Alternator Housing Clocking

[Joe C.]

Something that I find interesting is that the after half of the alternator is clocked in two different configurations, ninety degrees apart, depending on the model years within the 1963-1967 series. It doesn't appear in my 1965 Judging Manual and I can't say whether or not it appears in any of the other midyear manuals, either.

Apparently, the 1964-65 after halves of the alternator are clocked in such a way that the alignment of the three connection points ( "bat", "reg/field", "gnd") in the aft half line up vertically and closest to the right side inner fender. The 1963 and 1967 aft half is clocked so that the terminals line up horizontally and are across the upper part of the alternator. I am not sure about the clocking for the 1966 model year.

Why was this done? I cannot think of any reason for this change from horizontal, vertical, and then back to horizontal.

[John P.]

Re: Alternator Housing Clocking

The 1963 alternators were clocked at 12,the 1964 through 1968 alternators were clocked at 3(Corvettes). The change in clocking had to do with wiring harness routing.

[Joe C.]

Re: Alternator Housing Clocking

The 1963 alternators were clocked at 12,the 1964 through 1968 alternators were clocked at 3(Corvettes). The change in clocking had to do with wiring harness routing.

Thanks John. You did mine a few years ago, and of course did a great job with it. You clocked it @ 3:00. I first noticed a difference when I looked at some 1963 Corvettes at our chapter meet last week and noticed that they were clocked @ 12:00. After that I noted the clocking of alternator photos that I had seen. As you say, my wiring harness will not permit me to clock mine @ 12:00.

I have seen some photos here of 1967 Corvettes whose alternators are clocked @ 12:00, and that is where the question arises. The cars and photos that I have seen are then incorrect, is that right?

Again, your statement in the first paragraph is very interesting, and this is something that should be added to the Judging Manuals since I'm willing to bet that there might be some confusion about this, as well as many cars whose alternators are not clocked as they should be.

Again..............I can't think of a valid reason why the clocking was changed from 12:00 in 1963, to 3:00 for the remainder of the 10DN alternator series Corvette applications. The harness routing change was done to accommodate the clocking change and not vice-versa.

BTW: I hope that my voltage regulator is feeling better now.