C2 Alternator and Water Pump

[Steve Miller #39713]

I am beginning the rebuild of my original 1966 327/350 motor. In the box of parts that I put on the shelf 15 years ago, I found the alternator and water pump that was on the motor. I think both are incorrect. The alternator is (first line) 1100834 37A (second line) 8H 7 12VNEG. I think I need a 1100696 since the car has TI. If the engine came out of the Flint plant on 5/13/66, what would be an acceptable alternator date? Also, what is the application for the alternator I have?

Next, the water pump. It has what appears to be a 'B' inside a circle and then '579'. Both are cast on the pump. What do I need?

Thanks for all input. This might take awhile.

Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Alternator and Water Pump

Steve-----

You do require a GM #1100696 alternator for a correct installation. The NCRS/NCCB window for acceptable dates is within 6 months prior to the build date of the car. Your current alternator was originally used on 1969 Chevrolet and other GM applications as the standard alternator (i.e. what you got if you didn't order certain other options). It was not used on 1969 Corvettes since this is an external regulator alternator and all 1969 Corvettes used internal regulator alternators. This unit was manufactured on August 7, 1969 for installation in an early 1969 vehicle.

As far as the water pump goes, if the only marks that you see on the casting are the ones you described, then I'd say that you have an aftermarket unit. The correct one for your application will have a prominent "GM" casting mark, no "T" on the casting and the casting number 3859326. Depending upon when your car was built, a dated or undated casting may apply. Dating for these pumps began in November, 1965. Once again, the 6 month window rule applies but, in this case, it applies from the build date of the engine, not the car, itself. Also, an original pump should be drilled and tapped on the upper boss for 1/2" NPT fitting.

[Steve Miller #39713]

Joe - Follow-Up Re: C2 Alternator and Water Pump

Joe

As usual, thanks for the reply. On the water pump, the engine build date was 5/13/66 so, I should probably search out a dated pump - correct? Where on the pump would the 'GM' and date casting be located?

Thanks again.

Steve Miller

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe - Follow-Up Re: C2 Alternator and Water Pu

Steve----

Yes, your engine would be one of the first that probably received a dated '326' casting. Dates are found on the front of the casting and follow the usual format for castings an example of which would be "A 12 5" which would be January 15, 1965 (or 1975, 1985, or 1995).

Also, dates are usually not observable with the pullies installed on the pump. So, for the most part, from a judging standpoint the issue is moot.

[Ralph E.]

Re: C2 Alternator and Water Pump

Joe,
Why isn't an Alternator 8 H 7 a August 7, 1968 date?

[Steve Miller #39713]

Thanks Joe! *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 Alternator and Water Pump

Ralph-----

Well, that's because I committed a "typographical error" when I said the date was August 7, 1969. I should have typed August 7, 1968. Typing was never one of my strong suits. Thank heavens for electronic word processing, though. Typing correction fluid and correction paper kept me poor in the old days.

[Craig S.]

Re: Joe - Follow-Up Re: C2 Alternator and Water Pu

Steve - the 1100696 alternators are the holy grail of corvette alternators. Hold on to your wallet when you look! They are very difficult to locate..Craig

[Steve Miller #39713]

Re: Joe - Follow-Up Re: C2 Alternator and Water Pu

Craig -

Thanks for those words of encouragement. I always thought once something had the name Corvette attached to it that the price tripled anyway. With everything else externally numbers matching on the engine, I figured I should try to get these two items - without going for the second job to pay for them.

Steve

[Jack H.]

696 is NOT a Corvette only part....

that's an old wife's tale. Zora did not blow precious tooling dollars from his budget for unique Corvette parts unless they were somehow related to styling or performance. You'll find the 696 alternator commonly used on BIG trucks as well as Canadian Oldsmobiles among other vehicles. The few times that a correct 696 alternator shows up for sale, do we believe it was robbed from a TI equipped classic Corvette?

[Joe L.]

Re: 696 is NOT a Corvette only part....

Jack-----

The '696' alternator was used on many other Chevrolet and GM applications than even the Corvette and the truck and Oldsmobile applications you described. Although the other applications were likely not produced in large quantity, in aggregate, I'm sure they total far more than were ever used on Corvette applications.

It never ceases to amaze me how much folks get "hung up" on these alternator part numbers. It is very easy to build or otherwise acquire an alternator which is configured, internally and externally, EXACTLY like a '696' except for "numbersn appropriate SERVICE alternator front case half which has NO numbers on it and is "gender-neutral". In doing so, and for about $50, one can have an alternator which is configured 99.95% like an original '696' unit. In my mind, to pay big bucks for any "rare" alternator part number or to think that these alternators are otherwise special is foolishness.

[Craig S.]

Re: 696 is NOT a Corvette only part....

Joe - as you say, it boils down to paying for the digit 6 on the end versus 3 and 42A vs 37A plus a date code....I doubt the internals of any of the units for sale are ever the original anyway....like you say, they are worth $50 and you have to decide if you want to spend another $400 for the judges....Craig