71 Alternator Date Code

[Seth G.]

I have a survivor car, SB/Auto/Air built on May 5th, 1971. The Alternator in the car is the correct 61amps and number (1100544).
The "RH" ink stamp appears where it should. The judging manual calls for the attachment bolt head markings to be "GW" with 3 radial lines. My bolt head marking is "SB" and does have the 3 radial lines. Of further mystery, the alternator date code is: "0H25" which I am decoding as August 25,1970. So my question is this. First, does anyone else have an "SB" head marking on their alternator bolt and secondly, is it possible that an alternator date code of 8/25/70 could find its way on a car built on May 5th, 1971?

[Jim M.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Seth:
My December 29, 1970 built A/C car has the alternator pivot bolt with a "SBC" head mark and 6 radial lines (grade 8). It is the original. Hopefully, someone else can answer the date question. Regards, Jim

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Seth,

These 544 were batch built, and done in VERY few batches. I dare you to find another 1971 544 alternator with a date between your car and your current alternator. They exist, but are few and far between, and it might take 10 years to find one.

Is it possible that it's original? Yep. Even in 1971 they were not common.
My car, built a month later, has a water pump from August of 1970, and I was the first one to remove it.

Strange things happen with uncommon parts.

[Edward J.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Seth, The date on the alternator is much to early. even the 6 month rule is out. most dated items like the alternator are generally just about 3 to 4 weeks from the assy. date. unless its a rare option engine then you might be able to add a few weeks. There are many head marks that will work with the 70/72 corvettes, SB is one, also note that this bolt length should not protrude beyond the alternator ear, should be even.

[Mark E.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Seth, The date on the alternator is much to late.

Edward- I assume you mean the date on the alternator is too early?

And doesn't this contradict what Patrick just said?

[Edward J.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

yes , early, I just fixed, yes I know but it would seem 9 months is a long period of time, I agree like a lot of items where produced in batchs to keep up with production demands and I have no proof of dates of each batch, but with 21000+ Corvette built in 71 and 9 months just seems there would be many Batches.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Seth, The date on the alternator is much to early. even the 6 month rule is out. most dated items like the alternator are generally just about 3 to 4 weeks from the assy. date. unless its a rare option engine then you might be able to add a few weeks.

Ed,

Go ahead and study 1971 model year 544 alternator dates and let me know if you still hold to this rule.
3-4 months is normal for these, longer is not unheard of.

If I were Seth I'd stick with it unless a prior owner swore he replaced it.

Patrick

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

The pivot bolt does not protrude beyond the alternator ear, thank you.

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

8 months, not 9...The alternator was built on 8/25/70 and the car built on May 5th...

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Thanks. I am the second owner and the first did not change it. The car is a low milage survivor but I thought the date code odd...

[Paul O.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Remember there was a 2 month period of no production due a strike at the plant September 15th to November 24th. Which would also affect the dates of the parts being installed. So in effect you could conclude that the 6 month window could be 8 months. but that is an assumption and you know where that leads.

[Michael W.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

This might be one of the few cases where a genuine real-deal component falls outside the standard judging rules. I think it's well known that there are solid reasons for why a component might be dated more than the standard six months.

I wouldn't change the alternator nor would I take a date deduct as a judge.

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

This might be one of the few cases where a genuine real-deal component falls outside the standard judging rules. I think it's well known that there are solid reasons for why a component might be dated more than the standard six months.

I wouldn't change the alternator nor would I take a date deduct as a judge.

I have a Bowtie low mileage 71 car that is VIN 21467. July 12 build which is the last week of production. The #544 Alternastor is dated 1B23 or Feb 23, 1971. Anything is possible and as a judge I most likely would let Seth's alternator through judging if it had the proper nuiances and patina, but honestly I think the date is a bit out of range. I have seen several 554's after his.
Just my opinion.......

[Michael W.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

I most likely would let Seth's alternator through judging if it had the proper nuiances and patina,

Those would be separate deducts and are not contingent on having an appropriate date.

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 Alternator Date Code

Those would be separate deducts and are not contingent on having an appropriate date.

Michael,
so if it was a beautifully restored alternator with Seth's dates you would accept it as an original alternator on a low mileage car.? I think not. That was my point.....