71 Alternator -- I GIVE UP!

[Pat Bush]

Ok guys --

I never post asking help to find something but after a year of searching, I need some help..... I found the original carb, the starter, master cylinder.... but I CANNOT FIND A DATED ALTERNATOR for my 71!!!!

The car is a 71 Convertible 350/270 Auto with air. You all know the number.... 1100544 RH date coded sometime between August and December 1970. Look, look, look.... I can't find one for anything except 72 and 73's!

It's my last major piece on a totally correct engine compartment. Can anybody help?

Thanks in advance -- and happy holidays to all of you for all your help in the past!

Regards -

Pat

[Wayne P.]

Re: 71 Alternator -- I GIVE UP!

This maybe obvious, but have you tried John Pirkle?

[Pat Bush]

Re: 71 Alternator -- I GIVE UP!

Wayne -

I have..... He said "good luck" :-( I am on his list and asked me if I knew of anyone who had 70-71 cores!

Pat

[Patrick H.]

"but after a year of searching, I need some help"

Pat,

Get real. I've been picking up every single alternator at Bloominmgton and Carlisle, as well as scouring eBay, for six years while looking for a 1971 1100544. None, nada, zip. The "earliest" was July of 1971. Granted, I wouldn't pay as much attention to a late 70 date, but don't hold your breath.

Well, actually I've seen two for 1971. I spotted one about 3 years ago, but it was a Feb of 71 date (I need April or May of 71). I almost bought it, but decided not to. Through the good graces of another NCRS member I have a January 71 alternator that he swapped me, but I would swap again in a second for the right date. And yes, I've been "on Pirkle's list" for six years. Everything on my car was built may of 1971 except the water pump, so I'm holding out for late April or better yet may.

Find a 544 at your local auto parts store and just forget the date.

Oh, just thought of a 3rd alternator. When an April 71 car was sold to a dealer about 5 years ago the alternator "disappeared" before the next owner. How do I know? I know the guy that sold it to the dealer, I judged the car prior to the selling, and I saw the car later being judged at Bloomington sans original alternator. So, there's one that may be for sale somewhere in New Jersey.

Carb? Got two. MC? Got two. Starter? Pirkle has 'em and mine arrived 6 weeks after Carlisle this year. Alternator? No way.

Patrick

[Charlie P.]

Re: "but after a year of searching, I need some he

Pat- Almost all components of the July 12 build '71 I just bought are May-June time frame, except the 544 alternator, which is Feb. This car is not restored, so it is unlikely that this is a replaced alternator that happened to have a decent date. Is such a date seriously out of line, or is there maybe some reason why alternators might have had a long time gap?

[Pat Bush]

Re: "but after a year of searching, I need some he

Well, Pat, at least you share my frustration..... Mine is such an early build (Dec 13, 1970) that it has been a real challenge on most of the pieces. But this takes the cake. Ain't nothin anywhere even close. Guess I will just wait.....................

Pat

[Patrick H.]

Re: "but after a year of searching, I need some he

Charlie,

You're right that it's likely original. What are the odds of someone getting an alternator from 5 months earlier? Small, unless it was a situation like mine. My 544 is unrestored, and on the car.

My guess is that the small demand may account for the time gap. They are Corvette-only, and especially late in the year they might have been tring to clean off the shelves.

My original water pump is August 70 - on a June 71 car! Who knows...

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: "but after a year of searching, I need some he

My carb was almost as hard. I initially purchased a correct dated one from a well known carb dealer with a large inventory. It was allegedly restored. It was a POS that cost me hundreds to correct, and as a result I vowed never to try that again.

So, looking on my own I knew EXACTLY what date I wanted. I found it 3 years ago at Carlisle, and in the best condition I could imagine. It's on my shelf looking nice and pretty.

Patrick

[Pat Bush]

Re: "but after a year of searching, I need some he

I have a hypothesis..... Don't know if it has any credence but here goes.....

Many of the original parts for my 71 (build Dec 1970 vin 3866) are dated Aug, Sept, early Oct. Could it be having to do with production delays from 1970 -- stock built up but not installed? I would think they would have addressed all excess stock in 10 months of production but maybe there was a hick-up a couple of times? Maybe they over-ordered from their suppliers anticipating 71 production? Just a thought.... Perhaps a GM guy like John H can lend some insight here....

Pat Bush

[Warren F.]

Re: "but after a year of searching, I need some he

Pat:

My '71 has a build date of April 20. The alternator date is Jan 8 '71.

[Larry S.]

Re: 71 Alternator -- I GIVE UP!

I was looking for a 696 alternator for the longest time for my 66 vette.And I also was on several list's waiting for a rebuilder to find one for me.I had heard some other cars might have this alternator in it.I put up a post here asking what other car might have this alternator,And had planned on taking a 3 hr ride up to an older junk yard to look for this alternator.when some one had suggested a fellow named KEN BRUNO MOTOR SPORTS in upstate new york.Sure enought I contacted him and he had one.I had a perfectly rebuilt and dated alternator with one phone call to this fellow.Try Him

Good Luck

[Dave Suesz]

NEVER give up...

I picked up a generic reman Ford alternator a couple years ago from NAPA, opened the box to discover a freshly rebuilt, correct, 1970 BOSS 302 alternator! It went to eBay!

[Jack H.]

Rarer yet....

Open your '71 AIM to C60, Sheet C1. Note the PN listed for the A-6 compressor is 5910778. Follow the circle-4 designator on the compressor line item to the drawing's revision record and note this compressor replaced the prior one used on 1970 cars, 5910741, EARLY in the '71 MY build (8/10/70).

Go find anyone who makes a '741 repro compressor label or find a '71 SB AC car with one installed. Could it be the '741 compressor, while authorized, never made it to the assy line because folks knew they'd change to the superheat switch version of the compressor in '73 and wanted to build out the '71 model year to consume '778 compressor inventory? Another Corvette mystery....

[Doug Flaten]

Joe L. may have several, But they arent for sale *NM*

[Chas Henderson #28127]

Re: "but after a year of searching, I need some he

Pat,

I have a dec build 71 sb as well (s/n 3932) and most of my parts are dated Aug - Oct as well except for the block which is Dec 1 date. Don't forget that there was a 9 week strike, which would have had our cars made about second week of Oct. if it wouldn't of happened. And my car has the original 741 compressor dated 8-12-70. I was able to get an alternator 544 from *****le dated Aug 70. about four years ago. Keep looking, its out there somewhre.

Chasman