Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

[Gordon W.]

I am wondering what the best way is to make this generator tag look nicer. It looks like it's been through a war.

IMG_20120712_135439.jpg


Also, as I said in a previous post, my JG is locked away in temporary storage while my garage floor is being refinished so I apologize for something I should be able to look up myself, but I'm curious is this is in fact the correct generator for my 61 270hp car? Everything else under the hood seems to match so I am betting this does as well but would like some validation.

My VIN ends in 8614 which I think is a mid-May car. If I understand the tag 1D26 = 1961 April 26? Seem to jive with a mid May car?

[John F.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

According to the Corvette Black Book it is a 58-60 generator. I don't know the differences,but you can purchase new tags from the corvette vendors and have them numbered/dated correctly.

[Jeff C.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

Gordon
It is correct for your car. Corvette by the numbers lists it as correct for the 230-270 Hp in 1961. That generator was used from 1956 thru 1961 for all engines except FI.
Jeff

[Gordon W.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

Thanks, Jeff. I also just confirmed it is correct with Nolan Adams' book which fortunately is not locked up in storage with the rest of my stuff!

So, for judging purposes, would it be better to keep the original tag as ugly as it is or replace it with a reproduction tag?

[Joe M.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

i tried to polish the original tag on my 1960 with dremel buffing wheel and it brightened up the silver part, but did nothing for the red part. Regional judges deducted 1 point for a deteriorated tag. If you purchase a repro, you may run into a judge that believes the repros are not stamped deep enough or too deep or the red is the wrong color. That was my experience with a repro carb tag.

[Gordon W.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

Thank you, Joe. 1 point is not bad. Do you have a picture of your tag so I can compare?

[Joe M.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

No, but I can take one and post it later today.

[Tom S.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

Speaking of tags, any advice on an easy way to pull off a recently installed incorrect tag to be replaced by my newly aquired John Pirkle Jr. tag. I've spent lots of time trying to clean up old tags to no avail and always remember old Dale Pearman telling me "just tell em its a JP tag" to dodge a point loss.

[Joe M.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

Here is a photo of the tag off of my December 1959 built car. I think it looks good, but obviously it is not new. I used a cotton wheel on a dremel tool and applied chrome polish to the center part of the tag. I tried not to polish the red part as I knew the paint would not hold up to much polishing.

[John F.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

Take a Dremmel tool or file and file off the two rivets that hold the tag on. May need an ice pick or small drill to get the remainder of the old rivet out. If drilling, don't go more than 1/8", maybe less.

[Joe M.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

How would you prevent the piece of rivet that is in the hole from dropping down into the generator? Drill it out with a magnet adjacent to it to catch the cuttings? I would be concerned that the tiny rivet pieces would drop down and have the potential to damage the generator.

[John F.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

I may be wrong, but I don't think the original holes for the rivets go all the way thru the casing. That's why I said ONLY go a little way and slowly to get the old ones out.

[Edward J.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

I am wondering what the best way is to make this generator tag look nicer. It looks like it's been through a war.

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Also, as I said in a previous post, my JG is locked away in temporary storage while my garage floor is being refinished so I apologize for something I should be able to look up myself, but I'm curious is this is in fact the correct generator for my 61 270hp car? Everything else under the hood seems to match so I am betting this does as well but would like some validation.

My VIN ends in 8614 which I think is a mid-May car. If I understand the tag 1D26 = 1961 April 26? Seem to jive with a mid May car?

Gorden, I am not a seasoned judge or a C1 guy ,most judges like a little patina its worth alot more that a repro part that may or may not pass the experienced judges and not forgetting its only original once.

[Pat H.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

One thimng that is kind of obivious is the repro rivets sold today. They are taller and more rounded that the originals. I found some originals at Carlisle in a box of junk for a couple of dollars. Originals are flatter and slightly larger in diameter.

[Dan D.]

Re: Any way to "clean up" generator tag?

The rivet holes are drilled .187 deep and are blind. The case is .375 thick, so there is plenty of meat left if you over drill. There is nothing on the inside of the case back of the front rivet, but if you were to drill the rear rivet through the case you would kiss the field winding. That would not be good. I have mine apart so I just went and measured it. -Dan-