Author Topic: Delco and Autolite  (Read 1755 times)

Quadromaniac

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 205
    • View Profile
    • Email
Delco and Autolite
« on: May 28, 2019, 02:43:45 PM »
I have an l 161 Henry J motor with all delco, starter, generator and voltage regulator. I am missing the delco distributor, but I have an autolite distributor. Can I use this combination?

Fid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3858
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Delco and Autolite
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2019, 07:49:45 AM »
You can install an Autolite distributor and it will work fine.  The parts manual shows a different coil for the Autolite vrs Delco but I don't think it makes much difference. My '53 J has all Delco, including the distributor, but the coil is an Autolite and it's been in the car since the early 1970s and I've driven the car on many long trips and it works fine.   I also had to use a Delco dist on my '52 Henry J Vagabond on which everything else is Autolite and it worked fine.  I only changed it back to Autolite because I acquired and NOS Autolite distributor and want to keep it as authentic as possible but it ran just fine with the Delco dist and I also drove that car on several long journeys.  You'll be fine.
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

Need your classic car radio repaired? I repair vacuum tube radios

Quadromaniac

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 205
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Delco and Autolite
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2019, 01:29:00 PM »
Thank you for the information. You have made my problem go away.

G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 670
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Delco and Autolite
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2019, 02:11:36 PM »
Fid,
I was trying to Remember for Judging do They All Need Same Brand ?   
Research on All Vinyl Dragons & Dragon List.
G.B. Bonham LM  K.F.O.C. Club.
Also: Vintage Electronics, TV, Stereo, Radio, & Broadcasting.
Looking for Kaye Halbert TV, 27 inch screen mid 50's
made in Culver City, Calif.

kaiserfrazerlibrary

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3005
  • KFOCI Historian
    • AOL Instant Messenger - none
    • Yahoo Instant Messenger - none
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Delco and Autolite
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2019, 07:19:22 PM »
There are internal differences that might affect performance.   Auto-Lite, Delco-Remy and Kaiser-Frazer all strongly suggested that to balance the system properly the main parts (distributor, voltage regulator, starting motor and generator) be the same brand and type.   

Fid

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3858
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Delco and Autolite
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2019, 07:50:52 AM »
Quote
Fid,
I was trying to Remember for Judging do They All Need Same Brand ?   

I have no idea but I'm guessing so as that's how they came from the factory.

I can see making sure the gen and reg are both the same brand but the dist shouldn't make any difference as it works independently and as I mentioned, I've done it with no problems.
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

Need your classic car radio repaired? I repair vacuum tube radios

G.B. (All Vinyl Dragon)

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 670
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Delco and Autolite
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2019, 10:43:50 AM »
Quote
Fid,
I was trying to Remember for Judging do They All Need Same Brand ?   

I have no idea but I'm guessing so as that's how they came from the factory.

I can see making sure the gen and reg are both the same brand but the dist shouldn't make any difference as it works independently and as I mentioned, I've done it with no problems.

That’s what I was Thinking. Thanks Fid.
Research on All Vinyl Dragons & Dragon List.
G.B. Bonham LM  K.F.O.C. Club.
Also: Vintage Electronics, TV, Stereo, Radio, & Broadcasting.
Looking for Kaye Halbert TV, 27 inch screen mid 50's
made in Culver City, Calif.