R59 date code
 

Am interested in deciphering date code on this over the counter replacement battery. I did some research but my stampings do not fall in line with examples on internet.

Thanks,

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-img_0496.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_0498.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_0499.jpg

Re: R59 date code
 

Sam,
J7I = September 1977 manufactured at the Anderson, Indiana plant.
10= 10th day of the month so your battery was produced on September 10, 1977.
Chris

J= September
7= 1977
I= Anderson Indiana

10= day of month

Re: R59 date code
 

Thanks Chris. Lastly, just to be sure, would this battery be correct for a '69 Chevelle BB?

Re: R59 date code
 

I believe the R59 was used on 67 - 70 Chevelle's except with a 454.

I agree that J = September but wouldn't the 7 represent 67, 77, 87 etc? Or is the giveaway that the OEM plant in 1967 was different than Anderson?

Best,
Dave

Re: R59 date code
 

Hi Dave,
Not on service batteries. Regarding 1967 dated batteries, the year was designated differently in that the year was catagorized by the first character. This type of date coding was used through the 1969 production run.
If this battery was dated 1967 the first character would be the letter L.
They used a number for the second character which was for the month of production.
The third character would still denote the assembly plant of the battery.
If this battery were Sept. 10 1967 dated it would look like this- L9T 10
The Anderson plant used the letter T from 1955-1972.
Regarding 1987 usage, I do not have codes for batteries produced after 1979, but do not believe the R59 was still in production then.
I bet if Sam looks closely at the label on his battery it will confirm the Sept, 1977 date.

Sam,
The R59 was the common battery used on 1969 SS Chevelle without T-60 HD battery .
The T-60 option used an R69 top post battery.
Hope this helps clear this up.
Chris

Re: R59 date code
 

Thanks Chris. As you can see (barely due to glare) from the pop-out dates for warranty period this battery was for time in/around 77-80

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_0500.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_0497.jpg

Re: R59 date code
 

Hi Sam,
That makes total sense. As my buddy Warren pointed out and I can't believe I overlooked it, but if this were produced in the 60's it would have the word Energizer embossed under the delco script.
Cool piece regardless.
Chris

Re: R59 date code
 

In case anyone is interested, the Energizer was dropped I believe in the later part of 1974.

- Warren

Re: R59 date code
 

Am curious how the judges grade a factory line correct, vs. an over the counter service replacement battery vs. a correct reproduction vs. an incorrect battery.

Re: R59 date code
 

Sam ,
I can only go from experience at MCACN, in concours restored judging, you should get full points.
In Vintage Certification, only original assembly line batteries will receive full points.
I'm sure Steve Shauger can better detail how replacement original manufacturer batteries are scaled in Vintage Certification.
Chris