Delco battery plant codes

[Troy P.]

Years ago I ran into a list of the battery plants that are typically included in the date codes stamped onto the batteries. Misplaced long ago so I'm trying to compile that list.

So far I have:

T - Muncie, Indiana
V - (some city in) Missouri
X - New Brunswick, NJ
S - Anaheim, CA

The Restoration Battery Company website says V was Olthea, Kansas. So I have a conflict on V.

Of course another complication is that battery plants may have relocated over the years. But lets hope not.

Do any of you fellow members have info to add to help create a complete list?

[Ralph S.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

The original battery from my 1973 has 19 3C1 stamp on the top

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

Years ago I ran into a list of the battery plants that are typically included in the date codes stamped onto the batteries. Misplaced long ago so I'm trying to compile that list.

So far I have:

T - Muncie, Indiana
V - (some city in) Missouri
X - New Brunswick, NJ
S - Anaheim, CA

The Restoration Battery Company website says V was Olthea, Kansas. So I have a conflict on V.

Of course another complication is that battery plants may have relocated over the years. But lets hope not.

Do any of you fellow members have info to add to help create a complete list?

Troy------


For what it's worth, none of the Delco battery plants are part of General Motors anymore, if they are still operating, at all. As far as I know, GM is completely out of the battery manufacturing business. I believe that most, if not all, current Delco batteries are manufactured by Exide or Johnson Controls.

[Jim D.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

According to my Delco battery dealer - "with the exception of a very few, they come from China. The rest come from Mexico."

[Terry M.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

I have been told by the folks at East Penn Battery, that they are the only USA battery manufacturer left. Since they are obviously a biased source, I am skeptical.

[Troy P.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

Yes they don't make batteries anymore but I'm looking for the plant codes from back in the 50s-60s-70s to assist in interpreting codes stamped on our batteries.

For what its worth I recently bought Delco shocks and took the sticky Delco labels off so they would be just black and look more appropriate on my 63. Under one Delco label I found a Gabriel label. So they don't make shocks either.

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

Yes they don't make batteries anymore but I'm looking for the plant codes from back in the 50s-60s-70s to assist in interpreting codes stamped on our batteries.

For what its worth I recently bought Delco shocks and took the sticky Delco labels off so they would be just black and look more appropriate on my 63. Under one Delco label I found a Gabriel label. So they don't make shocks either.

Troy------

Neither GM nor DELPHI manufacture shocks in today's world. In fact, it was one of the first product lines to be jettisoned and shut down after DELPHI was spun off from GM. Most GM shocks, especially those for older applications, are manufactured by Gabriel (Arvin-Meritor) or Monroe (Federal-Mogul).

[Michael F.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

when I worked at family run battery dealer 2012-2013 all major brand batteries I saw or sold made in mexico with exception of excide I think.

[Joe R.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

Troy,

I believe the V code is for Olathe, KS (which is a suburb of Kansas City, MO).

Joe

[Ralph S.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

what do you make of the code on my 1973 battery 19 3C1

[Ronald L.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

A good source for the FACTS on Delco batteries come from the Delco History page, on google.


Olathe Kansas made batteries up to 2005 and then was torn down in 2009.

Now a few years back, there were three USA manufacturers of most all batteries, save niche market antique batteries. If one of them has moved to Mexico, OK, it will say on the battery. Now as one of the other NCRS articles talks about, batteries are HEAVY, so how many ship from China to USA?.... hearsay from a dealer tech the worst advice possible....look at the labels the next time you walk through walmart or any other big box store.

[Joe L.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

A good source for the FACTS on Delco batteries come from the Delco History page, on google.


Olathe Kansas made batteries up to 2005 and then was torn down in 2009.

Now a few years back, there were three USA manufacturers of most all batteries, save niche market antique batteries. If one of them has moved to Mexico, OK, it will say on the battery. Now as one of the other NCRS articles talks about, batteries are HEAVY, so how many ship from China to USA?.... hearsay from a dealer tech the worst advice possible....look at the labels the next time you walk through walmart or any other big box store.

Ronald------


A top-of-the-line Delco group 34 battery I purchased recently is made in Korea

[Ronald L.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

Joe, don't know what "top of the line" means, however if imported, its likely not lead acid.

Korea - is the technical source for the Hybrid battery technology used in many current HEV vehicles. Outside of the 'T company', there were two distinct chemistry technologies going into cars last year...

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

what do you make of the code on my 1973 battery 19 3C1

Hi Ralph,
Thats your Battery date code.
19 - day
3 - 1973
C - March
I - ( not a 1) also Muncie, Indiana ( As per Tom Kobman)
March 19, 1973 which works for your April Car!
Heres your battery Pics.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Delco battery plant codes

What does LIC then mean on a tar top?