Topic: 1965 Hipo Alternator Correct Fan and Pulley Colors

[CharlesTurner]

Believe we were previously discussing hi-po alternator pulleys.  The finish on some original pulley's looks like electro-plate, like a black zinc possibly.

[Richard P.]

I see the black in the grove of the pulley.

[sgl66]

Recently I went to the Simeone Auto Museum in Philadelphia Pennsylvania for a preservation seminar on their Shelby Cobra "Daytona" Coupe. This car has never been restored and had what was called a "preservation" by a well known restorer. This car also has the black pulley and blue fan detail on its alternator. Fred Simeone said during the presentation that this was indicative of the early hipo alternators according to the restorer and I was looking for confirmation of this. The later hipo alternator I have which I believe to be an original has the cad plated pulley and fan.

I went to the Simeon Museum today and after they drove the Daytona and other cars around the parking lot, they let you check them out close up. I've seen this car with the hood up a few times but never noticed the alternator pulley and fan are both blue.

I was thinking maybe when this post was made in 2016 the pulley was black and they swapped it for some strange reason but I checked pictures I have from 2014 and it was blue then also.

[Bob Gaines]

I went to the Simeon Museum today and after they drove the Daytona and other cars around the parking lot, they let you check them out close up. I've seen this car with the hood up a few times but never noticed the alternator pulley and fan are both blue.

I was thinking maybe when this post was made in 2016 the pulley was black and they swapped it for some strange reason but I checked pictures I have from 2014 and it was blue then also.

Disregarding the color of the fan and pulley  I don't believe that is the typical style of alternator seen on Cobra's and consequently the fan and pulley is different too. I think when racing back in the day it had the early style alternator with a single plug in the back case and press on one piece fan and hipo pulley. At least that is the type that the 289 Cobras started out with. 

[Bob Gaines]

Here is a comparison picture of the alternator showing the difference in the back and another of the front . The pulley in the picture is the one piece fan and pully unit but not the hard to find hipo version. I probably have a picture somewhere but instead of digging I took a picture of what I had on the shelf so you can get the idea. Anyway the alternator on the coupe has been changed out . Probably more then once.