Hi to all. Does anyone have a good source for repro ignitions parts: 1.coil 2.ballast resistor 3.vacuum advance? I was going through my mountain of catalogs and the closest that I can come to a proper replacement is the Paragon coil with a "skin" over it. Most of the auto parts stores want to sell me a "one size fits all" for ignition related stuff. I really do have suspicions about buying used or NOS ignition related items. Gary 21316 66 327/350
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Re: Mid-Year ignition questions
Gary-----
As far as I know, no one is manufacturing exact reproduction coils or distributor vacuum controls. So, you're pretty much stuck with the "skin"(which I despise) or finding a good used/NOS unit with all of the risk that it entails. Most of the vacuum controls available even through auto parts stores are very close to the originals in configuration, but do lack the "numbers" found on the original Delco units. Even those vacuum controls still available from Delco generally do not have these markings anymore. If you want exactly correct, you'll need to find NOS Delco. For the vacuum control, there is very little risk with an NOS part.
I think that fairly correct ballast resistors are available from most of the vendors.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: Mid-Year ignition questions
Hi again Mr. Schisler!
Reproduction stamped coils are available from a multitude of sources although I am unsure of precise authenticity. If you aren't looking for a TI-coil, NOS 327 coils ("202" for a 1966) show up in the Driveline for about $90. LI Corvette used to advertise NOS distributor vacuum control units for about $40-50 recently. And I have yet to find a correct ballast resistor; originals had a certain configuration of "ears" on the mounting bracket.
I share your concerns regarding old electrical parts. Once spent $65 on an NOS yellow-top coil (dated B6- 1956!) for my Ford to have it function for about one month.
CarlComment
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Re: Mid-Year ignition questions
Carl-----
I could be wrong, but I believe that the "reproduction" coils are basically just modern coils with the coil "skin" pre-installed by the seller. I don't think that they typically have the Delco-Remy script on the top. I invite correction if I have this wrong, though.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Mid-Year ignition questions
Thanks to you both. I will check out a few of the past issues of the Driveline. Part of my concern on the repro units, especially those that are skinned, is the "one size fits all" attitude. At the start of today's DB is a request for coil values for primary and secondary resistance. If each coil is slightly different (way to go GM!) then how can one coil fit all of these different applications.
I guess I will try looking for an NOS unit.
Gary 21316Comment
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Re: Mid-Year ignition questions
Good question Mr. Lucia. I'm not sure - haven't seen one in the flesh. Mr. Fortier (Paragon) would be a good resource; he's very direct about the quality & appearance of his parts (as compared to OEM) - CarlComment
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The reason for different coils
Gary - Chevrolet tried different coil/ballast resistor combinations in the late fifties and early sixties looking for more ignition energy and better ignition performance, which was marginal, at best, on the SHP engines. The 091 coil with the low resistance ballast (the one with the black "dot") gave the best spark, but burned up points. They went back to the "old" 087 coil, which was replaced by the 202 coil circa '65, and this carried through to the end of the single point in '74. Almost any coil/ballast combination will work, but certain combinations trade off ignition energy for point life.
DukeComment
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Re: The reason for different coils
Thanks, Duke. So it looks like almost any coil will work with the various tradeoffs that you mentioned. It might also explain why I went through a brand new set of points in 3000 miles.
GaryComment
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