Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

[Terry M.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

True enough, Jeff, but if there was some difference in the cap with R that it should be used with resistor plugs how come it is the best kept secret in the world? No bulletin, no Service Manual instructions, nothing in any year owner's manual. Nada Zilch Null

The obvious answer is there is no electrical or physical difference. The R means Registered. And by the way that is a common use on all sorts of logos and items. Just like (C) for Copyright.

Never overlook the obvious. I tell that to prospective judges in the Advanced Judging Seminars all the time. When I was National Team Leader I found out how often even skilled judges overlook the obvious.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

But then why change the part number to D308R - if it was just a copyright mark?

seems unnecessary - I think there is more to it than that....

After a certain period - all the caps were R caps
Maybe - You could use a R cap for any earlier application- but you shouldn't use a non R cap in a resistor situation.

If I remember right, weren't the spark plug wires different too around the same time?
Even the coils went to a BR marking?

[Paul O.]

[Terry M.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

But then why change the part number to D308R - if it was just a copyright mark?

seems unnecessary - I think there is more to it than that....

After a certain period - all the caps were R caps
Maybe - You could use a R cap for any earlier application- but you shouldn't use a non R cap in a resistor situation.

If I remember right, weren't the spark plug wires different too around the same time?
Even the coils went to a BR marking?

Maybe the sun will rise in the west tomorrow, too. If any of that is true, why not tell people? As I said above, if there was any relationship between the R symbol and spark plugs or wires Delco kept it the best secret in the world. Show me where it is published -- anywhere? You can't. All you have is speculation, but the obvious answer is looking you right in the face.

BR on the coil is an abreviation for Balist Resistor.

[Terry M.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

Paul I am still waiting for anyone to show me the resistor. I am ready anytime you are.

The rotor with the short tip was marked with an "E" stamp. And there is Delco documentation for it, explaining what it is and why they did it. And it is wonderful you remember The Restorer story that Bill Clupper wrote on the subject. I remember it too. And it said nothing about any difference in distributor caps.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

I don't know...
All of a sudden - resister plugs, resister wires, resister coils, but the R on the cap is a trademark?
OK

[Paul O.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

Terry if you feel along with others that the "R" is for a trade mark why does it not follow trade mark rules? All I am saying is that I maybe wrong about the "R" standing for resistor but I do not believe it stands for registered trade mark because it does not fit trade mark requirements "R" in a circle.

Plus the way the caps changed over the years Patent Pending no "R", Patent # no "R", Patent Pending with an "R", then Patent # with an "R". Why would they go from Patent Pending to Patent # twice if there was not a change in the original design of the item.

Also the number on the later boxes was D-308R this was not a trade mark it was a part designator Delco-Remy was the trade mark.

Its just food for thought I maybe be out in left field but I also need proof that the "R" on the cap stands for trade mark not something else.

Paul 18046

[Jeff A.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

Was the patent on the Rotor registered at the same time?
The Rotor received a R part number change at that time too.

[Erich M.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

I've been looking at this issue since 1998. I purchased my Corvette new. My distributor cap reads "PATENT 2769047 R", where the "R" is rotated clockwise 90 degrees. A picture is attached. I kept careful maintenance records and this is the original distributor cap.

I might add that when I picked up the car new, it had chrome cross oval head cap screws securing the distributor shielding to the red brush painted posts instead of chrome wing nuts. Build date is Nov 30, 1971.

Erich Meyer
1972 (early) LT1 5 Star Bowtie & Top Flight

[Michael M.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

For corvette purposes we only have to recognize three Delco-Remy caps. The first is the Delco-Remy Patent Pending used until 1967. Then Delco-Remy Patent 2769047 used in 1968 and early 1969. Finally Delco-Remy Patent Pending R used in 1969 until 1972.

[Jeff A.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

4 caps - Patent 2769047 R and earlier cap with No R

[Gene M.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

Since the talk is about distributor caps I have noticed something in the photos posted of a cap with Patent 2769047 R. Photo shows aluminum contacts, But I have a cap with Patent 2769047 R that has copper contacts. It seems strange GM made them with both materials, I myself would prefer the copper. Almost everything I looked at other than this one cap I have is aluminum. Was the copper contact caps used on Corvettes of any year?

[Ronald L.]

Re: Delco Remy Patent 2769047 Distributor cap - 5 variations ???

This bakelite material was molded in multi cavity molds, by its very process nature cycle times were long (er) and more cavities were required to meet the volume, than say a thermo plastic material. TP is irrelevant to this discussion but just to give the comparison... I can always pull out my bakelite process book, if I can get past the mold from '75 or is that just an allergy to books!

The tools didn't wear out that fast, but GM sure made a bunch of them, which means there were a lot of cavitites.

Jeff - you are going to find the cavity numbers inside either in or next to the Delco logo.


I know you have a bunch of these parts, will be interesting to see the data on the cavity numbers.