Alternator bolt headmark

[Ken C.]

car is a 72 BB
question regarding alternator-adjusting bolt. just reading the tech manual and have a question or 2
It says the "bolt is almost always zinc or cadmium plated with a WB head mark. My first question is this the only bolt judges will say is correct or is other headmarks OK
Second part says "under the head of the bolt is a dark split lock washer"
Does this mean a black or just dark, non plated lock washer?

thanks in advance.

[Tom L.]

Re: Alternator bolt headmark

While I was a chassis judge at a recent regional, I did witness the mechanical judges take a deduction for a zinc alternator adjusting bolt on a '71 LS-6 that lacked the WB head mark. My original bolt (1970) has the WB mark and three lines going from the WB out to the perimeter of the head. The reproduction bolts (Paragon) have the WB but don't have the lines. Whether a reproduction bolt would yield a deduction depends on the judge I suppose. My original washer appears to be plain, as in not plated.

[Terry M.]

Re: Alternator bolt headmark

The bolt definitely should have three lines -- grade 5. That was part of the Chevrolet spec for that fastener. He headmark is the bolt manufacturer. WB is the most common, but I have seen RBW, and there may be others IMO. You could get another answer from other judges.

We said dark split lock washer because it is not clear if the lock washer was plated or the finish is a result of the heat treatment necessary for the manufacture of it. If I were to do that paragraph over, I would also specify no lines on the circumference of the lock washer.

Doesn't it also say something about the thickness of the flat washer? If not, it should. That is a non-standard flat washer -- thicker than the norm.

[Ken C.]

Re: Alternator bolt headmark

Thanks, I've been talking with Rich Fortier regarding some bolts and he had some other alt bolts with diff head marks then WB. He was wondering if the other headmarks would take a deduction, so asking before i make any purchases. they do have the darker lock washer and thicker washer.

[Terry M.]

Re: Alternator bolt headmark

Please undertand I can't and don't speak for all judges. I should have mentioned that those things are just my opinion. One hopes others will offer their opinions.