generator,starter and distributor tags

[Roger Z.]

I know they are allowing up to 6 months on casting dates prior to build date .
What about the generator,starter and distributor tags?
I would think they would be stamped much closer to the build date.
Can anyone answer this question?
Thank you
Roger
Member 13939

[Mike E.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger,
You have been a member quite a while! The answer is yes. Many articles in the Restorer and many posts on the forum have outline component dating, and unless it is an uncommon part built in small batches (like a distributor for a low-hp fuelie), after a significant work stoppage, or lost at the bottom of a bin, it is generally much less than 6 months.

[Scott S.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger, Just wondered if you were related to Walt Zorn of Windsor?
Scott

[Steven B.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger, Just wondered if you were related to Walt Zorn of Windsor?
Scott

Scott, I still have '56-'57 beige samples from Walt. A long time ago!!! Steve

[Roger Z.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger, Just wondered if you were related to Walt Zorn of Windsor?
Scott

Hello Scott,
No relation that I'm aware of.
Your the second person to ask me this in the past week.
I believe it was someone on ebay.
What is your though about the tags?
Roger

[Hector G.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger,

Agree with Mike regarding the six month period with certain exceptions. As an example of an exception to the general rule, my 67's L71 distributor's tag, part no. 1111258, has an assembly date of August 30, 1966. The production date of my car was 4/27/67. It is approximately an 8 month gap. If you look at Noland Adams' "The Complete Corvette Restoration & Technical Guide - Vol. 2", second edition, page 442, you'll note the following. Vehicle Serial No. 194677S117644, which would have had a production date of around May 3rd of 67, with distributor part number 1111258, has an assembly date of September 5, 1966. This is also approximately an 8 month gap. Both cars were produced approximately one week apart. Hope this helps.

Hector

[Scott S.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger, The above description of the tag time frame is accurate to my knowledge.
Walt Zorn lived in Windsor Ontario and owned All-Tru Interiors. The most accurate early Corvette interior products available even by today's standards. Walt passed away, and I have visited with Connie (his Widow) on a couple of occasions. Connie travels around in a neat Chevrolet Nomad at some classic car events in the Ontario Michigan area. One Great Lady.
Scott

[Mike E.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Is my memory incorrect? I was thinking it was Bob Chauvin and Walt Zoern who had All-tru back in the day. (With an "e" in Zoern)

[Roger Z.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Mike,
What would you say would be a good time frame on the tags prior to build date?
Thank you for your help
Roger

[Mike E.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger,
You don't indicate which year you have, or what the range of vin yours is-that would help some. These parts were batch-built, not a few made each week day. There are people who have studied original components and have a pretty good idea what dates are correct originals. If you were talking 62's, for example, I could tell you based on your vin, what it is likely that the date was on your original generator or starter. If you help us understand what we are looking at, we might be able to help more.
Mike

[Thomas H.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Roger,
You don't indicate which year you have, or what the range of vin yours is-that would help some. These parts were batch-built, not a few made each week day. There are people who have studied original components and have a pretty good idea what dates are correct originals. If you were talking 62's, for example, I could tell you based on your vin, what it is likely that the date was on your original generator or starter. If you help us understand what we are looking at, we might be able to help more.
Mike

Hi Mike,

Not to hijack, but..... Working on getting my 58 together for judging in October and these two items, Gen and dist tags, are on my punch list. Neither of these parts came with the car when I bought it. I'm starting to look around for the correct parts and would be interested if you could identify the window of dates I should be looking at for a March 58 build car.

Thanks,

Tom

[Mike E.]

Re: generator,starter and distributor tags

Tom,
I'd suggest you start a new thread, because the documentation I did on original cars, starting in 1974 (when there weren't reproduction parts or reproduction tags) was primarily on 62's, with a secondary interest in 61's. 58 is not my forte. Thanks for asking.