VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Generator for 1938 Chevy

Does anyone know if there is a difference between a 1938 Passenger car generator (I think it used a Delco Remy 1100004) and a generator for a 1.5 ton truck 216 engine in 1938?

The 1929-1950 Master Parts Catalog (page 84) says the 1929-1939 new generator assembly has a part number of 1100502 and was used for all models in that time frame.

Thanks for the reply, but I know the 1100004 was the origianl generator and 1100502 was a later number they used to cover many applications. However I think what you are saying is that the truck and passagenger car used the same one, regardless of the number?

The 1938-39 passenger car generator is different from the truck generator.The truck used the old 1937 car generator that did not use a voltage control.Later there was a Delco Universal generator sold that covered all applications from 1929-39.Its use required different third brush settings and grounding of fields and should not be confused with any of the many generators used from 1929-39.The proper 1938-39 car generator is a 1100004.The universal was a 1100460, later changed to 1100502 in new and 1100503 in rebuilt.These universals are basicly a 1939 unit that can be adapted to all applications but not the same as the original 1100004 unit.Among other thins its third brush must be adjusted differently for the various applications and a pully with a fan must be used for the higher settings.

Gene,
Thanks for an excellent clarification of differences. This helps me a lot. I am looking for the 1100004 Generator. ]
Mike

I learned something too. It appears that Master Catalog is only one tool that needs to be consulted for parts info and likely needs some cross checking effort. Thanks ChevGene. Sorry if confusion was added.

Yes, I have found, repeatedly, that the Master Parts Catalogue is set up to make parts that work together find an application but do not necessarily reflect the original numbers as it was "back then". These part catalogues usually are edited and reprinted many years after the facts and make a very honorable effort to show interchangeable parts that can work in multiple applications, as many as possible to sell off all the old stock as much as possible. In providing this honorable and practical service, they necessarily loose the "original numbers". A very good resourse, but one that must be used with caution and double checked.

I need a generator for my 1937 Master deluxe. The original model is 948 R.

I bought one on e bay a week ago and today I was told that the seller died! Now what?

Delivery was never made.

Submit a claim with ebay. You'll get your money back.

We are negotiating with his heirs to still buy the generator. I'd rather have that than the $65.00.
I realize they are in mourning, so gotta cut them some slack.

Don't wait too long. I think it's 90 days after which ebay won't help.

We heard from an heir, he will look for it and send it.

I hope it's not the same one that Mark just bought!

I'm sure glad we have some folks that can sort out the original equipment items from the compatable replacement parts. I just bought a used 1100004 generator for my 38 coupe. I also have an NOS 1871826 armature and a set of NOS field coils to use to rebuild. Other than the brushes, armature bushing and pulley end bearing what other parts would be good to replace during the restoration of this generator? Should the brush springs be replaced also? Is the fan type pulley on the 1100004 the same for all original applications for this generator and are all the case, pulley and band all painted the same semi gloss black? Thanks for replies.

should I post this in the elecrical forum instead?

I lucked out on my generator problem. My generator expert said he can't get to it for another week, so I thought, what the hey, I'll have a go at it. In stalled new brushes, took the screech out of it, motorized it and it was turning the wrong way, so I reversed the brushes and now it charges like my ex wife at Bloomingdale's.
Plus we got a refund on the one that was never delivered.

That is good news. I haven't heard of reversing the brushes, just polarizing it for the correct polarity.

I looked all through my shop manual but no mention of polarizing the thing.

The '38 shop manual tells about doing polarizing on page 247 in the paragraph beginning "NOTE-" (they don't use the word "polarizing"). Better, more detailed instructions are in the July 1938 Chev Service News on page 42, (found on the tocmp website).

Finally, I got that new generator in the mail yesterday. It motors so it has to generate.

I only mentioned polarizing because if it is incorrect, it will motor but the regulator will not pick up and it will not charge the battery.

I wonder why my shop manual doesn't mention polarizing?

Probably because the 1938 doesn't have a voltage regulator.

A generator can motor but still not charge.

You always polarize a generator each time it is removed and reinstalled on the car. Even with only a cutout the generator needs to be polarized.