Alternator 70-72

[lyndon Sharpton]

I have a 1100544 with a code of OL 11 does that work out to a 70 November 11 build date? thanks

[Patrick H.]

Re: Alternator 70-72

Yes, it does.

You've got gold there. A 1971 544 alternator is MUCH, MUCH harder to find than your carburetor. Trust me on this one.

If the date is right for your car, don't let it go no matter what. Actually, even if the date is WRONG but the number is right, don't let it go.

I can count on less than 2 hands how many 544 alternators I've seen, and that includes on cars.

Patrick

[lyndon Sharpton]

Re: Alternator 70-72

wow I did not know they were so rare. An the date works for my car why are those so hard to come by?

[lyndon Sharpton]

Re: Alternator 70-72

the 1108400 Starter was a rare find! I had looked for one of those for years!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Alternator 70-72

Who knows why they're so hard to find.

I've seen LOTS of them made from July of 1971 onward. Before that? Rare. So keep it and enjoy it.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Alternator 70-72

Patrick------

Why they're hard to find? That's easy. The SI-series, internal regulator alternators were first used for 1969 Corvettes. For 1969, they're only application was Corvettes. So, 1969 Corvette alternators are the most rare of all Corvette alternators. They were uniquely Corvette pieces and most of them got "traded off" years ago for a rebuilt alternator. For 1969 and 1970, both the drive end and split ring case half configurations are unique; the drive end case used for all of 1969 and most, if not all, of 1970 are the same, but unique to those 2 years. The split ring case half is unique to 1969 and unique to 1970. So, for these 2 years the alternators were unique as to configuration, unique as to part numbers and, for the most part, unique to Corvettes (for 1970, there may have been a few other applications).

During 1971-72, the case designs changed. Also, during this period, the SI alternators were being phased into a lot more cars. So, there were PROGRESSIVELY a lot more of them out there. But, they still weren't real common. And, so, they are not real common today.

Also, the 69-70 drive end case was quite weak. They survived ok in use, but were wont to "self-destruct" in a "commercial rebuilder's atmosphere" with "dollar-an-hour guys" doing the rebuilding. Many were undoubtedly lost. The 1969 split ring end case half was weak, too. So, a lot of these were undoubtedly lost, too.