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Delco-Remy in World War Two
World War Two Products and Product Applications
Components for Tanks and Other Armored Vehicles

This page updated 12-4-2022.

Author's note:  This page was added to the website in March 2016.  The original information from 2016 was based on information noted in "Our War Job," published by Delco-Remy in 1944.  Since 2016, I have learned considerably more from other research of other World War Two-era companies about the armored vehicles in which Delco-Remy products were utilized.  Delco-Remy equipment was used in a variety of armored vehicles that served with several countries around the world.  DDJ 5-10-2020

Delco-Remy Tank and Tracked Armored Vehicle Equipment in World War Two:  Sixteen models of generators, 16 models of regulators, 16 models of starting motors, 6 models of ignition distributors, 8 models of ignition coils, 7 models of storage batteries, and 3 electrical apparatus boxes for tanks and armored vehicles.

Light Tanks:  There were three types of light tanks produced in the United States that had Delco-Remy electrical components in them.  These were the M3, M5, and M24.  The M3 light tank began production in 1940 and was used by American forces when the country entered the war.  These tanks saw action with not only the United States but Commonwealth and Russian units.  It served around the globe in World War Two.

The M3 series light tanks were powered by Continental W-670 radial engines.  Delco-Remy was a non-exclusive supplier of cranking motors for this engine.  According to technical manual "TM 9-1825, War Department Technical Manual, Ordnance Maintenance, Electrical Equipment, (Delco-Remy)" dated 12 January 1944, Delco-Remy provided six different model cranking motors for radial engines.  There is no specific mention of generators or voltage regulators in the TM 9-1825.  The W-670 used magnetos instead of a distributor.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

This is the top portion of the W-670 engine in the rear of the M3 tank.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

The M5 series was the next light tank produced.  Cadillac, Massey-Harris, and American Car and Foundry manufactured 8,884 M5 and M5A1 Stuart tanks, built with two Cadillac 44T24 V-8 engines.  Delco-Remy furnished 17,768 sets of generators, starters, ignition coils, ignition distributors, condensers, voltage regulators and ignition switches for the tanks.  Each 44T24 engine on the M5 and M5A1 light tanks used the following Delco-Remy model numbers:  Ignition Coil-1115079, Condenser-1900272, Ignition Distributor-1110609,10,11, Ignition Switch-19977756.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

The last light tank produced was the M24 Chaffee which did not see action until 1944.  Cadillac and Massey-Harris built 4,361 M24 Chaffee light tanks, also with the twin Cadillac 44T24 V-8 engines. All of the 8,722 sets of electrical engine components were supplied by Delco-Remy.  Each 44T24 engine on the M24 light tanks used the following Delco-Remy model numbers.  Author's photo.

   
This is a Delco-Remy distributor cap for the M24 Chaffee.  This is D-R part number 1906532.  The cap is an assembly of a Bakelite inner core and an aluminum outer shield with threads for securing the sparkplug wires.  Photo added 11-16-2020.

This shows the Bakelite on the inside of the cap.   Photo added 11-16-2020.

 Photo added 11-16-2020.

This image is from the M24 Ordnance Supply Catalog and shows the rear bulkhead, or engine firewall, as viewed from the interior of the tank.  The drawing shows the Delco-Remy name the regulators.  This is very unusual for a military document to show the supplier's name on a drawing.  Image added 6-8-2021.

Medium Tanks:  There were two different types of American medium tanks built during World War Two.  The first was the M3 Lee/Grant medium tank, and the second the M4 Sherman.  Both tanks used a variety of engines, some with Delco-Remy as the exclusive supplier of engine electrical and other components in the tank, and others, where Delco-Remy was one of several suppliers for electrical components. 

The M3A3 and M3A5 medium tanks were built with two Detroit Diesel 6-71 diesel engines.  Each engine had a Delco-Remy cranking motor, generator, voltage regulator, and supercharging blower.  The M3A3 was provided to the British and Russians through Lend-Lease, and consequently was used all over the world during the war.  This is M3A3 Lee Serial Number 1099 and was manufactured by Baldwin Locomotive Works in May 1942.  Baldwin built all 322 M3A3s like this one with a welded hull.  It also built 591 M3A5s that had riveted hulls.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

 This is an M3 powered by a Continental R-975 radial engine.  Delco-Remy made six different model cranking motors for use on armored vehicles with radial engines.  A total of 4,924 were built by five different manufactures.  This is one of 3,243 built by Chrysler.  Note the riveted hull.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

This is an Alco-built M4 Sherman tank, Serial Number 3949, built in April 1943.  It is similar to many M4 medium tanks built by several companies used by the American Army during World War Two.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

There were four versions of the Sherman tank built during World War Two. The difference in them was the engine.  The engine of choice for the Sherman tank was the Continental R-975 radial engine which was used in the M4 and M4A1.  The M4 and M4A1 served with the American Army for the duration of World War Two.

According to technical manual "TM 9-1825, War Department Technical Manual, Ordnance Maintenance, Electrical Equipment, (Delco-Remy)" dated 12 January 1944, Delco-Remy provided six different model cranking motors for radial engines.  There is no specific mention of generators nor voltage regulators in the TM 9-1825.  The R-925 used magnetos instead of a distributor. 

This M4A1 was built by Pressed Steel in July 1942.  It had the same engine as the M4.  The main difference was that it had a cast rather than welded hull.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

Delco-Remy also supplied magneto switches for the M4 and M4A1 Sherman tank and M18 tank destroyer.  All three armored vehicles were powered by the R-975 radial aircraft engine.  Photo added 11-16-2020.

Photo added 11-16-2020.

Photo added 11-16-2020.

Another version of the Sherman tank was the M4A2, powered by two Detroit-Diesel 6-71 diesel engines, just like the M3A3 and M3A5 Lee/Grant medium tank.  Because this was a General Motors-built engine, Delco-Remy was the exclusive supplier of electrical components for the engines.  General Motors always used parts made by its component divisions on its engines and in its vehicles.  Below are several photos of cut-away of a M4A2 showing the Delco-Remy components.  The engines bays for the M3A3 and M3A5 would have looked very similar.

The M4A2 was used in limited numbers by the USMC; and was exported extensively to Great Britain and Russia through Lend-Lease. 

It may be hard to tell, but this is a cut-away of a Sherman tank.  This is a Fisher Body built M4A2 on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.  It is serial number 65001 and was built in March 1945 in Grand Blanc, MI.  Being a cut-away, this display allows one to see several Delco-Remy-built components used on the Sherman tank.  Author's photo.

Looking inside, there is an orange box next to the driver's seat.  This is an apparatus box built by D-R.  Author's photo.

The second box to the right of the apparatus box appears to the Delco-Remy voltage regulator.  Author's photo.

 Two Delco-Remy components can be seen in the engine bay.  Author's photo.

The first is the D-R cranking motor.  There were two D-R cranking motors for the Sherman tank model M4A2, which was powered by two Detroit Diesel 6-71 engines.  Author's photo.

This cut-away is unique in that it shows the supercharger blower.  Delco-Remy was a supplier of blowers.  They were assembled in Delco-Remy's Muncie battery plant.  Author's photo.

The table below summarizes the number of tanks built during WWII with Detroit Diesel Division of GM engines, which would have been equipped with Delco-Remy starters, DC generators, voltage regulators, and blowers.  The 21,520 diesel powered tanks and tank destroyers were powered by 38,392 6-71 engines, each using a Remy starter, generator, voltage regulator and blower.  Delco-Remy cast pistons for Detroit Diesel, which were used in the tank and tank destroyer engines.

 Six companies built 10,968 M4A2 Sherman tanks, each powered by two Detroit Diesel 6-71 engines married together and designated as the 6046 engine.  Each 6046 had two Delco-Remy starters, generators, and regulators which totaled 21,936 each. This photo was taken in Vancouver, BC and is courtesy of David Jackson, Jr.

Tank Destroyers:

The Fisher Body Tank Arsenal built 5,368 M10 Wolverine tank destroyers with the Detroit Diesel 6046 engine.  Delco-Remy supplied 10,736 starters, generators, and regulators for the M10.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020. 

The M18 Hellcat tank destroyer was built by the Buick Motor Division of General Motors and was powered by the Continental R-975 engine.  Delco-Remy was a non-exclusive supplier for this engine.  Being a General Motors-built product, other Delco-Remy components could have been specified by Buick for this vehicle.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

Commonwealth-Built Tanks:  The Valentine infantry tank was built both in Canada and Great Britain.  It was powered by one Detroit-Diesel 6-71 diesel engine with Delco-Remy electrical components.

This is one of 3,981 Valentine tanks built in both Canada and Great Britain that used a Detroit Diesel 6-71 engine.   Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

Landing Vehicles, Tracked: 

The Landing Vehicle, Tracked(3) or LVT(3) was produced by Borg-Warner in Kalamazoo, MI, and was powered by two Cadillac V-8 engines equipped with Delco-Remy regulators, generators, ignition, and starters.  Author's photo.

Looking into the LVT(3) from the open rear of the vehicle, the Cadillac engine and Hydro-Matic transmission can be seen in the opening on the starboard side sponson.  Borg-Warner built 2,962 of the landing vehicles and Delco-Remy supplied 5,924 engine electrical sets.  Author's photo.

Author's photo.

The Delco-Remy distributor is visible.  Author's photo.

A very rusted out Delco-Remy DC generator is visible.  Author's photo.

  Author's photo.

The LVT-4 used by both the USMC and the U.S. Army had Delco-Remy components on it.  The Marines used the LVT-4 for beach landings in the Pacific and the Army used them for river crossings in Italy and Europe.  Author's photo added 12-2-2020.

Self-Propelled Artillery:

Cadillac produced a 75mm howitzer version of the M5 Stuart tank as the M8 75mm Gun Motor Carriage.  It had the same two Cadillac 44T24 V-8 engines with Delco-Remy components as the M5 light tank.  Cadillac built 1,778 M8s.  Each 44T24 engine on the M8 used the following Delco-Remy model numbers:  Ignition Coil-1115079, Condenser-1900272, Ignition Distributor-1110609,10,11, Ignition Switch-19977756.Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

This M7 Priest 105mm Gun Motor Carriage was one of 4,315 built that was powered by the Continental R-975 engine.  Delco-Remy was a non-exclusive supplier of cranking motors for the R-975.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

Armored Cars:

Chevrolet designed and built the Staghound armored car used by the British and Canadians.  Interestingly, Chevrolet used two GMC 270 engines to power it with two sets of Delco-Remy electrical components.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

The Fox Armored Car was designated as a GM MK.1, but Chevrolet was the Division that designed the chassis.  Final assembly was done by GM of Canada.  The engine was a GMC 270 engine with Delco-Remy cranking motor, distributor and coil, and D-C generator with voltage regulator.  Canadian Forces operated the Fox at Normandy.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

Half-Tracks:  There were 40,003 armored half-tracks built during World War Two, powered by White 160AX engines.  There were fourteen different models of the half-track built with the 160AX engine by Autocar, Diamond T, and White.  Each engine had Delco-Remy electrical components on it.  The half-track was a true utility vehicle and weapon used not only by the U.S. Army, but Allied countries as well.  It was used on a world-wide basis. 

This White 160AX engine is on display at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Oshkosh, WI.  It has a Delco-Remy cranking motor, DC generator, and distributor on it.  Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

A close-up photo of the DR tag on the DC generator allows one to make out the name "Remy."  Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

Author's photo added 12-4-2022.

The Diamond T M3A1 shown here is a representative sample of all the various types.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

 A Delco-Remy data plate is on the voltage regulator located on the fire wall.  A Delco-Remy distributor, ignition coil, and cranking motor are located on the White 160AX engine.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

The voltage regulator is model 5639 and serial number 27211.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

This White M2 half-track is awaiting restoration at the Indiana Military Museum in Vincennes, IN.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

With the hood off, the Delco-Remy generator can be seen.  These components are 170 miles from Anderson, IN where they were built during World War Two.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

The D-R tag is worn from almost 80 years of wear and tear, but the name Delco-Remy is just visible.  Author's photo added 5-10-2020.

This White M16 half-track was photographed in the motor pool of the New Jersey National Guard Museum Annex in Lawrenceville, NJ.  Author's photo added 6-5-2020.

With the hood open, I was able to photograph the Delco-Remy DC generator.  Author's photo added 6-5-2020.

Author's photo added 6-5-2020.

This Diamond T M3A1 half-track was photographed at Fort Benning, GA.  Author's photo added 3-22-2021.

Delco-Remy supplied the controls for opening and closing the air vents on the World War Two half-tracks.  The far left pull knob on the instrument panel is DR-1990554 and the control on the far right is DR-1990554.  These are both known as ventilator controls.  The left ventilator control, DR-1990554 is 35 inches in length and DR-1990553 is 31.5 inches long.  Delco-Remy supplied 53,625 of each for all of the half-tracks built.  Author's photo added 3-22-2021.

International Harvester also made half-tracks during World War Two, but they were slightly different than the ones made by Autocar, Diamond T, and White.  This International M5 half-track is one of 4,625 built.  In total, International Harvester built 16,622 half-tracks in six different models.  One of the differences in the International half-tracks was its engine, which was a IH Red Diamond rather than the White 160AX.  Both half-track engines had Delco-Remy electrical systems.  International half-tracks were equipped with Delco-Remy 1117308 D-C Generators and 1110161 distributors, along with other electrical components.  Author's photo added 12-2-2020.

Another model half-track International built was the M9, of which 2,606 were built.  This one was then converted into an M9A1   Author's photo added 12-2-2020.