Factory colors, Generator and starter

[jrappl]

1955 cub. PO sprayed red over everything! What were the original factory colors for the starter and the generator. My generator has some red on it but looks like it might have been black.

[Don McCombs]

From the supplier to IH (Delco-Remy), they both came black. Both were installed on the tractor, prior to the tractor being painted . Data plates were masked off and everything was painted red.

[staninlowerAL]

Jim Becker said a few days ago that the way the factory did it was not to put parts of different colors together. No masking required! This old post might help you understand how the factory did it. Click on the link to view: viewtopic.php?f=237&t=100716

[jrappl]

Thanks for the info. The link is interesting. It shows a cub being painted on the line with the hood on. That would likely prevent the generator from getting painted red unless painted before assembly. In the photo of the 1955 it shows a red 11 bar grill. My 55 has a white one. It could have been swapped at some point but the rest of the tractor seems original. It's been sitting in a barn for 35+ years.

I going to keep the grill white as I like the look. I have cleaned the overspray off the generator and starter plates and I guess I'll go with red.

[Don McCombs]

They sprayed everywhere, including the underside of the hood. If there is overspray on the data plates, your Cub may have repainted at some point.

[Jim Becker]

Actually, I said "Never put two different colors on the same part." The factory had specific instructions on masking. The very short list of things to mask included the data tags on both the starter and generator, the fuel sediment bowl, and a few other things. When they started the combined red/white or yellow/white colors, the white was only on parts that could be separately run down a paint line then bolted on the tractor after the main part of the tractor was painted. Paint coverage in places like under the hood was not as good on more exposed areas, but it was pretty good.

[inairam]

Painting to " factory" is not the best idea in my opinion.

Painting the screws on the carb, the fine treads on the governor adjustment and brake rods all lead to problems later. I do not like the paint on the hose, belts and battery cables.

Just my opinion.

[jrappl]

I'm not a fan of painted hoses/belts either. I think it looks much cleaner with them black. I've already removed and painted the radiator inlet/outlet tubes and the air cleaner tube. I have new hoses and they will stay black! Not painting the new belts either.

I will need to replace the radiator/front side panel screws. Some of the screw heads were stripped and then broke when I used a vice grip to remove them so I get to drill and tap those. I will likely use hex heads as they are much easier to get off after years. I'm hoping to save the hood and grill wide head slotted screws but may not be able to save them all. I'm sure replacements are available but I don't have them right now.

Somebody did respray parts of this tractor at some point years ago (more than 35 as it's been in the barn that long). They totally covered the sediment bowl, plugs and wires, tires, seat, etc...

[Dale Finch]

TM Tractors has stainless hardware for the hood:
http://www.tmtractor.com/new/fl/fl_001newparts.htm

I have also gotten some nice stainless truss screws for mine from Lowe's, though they are Phillips rather than slotted... I think I actually like them better!