I would like to convert the old girl to direct start: what happens to the generator and when the pup is pulled is there an adapter plate or what all gets changed out?

The 17A is one of the tough ones to convert....problem being there is no bolt flange arrangement to attach the starter drive end housing to. Also there is no commercially available adapter drive end housing.
To achieve an installation you will have to fabricate an adapter plate to mount the starter to the bell housing....then take a standard #3 SAE nose and grind adapt it to clear the flywheel ring gear....the helical drive is readily available.

Generators can be reworked to 24V and there are adapters to run 24V alternators.

If you get a starter in and need the gen I have one thats been conveted to 24 volts it is off a 14a D8 should be the same. Razz .

Old magnet ,

I have a 17 A that I will be restoring this winter. it came coverted to direct start, but It does not have any alternator or generator . in fact someone just made a piece of plywood to close up the generator hole.
My question which way to go Genrator or altenator. it will need to be 24 v

Ali In alabma

Generators should be available used to fit the hole, pretty simple system with the external regulator, no ignition switch even needed, but could be harder to get repaired as time goes by.

Alternator would be a conversion to fit, available as a sort of specialty item with the price to fit that category, but compared to a new generator from CAT, an alternator kit might be cheaper.

an alternator needs an ignition switch for best results though this could be an oil pressure operated switch. Usually won't get good results from a "one wire" hookup, but the whole wiring setup isn't bad. Alternators tend to charge better than a generator when they're turned fast enough, they ought to be about the same output at the speed of a CAT diesel. Most of the kits use a modern alternator like the Delco 10SI which will be repairable for many many years to come and is common as dirt.

Hi Ali,
Haven't heard from you in a long time....had visions of you welding on that fuel tank.....glad your ok:)

You have several options.....you can use one of the specialty alternator conversions if you have the gear increaser drive head that was used on the original 6V generators.

You can get a later single belt drive generator off a a late 47/48A unit that is 24V ready to go. May take some fiddling with mounting brackets.
(Seem to recall someone offering one for sale on another 17A conversion post.)

You can mount the alternator of your choice as you already have the belt drive.

I tend to prefer the alternators but they just aren't as reliable as the generators.....mainly because they are being built with junk imported parts.

In this case, you can't beat a generator already to go and that would be my choice for this application