1964 Altenator Build Date

[Mike Yager]

I am trying to verify the build date for the altenator on my 64 convertible. The birthday calculator indicates a build date for my car of Jan 7, 1964. Noland Adam's book seems to indicate the altenator should have a date no earlier than Dec of 1963. Is this true? I thought I also read that a time frame of up to six months would be allowable for accessories such as altenators.

Thanks.

Mike
#34340

[Robert C.]

Re: 1964 Altenator Build Date

I take it you are looking for an altern. for your car. The stamped date on the alternator for a jan 7th car build would usually be two to three weeks before, but , The NCRS generously gives you 6 mo's previous date.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1964 Altenator Build Date

Since the alternator was an engine accessory that was installed at the St. Louis final assy line (not at Flint/Tonawanda engine assy), it should pre-date your car's build by 0-6 months (typical was 2-6 weeks). The trick here is understanding what 'build' means....

There's the body build date on the trim tag and this points to the assy date of the body as a functional sub-assy of the car. In the mid-year era, there were two body assy lines (St. Louis and A.O. Smith in Ionia, Michigan). The body assy source is given on your trim tag. There can be CONSIDERABLE delay between AO Smith body build and the car's actual final assy.

You get the final assy by interpolating the VIN number against month end production records. The Corvette Birthday book you cited is an excellent reference, but, to my knowledge, it too is simply an interpolation method. I don't believe anyone knows ALL the answers on production specifics (line speed-up/slow-down pace, temporary work interruptions, addition of swing shifts and weekend overtime, Etc.). So, I believe any source/method we use to interpolate the exact build date of the car doesn't get more accurate than a couple of days....

Also, there were rare instances where meetings were conducted and GM folks drove from one plant to another with inventory stached in the back/in the trunk. This makes life a 'joy' because it IS possible for a part built the day before or even the same day to show up on the final line! That's why the NCRS guideline of 0-6 months before cuts as low as zero days....

[Dino L.]

Re: 1964 Altenator Build Date

For your reference, my October 29, 1963 built 64 has the original alternator dated 3K14...1963, October, 14th.