71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

[Brad M.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Mike,

Would you happen to know the publication dates of the two Lt-1 articles? I have read one which discussed dating components for the 71 LT-1, which seems like it was around a year ago, but do not think that I have seen a another article regarding 71 Lt-1 written by you. (I am guessing the date of the one which I have not seen may precede the one that I have seen).

I definitely found your article that I read regarding component dating on 71 Lt-1 to be very interesting. I actually was familiar with one of the cars discussed in that article (I think VIN#2709) as it was located in Indiana and I had considered purchasing that car in about 2004 (but ultimately purchased a different 71 Lt-1 instead).

Brad

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Chuck--
You need to understand the production process. It was not a first-in, first-out system. Most of the components were manufactured somewhere else, and transported to St. Louis for assembly. Most components would be questioned if they were dated a day or two ahead of the assembly date of the car. Your car is interesting because it was born about 700 cars (a week or so) before a two-month GM strike (Sept-Nov. 1970).
It sounds like although you are a newbie here, that you have a good eye for what questions to ask--I think getting the Restorer master CD would be good for you. I have written 3 articles over the years on component dating, as well as two on 71LT-1 cars--you'd benefit from that.
Regards,
Mike Ernst

Mike,
As a 71 LT-1 owner I'd be interested in reading your Restorer articles. I have all the old Restorers so if you could direct me to the specific issues then I can read them.
Thanks

[Mike E.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Mike,
As a 71 LT-1 owner I'd be interested in reading your Restorer articles. I have all the old Restorers so if you could direct me to the specific issues then I can read them.
Thanks

Dave--
The two specific LT-1 articles are in 30:3 and 34:3
The first is entitled "Two possum skeletons equal LT-1" and give the numbers off a really late car--21653, a 30k mile car that got three stars this summer at the national (they didn't like the paint)
The other is a post-strike car, and is number 2485. That number isn't in the article, because in the Wayne Scraba days, he would eliminate those kind of things.
I presently have 4215--red/red convertible which is quite original except for block.
Regards,
Mike

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Dave--
The two specific LT-1 articles are in 30:3 and 34:3
The first is entitled "Two possum skeletons equal LT-1" and give the numbers off a really late car--21653, a 30k mile car that got three stars this summer at the national (they didn't like the paint)
The other is a post-strike car, and is number 2485. That number isn't in the article, because in the Wayne Scraba days, he would eliminate those kind of things.
I presently have 4215--red/red convertible which is quite original except for block.
Regards,
Mike

Mike,
Thanks. Mine is #16798.

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Dave--
The two specific LT-1 articles are in 30:3 and 34:3
The first is entitled "Two possum skeletons equal LT-1" and give the numbers off a really late car--21653, a 30k mile car that got three stars this summer at the national (they didn't like the paint)
The other is a post-strike car, and is number 2485. That number isn't in the article, because in the Wayne Scraba days, he would eliminate those kind of things.
I presently have 4215--red/red convertible which is quite original except for block.
Regards,
Mike

Mike,
After reading your first Restorer article I have a 71 coupe ZQ3 (base), THM car that is #21467. Another last week of production car. Mine has fiber optics but several 72 qualities like a 72 rear window tray, no windshield weather strippig tails, two 72 frame stencils (part number 6263623), the pre 71 short code on the spare tire, a 70 style heal pad at the acceleratror, and an unpainted starter.

[Brad M.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Thanks Mike. 34-3 is the one that I have read. I think 30-3 is prior to my time as an LT-1 owner and NCRS member. (I bought my car in 2004). Mine is #18294 by the way, warbonnett coupe with saddle interior.

[Mike E.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Mike,
After reading your first Restorer article I have a 71 coupe ZQ3 (base), THM car that is #21467. Another last week of production car. Mine has fiber optics but several 72 qualities like a 72 rear window tray, no windshield weather strippig tails, two 72 frame stencils (part number 6263623), the pre 71 short code on the spare tire, a 70 style heal pad at the acceleratror, and an unpainted starter.

Dave--
21653 has 72 carpet, 72 headlights, tranny stamped with 72, yet has fiberoptics. A radio-delete car, by the way. Blackwalls, etc.
Since I'm a 62 guy first, and 71 second, tell me what you're alking about with the "pre-71 short code on the spare tire." I'll be happy to look at mine.
Mike

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Dave--
21653 has 72 carpet, 72 headlights, tranny stamped with 72, yet has fiberoptics. A radio-delete car, by the way. Blackwalls, etc.
Since I'm a 62 guy first, and 71 second, tell me what you're alking about with the "pre-71 short code on the spare tire." I'll be happy to look at mine.
Mike

Mike,
My #21467 has the 72 style T-3's as well. #16798 has two 72 style T-3's so the change over started long before the end of the Model Year.
It was believed that the tire code embossed information was changed by DOT mandate in January 1971 to what I call the "long" code" where among other things the last 3 numbers were the wk/year of manufacture. (that is the way it is even now). Prior to that the coding was something the tire companies designed themselves to track their own tires. i.e. plant of manufacture, date, tire style etc. There seems to have been a few post January 1971 tires show up with the earlier style coding dispelling the thought that January 1971 was actually the mandated month. It remains unclear as far as I know when the DOT mandate officially came into effect but I think it was sometime in 1971 but not until around mid year. It may have been voluntairy from Jan. 1971 until some official date. My spare is an April 1971 Goodyear RWL with the early code.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

I have a 61 tuxedo pretty good car last tagged before me in 76, tire coding not sure if this would help but my 71 warbonnet saddle convert still has the f 70 thin white strip spare worn but there. Would any coding from that help. Thanks

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

I have a 61 tuxedo pretty good car last tagged before me in 76, tire coding not sure if this would help but my 71 warbonnet saddle convert still has the f 70 thin white strip spare worn but there. Would any coding from that help. Thanks

Chuck,
If it is not to much trouble please post it along with your build date.

[Dick W.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Dave, I have always thought that DOT mandates began on 1/1/xx. With that said, I believe that the mandate on coding would have started with tires manufactured on or after 1/1/xx. With the supply chain procedures that were in effect in that era, there could have been several months of tires in inventory, both at Goodyear and St. Louis. It is very conceivable that the actual change was quite a bit later than the first of the year.

[Mike E.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

Mike,
My #21467 has the 72 style T-3's as well. #16798 has two 72 style T-3's so the change over started long before the end of the Model Year.
It was believed that the tire code embossed information was changed by DOT mandate in January 1971 to what I call the "long" code" where among other things the last 3 numbers were the wk/year of manufacture. (that is the way it is even now). Prior to that the coding was something the tire companies designed themselves to track their own tires. i.e. plant of manufacture, date, tire style etc. There seems to have been a few post January 1971 tires show up with the earlier style coding dispelling the thought that January 1971 was actually the mandated month. It remains unclear as far as I know when the DOT mandate officially came into effect but I think it was sometime in 1971 but not until around mid year. It may have been voluntairy from Jan. 1971 until some official date. My spare is an April 1971 Goodyear RWL with the early code.

The original spare from 21653 is the long code MJU2 DYA 241
Mike

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

I too believe that the mandate started on 1/1/71. Someplace I read that the tire manufacturers protested the change in the tire code, arguing that the number of molds that would have to be changed made it impossible to meet the mandate. I suppose the DOT could have given them some flexibility to meet the terms of the regulation, or could have delayed enforcement.

[Dave S.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

The original spare from 21653 is the long code MJU2 DYA 241
Mike

Mike,
Your tire is the 24th week of 1971 and it appears that it is the later coding as you would expect. Is it a Firestone.???

What has caused the confusion is finding a Goodyear tire that is dated the 14th week of 1971 with the pre 1971 tire coding of CF NDL JD1. If DOT mandated the change on 1/1/71 then how did this occur.???

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 LT1 Alternator 1100950

What has caused the confusion is finding a Goodyear tire that is dated the 14th week of 1971 with the pre 1971 tire coding of CF NDL JD1. If DOT mandated the change on 1/1/71 then how did this occur.???

Goodyear F(_&ed up, or some workers and inspectors just didn't care, or folks didn't take the "mandates" too seriously, or the initial date was 1/1/71 but changed later, or ??? Just keep on going. Who knows now 38 years later?