Distributor tag date- lead time?

[Garry B.]

What is the typical lead time for the date on the distributor tag from the engine assembly date? I know it must precede the engine assembly date, but by how many days typically? Also, what dictates one tag being natural aluminum and one tag being red? Thanks.

[Leif A.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Garry,
My '67 final assembly was K14 (trim tag stamp) and my distributor band is 7 D 17...so June 14 build, April 17 distributor. A couple of weeks to a couple of months is most likely typical. The band was a natural aluminum on one side and red anodized on the other. If the machine was loaded correctly the numbers should be read on the natural aluminum side. There are some examples of the red being on the surface...whereas, the machine was probably loaded incorrectly that day. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

[Garry B.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Leif,, are you sure about that K14? Should be F? I was thinking about a month, but may back it up a week or two from there. Thanks.

[Mike E.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

I'm with Leif. This 67 has a J03 (May 3) trim tag and a March 27 distributor tag, with the silver side out. Production date of the car most likely May 15. Untouched original.
distributor band (2).jpg distributor band (1).jpg trim and vin tags (1).jpg

[Garry B.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Mike, mine is a J02 trim tag from AO Smith, so pretty much spot on with a late March date. I had originally picked March 29th (Tuesday) so I was pretty close. I however see some red on your second photo. Thanks.

[Gary B.]

[Garry B.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Gary, I took a look and found a matching distributor # on VIN 12906. Birthday date was approximately March 7th, Distributor date was 7B8, so engine assembly date would have been before March 7th (but who knows how much before). So with this information and Mikes' real example, I would say a month to six weeks prior makes sense.

[Leif A.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Leif,, are you sure about that K14? Should be F? I was thinking about a month, but may back it up a week or two from there. Thanks.

Here is a picture of my trim tag.

[Mike M.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

agree on 6 month window for carburated vets, but i've seen FI vets with distributors up to 12 months pre production of the corvette. mike mccagh

[Fred H.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Our 72 LT1 build date 7/21/1972 distributor tag 2E26 (1972 May 26)

distributor 2.jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

For carburated engines the distributor was installed at the engine plant (except TI engines) so the relevant date for the distributor is the engine assembly date. The vehicle build date from the trim tag will throw off your survey -- especially for Dow Smith built bodies. When doing research it is important to compare apples to apples. Leave the oranges aside.

[Garry B.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Brain fart on the way the trim tags were dated. Thanks Leif.

[Garry B.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

Terry, I did start with the engine assembly date for obvious reasons, but some of the other research is "taking what you can get". The actual photos and owner accounting from members is most important to me. Thanks for the clarification.

For carburated engines the distributor was installed at the engine plant (except TI engines) so the relevant date for the distributor is the engine assembly date. The vehicle build date from the trim tag will throw off your survey -- especially for Dow Smith built bodies. When doing research it is important to compare apples to apples. Leave the oranges aside.

[Fred H.]

Re: Distributor tag date- lead time?

The data on our 72 LT1:
Engine VIN # (Stamped): 12S526766
Engine code # (Stamped): V0626CKY
Block casting # 3970014
Block casting date # F1072


It is my understanding the engine assembly date is within days post the engine casting date? Please correct me if I am incorrect.

Fred

[Gary B.]