Authenticating date stamps & part numbers

[nuch_ss396]

Guys,

I'd like to start a new post that expands on the problem
identified with the "distributor restoration" problem.

It has become quite apparent that problems can possibly
happen when we send our prized parts out to be restored.
I'm not taking sides is this post, just trying to address
a fool proof way for us to capture our respective part numbers,
casting dates and/or assembly dates for later verification.

If it is getting harder and harder to tell the fakes from
the originals, how do we protect ourselves? I'm not so sure
digital images would help in a court of law - would they?
Stated another way, if I took images of my alternator ID
numbers, then sent it out for restoration, and then had an
issue upon receipt of the restored alternator, what's my
fall-back? Unless you use a really good digital camera with
keen macro capability, the blurred images could be subjective
proof at best. Just look at the number of eBay auctions that
have less than worthy images of part numbers, etc..

If two parties get into a dispute ( like the distributor ),
who wins? If the images I took aren't perfect, couldn't the
other guys attorney attack them?

I guess what I am looking for here is a way to identify
stampings by location and font type/size. I can't see any
other method being fool proof.

What are your thoughts about the proper way to "register"
the stampings pre & post restoration so they can be
compared to each other with complete confidence.

The idea of a "rubbing" may have some merit. That would
handle font size & location ( in respect to each other ).
Regardless of the quality of a restamp, I sincerely doubt
that the character spacing would be exactly the same.

Perhaps the use of a silicone rubber-like product to make
a reproduction of the ID numbers would help. Assuming you
could capture the fidelity of these stampings, etc.. Any thoughts?

Sounds like a good idea for a new product - huh?

Steve