D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

[Larry T.]

I have offered for trade on another board a D309 (NOS w/ box, non R) for a NOS D308, non R. I have not specified it as an even trade because I do not know what a fair deal would be. I would like opinions. Any thoughts of the market value of either of these would be greatly appreciated.

I have watched eBay for a while because I always figure the sold amounts on there represent fair market value. However neither of these sell because no body runs straight auctions, just buy it nows for as much as $1195 for a NOS D308. I have thought about running an auction on mine, but that will not get me the D308 I want.

Thanks.

[Wayne M.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

I have offered for trade on another board a D309 (NOS w/ box, non R) for a NOS D308, non R. I have not specified it as an even trade because I do not know what a fair deal would be. I would like opinions. Any thoughts of the market value of either of these would be greatly appreciated.

I have watched eBay for a while because I always figure the sold amounts on there represent fair market value. However neither of these sell because no body runs straight auctions, just buy it nows for as much as $1195 for a NOS D308. I have thought about running an auction on mine, but that will not get me the D308 I want....

Larry -- out of curiosity, I used to take down the numbers off eBay distr. caps, or at least the boxes they came in versus what they claimed was inside (if the string was pulled).

Leads me to ask if you could also post the GM number on the box, as the "D-" designation was fit-for-purpose, and remained the same over many years, whereas the long # sometimes varied from early to late.

Eg: My notes show: D308 (no R following) with GM # 1932018;

On the D309 (no R) side, I have 1942654 (old orange box) and another with orange/white box. Became # 800061 when the 'R' was added in '69.

[Larry T.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

Wayne,

Here are a couple of pictures for you. When did they quit using this box? The reason I ask is some people say these D309 caps came before the L-88. Others say not until the L-88. Does this box predate the 1967 model year? Joe Lucia, do you know? I also have a D409 rotor with one of these type boxes and another with the newer style.

Larry

[Dick W.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

If my memory serves me correctly, the D-309 preceded the L/88 by several years. I worked behind the parts counter at the local IH dealer until about 1965 and distinctly remember the 1942654 cap being used on IH trucks during the time I worked there.

[Peter L.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

I have seen other information in the Delco-Remy applications literature as Papa Smuff indicated that the D-309 had applications, specifically "heavy duty" type applications, other than the L88. Pete

[William P.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

I recently found a NOS # D309R at a swap meet, it is in a red and white Delco Service Part Box. It is brown with copper contacts , has delco-remy and patent 57194 on the top. Inside it has the Delco Remy logo with made in Canada inside the logo.
Can anyone tell me what this cap was used for and if it has any value?
Regards Bill Purdy

[Wayne M.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

..... When did they quit using this box? The reason I ask is some people say these D309 caps came before the L-88. Others say not until the L-88. Does this box predate the 1967 model year? .....

Larry --- predates at least 5 years. IMO, these orange boxes were phased out sometime around 1962/'63, gradually replaced by the orange and white pull-string as inventory depleted.

The oldest Chev parts catalog I have is July 1965, and # 1942654 (no D-# shown, obviously) is THE general 8-cyl. cap for all Chevrolet passenger and Corvette. Exceptions: dual 4-bbl (no points widow, # 1917247; D-305), and '63-4 FI (short tower, #1943047, D-310), and dual points (=2 windows) D-324, #1941551.

[Dick W.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

Larry --- predates at least 5 years. IMO, these orange boxes were phased out sometime around 1962/'63, gradually replaced by the orange and white pull-string as inventory depleted.

The oldest Chev parts catalog I have is July 1965, and # 1942654 (no D-# shown, obviously) is THE general 8-cyl. cap for all Chevrolet passenger and Corvette. Exceptions: dual 4-bbl (no points widow, # 1917247; D-305), and '63-4 FI (short tower, #1943047, D-310), and dual points (=2 windows) D-324, #1941551.

My memory is a little fuzzy, but I think that I agree with you Wayne. The "D" number was the short number that was used by the Delco jobbers, while the long number was used by the GM dealers. A very unusual arrangement, but a dealer could buy his Delco inventory cheaper from a Delco warehouse than he could from his regular GM parts warehouse. Some items were as much as 50% cheaper. Go figure

[Terry M.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

My memory is a little fuzzy, but I think that I agree with you Wayne. The "D" number was the short number that was used by the Delco jobbers, while the long number was used by the GM dealers. A very unusual arrangement, but a dealer could buy his Delco inventory cheaper from a Delco warehouse than he could from his regular GM parts warehouse. Some items were as much as 50% cheaper. Go figure

That is still the case -- that is the dealer can still get parts for less from AC Delco (what is left of it) than he can from the GM SPO (or whatever it is called now days).

[John D.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

Terry

As of yesterday GM SPO (service and parts org) was officially renamed "GM Customer Care and Aftersales"..........

[Terry M.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

Terry

As of yesterday GM SPO (service and parts org) was officially renamed "GM Customer Care and Aftersales"..........

OMG

[Jeff A.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

$1195 for a NOS D308? OMG that is absurd.

Anyone who needs one at that price please let me know.
I knew I was saving these things for some reason. LOL

[Ronald L.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

If you follow flea market prices over a period of time, one comes to a conclusion that certain sellers are nothing of scams. Just like the fake famous signature that has been there for a year too.

[William P.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

I recently found a NOS # D309R at a swap meet, it is in a red and white Delco Service Part Box. It is brown with copper contacts , has delco-remy and patent 57194 on the top. Inside it has the Delco Remy logo with made in Canada inside the logo.
Can anyone tell me what this cap was used for and if it has any value?
Regards Bill Purdy

Can anyone give me an idea if this is rare ?
Bill

[Jeff A.]

Re: D308 vs. D309 "rarity"

Can anyone give me an idea if this is rare ?
Bill

That is the last patent number embossed on the top.
80's counter stock
It is a real Delco cap with copper contacts - a great performing cap.
However, at that point all GM models were using electronic ignition, so no factory usage.