Distributor Weights and wing nuts

[Rob M.]

Two unrelated questions:

First, I would appreciate some guidance on where to find OE weights for a base '66 (1111153) distributor?

What would I look for as far as a part number on originals? Is there anyway to easily ID after-market from OE?

Second:
How is the "J" nut attached to the right side vertical ignition shield to accommodate the wing nut that secures the rear horizontal shield?

If anyone happens to have a picture of that, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

[John H.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Second:
How is the "J" nut attached to the right side vertical ignition shield to accommodate the wing nut that secures the rear horizontal shield?

If anyone happens to have a picture of that, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

Rob -

That long green U-nut slides onto the horizontal tab at the bottom end of the vertical shield from inboard to outboard, as shown in the Assembly Manual in section U69, sheet A9, at the bottom of the left side illustration.

[Rob M.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Rob -

That long green U-nut slides onto the horizontal tab at the bottom end of the vertical shield from inboard to outboard, as shown in the Assembly Manual in section U69, sheet A9, at the bottom of the left side illustration.

Thanks John! I always forget to go to the specific option section of the AIM. One question down.

Now, where do you get the weights for your distributor? I believe they are the same as the ones used on my car.

[Joe L.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Two unrelated questions:

First, I would appreciate some guidance on where to find OE weights for a base '66 (1111153) distributor?

What would I look for as far as a part number on originals? Is there anyway to easily ID after-market from OE?

Second:
How is the "J" nut attached to the right side vertical ignition shield to accommodate the wing nut that secures the rear horizontal shield?

If anyone happens to have a picture of that, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

Rob------


There are no part number or other ID markings on Delco distributor centrifugal advance weights. The weights for your application were GM #1881371. They are long-since GM discontinued but they are a fairly common weight and you will likely find them in distributor cores from the 1965-74 period. Most of the aftermarket weights sold by Mr. Gasket, Accel, etc. are this configuration, too. However, they are not made as well as the GM weights and I do not think they are hardened to the same degree as GM weights.

Usually, much more difficult is getting the correct springs. They are very hard to identify, were all discontinued a long time ago, and there were a large number of different springs used-----many more than there were different weights used.

Below are some photos of NOS GM #1881371 weights.

[Rob M.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Joe,

Thank you very much for the post.

I found it strange that the weight kits that I've purchased (one from LIC and the other from Paragon) included multiple sets of springs - how to know which are correct?

I have recently gone through the distributor replacing the main shaft assembly, shimming up the thrust washers to approximately .010" end play, new rotor, points, etc.

Yesterday, I had the chance to have someone help me check it out. The spark advance map data indicates that the distributor only has about 24 deg. with the initial timing set at 8 deg.

Trying to figure out what needs to be addressed in order to get it to 36 total. Any thoughts?

[Joe L.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Joe,

Thank you very much for the post.

I found it strange that the weight kits that I've purchased (one from LIC and the other from Paragon) included multiple sets of springs - how to know which are correct?

I have recently gone through the distributor replacing the main shaft assembly, shimming up the thrust washers to approximately .010" end play, new rotor, points, etc.

Yesterday, I had the chance to have someone help me check it out. The spark advance map data indicates that the distributor only has about 24 deg. with the initial timing set at 8 deg.

Trying to figure out what needs to be addressed in order to get it to 36 total. Any thoughts?

Rob------


I doubt that any of the springs in the kits are equivalent to the originals.

If you want to do this right, your best bet is to have someone with a distributor machine and the expertise to use it set up the distributor to original specs. That way, you don't need to use all the original parts of the centrifugal advance to set up the distributor properly.

Otherwise, to get it right you'll need the exact original auto cam (on the top of the mainshaft), the exact original distributor cam, the exact original weights, and the exact original springs to get it all right.

[David L.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Rob,

The 1881371 weights are correct for the 1111153 distributor as shown in Joe's photos. Enclosed is a sketch of a weight from my 1111153 distributor dated 6 A 10 (Jan. 10, 1966). The weight measures about 0.55" at the maximum width (see photo). Joe is right. These weights are very common on many Chevrolet distributors. If you need a couple of them let me know. I have 25 or more many Chevrolet distributors in my collection.

My 1111153 distributor has a cam stamped "532 CCW" (stamped on bottom side) and a shaft assembly with a "208W" stamping on the top part.

cam "532 CCW" = GM # 1966994 in Gr. 2.381
shaft "208W" = GM # 1967241 in Gr. 2.372
springs, GM # 1951743 in Gr. 2.389 (no description given)
as shown in my 1966 and 1967 Chevrolet Parts Catalogs

The 1951743 springs were also used in the following distributors:
1966-1967 Corvette (327)(exc. T.Ign.)
1968 Corvette (327)(exc. Sp. H/Per.) w/1111193, 1111194, 1111196 dist.
1969-1970 Corvette (350)(exc. H/Per., Sp. H/Per.) and 1969 Corvette w/3/2BC (427) w/1111490, 1112020 dist.
1966 Chev. 327 w/P.G. (exc. A.I.R.)
1969 Camaro (A.T. w/reg. fuel)(327,350) w/1111483 & 1111490 dist.
1967 Chevy II w/ Sp. H/Per. (327) w/1111193 & 1111195 dist.

I believe that I have a 1969 1111483 distributor.

Dave

[Ronald L.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Rob,

There is a pretty good thread we had going last summer on this, other than my car is a L36. The same symptom, etc. I agree with Joe's comment to find a distributor machine as the P kit parts ended up in the trash can. Returned to the originals that once I got past a sticky situation, allowed the total advance to get me past that 24 degree limit.

[Rob M.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Thanks to all for your posts and suggestions. I really appreciate it!

[David L.]

Re: Distributor Weights and wing nuts

Rob,

Here is a couple of photos of original 1881371 weights and 1951743 springs from a 1111483 distributor (69 Camaro 327,350 w/ A.T.) dated Oct. 17, 1968. These weights and springs are the same as those used on the 1111153 1966 Corvette 327 (300 HP) distributor according to my 1966 and 1969 Chevrolet parts catalogs as well as a Delco-Remy Distributor Service Parts Catalog that I have.

The 1881371 weights are quite common. The 1951743 springs are not that common.

The 1951743 spring measures about 0.70" (free overall length), 0.231"+/- coil diameter, and 0.033"+/- coil wire diameter.

I measured the 1911496 springs from a very common 1112002 distributor and they were quite different. The 1911496 spring measures about 0.74" (free overall length), 0.268"+/- coil diameter, and 0.038"+/- coil wire diameter. This spring is more "heavy duty" (thicker wire, larger coil diameter).

Dave