Opinion on '64 Alternator

[Ed S.]

My "almost" original '64 non-ac convert has an incorrect alternator (37 amp 1100782). Naturally the date code is also incorrect. But it works perfectly & looks good. I found a correct numbered alternator (1100668) alternator that has a date code of 3L9 which would work for my April '64 built car. The price of the 1100668 is reasonable - of course I anticipate that it would need to be thoroughly inspected and rebuilt - including media blasting.

Link to the correct alternator: http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-CORVETTE-...l6543#shpCntId

The case looks to be in good condition and just in need of a media blast. BTW - I have the correct pulley and alternator fan that I could switch out.

My question(s)are: am I on the right track here or should I just live with the point deduction for an incorrect alternator; what kind of unsuspected (and expensive) problems might I run into as part of refurbishing the correct part numbered alternator? Could there be anything inside that would make the case un-restorable?

Any other comments or suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

My "almost" original '64 non-ac convert has an incorrect alternator (37 amp 1100782). Naturally the date code is also incorrect. But it works perfectly & looks good. I found a correct numbered alternator (1100668) alternator that has a date code of 3L9 which would work for my April '64 built car. The price of the 1100668 is reasonable - of course I anticipate that it would need to be thoroughly inspected and rebuilt - including media blasting.

Link to the correct alternator: http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-CORVETTE-...l6543#shpCntId

The case looks to be in good condition and just in need of a media blast. BTW - I have the correct pulley and alternator fan that I could switch out.

My question(s)are: am I on the right track here or should I just live with the point deduction for an incorrect alternator; what kind of unsuspected (and expensive) problems might I run into as part of refurbishing the correct part numbered alternator? Could there be anything inside that would make the case un-restorable?

Any other comments or suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks

Ed-------


I'd say buy it. This unit looks good to me, at least as far as the case goes. I anticipate no internal problems with the case that would make it not rebuildable. As far as the internals parts go, everything is available, including parts you're unlikely to need. You could even transfer internal parts from your existing alternator.

[Ed S.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Thank you Joe - that was my suspicion, needed an experts confirmation.

[Tim T.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Do not media blast it or you will lose points for finish. Send it to Ken Bruno for proper reconditioning.
Tim

[Ed S.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Thanks - will do.

Is this forum great or what! Thanks to all again.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Ed,

I'd say that you did well, the rear case is it's original 63 case, note the seven rectangular holes around the outer edge.

[Frank D.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

I did that on my 63 car before judging - I found the correct date coded alternator and a 7 slot rear case; since I run Vintage Air A/C; I had the internals upgraded to produce 70 amps full out. The diodes were not date coded; the piece has served me well and passed judging with a minor deduct; check the judging manual for the proper color for the wafers between the front/rear alternator case so your rebuilder can make that correct. I'm not near my JG but I thought '64 went to the 6 slot/1 round hole rear case for a wire clip; others will correct me if I'm wrong...

I agree don't media blast it...

[Ed S.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Frank,
Thanks for the heads up on the wafer colors - and..... based on the advice of you and others there will be no media blasting. RE 6 vs 7 slot. I have no idea, I do know that the JG states that the 1100668 is correct for a '64 with my option configuration and a Dec '63 alternator date is within range for an April '64 car - hoping all that will pass judging. Don't know if 668s came in different slot arrangements.

[Irby G.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Hi Ed,
Call around and ask any of the local alternator rebuilders if they use a 'Wheelabrator' for case cleaning. It's an old shot peening machine they use on aluminum. I lucked out and found a local shop here (he said they use aluminum shot) and had them rebuild 2 for me for ~$100 each. A far cry from some of the restoration services that do them for ~$450 each. They look and work beautiful. Had a local rubber stamp place do the diode ink stamps for me too. Brought my alternator that still showed the ink stamps on the diodes with me. They matched them perfectly. Practiced stamping with non-permanent ink on the alternators before I brought them in for rebuild. Cost for the stamps was a bit high (IMO) at $50 for 8 different stamps (Included the top and bottom numbers for both black and red (4) and then I had 4 different date codes). Now just waiting for my alcohol based ink (black and red) to come in to finish them off.
Search 'wheelabrator' on the forum. I asked the guy if he wouldn't mind running my aluminum valve covers thru that thing. He told me to bring them on by this Saturday. I'll let you know how they come out.
Aloha, Irby

[Ed S.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Irby,
Thanks for the recommendation - I never heard of the "wheelabrator" process before - sounds like a tumbler device like you would use to polish stones and stuff. I would suspect that the size and coarseness of the abrasion material (and how long you run it) will effect the outcome. Curious how the finish stands up against judging - is it over restored or does it have that just out of the factory look? Thanks again - will definitely research this further in my area.

[Gene M.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Alternator cases are die cast which results in a smooth skin surfaces. Any type of "blasting" will cut the surface and make it porous. There are well known restorers that do not clean the die cast surface so it looks as original. It seems the standard for surface acceptance has been lowered by wide acceptance of these "destroyed" die cast surfaces on the judging field.

[Ed S.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

I am resurrecting my own thread re a 1964 Alternator because I need more advice / SME opinions. I bought an unserviceable 37 amp 1964 alternator (PN1100668) with a "3L9" date code (November 9, 1963) for my April 7 1964 build date '64 convertible. It was not expensive ($49.00) - I stripped the guts out of it and sent the front & back housing pieces to Jerry McNeish for his "reskinning" process - came out great.

As I was preparing to install serviceable parts I noticed something not right with the back or rear section of the housing. As mentioned in posting # 6 above, the rear section has 7 rectangular holes - typical of an early 1963 37 amp Corvette alternator. The JG also states that early '63s have 7 holes; late '63s have 6 rectangular holes and one round hole; '64s have 6 rectangular holes.

When I got this alternator there was an undated Delco rebuild sticky label on it - which indicates that it was rebuilt sometime in the past.

Given all of the above, I suspect that I have a correct front half of a 37 amp alternator for a '64 Corvette (not shown) but the back half is not correct (photo attached).

Asking for persons with experience in this issue to confirm my suspicion or verify that the back half of the alternator show is correct for an April 64 non-ac Corvette? Putting it another way - would this rear housing pass judging if it were married to a correct p/n & dated front housing on a 64?

[Alan D.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Here is an original from a Mar64 car. A sharp eye may catch the diode month code of "I" - which was not used by GM however the diodes were from an outside source who did use "I" just one of those odd ball things. It's a 660-42Amp

[Ed S.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

Alan,
Thanks - your alternator conforms perfectly with the description stated in the JG for a '64; 6 rectangular holes, one small round hole for the white plastic clip. I can't confirm but I think what I have is the result of someone marrying up a 63 back piece to a 64 front piece. I was wondering if any members have ever seen this arrangement and would it pass judging, considering that I have the correct P/N & date code. If it is suspect I think I will have to find a correct rear piece that looks like yours. Thanks again for posting and your comment.

[Joe L.]

Re: Opinion on '64 Alternator

I am resurrecting my own thread re a 1964 Alternator because I need more advice / SME opinions. I bought an unserviceable 37 amp 1964 alternator (PN1100668) with a "3L9" date code (November 9, 1963) for my April 7 1964 build date '64 convertible. It was not expensive ($49.00) - I stripped the guts out of it and sent the front & back housing pieces to Jerry McNeish for his "reskinning" process - came out great.

As I was preparing to install serviceable parts I noticed something not right with the back or rear section of the housing. As mentioned in posting # 6 above, the rear section has 7 rectangular holes - typical of an early 1963 37 amp Corvette alternator. The JG also states that early '63s have 7 holes; late '63s have 6 rectangular holes and one round hole; '64s have 6 rectangular holes.

When I got this alternator there was an undated Delco rebuild sticky label on it - which indicates that it was rebuilt sometime in the past.

Given all of the above, I suspect that I have a correct front half of a 37 amp alternator for a '64 Corvette (not shown) but the back half is not correct (photo attached).

Asking for persons with experience in this issue to confirm my suspicion or verify that the back half of the alternator show is correct for an April 64 non-ac Corvette? Putting it another way - would this rear housing pass judging if it were married to a correct p/n & dated front housing on a 64?

Ed-------


If the alternator was rebuilt by a commercial rebuilder (which it obviously was if it had a Delco rebuild label on it), there is virtually a ZERO chance that the rear case half is the one that was originally mated to the front case half. Commercial rebuilders break down alternator cores to the component pieces and then build up rebuilt alternators from bins of the major pieces (just like new alternators were originally assembled). Interchangeability of components is the operative word here and most 10 DN alternator case halves are interchangeable.