63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

[Frederick W.]

Can anyone translate these Master Cylinder date codes:

C-263, A-9-3, A-163.

[Tom H.]

Re: 63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

March 26, 1963
January 9, 1963
January 16, 1963

Master cyl are MDDY date coded. A is January.

[Frederick W.]

Re: 63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

March 26, 1963
January 9, 1963
January 16, 1963

Master cyl are MDDY date coded. A is January.

Thanks

What would be the expected master cylinder date for a Mid May built 63 coupe?

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

Like most other dated parts (with the exception of those mentioned either by specific guidance in the Judging Guide OR by specific call out in the Judging Reference Manual) the rule is 0-6 months prior to the car's final assy date...

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

Fred;

For what it's worth, my 63 was a July 9, 1963 build. The original MC had a date code of A-163 (January 16, 1963). That one was stolen off my car by a Corvette shop in Downers Grove, Illinois in 1992. It took me many years (1992 to 2007) before I found a replacement with a date code close to my original and I had to settle on, ironically, a A-9-3 (January 09, 1963).

I suppose that your mention of these same two date codes in your thread could mean that many many castings were done on those two dates, and the 6 month rule of thumb may not pertain to these MC castings.

Anyone else run into this situation???

Stu Fox

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

Let's see July 9th less January 16 is JUST within the 6-month rule, eh?

I've seen a number of these MC's with B, C, D, Etc. dates. So, while they probably were built in 'batches', Corvette wasn't the only vehicle that used the same MC casting...

Sometimes, as the assy line progressed toward the end of a given model year and and factory folks knew this/that part wouldn't be used next year, AMAZING things happened... Inventory that was 'lost' and/or misplaced became 'found'. Also, since there was no specific FIFO/LIFO inventory control, old stock appeared as they pulled from the bottom of the bin and/or reached the back of the shelf!

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

Jack;

Thanks. I feel a lot better knowing mine is reasonably close. It took a long time to find and replace my MC.

Stu Fox

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 Master Cylinder Date Codes

The typical restorer would have gone looking for a 'better' casting date match (2-8 weeks before final assy). I appreciate your efforts to match up as best you could the known factory original date code on your MC even if it DOES push the 6-month envelope!

So often when I judge a car I see EACH and EVERY dated part fall right into the 'sweet' zone (2-8 weeks prior). Most 'untouched' cars I've had experience with have at LEAST one or two dated parts on them that fall outside the 2-8 week target interval...