Distributor Date Code Band

[Terry M.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

Pat

Looking good. Add a splash of color -- see Wayne's picture above for the location -- off the top of my head I don't know what color is appropriate for your application, but I know where to find out if no one beats me to it.

Later 1970 distributors ahve a hole opposite the tach drive, but I don't see one in your pictures, so that is good.

You do know that little dot on the distributor drive gear shown in image 3 should align with the rotor tip.

[Mark D.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

Add a splash of color -- see Wayne's picture above for the location -- off the top of my head I don't know what color is appropriate for your application, but I know where to find out if no one beats me to it.

Purple is the color you seek.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

To build off of the conversation yesterday I am attaching a few pics of the distributor I am working on for my 68 L68. Cast into the upper housing are the numbers 231, no ID band is present so any thoughts on this dist being correct for the car is greatly welcomed as well as the knowledge you could pass my way as to what to look for to determine what is correct.

Pat -- looked at my Feb 26th 1968 L71 distr. and see that it too has the "231" cast into the body. This has to be worth something pointing to your distributor being the original (as well as the no-hole mentioned by Terry M.).

If you're touching up with black paint, note that the shaft flange that fits against the intake manifold is also black (but not on the underside).

[Ron G.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

A couple of things. First I would try to find an original as one aftermarket I.D. band was a little wider in width and the silver side was dull silver, not the bright silver that is usually seen on originals. As far as which side to be exposed, I have observed original Bowtie and Survivor cars with a 50/50. It does not make a difference which side is exposed, just as long as the info on the band is correct for the build date of the car.

[Mark D.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

I agree on the color 50/50 thingy but, if you're going to pick one over the other, I know of a judge or two that will give you a point(s) deduction for the red on the outside, at least for the 68 thru 72 time frame. I'm not saying right or wrong, I'm just suggesting, if you're going to pick a side and you want to avoid a potential issue later, put the red on the inside. As always, do what you want since it's your car.

[Patrick N.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

Thanks, you guys rock!

My engine assembly date is Feb 22 so I will try to find a 1111293 tag prior to that. I will shoot for silver out but might be swayed if all I can find is the red out.

A daub of purple it is for my color splash.

Terry-regarding the dot alignment- are you referring to the metal tang on the rotor?

Thanks again.
Pat

[Terry M.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

Thanks, you guys rock!

My engine assembly date is Feb 22 so I will try to find a 1111293 tag prior to that. I will shoot for silver out but might be swayed if all I can find is the red out.

A daub of purple it is for my color splash.

Terry-regarding the dot alignment- are you referring to the metal tang on the rotor?

Thanks again.
Pat

The rotor tip (the part the electricity travels through to the distributor post) and that dot on the side of the distributor drive gear should be in alignment. The rotor has one square peg and one round peg, so it can go on the top of the drive shaft only one way (unless one is related to Bubba). The distributor drive gear can be attached to the drive shaft two ways, but if the dot and rotor tip are in alignment you are (or should be) golden.

Why does this matter? There have been several long threads on this subject, but I will see if I can make it brief.
The location of the vacuum advance canister will interfere with the supports for the distributor ignition shield if the orientation of all these internal distributor parts is not right. There is a lot more to the story, but that is the Readers Digest version.

I probably shouldn't mention it because I am not sure it is relevant, but FWIW: The original band on my 1970 LT1 has the red facing out. Since I bought the car new, I am sure it is the original.

An NOS 1111491 that I bought from GMSPO in the ‘70s also has the red facing out.

[Patrick N.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

Thanks again Terry. I have the distributor "dry fit" together right now so when I disassemble to lube the parts I will align the dot and rotor tip.

Pat

[Don L.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

I agree on the color 50/50 thingy but, if you're going to pick one over the other, I know of a judge or two that will give you a point(s) deduction for the red on the outside, at least for the 68 thru 72 time frame. I'm not saying right or wrong, I'm just suggesting, if you're going to pick a side and you want to avoid a potential issue later, put the red on the inside. As always, do what you want since it's your car.

Mark's right. Don't ask me how I know ...

[Mark D.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

Repops are typically anodized on the red side which will draw negative attention in the form of a deduction.

[Michael F.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

what do you mean by "correct configuration" also my late 70 LT-1 has red out also Terry.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

what do you mean by "correct configuration" also my late 70 LT-1 has red out also Terry.

.... and here's a pic of an early 1971 LT-1 with red inside: 1112038__0__J__ 3; (3rd Sept 1970) Sorry it's a little fuzzy -- held a mirror so the red on the backside shows.

Two more in my collection: Red out: 1111267 (Z28 tach drive K66) 9_D_14 (14th April 1969).

Red in: 1112021 (Corvette) 0_B_23 (23rd Feb 1970, 350hp/350).

[Kenneth H.]

Re: Distributor Date Code Band

My '70 LT1 1111491 distributor band, which I believe to be original, also has red side out.

Thanks