Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

[Tom E.]

When I bought my 67 Roadster the original alternator was missing so I bought and installed a cheap replacement until I could find a correct date coded core to rebuild. I found a very nice core and am in the process of rebuilding but the ink stamps on the diodes have faded to the point you can barely read them. Only one negative diode is bad and I have a NOS replacement on the way. In reading the many threads here on the forum a number of folks have had ink stamps made to mark the diodes.
My question is; can someone provide the font type and size and/or a source to buy them? Or perhaps sell, lend a set that have already been made?

Thanks Tom.

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

I read your thread and am monitoring it for responses with interest. In the mean time I decided to do a search of this tech forum for the words "alternator diode date code" - I got a short list of 7 thread / posts, which included your post - the answer to your and my question partially lies in the thread comments - worth reading - here is a link the the thread posts - https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ode+stamp+date.

Good info - I am wondering if time has changed the responses - is the info in the posts still valid, especially those posted by Don Harris.

[Bob R.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

I had the stamps made by a company called Rubberstampchamp.com 800-4my-stamp. I found them on line and they were pretty cheap. It was a few years ago and I don't remember how I figured out the size the information on size may have been on their web site. I'm attaching a picture of the stamps.Alternator stamps.jpgAlternator stamps.jpg

[Tom E.]

[Joe R.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

Tom,

Gary and Eric Mortimer were the go to's for diode stamping for alternators once upon a time.

JR

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

Well here is the good news - Rubber Stamp Champ is still in business and has a robust website https://www.rubberstampchamp.com/. After browsing around the site a bit what concerns me is placing an order that will result in a stamp that is "correct" - I did not see an option for selecting a font or character or line spacing. All that said, may I ask (and I hope you can remember), what exactly should the order specify or state?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

If you contact Bob (above) and get his order number, RSC could likely look back and figure out what they did.
Or, Bob can look back at his order and let you know...?

[Tom E.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

I went to the website and I was able to select a small stamp 3/4 by 3/4 with a drop down menu for font type and size. The Helvetica 8 pitch has the best character typeset IMHO. I didn’t order yet as I am unsure as to how far the diode date precedes the date stamp on the alternator frame. I can almost read the date on my old diodes. if anyone has info on dates I appreciate the sharing.

https://www.rubberstampchamp.com/designer.aspx?ProductID=HS-075X075&qty=1

edit add-on. I went out and measured the font size on the diode and it is 3/32 of an inch or rounding up slightly to an 1/8 inch so Ed’s selection of the 8 Pitch Font should be as close as one is going to get. 7 Pitch might be just a tad closer. There are 72 points to an inch as referenced n the table below. I also suspect it’s possible the stamps used varied a bit over time especially if provided by more than one vendor.

1A2ADE59-5040-4ACD-8914-402C49D9B293.jpeg

[Tom E.]

[Ed S.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

Tom,
I am looking on the Rubber Stamp Champ website for the particular stamp product you referenced, the 075 x 075 -- question, what line spacing value are you going to use? There is an option for line spacing on the order form page.

[Tom E.]

[Ronald L.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

Arial 8 bold was what Donald Harris used - you mentioned Helvetica 8 pitch.

Anyone compared these to the originals of a NOS back plate or loose NOS diodes?

FWIW these "restamped" look like they have way too much ink.

Attached here are the neg diodes froma 67 cas and 67 dated part...

67 alt.jpgdiode neg 67.jpg67 diode 2.jpg67 diode 3.jpg

[Tom E.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

Ron,
The font selection on the site did not list Arial which is why I stated the Helvetica appeared to be the closest choice. Also noted that my late 66 generator has three lines of text where as yours has two. As for the ink quantity keep in mind the ink is close to 50 years old and exposed to the elements. I also would guess the amount of ink varied from one operator to another during production.
Tom

[Edward J.]

[Tom E.]

Re: Alternator Diode Ink Stamp

I also used the rubber stamps for my 63 & 72 Alternator and 72 trailing arms and recently brought another one to do the alpha code for my 72 heater hoses.