289 progress........

[Dan Case]

Originally Posted by LMH

There was, if I'm not mistaken, two different case finishes to original Cobra alternators. Smooth and as-cast. Possibly different manufacturers?
Larry

Exterior case shell surfaces right out of the permanent die casting molds = Cobra production.

As cast exterior surfaces on the case shells, shot or some other hard media blasted, tumbled with abrasive media, or combinations of any exterior condition (for example let’s say front case as cast and rear case shot blasted) = typical service parts. Many of the brand new 1963 model year alternator assemblies I have held in my hands came out of boxes from one of the Ford authorized remanufacturers. The implication is that the Ford authorized remanufacturers had stocks of individual parts and they assembled whatever they needed to fill an order from Ford. Evidence of this type scenario showed up in 1975 when I ordered new (not remanufactured, I had the choice of both) rocker arm and shaft assemblies at Woody Anderson Ford for my 1967 Shelby GT500. The “new” assemblies were sold under the original 1967 model year listing but came in boxes from a Ford authorized remanufacturer. The part identification included a manufacturing date several days AFTER I ordered the parts and more than a week before I received them. Ford apparently literally had the supplier build two assemblies up after I ordered them.

Different rebuilders often used different case rework procedures and small parts to make up complete assemblies. Once the as die cast exterior is changed it can't be reworked to look day one again, not 100%.