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Delco-Remy in World War Two
World War Two Products and Product Applications
Components for Military Trucks and Tractors

This page updated 12-24-2020.

Delco-Remy Truck Equipment in World War Two:  Forty-four models of generators, 21 models of regulators, 36 models of starting motors, 31 models of ignition distributors, 10 models of ignition coils, 3 models of storage batteries, and 65 starting, lighting, and ignition switches for Chevrolet and GMC trucks.  This amounted to 831,546 vehicles.

The Airborne Extra-Light 1/4-Ton Jeep Program:  This 1942-43 program was initiated during World War Two to develop a lighter version of the standard 1/4-ton jeep which could be parachuted into a combat zone.  Six companies developed samples for U.S. Army testing.  The Chevrolet entry had a Delco-Remy experimental electrical component installed on an Indian motorcycle engine.  The component appears to be an alternator. 

Author's photo added 5-11-2020.

Author's photo added 5-11-2020.

The Delco-Remy engineering sample sets in the center of the engine bay.  Author's photo added 5-11-2020.


A closer look shows this to be a rotating device with a pulley and fan similar to the Delco-Remy alternators introduced 19 years later in 1962.  The three output wires go to the voltage regulator on the fire wall, as shown in the photo above.  It appears that Delco-Remy did initial work on experimental alternators during World War Two.  Author's photo added 5-11-2020.

An alternator was a lighter weight option than a DC generator for the extra-light jeep program.  However, the unit produces an alternating current which needs to be rectified into direct current for use in the vehicle.  Bell Labs did not invent the transistor nor semiconductor diode until 1948.  It took the intervening years to develop the technology and manufacturing capability to furnish the six diodes each alternator would need.

If this is actually an alternator to reduce weight in the extra-light jeep, the rectifying circuit would have been vacuum tubes.  There are three wires running from the output the alternator to what looks like the voltage regulator.  This would imply that the three-phase current is being directly output to the regulator.  There does not appear to be any electrical box for six vacuum tube rectifiers.  Vacuum tubes to rectify the AC would have taken up a lot of space, added weight, and generated heat.  There is still a mystery to this unit.

Author's photo added 5-11-2020.

Chevrolet:  Chevrolet built 281,570 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1-1/2 ton trucks in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.  Among these were trucks that bored holes for telephone poles. Others were ambulances, pickups, fire and crash trucks, cargo, and dump trucks, to name a few of their many uses.  Different trucks with different applications would have had different electrical requirements.

As early as 1940, Delco-Remy was providing electrical components to Chevrolet military trucks.  This is Chevrolet 1-1/2-ton dump truck.  Author's photo added 5-11-2020.

This is a 1941 Chevrolet 1-1/2-ton military cargo truck with Delco-Remy components.  Author's photo added 5-11-2020.

This 4x4 Chevrolet hole borer was one of the more popular applications of the Chevy truck during World War Two.  Author's photo.

One application for the Chevy 1-1/2 ton 4x4 truck was this bomb truck.   Author's photo.

Several of the D-R switches are on the instrument panel.  The starter and headlight dimmer switches were mounted on the floor.  Delco-Remy also supplied the battery, generator, regulator, starter, ignition coil, and distributor.   Author's photo.

Chevrolet also built military crash trucks like this one.  Author's photo. 

The horn is no doubt the famous Delco-Remy Klaxon.  Author's photo added 5-11-2020.

The  Chevy trucks had Delco-Remy voltage regulators mounted on the fire wall in front of the driver.   Author's photo.

GMC:  GMC and Chevrolet manufactured 528,829 GMC 6X4 and 6X6 2-1/2 ton military trucks in various configurations.  All of these would have had Delco-Remy electrical components.

 One of the more rare models of GMC World War Two 2-1/2 ton 6x6 trucks with D-R electrical components is this AFKWX cab over engine with an extended cargo bed.  This design allowed for a longer cargo bed for high volume loads.  Author's photo.


 GMC 2-1/2-ton 6x6 fuel and oil trucks were used at air-fields around the world during World War Two.  Author's photo.


Another Delco-Remy 6 volt regulator is inside the engine bay of the GMC.  This is model number 5628 and serial number 56554.  Author's photo.

This type cargo version of the GMC was the most prevalent.  Author's photo.

GMC and Chevrolet built 21,147 GMC-designed DUKW amphibious trucks, like the one seen here.  Due to the fact that the DUKW worked in a marine environment, Delco-Remy supplied electrical equipment that was resistant to salt-water corrosion.   Author's photo.

International Harvester, Marmon-Herrington, and Kenworth:

This is an International H-542-9, 5-ton 4x2 tractor owned by the Navistar Corporation and stored at its Melrose Park, IL plant.  The military designation for the H-542-9 was the M425.  International built 4,640 in 1944 and 1945.  International also built 6,678 H-542-15 with military designation M426.  They were nearly identical, except for larger tires and a heavier duty suspension on M426 which allowed it to pull larger loads.  Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

Marmon-Herrington in Indianapolis, IN and Kenworth in Seattle, WA also produced the M426.

Delco-Remy supplied the electrical equipment for the 15,618 5-ton 4x2 tractors.  The original 40-amp generator was 1105864 which was later replaced by 1105871.   Part numbers for the remaining components is unknown.

The Truck, 20-Ton, 6x4, Diesel was a Federal Truck Company of Detroit, MI design, which was also built by The Reo Motor Car Company in nearby Lansing, MI.  The trucks were designed and built to pull semi-trailers with heavy loads, including tanks.  The one shown above is a Federal-built unit because it has a winch.  Reo only built the non-winch version.  Both types were powered by a Cummins HB600 engine.  Delco-Remy shipped the cranking motors and DC generators to Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, IN.  D-R also shipped switches to Federal Truck in Detroit and the Reo Motor Car Company in Lansing, MI.

Delco-Remy supplied the sixteen OEM electrical components for 2,143 20-Ton, 6x4 Diesel trucks form 1942 to 1944.

For more information on this topic, go to:  Delco-Remy Electrical Components for the Reo and Federal Truck, 20-Ton, 6x4

Studebaker and Reo:

Delco-Remy supplied head light dimmer switches for 194,535 Studebaker US6 2-1/2-ton 6x6 and 6x4 trucks.  Originally, Delco-Remy furnished part number 1997008.  This was superseded by part number 1997014 which was water proof.  Delco-Remy supplied 22,204 1997014s to Reo for the US6 trucks it built.  Author's photo added 12-1-2020. 

This page from the "Ordnance Supply Catalog, Truck, 2-1/2-ton, 6x6 (Studebaker and Reo) and Truck, 2-1/2-ton, 6x4 (Studebaker)" shows Delco-Remy part numbers 1997008 and 1997014.  It also shows the Delco-Remy nut 1902692 to fasten the switches to the floorboard of the trucks.  These were the only parts Delco-Remy supplied for this vehicle.  Image added 12-1-2020.

General Motors of Canada:
 

General Motors of Canada built 201,000 Canadian Military Pattern (CMP) trucks during World War Two.  The Canadian military required both General Motors and Ford to build the same basic vehicle for standardization.  The CMP trucks were based on a British 15-cwt vehicle.  The GM of Canada versions were Chevrolets, as denoted by the bowtie on the grill.  The GM of Canada CMPs vehicles were powered by Chevrolet 85 hp engines.   Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

 The CMP trucks were right hand drive.  This one has a transport body on it.  Author's photo added 12-1-2020.


 The trucks came with various bodies for different tasks.  This one has a radio body on it.  Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

Sterling Motor Truck Company:  Sterling was a small heavy-duty truck manufacturer located in Milwaukee, WI. 

The Sterling Motor Truck Company of Milwaukee, WI built 50 DD115 4x4 tractors for the U.S. Navy in World War Two.  The DD115 was powered by a Waukesha 6SRKR six cylinder engine with a Delco-Remy electrical system.  The part numbers were: cranking motor - 412, DC generator - 934D, voltage regulator - 1118210, distributor - 640C, ignition coil - 1115079.  Image courtesy of Warren Richardson added 12-24-2020.

Federal Type Model 605 F-1 Aviation Fuel Tractors:  Two hundred of these were built for the USAAF.

Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-24-2020.

While the engine ignition system was Delco-Remy, the 12 volt battery was manufactured by Exide.  Other heavy duty trucks had Willard batteries.  Delco-Remy batteries did not have much or any penetration into the heavy duty truck market during World War Two.  It may have been running at capacity to supply all of the Chevrolet and GMC trucks during the war.  The Muncie battery plant was also producing aircraft batteries and supercharger blowers for the war effort.  Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-24-2020.

The Delco-Remy part numbers were: cranking motor - 494, DC generator - 934T, voltage regulator - 1118210, distributor - 4169, ignition coil - 1115251.  The Federal F1 fuel truck used two ignition coils. 

The magnetic starting switch was model number 1422.  Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-24-2020..

Federal Type C-2 7-1/2-ton 6x6 606 Aircraft Wrecker: The C-2 was powered by a Hercules Model HXD six cylinder 855 cu. in. engine, which enabled the truck to pull 12.5 tons when hooked up to a trailer.  The truck could perform several different tasks.  However, its primary job was to pick up disabled aircraft and place them on a trailer to take to the repair facilities.  It was also used extensively for aircraft engine changes.  Every AAF Air Base had at least one C-2.  While one C-2 could lift most aircraft on its own, it took two to lift a B-17, so the bases with heavy bombers or transports like the C-54 would have had two.

Federal built 2,500 Federal 606 aircraft wreckers for the USAAF.  The USAAF designated it as the C-2.  Photo courtesy of Taigh Ramey and www.twinbeech.com added 12-24-2020.

The Federal 606 had two different electrical systems for it as shown depending on whether it was a 606D or 606E.  The two different models also had non-Delco-Remy batteries.  Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-24-2020.

Federal 606D Delco-Remy part numbers were: cranking motor - 494, DC generator - 934T, voltage regulator - 1118210, distributor - 4169, ignition coil - 1115253, ignition switch - 1385.

Federal 606E Delco-Remy part numbers were: cranking motor - 494, DC generator - 1105907, voltage regulator - 1118506, distributor - 4249, ignition coil - 1115253, ignition switch - This was a Briggs and Stratton switch.

This vehicle also used two ignition coils.

Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-24-2020.

White 1064 10-ton 6x4 Truck:

White built 2,500 Model 1064 with Cummins HB600 diesel engines.  These vehicles had a Delco-Remy 12 volt positive ground electrical system.  The Delco-Remy part numbers were:  generator-1106656, voltage regulator-1118476, cranking motor-711 24 volt.  Photo added 12-24-2020.

This photo explains how the Delco-Remy series-parallel switch, part number 407-J worked to provide 24 volts at start for the normal 12 volt system.  Image courtesy of Jeff Lakaszcyck added 12-24-2020.

Cook Brothers and Corbitt Prototypes:

This is a T20 8-ton 8x8 protype cargo truck built in 1945 by the Cook Brothers in Los Angeles, CA.  It had a 12 volt Delco-Remy electrical system in it.  The generator was a 55 amp unit.  The T20 never went into production.  Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

This is another protype 8-ton 8x8 cargo truck designated T20E and built by the Corbitt Company of Henderson, NC.  This is one of three that were built at the end of World War Two.  It had 12 volt Delco-Remy electrical systems.  The generators were a 55 amp units.  The T20E never went into production.  Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

Low-Speed Tractors:  These are construction-type crawler tractors that were not intended for the cross-country pulling of heavy artillery pieces, although they were used for that function during the war along with traditional construction work.

This is a 1942 Allis-Chalmers TD-18 tractor built for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  It was photographed by the author at the 2020 Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show in Portland, IN.  Note that there are ignition wires on the engine and two exhaust stacks.  Photo added 9-2-2020.

The U.S. Army nomenclature identified this as a Tractor, Heavy M-1.  Allis-Chalmers built 315 TD-18s in 1942 and a total of 747 units during World War Two for the U.S. Army.  Delco-Remy supplied the electrical components for these 747 TD-18s.  Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

 Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

 This side of the engine shows it to be a six cylinder diesel engine.  Note there is a gasoline container on the track and a bird's nest on top of the engine.  Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

 I had never seen anything like this before.  Further research found that the six cylinder gas engine was used to start the engine before the diesel was turned on.  Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

 Further examination found that the distributor, DC generator, and voltage regulator were built by Delco-Remy.  Part of the distributor is hidden behind the carburetor.  While the starter could not be seen, it is assumed to be a Delco-Remy unit also.  Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

 Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

This is part number xxx0152 which is most likely 1110152.  It was a clockwise rotation distributor.  The date code shows it was built on June 21, 1942.   Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

 The DC generator has the voltage regulator mounted directly to it.  Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

 The Delco-Remy name is stamped into the regulator.  Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

Author's photo added 9-2-2020.

High-Speed Tractors:  These tractors were specifically designed to pull heavy artillery and were faster than the low-speed tractors.

The Allis-Chalmers M4 high speed tractor was powered by a Waukesha 145GZ engine which had a Delco-Remy 644 heavy duty rear reduction cranking motor.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.  

Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

This is one of two surviving Allis-Chalmers M6 high speed tractors of the 1,235 built during World War Two.  Like the smaller M4, it was powered by two Waukesha 145GZ engines with a Delco-Remy electrical system.  This is on display at the Overloons Military Museum in the Netherlands.   Photo added 12-1-2020.

The other surviving M6 high speed tractor is awaiting restoration at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN.  It is 250 miles from where it was built in LaPorte, IN.   Author's photo added 12-1-2020.

This M2 high speed tractor is on display at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, OH.  It was built by the Cleveland Tractor Company and was called a Cletrac.  It was used by the Army Air Force to move aircraft around at its bases.  Delco-Remy had a component or components on this vehicle.   Author's photo added 12-1-2020.


These U.S. Army mechanics finished a two week training course on Delco-Remy products during September 1942.  Here they can be seen working on the D-R contact regulators.