starter date codes and production runs at start of the year
 

For a vehicle built on Jan 7 is it possible that the starter would have a date code from the prior year rather then the current year?

Re: starter date codes and production runs at start of the year
 

Interesting question - may I ask why you want to know?

Also, what year truck are we talking about? It may may a difference.

Re: starter date codes and production runs at start of the year
 

I would like to know what part numbers would be original. It it a 78 model.

Re: starter date codes and production runs at start of the year
 

Maybe member MJN will chime in he's got a book that may have that info also.

Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...date+code+book

Re: starter date codes and production runs at start of the year
 

Yes. Engine and all is put together prior to the vehicle rolling down the line, bit's n peices need to be on hand for the build time of the engine which needs to be ready to drop into the chassis when it comes down the line.
Even with Just-In-Time today, building of the ancillary components is done close-to assembly date but not on. Exceptions being part shortages and a complete vehicle sits waiting for a part to be made & installed. Ie: Bronco's would be a good example currently when the hard top units got sidelined in lots waiting for a revised hard top.

Re: starter date codes and production runs at start of the year
 

Do you know this from first hand knowledge? When the year end change over occurs I would think that there would have been planning months in advance and the necessary new part numbers would have been ready for the change over from day one. If changes rolled over slowly into the following year then it would have been difficult to manage service at the dealership.

Re: starter date codes and production runs at start of the year
 

If you are talking about a March build date for the truck, maybe. But if you look at production pictures on the site here, you will see in some cases rows of engines waiting to go into vehicles. I would say that virtually every truck built on January 7th had engine components dated from the previous year. The starter was manufactured, probably by a wholly owned subsidiary at that time, but still most likely manufactured - and then trucked to where engines were assembled, which also may have then been trucked or gone by railroad to where the truck was being assembled.

If we can get Keith Seymour's attention, we can find out exactly what went on.

In with regards to the difficulty of servicing, etc with parts from the previous model year, there are many instances cited here where significant changes were made, but the old parts were used up out of inventory first. So a 78 could have a key component from 77, even though the 78 was a new model year.