ti distributor questions

[Cleet H.]

i am trying to purchase parts missing from my 71 lt-1 motor. of course i am missing my ti distributor. someone told me at the ncrs meet in waco that you can convert a regular distributor to a ti and purchase a reproduction band to match my dates? is this correct? would it be much cheaper to go this route? i have also heard that there should only be one wire on the connector, but i have seen several pics of ti distributors for sale that have two wires going to the connector? it seems rebuilt ti distributors are going for over $1k, but i have a gentleman who has offered me one he pulled off of an lt-1 in the eighties for $700. should i be worried about dependability if it has been sitting for 20 years? any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Joel T.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Cleet;

The best person I know of for TI and other distributor work is Dave Fiedler out of Indiana. I purchased a complete TI system from him for my 1965 BB car. If you can get your hands on a legitimate/original TI distributor for the kind of money you are saying, I would probably take it. As you probably know you do need the amplifier box and special wiring harness. Dave can supply that as well long with the required TI coil.

When I bought mine, I had nothing to start with... the complete set up was in the neighborhood of $2400. If you have some of the parts my guess is that Dave can put it all back in shape.

I have seen a guy on e-Bay selling TI distributor "clones" for lack of a better word. From what I recall they were not exactly cheap either.

My advice is to call Dave out in Indiana; "TI Specialties" as I recall, you will find him in Driveline.

Good luck,

Joel

[Jim T.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Cleet not knowing what the two wires you mention going to TI car are the TI cars do not use the standard wiring of the non-TI cars. The standard wiring cars use a resistor wire from the fuse block to the coil, the resistor wire reduces voltage replacing the ballast resistor of 67 and earlier cars. The TI uses full 12 volt wire just like the 75 and later C3's with HEI ignitions.
On my 70's wiring there is a wire plug that can be connected to near the distributor that has 12 volts whenever the key is turned on. My car is A/C so it is a spare source of 12 volts.

[Terry M.]

Re: ti distributor questions

i have also heard that there should only be one wire on the connector, but i have seen several pics of ti distributors for sale that have two wires going to the connector?

TI distributors have two wires to the pick-up coil in a connector. It is the points type distributor that has only one wire going between the coil and distributor points set.

[Jack H.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Yes, the difference between a TI and standard distributor was essentially a 'parts stuffing' option at Delco...

[Joe M.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Article in one of the car mags that had a step by step with part numbers needed to convert a standard distributer. If Interested I can search.

[Joel F.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Article in one of the car mags that had a step by step with part numbers needed to convert a standard distributer. If Interested I can search.

Joe,

I'd be interested in seeing that article.

Thanks
Joel

[Wayne M.]

Re: ti distributor questions

i am trying to purchase parts missing from my 71 lt-1 motor. of course i am missing my ti distributor. .... i have also heard that there should only be one wire on the connector, but i have seen several pics of ti distributors for sale that have two wires going to the connector? it seems rebuilt ti distributors are going for over $1k, ....

Cleet --- here's an original off an early '71 LT1 motor, and you should be looking for (or building) a similar one.

Some data from mine: 1112038_0J3 (Sept 3rd 1970); vac can 437_15 (no 'MS'); hole opposite tach drive for gear thrust button (feature started a few months prior); '534' stamped on rotating pole; '170W' on undersiide of autocam (mainshaft); housing cast '530'; note faint trace of yellow paint dab on RH flange just under where distrib. cap mounts. Two wires; one with faint green dye stripe

[Wayne M.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Article in one of the car mags that had a step by step with part numbers needed to convert a standard distributer. If Interested I can search.

Joe -- by any chance, was it "Pitch the Points", by Hib Halverson, in Nov 1991 VETTE magazine [a detailed 3 pages + 1_1/2 columns long].

I've got it if you can't locate.

[Joe M.]

Re: ti distributor questions

It was Jan 1990 VETTE by Dan Marinucci.

I scanned the thre pages and will send it to whoever if they send me a pm with their email. I can then cut and paste it in.

this article gives details re the use of a chrysler amp instead of the GM. gives some alternatives as well.

Joe

[Vincent F.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Wayne, thats like waving a steak in front of a tiger, I need that same exact dist you have there.

[Cleet H.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Thanks everyone for the help, I'm going to buy the original one - it looks like the pic from wayne and has the correct numbers. I'll send it for testing before I put it on the car. Thanks again.

[Dick W.]

Re: ti distributor questions

Article in one of the car mags that had a step by step with part numbers needed to convert a standard distributer. If Interested I can search.

All the parts were still available when that article was written. However, today none are available.

[Joe M.]

Re: ti distributor questions



I tried to get the listed parts to no avail quite a few years back.

I did end up with a 'rebuilt' 1928 distrib dated 8-1-26 and an embossed 207 coil as well as an amp 8-M?? The parts are out there.

Do you know if the chrysler amp is still available?
Understand there are more modern amp alternatives.

[Dick W.]

Re: ti distributor questions

There are quite a few 1111263 distributors out there yet. They were over the counter high performance units without a vacuum advance. They make good parts donors.