VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1958-1960 Correct regulator and generator for '58 Impala

We had our '58 Impala judged at the recent VCCA All Cal event down in Paso Robles. This was our first judging and it didn't hurt a bit. Actually, it was very informative. We did pretty well, but lost points for our generator and voltage regulator. The generator no longer has a tag and the regulator looks like a new replacement part with no markings on the cover. My question is, what would correct parts look like and how would they be identified/confirmed. I'd like to see if I can acquire the correct parts but want to know how to identify them when I see them.

Thanks for your help folks.

I believe they do sell the generator tags. The desired numbers must be stamped in. They include the number of the gemerator and the date code.
The regulator will have Delco Remy stamped into the center of the cover (raised lettering).Two screws hold the cover in place. They are kiddy corner from each other and long screws that go through the entire cover.If the car does not have power steering it will have a 30 amp generator and the number stamped into the base of the regulator will be 001. If it has P.S. it will be a 35 amp and stamped 001.
There could be exceptions to these numbers depending on other options and engines. Same for the regulators.

I would need more info. to give complete numbers.

Mike,
I know Paragon Corvettes offer the Generator Tag Stamping Service, you have to provide them the numbers you want. If you need a Delco cover for your non Delco regulator contact me I have a lot of them. It was law in some states to remove the tags on rebuilt parts so they were not resold as "new" I know in New York it was or still is one of those states. You could find the numbers in your 1958 Shop Manual

Since my original post, I have identified 2 good sources for this sort of information. One is a book titled "1955 - 1959 Chevrolet by the Numbers" by Alan L. Colvin. The second source is our very own VCCA member John Mahoney, who is both knowledgeable and very helpful.
Thanks John!

Mike -

I'm just an ol' '54 truck owner, so take my post with a grain of salt, but I believe the info to be correct. Double-check the info in the links in case I made a typo.

You can buy red 12v tags and rivets for your starter and generator from most reproduction suppliers, then have a local trophy shop engrave the numbers. Some distributors have a black tag that you can get at the same suppliers. Or you can buy them with the numbers already engraved. I don't know if the coil had a tag, nor do I know the color if it did have a tag. VCCA members will have to tell you if your distributor and/or coil should have a tag.

Ken Warner at ClassicGenerator.com sells engraved tags and does a good job at a good price. If you buy from him, buy a Radio Bypass tag and condenser, plus new washers, studs, and insulators for the generator - they may not be listed on his website, so call him. Ken built the generator in my '54 3104 pickup. It looks great.
> Gen & starter tags at Classic Generator

You can also buy engraved tags from ...
> Paragon Corvette

> 1958 235 Electrical System:
Generator: Delco-Remy #1102096, 30-Amps
Optional Generators: Same RPO #325??
#1102114, 35-amp
#1106985, 45-amp
Voltage Regulator: Delco-Remy 1119001
Starter: Delco-Remy 1107652
Distributor: Delco-Remy 1112403
I didn't see info on dual-point distributors.
Coil (don't know if it had a tag): Delco-Remy 1115085

> 1958 283 Electrical System:
Generator: Delco-Remy #1102097, 30-Amps
Optional Generators: Same RPO #325??
#1102114, 35-amp
#1106985, 45-amp
Voltage Regulator: Delco-Remy 1119001
PowerGlide & conventional Starter: Delco-Remy 1107664
Turboblide Starter: Delco-Remy 1107694
Distributor: Delco-Remy 1110920
I didn't see info on dual-point distributors
Coil (don't know if it had a tag): Delco-Remy 1115083

> 1958 348 Electrical System:
Generator: Delco-Remy #1102097, 30-Amps
Optional Generators: Same RPO #325??
#1102114, 35-amp
#1106985, 45-amp
Voltage Regulator: Delco-Remy 1119001
3-Speed Starter: Delco-Remy 1107688
Turboblide Starter: Delco-Remy 1107687
Distributor: Delco-Remy 1110907
I didn't see info on dual-point distributors
Coil (don't know if it had a tag): Delco-Remy 1115083

Another section in the 1958 Restoration Kit shows two RPO numbers for the optional generators. This seems correct. The model numbers would remain the same as noted above.
RPO 325 45-Ampere Low Cut-In Generator
RPO 338 35-Ampere Heavy-Duty Generator
> Optional Equipment

In addition to the model number, a date code is also in the serial number box on the tags. You can probably make up the dates. Try to avoid weekends, just in case the plant wasn't running on the weekends. Birthdays of wife or kids are good choices for dates if they fall within the production schedule.

Here is info on date codes copied from the Paragon website:

The date of manufacture code (listed as "Serial" on the tag) used for distributors contains a calendar year prefix ("7" for 1957, "8" for 1958, "9" for 1959, or "0" for 1960), followed by the month ("A" for January through "M" for December; the letter "I" was not used to represent the month of September), ending with one or two digits representing the date of the month ("1" through "31").

These publications may help. Note - The screws holding the cover on the voltage regulators shown in the booklets do not go through the top of the cover. They are shorter and go through the lip of the cover where it meets the body of the regulator. I don't know when the cover was changed.
> Delco Remy 12-Volt Electrical Equipment for 1958 Passenger Cars
> Delco-Remy 12-volt Electrical Equipment for 1956 Passenger Cars
> The Charging Circuit, United Motors Service Booklet 12v pre-1963
> 1958 Chevrolet 6-Cyl Wiring Diagram
> 1958 Chevrolet V8 Wiring Diagram

- Lonnie