'49 B Generator color

JD49B

Member
I've been trying to unravel what color was the generator when my '49 B was built. I realize this is a nit in the overall scheme of things, and the tractor will look and run just fine whatever color the generator is, I just want to know!!

Does anyone have any good hard evidence on the subject, like an old original color picture of a new built B?

So far, looking at what's left of the original paint on the tractor, it looks to me like the generator and starter were probably painted a semi-gloss black by Delco before they were delivered to John Deere. The starter definitely had original green overspray on the nose near the flywheel, indicating it was installed before they painted the tractor. Both the generator and starter had black paint under the Delco ident plates. Due to several re-paints, it's a bit hard to tell on the generator, but there was definitely some green original factory paint wicked between the generator pulley and the shaft, indicating that both the pulley and the generator were probably installed when the whole tractor was painted green. Also, assuming that the factory intent was to do as little work and masking as possible, it seems reasonable that the generator was installed. To install it after paint would have complicated things such as the pulley, spacer, nut, lock washer, mounting hardware and grounding.
 
Randy is right. The generators were installed "as received" from Delco after the tractor was painted and the Deere pulley was installed as a painted part (green). That is assuming it is the original, larger cast pulley. The replacement generator has a smaller, steel pulley and was unpainted. This setup is a service part and not original, although it likely would be fully acceptable being it is a factory replacement part. Mike
 
Was the gen installed after paint, or installed but masked? If installed after, what was finish on mounting hardware, pulley nut/washer?
 
I don't know if this helps, but here's a shot of the generator from a '46 B. A few years have gone by since it was built, but the colors are original - black generator and green pulley.
a233174.jpg
 
And while I have photos out, here's a shot of the generator mounting bracket. The part of it that is covered up by the generator is green, so they must have painted it before installing the generator, like Mike said.
a233175.jpg
 

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