Real or repro ignition coil?

[Larry T.]

I have every reason to beleieve this is a reproduction coil, but since I do not have adequate knowledge to be certain I thought I would ask. Is there anything about this coil that indicates it is an original part and not a restoration part?

Thanks.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

I have every reason to beleieve this is a reproduction coil, but since I do not have adequate knowledge to be certain I thought I would ask. Is there anything about this coil that indicates it is an original part and not a restoration part ? .....

Larry -- I think you're correct. I had to photo-edit two of your shots to bring up the detail (attached). I see it's a '231' so this means 1966. Big pic is of top of a '210' TI coil; shows different script (IMO), especially the tail on the 'Y'.

Another is the decal -- best to examine the lettering on the silver half; font size, placement. Also, from what I can see of the red side, looks like lettering is too small (versus period correct). I could post a decal pic if needed.

[Larry T.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

There is a definate difference in the script. I appreciate the picture.

Does anyone have a picture of the top of an original 231 they can share, just to compare?

Thanks.

[William C.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

I don't beleive the "231" was ever offered as a service item, thus no NOS examples should be available.

[Larry T.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

I don't beleive the "231" was ever offered as a service item, thus no NOS examples should be available.

I agree. Hopefully someone has one on their car and can share a picture.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

I agree. Hopefully someone has one on their car and can share a picture.

Here's a '231' that went for $71 on eBay, back in 2006. Note the foil tag with paper backing, font and letter sizing. Also, dot (or short dash) between the 12 and V.

[Raymond G.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

I have every reason to beleieve this is a reproduction coil, but since I do not have adequate knowledge to be certain I thought I would ask. Is there anything about this coil that indicates it is an original part and not a restoration part?

Thanks.

Larry,
For what it's worth, I once purchased a repro 210 coil and it did not work with my after market electric tach whereas my real 210 & 231 coils did.
Best, Raymond

[Lance H.]

NOS 1966 231 ignition coil

There was a GM Delco Remy replacement 231 ign coil. It was somewhat of a strange animal. It did not have the customary TI foil sticker, nor the usual embossed last 3 digits of the part number & 12V on the casing. Instead, the part number was in white paint. This one was ordered by Belmont Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in Weston, Ontario back in the day (dealer code 95576). I know cause I was there. Hope this helps.

[William C.]

Re: NOS 1966 231 ignition coil

I'd be expecting a "real" one to be in the old style boxes with metal ends. The use of the paper boxes seems to correspond with the outsourcing of the low-volume items to a low-volume source. I don't know id Delco Remy did the outsourcing or GM Spo, but a lot of strange coils showed up in the mid'70's. You also have to remember that GM New cars went to HEI in the 70's, so the low-volume service items likely were outsourced at about that time, as the high volume tooling would have been replaced for the HEI system parts.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

Hi Lance -- I look at that D512 of yours and am thinking that this Delco numbering must have referred to a wide category of coils. Here is a D512 in a box with blue metal can ends, and it's a 1115238 (a little out of focus), which is not K66, AFAIK.

BTW, these NIB '238' coils have been going for crazy $$$ on eBay recently. Somebody should tell those Camaro guys we're almost in a recession .

[Lance H.]

Re: NOS 1966 231 ignition coil

I'd be expecting a "real" one to be in the old style boxes with metal ends. The use of the paper boxes seems to correspond with the outsourcing of the low-volume items to a low-volume source. I don't know id Delco Remy did the outsourcing or GM Spo, but a lot of strange coils showed up in the mid'70's. You also have to remember that GM New cars went to HEI in the 70's, so the low-volume service items likely were outsourced at about that time, as the high volume tooling would have been replaced for the HEI system parts.

Bill,

I agree re the low volume runs, although this applied also to the cars during manufacture, as truckloads arriving only days apart would have different parts on identical vehicles. The assumption was The General would reorder a run of parts depending on sales orders being higher than anticipated by the bean counters. As for packaging, I take your point re the 'can' boxes with the pull thread seal, yet we would frequently see the same parts order arrive with different packaging for the same part. For example, while most ign coils did come in the can-type box, attached is a pic of one I know came in 1966 or 67. The only thing consistent with The General in those days was inconsistency.

[Lance H.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

Hi Lance -- I look at that D512 of yours and am thinking that this Delco numbering must have referred to a wide category of coils. Here is a D512 in a box with blue metal can ends, and it's a 1115238 (a little out of focus), which is not K66, AFAIK.

BTW, these NIB '238' coils have been going for crazy $$$ on eBay recently. Somebody should tell those Camaro guys we're almost in a recession .

Hi Wayne,

I see it has gotten a mite frosty out your way already.

If I ever knew what the D512-type designations were, I don't remember now. Probably an internal grouping code, or something along those lines.

Here are pics of what I know to be the 207 ign coil original to my 1965 fuelie. I also have another identical to it. Note the variation in the 'Y' from other pics on this topic. Seems doubtful, to me at least, it is a reliable indicator of anything more than Delco Remy varied the design and manufacture of their product from time to time. Nothing new or revealing about that.

Lance

[Lance H.]

Peculiarities

Hi Wayne,

I see it has gotten a mite frosty out your way already.

If I ever knew what the D512-type designations were, I don't remember now. Probably an internal grouping code, or something along those lines.

Here are pics of what I know to be the 207 ign coil original to my 1965 fuelie. I also have another identical to it. Note the variation in the 'Y' from other pics on this topic. Seems doubtful, to me at least, it is a reliable indicator of anything more than Delco Remy varied the design and manufacture of their product from time to time. Nothing new or revealing about that.

Lance

A couple of other peculiarities noted back when they were new:

Every 1960s Stovebolt that I remember came new with ign coils that had 11/32 nuts, and every GM mechanic had a 11/32 nut driver handy in the top drawer of their tool box cause there was never any guessing what was needed. Parts counter coils started coming in with 3/8 nuts at some point, but then again, no consistency, some would have 11/32.

Also, while the original coil on my 1965 fuelie has the foil sticker, many TI cars came through without the sticker.

Lance

[Lance H.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

Hi Wayne,

I see it has gotten a mite frosty out your way already.

If I ever knew what the D512-type designations were, I don't remember now. Probably an internal grouping code, or something along those lines.

Here are pics of what I know to be the 207 ign coil original to my 1965 fuelie. I also have another identical to it. Note the variation in the 'Y' from other pics on this topic. Seems doubtful, to me at least, it is a reliable indicator of anything more than Delco Remy varied the design and manufacture of their product from time to time. Nothing new or revealing about that.

Lance

I knew I had a NOS TI 207 coil around here someplace. Here it is, in its original metal box w/instructions and stocking/order tape.

Lance

[William C.]

Re: Real or repro ignition coil?

The D-number or "short" number was the stocking number used in non-Car Dealership cataloging. If you went to a parts house that had Delco-Remy parts, and gave them an application, their lookup would give them a D-number and that is the part that would be handed over the counter to the customer. Typically the D-number part was a high volume part that had it's application list broadened by adding coils with similar specs to the D-list application catalog. Just for Reference, I was told once in the early 60's that Ford had one coil for all Ford-Lincoln-Mercury lines. GM at that time would have mutiple coils in Chevrolet lines, plus those for Pontiac Olds, and Buick. Only one small part of GM's "over-engineering" with multiple semi-autonomous divisions. Parts commonization was discussed often, but seldom practiced between Divisions.