AC Spark Plug Box Dates

[Ronald L.]

In the early to late 1960's, AC Spark Plug Division had two date code methods.

Examples are:

3-68-6

165-11

Does anyone know what represents the Month and Day, or week, or how these are read???

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

The date on AC spark plug boxes was a month "clock" and a year in the middle As the year went on the months were erased and the first month showing was the month of production (of the box) and the year in the circle. Where are the numbers you listed on the boxes?
Jeff

[Mike B.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Hey Ronald,

I agree with Jeffrey. I've got boxes of AC44 and AC43N and they range in dates from '67~'73. On one end of each box end flap tab there is a printed clock with a few months shown surrounding the year. But, I've got a very early unopened box of AC44 plugs in a medium blue box that shows the old flamed "fire ring". I think it's date is '61. I'll check it when I get back to Maryland tomorrow. The dating is different on that one.

Mike

[Gary C.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Not sure when the boxes changed from just the year to the year and clock - Jeff probably knows. Photos of '57, 58, 60 & '62 box end tabs Gary....

[Ronald L.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Now that i have your attention......When I said AC Spark Plug Division, I did not reference a specific product.

I was not looking at Spark Plugs which seem to have had their own date codes.

PCV valves is what I am referring to and that date change occurred after early 1968 as I have a box, more than one, dated 1968, and I believe before 1973 where i have boxes dated with the circular month year format. To that extend, in the 80's I have seen boxes with two years shown...

I would suspect that as with fuel pumps and other AC S. P. D. parts, we do not have one specific dating method and could have been plant specific.

Air filters in this 1962 - 1965 time frame I believe also carried this format:

So back to PCV valves and these date codes:

165-11
3-68-6
3-68-5


Any ideas?

[Wayne M.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Somewhat related -- anybody know when the green bands on the ribs went from 4 equal to 1 wide and 3 equal ?

Two NOS sets I have (both 4 equal bands) have individual plug box end flaps dated 69 (w/clock 9, 10, 11, 12) and another 73 (w/clock 3, 4 ... thru 11, 12) with flap on box of eight dated 12_72.

[Don G.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

The date codes on the boxes represent when the boxes were made by a supplier and all you can conclude is that the product was produced sometime after the date on the box.

[Ronald L.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Don, Agreed, in many cases we can tell who that supplier was by their logo, etc. and the later dates with a circle of numbers and a 2-digit pair in the middle are pretty clear, any ideas on these examples shown?

[Bill M.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Not sure when the boxes changed from just the year to the year and clock - Jeff probably knows. Photos of '57, 58, 60 & '62 box end tabs Gary....

I dug out my collection of spark plug boxes; 1963, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, and 1973. All have the month marks circling the year except 1968. It has just the year 68 and a Weyerhauser logo with "Weyerhauser Company Middlebury" on the tab...?

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Gary,
Did the sparkplug in the center come out of the pictured box? It appears to be a different configuration in the porcelain area form any 46's I have seen.

The date clock appeared when the plugs were renamed "Fire Ring" from "Hot Tip" in 1960. That is when the green rings appeared. (Source=ads with dates).

The 3 thin, 1 wide ring started to appear around 1974. I have some boxes dated '74 that have that configuration and some later that still have the 4 thin.
Jeff

[Gary C.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Jeff, the plugs came out of the boxes they're pictured with. Have had them for 15 yrs plus. Let me know if you want more photos. Gary....

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Gary,
What is printed on the porcelain o that plug? In the photo it is turned the wrong way. I would bet it does not say "46".
Jeff

[Gary C.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Jeff, sure doesn't look like the right plug for that box does it. Went to the shop and couldn't find that plug box in my big box of plugs. Don't recall where I got that photo as it was taken with a Nikon Coolpix and my point & shoot cameras have been Canon. Gary....

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

What I would expect to see in that box is the same plug on the left in your third photo. If you come across that box/plug let me know what it is.
Jeff

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: AC Spark Plug Box Dates

Actually, that plug may very well say 46 but it predates the "Corolox" smooth porcelain plugs as pictured in photo 1. Used probably in the 40's.
Jeff