Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

[Scott S.]

Some AC Delco products (including some fuel pumps and the instrument cluster discussed in a recent Thread) carry a date code format showing the year inside a circle with a number of dashes around the circle indicating the month.

My AC Delco oil filter valve assembly has a similar marking, with dots instead of dashes. This valve assembly (picture below) was on the original small block engine from a Corvette built on Jan. 11, 1967. It has "66" inside a circle with eight raised dots. There are a couple other marks that look like dots in the picture, but they are depressions or gouges, not raised.

August 1966 would be within the correct time frame for a January '67 car. I didn't find anything in the archives about this, just curious if I'm interpreting this right or whether anyone else has noticed the same thing?

[Joe L.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

Some AC Delco products (including some fuel pumps and the instrument cluster discussed in a recent Thread) carry a date code format showing the year inside a circle with a number of dashes around the circle indicating the month.

My AC Delco oil filter valve assembly has a similar marking, with dots instead of dashes. This valve assembly (picture below) was on the original small block engine from a Corvette built on Jan. 11, 1967. It has "66" inside a circle with eight raised dots. There are a couple other marks that look like dots in the picture, but they are depressions or gouges, not raised.

August 1966 would be within the correct time frame for a January '67 car. I didn't find anything in the archives about this, just curious if I'm interpreting this right or whether anyone else has noticed the same thing?

Scott-----


You are interpreting it correctly.

[Terry M.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

I believe that valve assembly would have been installed at the engine assembly plant. Thus the date of engine assembly would be more relevant to this casting date than the vehicle assembly date.

[Scott S.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

Scott-----


You are interpreting it correctly.

Thanks Joe,

I'm always interested to learn about another dated part on these cars. I have not seen this type of date code on NOS AC Delco service replacements.

Scott

[Scott S.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

I believe that valve assembly would have been installed at the engine assembly plant. Thus the date of engine assembly would be more relevant to this casting date than the vehicle assembly date.

Terry,

The engine stamp pad on this L79 says VI230HT (December 30). But the valve assembly is called out on UPC 6-B2 (6-B1 in 1968-69), shouldn't that mean it was installed at St. Louis?

I have read that the engines were tested using propane for fuel. At what point (and where) did that occur?

[Joe L.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

Thanks Joe,

I'm always interested to learn about another dated part on these cars. I have not seen this type of date code on NOS AC Delco service replacements.

Scott

Scott------


If one had purchased one of these in SERVICE back in the 60's it would likely have the date code. If one purchased one in, say, the 90's, it likely would not have had the date code. The piece was discontinued without supercession in August, 1998.

[Joe L.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

Terry,

The engine stamp pad on this L79 says VI230HT (December 30). But the valve assembly is called out on UPC 6-B2 (6-B1 in 1968-69), shouldn't that mean it was installed at St. Louis?

I have read that the engines were tested using propane for fuel. At what point (and where) did that occur?

Scott------


The valve/adapter was installed at St. Louis for all 1963-67 and 68-82 Corvettes.

All PRODUCTION engines were test fired on propane at the engine plants. Oil was drained before shipment. I assume that some temporary valve/adapter was installed at the engine plants for the test fire.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

Here's the dated one on my 396 '961' BB block (should be same as SB's). check attached thumnail on post #11 of the May 2011 thread (below). Year 65 date cast with dots 5 [May]) correspond to engine T0607 assembly.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...l+filter+valve

[Terry M.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

Terry,

The engine stamp pad on this L79 says VI230HT (December 30). But the valve assembly is called out on UPC 6-B2 (6-B1 in 1968-69), shouldn't that mean it was installed at St. Louis?

I have read that the engines were tested using propane for fuel. At what point (and where) did that occur?

I should have looked in the AIM before I posted. I was thinking since they fired them and measured oil pressure at the engine plant .... I guess I should have paid more attention when I was there in the '80s.

[Scott S.]

Re: Are original AC Delco Oil filter Valve Assemblies (GM 5573837) dated?

Wayne,

Thank you for the link with info and great pictures.

Thanks very much to all for the replies,

Scott