Tips

Delcos do indeed tend to collect the nicest people.  Although Delco guys are a very rare breed. 

Delco-Light Plants are out there but don’t expect them to be showcased like a vintage gas pump or antique implement. Delco-Light was the most popular light plant ever produced and therefor are relatively common and have little value to general gas engine collectors. 

It is easy to get frustrated with a Delco.  You can't just through gas in a Delco and go.  You must have a functional understanding of both the mechanical and electrical principals that the Delco operates on.  Operation and repair information is scarce as are most parts.  Another disadvantage is that you always need to have a load or storage batteries connected to the output circuit to run them in order to avoid damaging them.  For these reasons Delcos are usually (and unjustly) relegated to the farthest back corner of the shed.

Although there are undoubtedly old Delcos still sitting in a barn or basement waiting to be found most have been out in the iron pile for generations.  Antique power shows and swap meets are probably your best bet for finding one.  Expect only about 5 out of every 1,000 dealers to have hauled an old Delco to the swap meet but don’t be discouraged.  It always pays to ask because they probably have at least one at home but stopped hauling them to shows because they don’t sell.

Condition is everything.  Don’t haul home a skull of a machine thinking that you will get it going again. Original or reproduction repair parts are virtually non-existent.  Don't set yourself up for disappointment, Delcos can be deceptively addicting if you get started out on the right foot.

The more people you talk to the more Delcos come out of the woodwork.