Altec 416-?

I just picked up a second pair of 19s circa 1977. One cabinet has a 416-8B, and the other has the driver in the pic. It has the same frame as the 416-8B and my other 416-8C, the cone is stamped 211844 which I believe is the correct cone for the 416. The only ID marks on the magnet is a square ink stamp that says AL with 64 underneath. I'll assume that means AlNiCo unless somebody corrects me.

I'm trying to figure out what this is. Is it a 416-8B without the cover? A 416-8Z? I'm hoping these two drivers will work together without having to go on the hunt for a new donor driver. I already feel like an idiot for not catching this before the purchase.

Frame is right. Could it be the original motor without the cover? The "AL/64" looks to me like an inspection stamp.

Yeah, looks like a missing motor cover.

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Originally Posted by Panomaniac

Yeah, looks like a missing motor cover.

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+1 Looks like a missing motor cover otherwise it should have been stamped 416-8Z that was Altec's designation (Z) for drivers without the motor cover.I would say (416-8B missing cover). I would check the resistance on the driver anyway to make sure it is an 8 ohm driver.

Z models usually had a small sticker or stamped with black ink.

This all sounds very promising. If I have two compatible drivers then I don't have to spend a bunch of money locating a matching driver. They both check out at 6.9ish on my cheapo bouncy meter. If anyone knows where I can get a 416-8B cover with foilcal, please let me know.

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Originally Posted by timoteus

If anyone knows where I can get a 416-8B cover with foilcal, please let me know.

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That will be a tough one IME.I've never seen one for sale they are just something people don't have or sell. My 19's are 1977 vintage too, and they are 416-8B's I'm almost positive they are 416-8B's minus cover.


Addendum: Rudy Timmerman on eBay makes foil cals special order,you just have to find the cover.

Try here first: Great Plains Audio: Contact Us

One thought...pull the cover on the other speaker and check..they may match withthe covers off.

Probably only place to get a cover is unit with a broken frame...

My 19s look like that - no cover - but they say 416-8Z on the stamp and they're original for the cabinets. Most of the others I've seen have covers.

The stepped casting seen on the back of a 416-8B isn't a cover at all, it's a functional part of the magnet assembly that connects the "rear" pole of the AlNiCo slug pole piece to the front plate, completing the magnetic circuit to the gap. The driver won't function without it, and it one were to remove it, all that would remain is the pole piece, and the voice coil would be exposed.

The magnet in the picture is simply an A or Z type, and the entire visible portion (rear plate and pipe) serves the same function as the stepped casting on an 8B. "A" versions often had a stamped sheet metal cover, which is purely cosmetic.

If you have an 8B in the other system, you have two entirely different woofers.

Well then here's my best guess. It's a 416-8A missing the cover and mounted on the newer style frame and coned with the 211844 meant for the 416-8B and 426-8C. I suppose it's not a Z model since it's not stamped and the other models had the model numbers on the cover, and all the Zs I've seen pics of have the older style frame.

I could as Old Guy suggest pull the cover on the 8B to compare but you just about have to custom bend a wrench to reach into the spider to remove the bolts.

I have until this winter to decide what to do here when I do a complete rebuild on this pair. In the meantime I have my super minty and recapped 1982 19s with 416-8C and 902s to play with.

If anyone has more to add, please throw it out there.