Author Topic: 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl "Autolite" name on Alternator  (Read 367 times)

Offline wll17057

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  • 1968 Metuchen NJ 200-1V I-6 Mfg date 07/24/68
1968 Metuchen 6-cyl "Autolite" name on Alternator
« on: November 02, 2023, 09:32:49 PM »
Did the Autolite name (along with specifics like "15 38A-C6DF-10300-A") appear on the top of the alternator?  I have read that the name appeared "after" May/June 1968 and that the purple color indicated a 38 Amp alternator.  My after market alternator is plain...no writing, stamp or label on it.  Depending on the inventory, I also understand that the "plain" version was installed until inventory ran out May/June, therefore the "no stamp" alternator could have been used beyond June 1968.

Side question but related:  I have searched most of the common vintage suppliers.  NO alternator decal to be found!  Any idea of any sources? 

Thanks for your input to both of the above.
Bill Leonard
1968 Metuchen NJ 2-Door Hardtop
200-1V I-6 Engine
DOM:  07/24/68
Tahoe Turquoise w/ Black Interior

Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl "Autolite" name on Alternator
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2023, 10:13:42 PM »
Did the Autolite name (along with specifics like "15 38A-C6DF-10300-A") appear on the top of the alternator?  I have read that the name appeared "after" May/June 1968 and that the purple color indicated a 38 Amp alternator.  My after market alternator is plain...no writing, stamp or label on it.  Depending on the inventory, I also understand that the "plain" version was installed until inventory ran out May/June, therefore the "no stamp" alternator could have been used beyond June 1968.

Side question but related:  I have searched most of the common vintage suppliers.  NO alternator decal to be found!  Any idea of any sources? 

Thanks for your input to both of the above.
The stamp was more often on the bottom side compared to the top  side . You need to post a picture of what you have because typically auto parts store alternators can vary widely from what came on the assemblyline. There are differences in the front and back castings of the alternator depending on when the alternator was used in production. The differences are besides the Autolite trademark. The purple alternator stamp with the proper engineering number is what determines a 38 amp alternator.  I have not ever seen or heard of a decal for the Alternator. I have only heard of people having a ink stamp made up to stamp the alternator. You may want to confirm that other aspects of your engine and engine compartment are correct and up to standards before worrying about a nuance detail like a alternator stamp.
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl "Autolite" name on Alternator
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2023, 07:43:23 PM »
Did the Autolite name (along with specifics like "15 38A-C6DF-10300-A") appear on the top of the alternator? I have read that the name appeared "after" May/June 1968 and that the purple color indicated a 38 Amp alternator.  My after market alternator is plain...no writing, stamp or label on it.  Depending on the inventory, I also understand that the "plain" version was installed until inventory ran out May/June, therefore the "no stamp" alternator could have been used beyond June 1968.

Not sure were the no marking alternator idea came from nor the documentation or proof behind such statement. AUTOLITE was used for years prior to the start of 68 production so the statement ass stated above can be disproved without much effort. Agree that on V8 cars the stamp is normally on the bottom of the rear case once mounted though in a few rare cases they got stamped twice for some odd reason. We see this sometimes on other inspection or markings but rarely and likely when the stamper was not happy with the first effort. Nothing in the TSBs about a change or elimination of the stamping on the alternators through the 60's that I could find. Earliest alternator with the AUTOLITE stamping I have is from Apirl 1965

Have seen and have pictures of service replacements during the 60's without the stamp we're discussing. Wonder if someone was confusing service with factory parts again.

Once mounted on a 6 cylinder in a 68 Mustang that same "side" of the rear case with the stamp would be on the down side also. One of the reasons you can't often see it as illustrated in the unrestored example in that section of the site. Example I pulled up was "Unrestored 68 T code Dearborn Pictures" in the first post




Side question but related:  I have searched most of the common vintage suppliers.  NO alternator decal to be found!  Any idea of any sources? 

Yes some generic AUTOLITE stickers and decals were made and are out there but they are not application specific like originals nor are they close when compared to originals IMHO. They also look cheap IMHO and I would choose to use nothing rather than use a clear sticker


Back half of the case detail Bob was referring to

« Last Edit: November 03, 2023, 07:51:12 PM by J_Speegle »
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)

Offline Keith Stem

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Re: 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl "Autolite" name on Alternator
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2023, 08:14:39 PM »
I found this list sometime back maybe it will be of some benefit. I have not tried to verify all the P/Ns for correctness.

Alternators Part Number and Style

C6DF-10300-A 1967 200/289 (38Amp 19 Laminations, Single pulley)
C6DF-10300-B 1967 289 + smog w/o PS (38Amp 19 Laminations, Double groove pulley)
C6DF-10300-B 1967 390 + smog (38Amp 19 Laminations, Double groove pulley)
C6TF-10300-A 1967 390 w/o smog (38Amp 19 Laminations, Single pulley) 
C6AF-10300-C 1967 428 PI GT500 (42Amp 19 Laminations, Double groove pulley)
C6AF-10300-D 1967 HiPo 289, GT350 (42Amp 19 Laminations, Single pulley)
C6AF-10300-F 1967 AC 200/289 + PS (55Amp 28 Laminations, Single pulley)
C6TF-10300-F 1967 AC 390/428 + PS (55Amp 28 Laminations, Single pulley)

C6DF-10300-A 1968 200/289/302 (with or w/o PS) GT350 (38Amp 19 Laminations, Single pulley)
C6DF-10300-B 1968 289/302 + smog w/o PS (38Amp 19 Laminations, Double groove pulley)
C6DF-10300-B 1968 390 + smog (38Amp 19 Laminations, Double groove pulley)
C6TF-10300-A 1968 390 w/o smog (38Amp 19 Laminations, Single pulley)
C6AF-10300-C 1968 428 PI/CJ GT500 & GT500KR (42Amp 19 Laminations, Double groove pulley)
C6AF-10300-F 1968 AC 289/302 + PS (55Amp 28 Laminations, Single pulley)
C6TF-10300-F 1968 AC 390/428 CJ + PS (55Amp 28 Laminations, Single pulley)