1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

[Dan P.]

I was told by a VERY reliable source that only the 908 distributor cap copper terminals . The rest had aluminum terminals . What is correct for judging.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

I was told by a VERY reliable source that only the 908 distributor cap copper terminals . The rest had aluminum terminals . What is correct for judging.

Dan-----

As far as I can tell, there was only 1 distributor cap used for all 1957 Corvette applications. As I mentioned, that distributor cap was GM #1917247, aka Delco D305. Given that there was only one part number used, I don't know how there could have been internal GM differentiation of aluminum versus copper terminals. So, how would GM specifications have described which "version" of the cap to use?

As I mentioned previously, the GM #1917247 cap was made with both copper as well as aluminum terminals. I am certain that early versions had the copper terminals and later versions had the aluminum terminal. Just when the change occurred, I do not know. However, I feel pretty confident that the type of terminals used on any distributor cap was more determined by when the distributor was assembled versus what the distributor part number was.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

Dan,

In the late 70's I bought a wrecked 3,600 mile passenger car engine, which had distributor caps with aluminum terminals.

Gary
....

[John D.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

Here's what I have learned about the '57 fuel injection distributor caps. First from Gary Pronesti in the old days. And then I heard it many times from Don Baker who has documentation/ blue prints to back up this statement.
The aluminum terminal cap was basically used on the '889, '905 and '906 distributor caps. Part number as Joe Lucia mentioned D305 #1917247.
Now the '908 distributor cap which I once bought in bulk did not have a D-number. Just had 1931513 with copper terminals.

Why are we removing distributor caps anyhow you ask?
As your fuel injection contact person for NCRS I do my best to stay away from judging issues. But I do refer to the Judging Reference Manual. And pass that info along. See page 19. Item 22. The OWNER may be asked to remove a whole list of items. Not the judges. One of these items/parts is the distributor cap. If the owner refuses that's OK but he will be subject to scoring deductions. John D.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

All------


Here are photos of a copper terminal GM #1917247

[Don B.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

The Print for the 905 distributor calls for a 1917247 Cap. The print for the 908 distributor calls for a 1931513 Cap. The print for a 1917247 Cap says Aluminum contacts. The print for a 1931513 Cap says Copper contacts. Either cap will work from a Service stand point, and we all know that Delco was famous for putting anything that would work in there boxes.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

The Print for the 905 distributor calls for a 1917247 Cap. The print for the 908 distributor calls for a 1931513 Cap. The print for a 1917247 Cap says Aluminum contacts. The print for a 1931513 Cap says Copper contacts. Either cap will work from a Service stand point, and we all know that Delco was famous for putting anything that would work in there boxes.

Don------


GM #1931513 was once available in SERVICE. However, it was never cataloged in SERVICE for any Chevrolet application. In fact, it was never cataloged in SERVICE for any GM passenger car or truck application. The only applications I can find for it are as follows:

59-61 Diamond T Heavy Duty truck

55-60 Reo Heavy Duty Truck

61-64 White Heavy Duty Truck

[Dan P.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

What do the judges expect to see aluminum or copper

[John D.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

Thanks Don Baker for setting us straight on the facts of this cap issue.
I also have the prints for the distributors and the caps. But besides having the evidence I have owned more than my share of '908 distributors.
Several I bought still had the copper cap on them from back in the day.
Gail Parsons was a '57 FI guru as some of you know. Before any of the prints became available he and I talked about the '908's and the copper caps.
I have been involved with FI's since 1961. Hopefully Ihave learned the ABC's of '57 distributors and their caps.

I would expect to see a copper cap on a '908 period. I am making no reference to a judging manual please. I do not go there.
In my collection of restored units I have a 'real deal '4960 and a Don Baker restored '908. In that box that I keep the distributor in is a NOS copper cap in original box 1931513. Real deal folks.
.
Another cap for '57 is sold with an AC Delco box with D305 #12338675 Gr. 2.367 on it. A no logo cap made by Standard and it's the same cap as the RR167 black/aluminum cap that NAPA sells. John D.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

Thanks Don Baker for setting us straight on the facts of this cap issue.
I also have the prints for the distributors and the caps. But besides having the evidence I have owned more than my share of '908 distributors.
Several I bought still had the copper cap on them from back in the day.
Gail Parsons was a '57 FI guru as some of you know. Before any of the prints became available he and I talked about the '908's and the copper caps.
I have been involved with FI's since 1961. Hopefully Ihave learned the ABC's of '57 distributors and their caps.

I would expect to see a copper cap on a '908 period. I am making no reference to a judging manual please. I do not go there.
In my collection of restored units I have a 'real deal '4960 and a Don Baker restored '908. In that box that I keep the distributor in is a NOS copper cap in original box 1931513. Real deal folks.
.
Another cap for '57 is sold with an AC Delco box with D305 #12338675 Gr. 2.367 on it. A no logo cap made by Standard and it's the same cap as the RR167 black/aluminum cap that NAPA sells. John D.

John-----


I can completely understand that '908' distributors were assembled in PRODUCTION with copper terminal caps now that I know there was a specific part number for such caps (even though some 1917247 caps were also manufactured with copper terminals as I've shown above). However, I don't understand how anyone would have been able to order a GM #1931513 cap in SERVICE. Even though that cap was available in SERVICE, it was not cataloged by GM for any GM application. So, how would anyone have known what part number to order?

[John D.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

Good point Joe. Lets get back to Dan Patch's inquiry. Title is 908 with copper caps. We are supposed to restore with parts that came down the assembly line. The blue prints for a '908 state copper caps. How we have acquired them over the years by using that part number is your question. All I know is I bought them from various dealers. In original box with that part number. Bought them for '908's.
I can't spend any more time on this as phone keeps ringing and behind in my work.
But to repeat to Dan and others. The '908 requires a copper cap. The print on this
is huge so I can't post a pic of it here.
Drawing/print states copper and we have seen unrestored '908's with a copper cap. That's all the imput I can provide. Much appreciated. John

[Don B.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

The Delco Remy Service Parts Catalog calls for a 1931513 Cap on a 1110908 Distributor. The catalog I have is dated 05-15-81. I also have a Delco price list dated 1984 and the 1931513 was still listed.

Joe, I agree with the idea that in most cases the 908 caps were serviced with 1917247 caps, but if the customer said that he wanted a copper contact cap the information and parts were available.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

The Delco Remy Service Parts Catalog calls for a 1931513 Cap on a 1110908 Distributor. The catalog I have is dated 05-15-81. I also have a Delco price list dated 1984 and the 1931513 was still listed.

Joe, I agree with the idea that in most cases the 908 caps were serviced with 1917247 caps, but if the customer said that he wanted a copper contact cap the information and parts were available.

Don------

I have Delco catalogs from 1967 and 1969. The GM #1931513 is not listed for any GM application in either of them. The 1969 catalog is quite comprehensive (that's where I found the heavy duty truck applications). It's also not shown in any GM parts catalog from 1956 through 1996 or any GM Price Schedule from 1967 through 2002. It's possible that the 1931513 was a Delco-only part and didn't appear cataloged for any GM application in any Delco catalog until, apparently, the 80's.

[John D.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

One thing to remember with all the above posts is that Delco Remy specified that the 908 distributor cap did have the copper terminals. So if you want you late '57 and early up to mid 58 with the correct cap that's what you should have. Thanks, John

[Joe L.]

Re: 1957 908 distributor cap copper terminals

One thing to remember with all the above posts is that Delco Remy specified that the 908 distributor cap did have the copper terminals. So if you want you late '57 and early up to mid 58 with the correct cap that's what you should have. Thanks, John

John------


How would that cap differ from the 1917247 with the copper terminals I pictured?