some. I bought 6 for $30 including shipping. They're identical to the originals.

Anyway, I thank everyone for the information provided above. Now I need to find a reasonably-priced 3 phase panel board...