I post to ask if the attached picture of an air deflector that was removed from my car for refreshing is a repop? I expected to see a single year date stamp of 70 with sun ray marks radiating around the 70 mark.

Under the part number (398171) is a 2 and I have seen some that are marked with a 1?
Why 68; 69, and 70 year date marks? I suppose if authentic, this part is designed for all 3 model years?

With all this said, do others see this air deflector as an original item for my car?

 

Yes, that is likely original to your car. It’s an original part. I have a write up in my restoration thread for how to restore the original plastic and rubber.

I believe the numbers indicate runs / pressings of the part. Similar markings will be on your fan shroud, too.

 

Appreciate the information. Before I went to the trouble to clean it up I wanted to be certain I didn't have a repop. I'll take a look at your restoration thread for guidance.

 

Agreed Stephen, so the first year just the 68 date was on it. Then in 69 they add the 69, etc. I believe the starburst around the number is a clock for dating. Somewhere here I have an excellent book written by a Buick guru that deciphers those clocks. My best guess is that date is the 6th or 7th month, maybe. I'm pretty sure the 12 clock positions are months. Now I'm looking again and it's probably more as Jimmy says because that date would be way too late. You do see date clocks like that on manifolds, master cylinders and other parts, sometimes.

 

Thanks for the information, Frank. As Jimmy pointed out this clock or date code would be on a fan shroud, but my car does not have a fan shroud. The OAI breather assembly on my car has a similar mark, but again, it is only the 70 with the sun ray marks, so that is what I expected to see when I removed the dirt from this air deflector. When I saw the three different year marks I instantly suspected repop.

I'm relatively new to Oldsmobile and so I am a bit behind most everyone else on this site when it comes to knowledge about these cars. It's great to have this online resource though. Many thanks for your comment. It sure helped me, and I am certain it will help others down the road too.

 

The reason you OAI breather has ONLY the '70 "sunburst" thingy is that '70 was the first year for that part.