What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

[Oliver B.]

Recently I received a replacement decal for my 77's remanufactured A/C compressor. (see pic)
When comparing this to my previous compressor's decal, it showed that my previous compressor seemed to be replacement already (as it had a "Harrisson"-decal on it).

On the new decal there is the "Code No." left blank - I looked up a picture in Licastro's "1973-77 Fact Manual" which SHOWS a number stamped or printed on there.

Now what does that code say, what is the code's "systematics" and how is it applied to the decal?
Maybe I will try to reproduce what might have been on my car's originally...

Your help is very much appreciated!
Oliver

[Terry M.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

That is a date code. I can't tell you the sequence for 1977 for certain, but for earlier compressors (1968-1972) it is MMDDYS where M=month, D=day, Y=year, and S=Shift. It might be two numbers for the year, I can't be sure from memory. At least that is what I think it is working from memory.

Why not be sure and look it up in the TIM&JG?

And before you think about trying to reproduce the number, take a look at some originals. It is NOT a simple typewriter operation. I have yet to see anyone successfully reproduce the font and style of that number, but many have tried. If you find a way let us all in on the trick.

[Oliver B.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Sure I will!
Currently I was just thinking of "giving the thing a code" instead of 100% correctly reproducing one... On the other hand: why not, while at it?
So, seeing the time of year (with not many cars around to inspect), can you please supply pictures of your mid/late 70s cormpressor's labels?
Thanks a lot!

And thanks for the specifications... (Okay, I wanted to take the short cut, so I asked here instead of looking it up - sorry!)

Hum, take a look at my old (Harrisson) compressor's label - according to your specs, the code 012061 would read Jan 20 (improbably seventy- or much more fittingly eighty-)6, first shift... Fully out of sequence for my June 77!

[Terry M.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Hum, take a look at my old (Harrisson) compressor's label - according to your specs, the code 012061 would read Jan 20 (improbably seventy- or much more fittingly eighty-)6, first shift... Fully out of sequence for my June 77!

I think you have that code exactly right. The picture shows how that number was almost "stamped" into the label. Hard to reproduce that. I think the process is has something to do with a heated die and a foil "ribbon." It is not made with common office equipment. In judging a blank code is about the same deduction as an improperly formed one -- at least that is what I do.

[Oliver B.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Thanks again for the (fast!!!) clarification.

Without original examples at hand, does the Harrisson code look like the original Delco ones? I could use that one then...

[Alan D.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Oliver,
According to the judging manual, the 1977 AC compressor label is to have a compressor number "1131078" not "1131129". I have had my car flight judged many times and not had a problem with this label. Like Terry mentioned, I have not been able to duplicate the code font. I have left it blank and the car has always top flighted. However the compressor is the original compressor with just a new label.

[Oliver B.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Alan, just to be sure: what label do you have on it 1131078 or 1131129? If the first one, where do you have that one from?

Well, a real good car can well live with a deduction for those points. Actually I want to gain knowledge - and maybe just leave the code on the label blank.......

[Tom R.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Oliver...your bound and determined to get your A/C compressor label system correct! Good for you.

Ok, here is a 1978 Label. the date code format is MMDDYS so your label as you've correctly assessed is an 86 service replacement and the part number shows that it was produced well after the series in 77-78. I suspect your 77 label was identical in font and format.

So the label below shows both the font and date code for a March 04 78 lable. It's off an April 5th 78 Pace Car...so it's about a month out. Note as well that the yellow portion in relation to the data portion is consistent with your repro label. Your service replacement label of 86 is positioned on the opposite side. Point of order there.

DSC01320.jpg

Fontwise I would try a Helvetica narrow but remember in 77-78 they did not have helvetica...just typewriters so a Courier font may be close as well.

[Oliver B.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Thank you, Tom! I very much appreciate...

Gives me a lot of an idea, how the real thing has to look like.

Comparing my repro with your original label, the difference in fonts in the "data-field" gets obvious just as well - good to know for judging!

The more you know, the more you WANT to know: do you know what your "upside down 078" stands for (on my repro decal it is "129")...?

[Tom R.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Thank you, Tom! I very much appreciate...

Gives me a lot of an idea, how the real thing has to look like.

Comparing my repro with your original label, the difference in fonts in the "data-field" gets obvious just as well - good to know for judging!

The more you know, the more you WANT to know: do you know what your "upside down 078" stands for (on my repro decal it is "129")...?

Keep perspective of what Top Flight judge is judging and you can tell by looking at a 77 Mechanical score sheet which I don't have. But the tech manual says we are looking for the paper label with date code and part number. On a 77 we are looking for a R-4 vs A-6 type compressor with yellow silver and black label. Apply the elements of originality configuration, completeness, finish, date and Installation. Equally apply condition and you should be able to accurately estimate where you stand. NOTE...font isn't included in the manual but if its a 21st century type font, and the judge is sharp enough to catch it, your date code font would earn a deduction for say configuration. But than that becomes a small percentage of the total score.

[Alan D.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Alan, just to be sure: what label do you have on it 1131078 or 1131129? If the first one, where do you have that one from?

Well, a real good car can well live with a deduction for those points. Actually I want to gain knowledge - and maybe just leave the code on the label blank.......

Oliver, I have the 1131078 label. I picked it up at Carlisle around 10 years ago. I have been looking for a source for the label since and have had no success yet. I have been in contact with Bruce Levey Antique Auto Parts and asked him for a picture of the 1131078 label, but he did not want to send one. I guess I will just have to buy one and hope it is correct. Where did you get yours.
Al Dieterle

[Oliver B.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

Bruce himself... So maybe you can save the money... (But I am happy to have a sticker this good, at last!)

How about Jim Osbourne (http://http://www.osborn-reproduction.com/)? Someplace I read this is the manufacturer even Bruce gets his supplies from, but I do not know that for sure...
That might be an alternate try!?


I just looked it up again: Osborn does not show a label for 77 - only one for 1978 with the #1131129... And Bruce shows this number just as well - only for 77-78 compressors...

[Kirk M.]

Re: What does the "Code No." on A/C Compressor Decal tell?

One thing I have done and seen done is use a computer picking the font and style that most closely matches what you need. Print the numbers out on clear label material, cut the clear label material so that it fits properly into the space where the number should be and at least you have the correct number and close to a correct font. Having said all of that, it is pretty easy when you look from certain directions to tell that you have attached a clear label, so I guess you would lose points on that. It wasn't so bad on my 67 compressor because the region for the number code was found within a boxed zone on the label, so I could hide the edges a little easier than you might be able. I did not lose any points at my local chapter meet. I tried lots of approaches to typing the numbers on the label and it simply doesn't work on these foil labels. The above was the best I could come up with after getting some advice from fellow NCRS'ers! Good luck!