[koates]

Hi There, I don't really know why Lucas equipment was criticised so much. I worked with it for over 50 years and had no more problems than with other types. More likely was the fact that it was not serviced/repaired correctly or was messed with by those who had no clue what they were doing. All those jokes are mostly here say and quite dumb. A bit like all the T ford jokes in its time. Lucas lamps, switches, wiper motors etc were good quality. Lucas published some very detailed service literature, just like ford did so all that was required was to read and UNDERSTAND it all. The 5 - 49 stamped on the generator housing equates to fifth month (May) 1949 manufacture. The original ford pilot voltage regulator was a Lucas black Bakelite two bobbin as in a cutout and a compensated voltage control inside. It had five screw in terminals on the front. Type RF96 or RBI06. (6 volt). We only would test a generators maximum output for a few seconds by linking the field terminal to the armature or dynamo terminal as some called it. The field wire should be disconnected from the regulator for this test otherwise reg damage could be the result. A 6 volt ford V8 3 unit regulator could be used on this Lucas generator as the field control circuit is the same as a Lucas generator. One common problem with Lucas generators (and others as well) was the fan belt being too tight thus chopping out the commutator end bush causing the armature to "POLE" (hit the field pole shoes) and overheat. A people problem ,not a generator problem. Hope this is of some help, Regards, Kevin.