Are alternators date coded ? I have what I believe is an original Delco Remy 69 442 alternator.

It has the following numbers on it:
1100691 42A
5L1 - 12 v neg

I'm guessing 42 amp and twelve volt negative ground but what about the other numbers ?

 

The 69 442 had an open face alternator and the fins on the back. I don't know off the top of my head what the numbers are but the back of that one for sure is not original to the 442. Is the front an open face?

 

According to this site, it is to a 66 Buick A-body w/V-8

http://www.v8buick.com/archive/index.php/t-74774.html

 

Forgot the build date...it would be November 1st 1965

 

Looks like an internal regulator alternator to me, at least the back half does. I dont think they were available in 65.

 

The back half doesn't match the active or closed listings on eBay for the ones they have on there for 1100691. So something's up.

 

Two pics added. does the last one show the fins you mentioned ?

 

So then the date code is the 5L1. How does that decode, what means what ?

 

First digit is the year = 5 for 196(5)
Second is a letter for the month - A-Jan B-Feb C-Mar etc. "I" is skipped. L=November
Third is the day = 1

 

Ok, and does this hold true for date coding on Oldsmobile / A body / GM in general for other parts as well ?

 

I'm just going by what I was told to decode my own alternator date. I don't have any solid knowledge for you on parts other than this. They all seem to have their own little secret decoder needed.

 

Ok thanks

 

For many parts yes it does, others like seat belts are 21 E 69 which is 21st day of May 1969. Carbs have the day and the year so a 70 W30 carb would be 7040258 (part number) Date code 3329 would be 332nd day of 1969

 

Bitburger, if you take a look at my auction listing, it should give you a good idea of how the dates were determined for each major component. I just didn't have the individual info for each one handy when I first replied to your inquiry before. It took me going back through all of my posts. Should have written each one down as I went.

 

I'm glad you posted this because I found an error in my listing. For the carb date I put the 25th week of 1969. OOPS! Went by memory on that one...guess I shouldn't have.

 

Ok great, thanks for the info


Brad