1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

[Mike E.]

The first digit in each line of the stamping is missing. This is a real 950. I'd loved to be enlightened as to how this would happen in the stamping process. What kind of equipment did Delco use for this, and how did it go wrong?

[Terry M.]

Re: 1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

I have seen the stamp mechanism when we toured Rochester Products in Rochester NY during a Regional in that town. At the time they were stamping fuel injector rails, but I am sure the process was the same for alternators and starters -- anything round.
The machine rotated both the object being stamped and the die doing the stamping. Each rotated about their own center line, and the radius of both objects intersected where the impression was made.
Having seen this machine, it is hard for me to imagine how this missing segment happened unless the stamping die broke and no one noticed for a while. The rotation of the two pieces was controlled by gears rotating the shafts that were on the center line of both the die and the object being stamped so the relative position of the two pieces was always the same.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

Mike, Surely it looks like missing a number punch in the holder ?? I was recently at Al Greening class and I must the screw ups were likely a everyday occurrence at some of the plants for stamping engines and trim tags, so I think the alternator tells its own story age/patina etc. Now if you could find another 950 with same date surely it would confirm the anomaly.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

The first digit in each line of the stamping is missing. This is a real 950. I'd loved to be enlightened as to how this would happen in the stamping process. What kind of equipment did Delco use for this, and how did it go wrong?

Mike------


The rear case half configuration appears to be generally correct for a 1971 alternator. However, I don't think I've ever seen one that has the Delco-Remy script style seen or the "emblem" seen below the script.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

Alternators were made in batches with the same date so you should find many with the same stamping. I have seen 950's stamped the same date but not like the one pictured.

[Edward M.]

Re: 1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

I find it interesting, and perhaps part of the reason, that the first series of digits on each line start out weakly stamped, and then get deeper as the line progresses.

It is possible that the first characters of each line were in the stamp holder, but just did not make enough of an impression?

[Larry E.]

Re: 1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

FWIW: Another anomaly is what I call "Ghost" stampings on the GM alternators. I talked to John Pirkle (Now Deceased) on the stampings of alternators(A long time ago) and he indicated that a lot where sloppily stamped. Many had that "ghost" figure we see all the time. Picture of one is below. You can see the shadow of some of the numbers/letters. Larry

[Gene M.]

Re: 1100950 alternator stamping anomaly

I have seen the stamp mechanism when we toured Rochester Products in Rochester NY during a Regional in that town. At the time they were stamping fuel injector rails, but I am sure the process was the same for alternators and starters -- anything round.
The machine rotated both the object being stamped and the die doing the stamping. Each rotated about their own center line, and the radius of both objects intersected where the impression was made.
Having seen this machine, it is hard for me to imagine how this missing segment happened unless the stamping die broke and no one noticed for a while. The rotation of the two pieces was controlled by gears rotating the shafts that were on the center line of both the die and the object being stamped so the relative position of the two pieces was always the same.

Terry’s description is excellent. I will add that notice the stamping it’s self it is lighter on the ends and not so in the center. That is caused on the original equipment as the curvatures of the machine axis and curvature of the alternator case are not a perfect match. This is generally true on both ends of the text but could be exhibited more on one end too. So note the fake alternator restamps as having an even stamp depth that originals do not exhibit. This follows true in the mid year alternators too.