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.
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.