Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

[Roger D.]

This is on eBay right now. My car is a 1972 350/200 coupe.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Delco-Remy-Distributor-Cap-D308R_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34205QQihZ017QQitemZ270235676640QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Sorry I'm new to the Corvette hobby (only had mine about 7 weeks) and was still not sure after searching previous posts.

Regards,
Roger

[D S.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

The one I'm bidding on? Yes.

[Michael M.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Gee Scott, you only bid $.99?

[D S.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Tightwad that I am.

[Roger D.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Well I need the correct distributor cap. May the highest bidder win!!!

Seriously, can someone please let me know if this one is correct? I know there are alot of repros out there and some may not be acceptable to NCRS.

[D S.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Seriously, go to this NCRS TDB link for my post and responses on the same subject:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?p=345543&uid=1735

[John D.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

From Joe Lucia's definitive posting on the subject a few years ago..........hope it helps.


Distributor caps
Discounting special distributor cap applications INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the FI distributor caps (GM #1943047 or Delco D-310) and the dual point cap (GM #1941551 or Delco D-324), there were a TOTAL of 4 distributor caps used on the VAST majority of 58-74 Corvette applications. These were as follows:
GM #1932018 or Delco D-308 (black with aluminum contacts--no "R")
GM #1942654 or Delco D-309 (dark brown or black with copper contacts--no "R")
GM #1971244 or Delco D-308R (black with aluminum contacts--"R" embossed on cap)
GM #800061 or Delco D-309R (dark brown or black with copper contacts-"R" embossed on cap)
As far as I can tell, the GM #1932018 was used in PRODUCTION for all 1958-68 Corvette distributors EXCEPT the special apps AND the 67-68 L-88 distributors. For the L-88 distributors, the GM #1942654 or the GM #800061 were specified. Believe it or not, the GM #800061 was specifed for PRODUCTION use on the 67-68 L-88 distributors. I kind of doubt that it was actually used, though. I think that the 1942654 was actually used. But, it's very possible that the GM #800061 was used. (Imagine that----if they were used, then guys with 67-68 L-88s should have a "R" on their caps!)

For 1969 to 1974, the GM #1971244 cap was specified for PRODUCTION use on ALL Corvette distributors EXCEPT the 1969 L-88. The 1969 L-88 was specified as using the GM #800061. Even for such an "illustrious" SHP with TI application as the 1971 LS-6, the GM #1971244 was specified for PRODUCTION use.
I think that a lot of the "confusion" regarding distributor caps occurs because of oddities that existed in the SERVICE parts systems which supplied GM distributor caps. First, I'll discuss the GM parts system.
During the period of September, 1957 through October, 1969, if you purchased a distributor cap THROUGH THE GM PARTS SYSTEM for most 1958 through 1968 Corvette applications (except FI, dual point, etc.), you got a GM #1942654, the copper contact cap. The aluminum contact cap AS USED IN PRODUCTION, was NOT AVAILABLE through the GM parts system during that time period.

During the period of September, 1968 through October 1974, if you purchased a distributor cap for a 1969 through 1974 Corvette application THROUGH THE GM PARTS SYSTEM, you got a GM #800061, the copper contact cap. The GM #1971244 used in PRODUCTION for all 1969-74 Corvette applications except L-88/ZL-1 was NOT available through the GM parts system during that period. Also, if you purchased a distributor cap for a 1958-67 Corvette THROUGH THE GM PARTS SYSTEM after October, 1969, then you got the GM #800061. The GM #1942654 was discontinued at that time and replaced by the GM #800061.

If you purchased a cap through the Delco parts system (regardless of whether you got it from a GM dealer who ordered it through the Delco parts system instead of the GM parts system), things were different.
During the period of September, 1957 through 1968, if you purchased a cap THROUGH THE DELCO PARTS SYSTEM for most 1963-67 Corvette applications (except FI, dual point, etc. and L-88), then you got the GM #1932018, the same aluminum contact unit as used in PRODUCTION for those model years. If you purchased a cap for 1967-68 L-88, then you got the GM #1942654, the same copper contact unit likely used in PRODUCTION for these distributors.

After late 1968, if you purchased a cap THROUGH THE DELCO PARTS SYSTEM for a 1958-68 Corvette (except FI, dual point, etc. and L-88) OR for a 1969-74 Corvette (except L-88/ZL-1), then you got the aluminum contact GM #1971244 cap as used in most 1969-74 PRODUCTION distributors except L-88/ZL-1. If you purchased a cap THROUGH DELCO for a 1967-69 L-88/ZL-1, then you got the GM #800061 cap as used in PRODUCTION for 69 L-88/ZL-1 and, possibly, for earlier L-88s.

After late 1974, the GM #1971244 aluminum contact cap became available through the GM parts system and GM catalogued it for all 58-74 Corvette applications except FI, dual point, etc. So, if you walked into your friendly GM dealer's parts department after that time and asked for a cap for the 58-74 applications, then you got the aluminum contact GM #1971244. Although the copper contact GM #800061 remained available in the GM parts system through September, 1990, it was not CATALOGUED for ANY Corvette application after late 1974. So, unless you asked for it by PART NUMBER, you got the 1971244, even if you had an L-88.

In September, 1992 the GM #1971244 cap was discontinued and replaced by the GM #12338667. Then, in Novemeber, 1996, the GM #12338667 was replaced by the GM #12363081. The latter 2 caps were still known as Delco D-308R, but they are the "generic" caps with no external Delco markings. Some of the later GM #1971244 also lacked external Delco markings.

Since distributor caps caps are routinely replaced during "tune-ups" (especially if those tune-ups were performed by Chevrolet dealers as many original Corvette owners did in those days), most cars lost their original caps early-on. The SERVICE replacement situation I described above may have caused additional "confusion" as to what caps were originally installed.

Some additional points:
1) While most copper contact D-309 or D-309R caps used the dark brown plastic material, some used black. A D-309/309R IS NOT distinguished from a D-308/D-308R by the color of the plastic. The copper or aluminum contacts are the distinguishing feature;

2) Am I saying that ABSOLUTELY NO PRODUCTION distributors received the copper contact D-309/D-309R caps except L-88? No, I'm not saying that. All sorts of anomolies might occur in PRODUCTION for a huge number of reasons. What I'm saying is that I believe that the TYPICAL factory production followed the above-described utilization of distributor caps;

3) SERVICE distributors produced after 1974 may vary with respect to the installed distributor caps from what I described above. For later-produced SERVICE distributors, all sorts of changes from the original configuration may have occurred even though the part numbers remained the same. These were probably accomplished via revisions to the original specs for the distributors. Some examples of differences well documented are the addition of the cross shaft nylon button for pre-70 distributor part numbers and the addition of the RFI shields to the same SERVICE distributors. Distributor caps may have been similarly changed from the original utilization for PRODUCTION distributors;

4) With respect to script or embossments on the caps, the "R" or NO "R" is as described above. As far as other nuances of difference in the script, including "patent pending", "patent number", etc the following is how it is: They have absolutely no bearing on GM or Delco part numbers, I don't know what all the different configurations were regarding same, and I don't particularly care what all the different configurations were regarding same.

[D S.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Impressive. That is the most detailed explanation of anything I have seen on the TDB. I appreciate your taking the time to find and post this. I even saved it to my Word file.

Thanks,
Scott

[Roger D.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Wow. That's amazing! How did Joe ever come up with all that? Surprised there is enough of those historic details left.

John thanks for re-posting that and guess I shouldn't have to ask any more distributor questions being armed with this kind of information.

[Paul C.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Am I correct in assuming ALL Delco distributor caps have a number on them? Where is the number located?

[Mike E.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

Incorrect assumption. Up through 62 in the Corvette line, if I'm not mistaken, none any number. Starting some time in the early 60's they received PATENT numbers. I don't know if I've ever seen a distributor cap with a PART number on it on Delco cap. Part numbers are on the box they came in.

[Paul C.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

If there are not any numbers on the cap how do you knw whether it is a Delco D-308 (#1932018), D-308R (#1971244), or #800061. How can you tell when purchasing if it is the correct cap? Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Is this the Correct Distributor Cap for my '72

If there are not any numbers on the cap how do you knw whether it is a Delco D-308 (#1932018), D-308R (#1971244), or #800061. How can you tell when purchasing if it is the correct cap? Thanks

Paul-----


From at least 1958, there were never any GM or Delco PART numbers on distributor caps. The only way a cap can be identified is via its configuration, embossed script on the top of the cap, terminal material, etc.