1971-1972 Distributors

[D S.]

Part numbers 1112050 and 1112051. The 050 is for a 350 the 051 is for a 454. Neither have the part numbers stamped on the bodies so how does one visually determine which one is which? The only numbers and dates are on the tags?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Jack H.]

Re: 1971-1972 Distributors

In many situations, the only difference between this/that GM PN was in the form of secondary operations (drill, tap, Etc.) after a given part's critical housing component(s) were cast and/or the 'stuffing' options of various internal components. In the case of a distributor, those can consist of the main shaft, the specific geometry of the shaft's upper 'T-bar' where centrifical weights attach, the specific return springs used and the geometry of the weights themselves, among other considerations...

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971-1972 Distributors

The numbers on the vacuum actuator, if it is original, can give a clue. There are numbers on the main shaft, but I don't know of anyone who has the code (if there is one) for them. Of course the main shaft numbers are not visible during judging, and some of the numbers on the vacuum actuator may be obscured as well. After that it is just "judge the tag."

[D S.]

Re: 1971-1972 Distributors

I've seen those crude three numbers that appear wire welded on them and wondered if they had any significance. I have a tach drive distributor core that has a vacuum actuator 437-15. Have no clue what that goes to. Another one I have is identical but has a hole near the base while the other doesn't.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971-1972 Distributors

The TIM&JGs (at least for 1968-1972) have a list of the vacuum advance unit numbers for Corvette distributors, and Delco Remy books from back-in-the-day have the VA numbers for ALL distributors -- but each of those sources start with the distributor number and then list the appropriate VA number. I am not aware of a reverse look-up for the VA numbers. It would be pretty labor intensive to do a reverse look-up if you had both sources, but it could be done if one were sufficiently motivated.