Bob,
Thanks. I understand your logical approach. I am also fully aware of the relationship between all aspects of an electrical load, voltage regulators and alternators. My first (of 3) engineering degrees is in electrical & electronics. EG your assumption that a 1970s vintage 55a alternator was designed to output full rated power on a particular engine/ pulley configuration may not be true. The alternator may be intentionally under driven (limited) on a high rpm engine to protect the machine from damage, so necessitating a higher theoretical output. So in this case a 55A rated alt may actually be operating at a lower max power output on its curve at high rpms and adequate output at idle(under driven) which means a 42A voltage regulator is more than adequate. Today, modern designs of alternators have an output curve that is near flat at all speeds, but older designs had a much more linear output in relation to their speed.
Which Ford documents are you referencing?