My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

[Terry M.]

One of the things I enjoy about this forum is there is always something new to learn. Very often that is because someone asks a question the answer to which I have never paid attention before. Sometimes it involves learning something new about the car I have owned for almost 43 years.

Another member asked me about the alternator adjusting hardware on my car, since he has a 1970 also. For the first time I took the bolt, flat washer and lock washer off the car to make some measurements. Below is what I found.

DSCN5986.jpg 1970 alt 005.jpg

The first photo is a before shot, on the chance I need it to get it back together. I know how washers are stamped, and how rapidly they are produced. My question is, do you think this is a misfire; or are they all like this?

[Dick W.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Quite common in the fastener industry. I suppose today that the computer will kick out a mistamp, but in the era when your car was new, I saw quite a few mistamps

Was not only fasteners, I have a rather large box of mistamped (mint error) coins on my desk right now.

[Peter L.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Terry - If you want to find its friend, just go down to hardware store and dig thru the bulk flat washer bin, if it has one, and you'll probably find some more. Pete

[Terry M.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Terry - If you want to find its friend, just go down to hardware store and dig thru the bulk flat washer bin, if it has one, and you'll probably find some more. Pete

Already did that at Farm & Fleet years ago, but unlike Dick's coins (which are probably worth some coin) I didn't find any miss-stamps. I did find various thicknesses. I think they used whatever scrap was on hand to feed the stamping machines.

[Edward J.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Terry, Being in the automotive trade I have seen this before, I still by my nuts,bolts,washers by the bags, and see this quite often.

[Terry M.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Terry, Being in the automotive trade I have seen this before, I still by my nuts,bolts,washers by the bags, and see this quite often.

I am aware of the frequency of this "malfunction" however, I see this nip out of the outer diameter as an advantage in this application -- and I am trying to find out if this was deliberate for the alternator adjusting "special" washer -- as the AIM puts it. I know it should be special because of its increased thickness, but is it special in other ways. This notch just fits so neatly against the alternator that I have to wonder.

I wasn't aware of it for 43 years. Maybe there are more circumcised alternator washers out there and the car owners, like me, just haven't looked.

[Mike M.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

i can see it happening now---a bunch of reproducers taking 100's of thick flat washers to teir urologist for the circumcision proceedure. and hoping medicare/obamacare will cover the cost. mike

[Terry M.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

That rabbi would make a bunch for those bris, but the usual disposal procedure might be a little tough.
Thanks for your help Mike

[Don L.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Ya mean it isn't a weight reduction design, used only on the LT1?

As posted here already, it's a mis-feed during the punching operation. The feed between strokes was too short. Washers are manufactured, using simple blanking dies, which allows this to happen. A more complex progressive die would use a pilot, thereby, avoiding such a failure.

[Mark D.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

A more complex progressive die would use a pilot, thereby, avoiding such a failure.

Usually, allowing a pilot to become involved makes things worse.

[Don L.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Usually, allowing a pilot to become involved makes things worse.

...and there we have it. It's Mark's fault.

BTW, Mark: are these the same washers as are used to secure seats to the floor????????????????????????????????

[Alan S.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Hi Terry,
I'd think that if the radius the 'arc' cut is based on is the same radius as the 'circle' is based on, it would be a mis-punch.
If the 'arc' cut was different it would seem to be a circumcision for installation purposes.
Regards,
Alan

[Terry M.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

Hi Terry,
I'd think that if the radius the 'arc' cut is based on is the same radius as the 'circle' is based on, it would be a mis-punch.
If the 'arc' cut was different it would seem to be a circumcision for installation purposes.
Regards,
Alan

I didn't think to check that. I will and be back with the thickness measurement as well.

[Peter L.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

There goes the neighborhood.

[Richard H.]

Re: My alternator adjusting washer is circumcised

HI Terry, Can not believe that the washer on my 1972 lt1 looks just like the picture that you show on your post. I guess they must have wanted to save on material???? I am not good on the computer so I can't send a picture on "e"mail but if you send me your address I will mail you a photo. Please advise. Dick Hodgman (11097) Could it be they were all circumcised ????