Well folks, its New Years Eve and I am finally clean after washing sixty plus years of dust and grease from the 'new' Farmall M. I really like this tractor, it runs like a clock. I think it must be fully imported because it has:
1). Pressed metal sump.
2). Farmall badge on the grill in place of the IH emblem (as per Farmall M in the U.S.A.)
3). Delco-Remy generator, starter motor.
4). U.S.A. specification instrument panel with IH ammeter and Delco-Remy headlamp switch.
The Delco gear all needs overhauling, but this is Australia and old equipment here is nearly all Lucas or Rotax.
I like the originality of the Delco equipment on the tractor, but I know what I am doing with Lucas. Moreover, despite the scorn many people pour on Lucas equipment, C39 and C40 generators very rarely break down. So, do I rebuild the Delco gear or change it over to match my other Farmall M, which is completely Lucas?
Either way I have to spend money, so I need advice. How good is Delco-Remy equipment? Do the generators and regulators work well and last well? I don't need a brilliant and powerful system, but the starter motor needs to work so that when the family are all working, our wives don't have to crank-start tractors; it makes them far less willing to drive!
SadFarmall

I might be completely wrong but I beleive theres still a lot of orginial Delco starters and generators still in service here in usa

jimmy

Delco-Remy gens and starters are quality equipment. They are also relatively easy to repair/rebuild.

Open her up, have it checked on a growler as well for shorts. If it checks out OK, then have the the armature turned. replace bushings and brushes. If you run into issues findinf brushes and bushings, let me know.

It is pretty much that simple.

My old 1950 Delco 6v starter on my Farmall 'H' has been left out in the rain for decades, run and abused, cranked til the battery won't, switched over to 12 volts, and she still spins like a top. Every 10 or 15 years I have the alternator man look at it. Never a problem.

They are robust. The parts are easily available as
well. Shipping from the US for small parts is not
prohibitive. We have a US postal flat rate package
that ships if it fits. I shipped a 40 pound package
for 10$US on Friday. If it were mine and in the US
as a Australian tractor with Lucas, I would keep it
original. Best of luck.
Farmall Wiring Provided by Bob M a frequent and reliable source.

Thanks everyone. You have convinced me to stay with the Delco-Remy equipment. It was a bit of a surprise to see it on the tractor, especially with the standard Lucas headlamps used here. Everything looks pretty much intact, just covered in years of filth and wasp nests. Everywhere under the hood was full of mudwasp nests; damned hard to clean out. I'll note where all the wires go, take the generator and regulator off, give 'em a clean and see what happens. It's a new electrical adventure for me, but your advice will no doubt see me through and have the original gear charging a new 6 volt battery perfectly.
SadFarmall