Re: Auto-Lite Generator Number

Posted by HH56 On 2011/2/7 12:18:47

I think you are right. There may have been some cost or prestige differences but think the big one was try to never get locked into one supplier.

If you read thru the service counselors, there are several articles on how they had to temporarily revert to something or issue a service part or rework instructions to enable use of something else because of strikes.

A recent thread on 50 Ultras is an example. After introducing the 9" Ultra direct drive clutch assy & improvements, a few hundred cars later they had to revert back to the old assy because the clutch supplier went on strike.

I imagine being a mechanic or parts guy back then must have been interesting looking for suffixes, symbols or dabs of paint to tell what was installed temporarily vs a permanent running change.