Date Coding Parts

[kensk77]

Feb 17 update...

wonder if there's a date in either of these Lucas numbers HF 1849 horn, RB 106 or 37290F voltage regulator

I think I remember seeing a reference in this forum to date coding a variety of Mini parts. Right now I'm looking for distributors and wiper motors.
thanks,
Brian

[Cammsjb]

Not sure what you are asking but both of these components have date stamps on them.

[kensk77]

Thanks, should have been more specific...
translating the code, for example my distributor is stamped 40707 D and under that is PE8 660 and yes the wiper motor has a year (63) but preceding that is the number 4 which could be 4th quarter or April

[AndyPen]

On these earlier components that's the month, so April

[Daz1968]

Most parts are date stamped even inclusive of the switches,

[LarryLebel]

Sometime, maybe early 70s, the week was used instead of the month.

[Old English White]

I've just been checking dates on old Lucas dynamos and certainly those from 1970 onward have a week number rather than a month number.
eg: 42 70 and 19 71

[CooperTune]

I have been playing with classic minis since 1968 and only in the last couple of years have I been hearing about date codes. Maybe a thread about date codes or a place to list coded parts. Looking for something else I found 5 turn signal assemblies in a box. 1/60, 2/60, 1/62, 2/62, 4/67. I'd send them for rebuild but not sure of value as is or cost for shipping and rebuilding and finial value. Glass is heavy and I have a load of that as well. This last year has made me realize I need a smaller foot print. Steve (CTR)

[kensk77]

I'm in Canada and it's possible I've introduced a topic to our UK friends they don't have much interest in.

My reason for researching this is I've recently discovered my September 1960 Mini actually was rebodied with a late 62 or early 63 shell. Trying to determine which car various components are from. Not surprisingly the distributor is 1960, the wiper motor 63.
thanks all for the info...

[AndyPen]

Sorry to hear that.

Back in the day a trip to the scrapyard was very common when you wanted to keep a car on the road, as parts were plentiful and you often spotted something you didn't need, but looked better than the one on your car. I used to come home with quite a stack sometimes.

Wiper motors rarely broke down and tended to stay on the cars, though I am sure many dated covers were removed. I'm sure you could find something more correct if that's what you wish to do?