NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproduction?

[Scott S.]

I have seen some reproduction "202" coils that have the " - " between the "12" and "V", and some that don't. I was the high bidder on a NOS '202' ignition coil recently, and I was interested in this particular example because it had the dash between the "12" and the "V" like my original ignition coil. I received an ignition coil with the old-style tin container, but the coil was missing the "dash" mark, so it clearly is not the same item that I was bidding on. The original packaging is nice, but I have received modern reproduction parts in genuine NOS packaging before. The next question, is this a genuine new old stock ignition coil?

What are the distinguishing characteristics between a real NOS '202' ignition coil and the reproductions?

Thank you,

Scott

[Ronald L.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott, Don't you love those 'green' sellers! They recycle everything

Its in that same vein as a 'guarantee original' and when the part arrives its a big-box reproduction, more on that one soon!

I have photos of my original 66 202 coil at home for comparison, late today we can see how these look to to re-pop.

[Wayne M.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott -- did you follow the eBay NIB 202 coil on eBay that ended last night ? (link below)

34 bids, $256. Seller showed pics of box before he pulled the string; still no guarantee re switcheroo, but certainly helps. That one had no dash. Probably have to examine the bakelite cap script and connection details before determining TFP.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290528414309&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I have a 202 that I pulled off a junkyard 1967 CorvAIR; has the dash.

They had to produce millions of these a year, back in the day. Then the 202 was used for service until the '238 ?' took over. So there must have been multiple production tooling and some variation from 1965 onward, as parts wore out.

[Timothy B.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

I purchased a NOS 202 in the pull string box about seven years ago on ebay for 125. I pulled the string on this box and it read 12-V, the original on my 67 read 12V so I know there are both versions FWIW.

[Ronald L.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

The dates on the boxes, if they are there, will help tell that story. I personally have not studied 202 box dates...

I know with a small mirror we can see the 202 embossing and then the top details are important. One reason I avoided the re-pop a while back, it was not the same as known originals. Nor would I trust the used parts out there, I can see why you want one in the string box.

[Peter L.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott - Whether the coil is real or a reproduction, if the seller had a picture of the item with the "dash" the item and you received one without the dash, the item received was not as shown. I'd work the eBay system for a refund. Good luck. Pete

[Larry M.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott:

The colors/markings on the coil box indicate 1970's production. I would check the box for a date code of some kind.

Parts (and how they look and how are manufactured) change a bit throughout the years, even with the same part number. I am sure the coil will function correctly, but it is not a 1966-67 year manufacturered coil for you 1967 car. It is a later replacement.

Larry

[Jack H.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

On later era Shark cars, we know there are two versions that appear (example: BR 270 and B-R 270) and the JG does not comment on this minor difference. I think we know that with the millions of cars produced annually there HAD to have been more than ONE emboss machine at Delco to generate the volume.

So, ascribing 'reproduction' status to a part that differs from your known original at this tiny level of detail is probably unwise...

[Dick W.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

The Corvette Restorer had an article on the nuisances you are talking about. I do not have my disc here right now to tell you which issue it was in.

[Wayne M.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

....The colors/markings on the coil box indicate 1970's production. I would check the box for a date code of some kind. ...

Larry, others -- I have a New-in-Box 1115202 with string 'yet to be pulled'. No visible dates on outside (top and bottom of can are blue metal).

Below is a "202" that sold on eBay last Sept for $92. Notice the instructions in the box, dated 1970, so has to be at least that old, or newer. Scott: were there instructions in your box ?

Also, I zoomed in on the emboss, lightened image and bumped up the contrast. No dash between 12 and V.

[Timothy B.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Wayne,

That's exactly the box my 202 coil came in (blue top and bottom) and I pulled the string. I have instructions like yours dated 1970 that were in the box and 12-V on the can.

Seems like this is a manufacturing thing and I bet not year related..

[Ken A.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott, NONE of the pictures you posted show an NOS coil that I can see. The nicer of the two looks like a repaint.

[Scott S.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott, NONE of the pictures you posted show an NOS coil that I can see. The nicer of the two looks like a repaint.

Hi Ken,

Are you saying that the coil on the left (with missing paint on the lower half) is not original either? That's the coil that came off the car, and I have a receipt file going back to 1974 which doesn't show that the ignition coil was ever replaced, but it certainly could have been, either before 1974 or the receipt just didn't make it into the file.

About the paint on the nicer example, I was concerned about the appearance of the paint around the top (or 'cap') too, if that's what you are noticing.

[Scott S.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott -- did you follow the eBay NIB 202 coil on eBay that ended last night ? (link below)

34 bids, $256. Seller showed pics of box before he pulled the string; still no guarantee re switcheroo, but certainly helps. That one had no dash. Probably have to examine the bakelite cap script and connection details before determining TFP.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290528414309&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I have a 202 that I pulled off a junkyard 1967 CorvAIR; has the dash.

They had to produce millions of these a year, back in the day. Then the 202 was used for service until the '238 ?' took over. So there must have been multiple production tooling and some variation from 1965 onward, as parts wore out.

Hi Wayne,

The eBay listing you referenced was on my "watch list" just to see what the final bid would be. From several posts here it seems that both "with" and "without" the dash between "12" and "V" can be legitimate GM/AC Delco parts, so I need to learn what other distinguishing characteristics there are, like the details of the bakelite cap you mentioned. I will post better pictures of the top later this evening.

[Ken A.]

Re: NOS '202' Ignition Coil - eBay seller switched coils - Is this real or Reproducti

Scott, They be OEM, but I don't see NEW OLD STOCK.