Jim Shea

I just took my alternator out and had it rebuilt. I noticed some very faint ink stamped letters on the case "KZ". Can anyone confirm that they were the correct two letter alpha codes for the 1975 L82 engine (and therefore the correct alternator).

They blasted the case so the letters are now gone. They also tried to tell me that this was not the original alternator.

hunt4cleanair

Quote:

I just took my alternator out and had it rebuilt. They also tried to tell me that this was not the original alternator.

I had a local shop attempt the same thing...well they claimed it couldn't have been the original alternator and now I have a court case pending against them.

When they tried to pass the rebuilt unit off...I called them on it since I knew the serial numbers and date code. He claimed that no way could my alternator be original because of the amount of wear shown on the unit...its like who cares...just rebuild and return!

The KZ code indicates a 61 amp alternator 1102474 used on cars with A/C or defrost. Same unit was used in 76 and 77 except in 77, WR and WP were used later in the production cycle but with same amperage.

I went in to edit this thing to add info and deleted the first thing I wrote which was that the factory used the broadcast code to select the correct alternator for a cars power application...it was easier to read than the part numbers. So when your car went down the line and they saw L82 A/C (or defrost) they selected "KZ and installed it.


[Modified by hunt4cleanair, 4:33 AM 8/1/2003]


[Modified by hunt4cleanair, 4:39 AM 8/1/2003]


[Modified by hunt4cleanair, 4:40 AM 8/1/2003]

Jim Shea

I didn't look at my original alternator very closely except for the KZ code. I don't remember a date code. I wonder if they didn't switch alternators on me. He did say that I didn't have an original alternator (I now know that he was dead wrong because of the KZ code!).

They charged me $47 for a rebuild. It doesn't seem that they could replace the alternator for that amount.

ROD NOCK

I wouldn't dismiss the fact that they didn't switch alt's on you based on price! You should still be able to find some stamped #'s to verify?!

Jim Shea

Can anyone tell me what serial numbers I should be looking for and where they would be located?

hunt4cleanair

Not a bad price for a rebuild but those stamp codes don't last 28 years easily unless they are original and on a low mileage car or rebuilt in recent years. You know the broadcast code is correct...verify the part number and there should be a two character code like "5H" (August 75) which should reconcile with your build date. Tell us what you find.

But they can do a switcheroony for $47 as easily as a rebuild...these guys are bubbas unless they do rebuild work for vintage cars.

Jim Shea

The outfit wasn't so bad! I did find the part number stamped on the case, (110247). Any question marks (?) mean a possible mark but not legible. Right after the part number was a 6?A.

Below was 5E8 12V ?E?

My build serial number is 34073. So the car was built in early July (the last month of 1975 production). It was delivered to the original owner on July 23, 1975.

Hope this helps.
Jim

hunt4cleanair

Quote:

I did find the part number stamped on the case, (110247). Any question marks (?) mean a possible mark but not legible. Right after the part number was a 6?A.

Below was 5E8 12V ?E?

My build serial number is 34073. So the car was built in early July (the last month of 1975 production). It was delivered to the original owner on July 23, 1975.

The 6?A indicates it is a 61 amp the ? probably is a "1."

The "5E8" indicates a May 8th 1975 build date...which preceeds your July 23, 75 car build date...that fits!

If you look closely enough...110247 probably has a "4" at the end to read 1102474 which is a 61 amp alternator with code KZ...this is the 61 amp code for later model 75s with A/C...you do have A/C dont' you?

Sounds like you got your original back.

Jim Shea

You may already have this information, but I got it direct from Chevrolet years ago.

The last vehicle build number for the following months.

March 1975 20856
April 1975 25228
May 1975 29379
June 1975 approx 33922
July 1975 last 1975 vehicle built 38465

BTW, there was a 4 at the end of the part number - 1102474 and I do have AC!!!


[Modified by Jim Shea, 7:19 PM 8/1/2003]


[Modified by Jim Shea, 7:21 PM 8/1/2003]