ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1966 Mustang => Topic started by: DM_1964 on March 18, 2013, 03:36:44 AM

Title: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: DM_1964 on March 18, 2013, 03:36:44 AM

Hi, anyone know how to decode the manufacture date code for Autolite shock absorbers (in the pics below next to the word rear, I assume they are a date code)?

I'm on the lookout for a set of front and rears (a long shot) but don't even know what would suit as far as a date for my 64 1/2 non ac, convertible Dearborn built with scheduled date 24th of March...

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Dom

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: Twilight65 on March 18, 2013, 07:31:36 AM

I believe 5GA would translate to first week of July 1965.
Dave

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: DM_1964 on March 18, 2013, 09:50:37 AM

A couple more examples

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: DM_1964 on March 18, 2013, 09:51:22 AM

Quote from: Twilight65 on March 18, 2013, 07:31:36 AM

I believe 5GA would translate to first week of July 1965.
Dave

How did you decode that?

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: 67gta289 on March 18, 2013, 12:23:08 PM

Here is a good reference site for date codes: http://mustangtek.com/FordDateDecoding.html (http://mustangtek.com/FordDateDecoding.html)

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: Twilight65 on March 18, 2013, 12:29:27 PM

5= 1965
G = July
A = 1st week of Month

For your car you would be looking for something like 4BA, 4BB, 4BC, 4BD, 4CA, 4CB, 4CC

Dave

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: DM_1964 on March 19, 2013, 04:53:08 AM

Thanks for the info John/Dave

Any idea what the P stands for on my 2nd pic post

P - ?
5 - 1965
F - June
D - 4th Week

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: J_Speegle on March 19, 2013, 10:30:22 PM

P=  the Garbriel plants that produced the shock ;)

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: DM_1964 on March 19, 2013, 10:54:12 PM

Quote from: J_Speegle on March 19, 2013, 10:30:22 PM

P=  the Garbriel plants that produced the shock ;)

Thanks Jeff, according to your knowledge was that the only plant producing these shocks?

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: J_Speegle on March 21, 2013, 10:33:02 PM

Quote from: Caspian_64 on March 19, 2013, 10:54:12 PM

Thanks Jeff, according to your knowledge was that the only plant producing these shocks?

In the 65-66 period yes, later they used two plants with one normally supplying Dearborn and NJ while the other supplied San Jose normally. Those are interesting and have caused "issues" in the past since one plant supplied shocks with course threads the other fine.

THW one plant was in Canada and one the US (shocks marked accordingly

Title: Re: Autolite Shock Date Code - how to...
Post by: DM_1964 on March 22, 2013, 12:22:21 AM

Quote from: J_Speegle on March 21, 2013, 10:33:02 PM

In the 65-66 period yes, later they used two plants with one normally supplying Dearborn and NJ while the other supplied San Jose normally. Those are interesting and have caused "issues" in the past since one plant supplied shocks with course threads the other fine.

THW one plant was in Canada and one the US (shocks marked accordingly

Thanks Jeff!