63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

[Joe S.]

I picked this 63 Alternator up recently. It had been redone and was tested and works fine. However, I suppose it will have to be refinished professionally (John Pirkle).

It has the correct #1100628 and date code 3C14 (March 14, 1963) just below the top bolt hole. However, on other Alternators I have seen, the #'s were on the side above the flat spot on the rear.

Does this look correct for a 63 Corvette and would it make a decent core to be properly refinished. At a glance, it looks pretty darn good and would make someone a great driver regardless. Especially for what I paid for it.

Thanks,

Joe..

Can only post one pic here but there is a pic of the front side at:

[William C.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

Change in date and P/N location was made around Jan of '63, so you should be good, Looks great as is from picture!

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

The front housing looks correct for 63 but the rear looks like a 64 and later with the round hole for the wiring harness support. I don't think 63's had that hole. Also, the rear housing should be rotated 90 deg CW to be correct for Corvette.

http://www.art-5.com/literature/authors/o/yuri_karlovich_olesha/

[Joe S.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

You're right on the CW rotation. However, I just pulled it apart and it can easily be rotated 90 Degrees so the flat section on the rear is even with the top of the Alt so the numbers are on top as they should be.

The rear is identical to another 63 Alternator I have. I have a perfectly good #1100633 dated July 63 (same as the build on my car) but according to records this alternator was only used on A/C cars so that's why I was trying to replace it (painfully though).




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

joe: can you give us a pic of the rear face in order to evaluate the harness retainer holes that were of a first and second series in 63?mike

[Joe S.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

Being home "under the weather" affords the time (too much) to take care of these things. Can't wait to get back to working on the resto.

Anyway, here's the rear (dead-on) shot.




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Chuck G.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

Shouldn't have the wiring harness hole there, Joe. That's 64 and up. 63's had slots all around without the wiring harness hole, and the case was rotated 90 degrees as others have stated. Chuck

[Joe S.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

Thanks Chuck,

The unit has been rotated the 90 degrees so it looks correct. So it looks like the issue is down to the holes. My guess is that perhaps this is really from an impala or something.

Anyhow, just had it double checked this morning at the local Auto Electric after pulling it apart, rotating it, and putting it back together. It's working just fine.

However, it looks like I may end up posting it 4-sale for someone. It looks great, is refinished, and would make a great driver piece. I'll have to find another core.

Thanks to all..




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Jack H.]

Expect deductions....

for whoever redid this alternator having bead blasted all the original mfgr markings off the diodes.... Originals will show both the GM PN for the positive and negative diodes protruding through the rear case along with diode mfgr date codes.

Consider a 'trick'.... The diode bridge was identical regardless of what specific configuration/current rating the finished alt assy wound up being. If you have or can find another '63 alt from the appropriate time frame, you can simply swap the rear the case to obtain correct/correct dated diodes. Or, you can send what you have to Pirkle or Briggs and they'll 'restore' your diodes with 'magic' rubber stamp & ink pad....

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

Chuck,

Mine is correctly dated for my July 63 car. It also has this w/h hole. Was there a configuration change for late 63s?

tc

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 Alternator - Core Possibilities

Mike,

Can you elaborate some on what the late 63 harness hole configuration on the back of the alternator is?

My July 63 alternator also has the configuration shown in Joe's straight on pic from the back. All slots except one 1/4" round hole.

thank,
tc