Need Help to ID a Distributor

[Bob P.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Mike, I took this thing apart and found the following. The weights have the number 37 stamped into them. The cam is stamped 724 CCW and the football is stamped 54.

[Bob P.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Here is what I have found. The weights have 37 stamped on them, the cam has 724 CCW and the football has 54 stamped on it and the vacuum can is a MS 201 15. The problem is that I don't think it has the correct housing for a 63 w/F.I. Here are more pictures. Any further ideas?

[Page C.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

I think Bill C. nailed it in post #12. Distributor 1111024 1963-64 327/250&300HP. It has the 201vac, #54 auto cam, 724 CCw #37 stamped weighs. These are the key pieces to the #024.

[Bob P.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Would it have made sense to have put this in a '66 427/425 motor in order to get reid of the TI system?

Anybody have an idea on value?

[David L.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Page,

Years ago I got some information from a friend of mine if NJ that the "football" on the 63w/FI distributor shaft was stamped "54" which I now believe to be wrong. After seeing Bill's and you comments about the various parts on a 1111024 distributor I decided to do some research in my "library" and this is what I found comparing these parts on the 1111022 and 1111024 distributors.

According to my 1963, 1964, and 1965 Chevrolet Parts Catalogs the 1111022 and 1111024 both used the following parts:
Springs: # 1943041 (3/4" free length)
Weights: # 1957867*
*As per Chev. Parts History: 1924737 to 1957867 in July 1963 and back to 1924737 in March 1964.
Original 1963 weights are stamped "37" (GM # 1924737), confused about the 1957867 weights
Cam: # 1958990 (stamped "724 CCW")
Vac. Control: # 1116201 (stamped "MS 201 15")

1111024 distributor: housing # 1961404
1111024 distributor: shaft # 1961402, "football" stamped "54"
A NOS 1961402 shaft just sold on Ebay and it was stamped "54" (see link below)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1963-1964-1965-1966-Corvette-Distributor-Shaft-1961402-2-372-/390449195631?fits=Year:1963|Model:Corvette&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5ae895ea6f&nma=true&si=kBI7cr4uwc7LxkMAP9L%2BNQ03VIw%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

1111022 distributor: housing # 1961252 upper & # 1961254 lower
1111022 distributor: shaft # 1961249, "football" stamped ???

Do you know the number stamped on the "football" on the shaft of a 63 w/FI distributor?

Dave

[Mike Z.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Robert-
Sorry, I did not remember you. I dropped out of this thread, when the subject got off on #201 vacs and their various applications-most of the comments coming from superceeded P/N or service replacement documentation, rather than trying to answer your original question. I reviewed some of the pics and information again. I believe what you have is of a later vintage than 63-64. The main reason I say that is the cam piece: 724. The 7 series to my knowledge did not come in until about 67-68 (my experience, not from documentation). The 7 series uses nylon weight rubbers vs. the raised metal of the 5 series. The 24 in the number has to do with the advance slot length indicating it will allow 24 degrees of total advance and the CCW has to do with rotation the advance slot is cut (not the rotation of the distributor, as many believe). 24 is not much advance total, as typically you will see 34, 36 and even 40 in back of either the 5 or 7 depending on the series of the part. The top of these cam or pole pieces is not what I would normally refer to as the "football", as a few comments refer to. To me the "football" shape is the shape of the top of the mainshaft (I do not recognize "54"). This shape determines when the advance event will begin and to what amount, along with the shape of the weight (FTW: your weight with the hole at the heavy end is not performance weights and I believe the 37 is the weight in oz). The length of the advance slot cut into the cam/pole piece simple limits the total. By a combination of slot length, football shape, weights/springs; one can customize the advance mapping or dial into the factory specs as desired. It is still my opinion the #201 vac was not OEM until 1967, which is about the time the 7 series cam/pole piece would have hit, also. The fact you indicated no hole in the back side of the tach coupler tells me the housing is pre-March 1970. So, my guess is 67-70 vintage. I can not however find the combination of part numbers you mention used by a specific P/N distributor. The shape of your football, I would recognize as a non-hipo shaft, which kinda goes along with points vs. TI. I hope this helps, and it is my opinion and I do not wish to strike the nerves of some so touchy. And, Duke; I never said the #201 would not or did not work better than say the #236 that the applications you mention would have come from the factory with-I stated what I firmly believe to be correct OEM parts based off of original GM documentation rather than revision info.
Robert: I thought of one more check; the oil holes on the side of the lower portion (below the gasket area), is there one hole, or two with one larger than the other? Prior to 68 they used one, then 68 started a larger hole above and smaller hole low. What you have could well be a service replacement: combination of the short slot (later specs seemed to use longer slots/more total advance), but 7 series cam piece and #201 vac. indicate later.
Mike

[Page C.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Mikes post got me thinking and made me go and look in the dist. parts boxes I have acquired over the years. I found 5 rotating pole plates in the series #7. They were a 726CCW, 732CCW, from Corvette dist. and 3- 728CCW from 1968-69 pass cars and all had the metal buttons for the weights to slide on. Not sure when the change over to the nylon pads took place. This has been a very informative post.
Dave, the info I had on the 1111022 was a shaft #1961249. I had it with a #54 auto cam on the shaft as well, but that probably came from the achieves. I wish we had more info on all the auto cam numbers. Would make a great article for the Restorer

[David L.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Page, According to my notes I have the following Chev. distributors with rotating pole plates in the #7 series:

724 CCW
1111075 4M28

728 CCW
1111257 8A24
1111150 5K5
1111257 7H29
1111257 7L1
1111015 3L4
1111481 9B22

732 CCW
1111499 9D28 (sold, 1969 Camaro 396 w/SHP)
1111497 8M18
1111169 7L27

When I get a chance I will check out the rotating pole plates (aka "Cam" in my Delco Remy Service Parts Catalog and Chev. parts catalogs). I may have other distributors w/#7 series plates that are not in my notes. Enclosed is a photo from my 1966 Chev. Illustration Parts Catalog

Dave

[David L.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

The 7 series to my knowledge did not come in until about 67-68 (my experience, not from documentation).

Mike,

I totally disagree.
My very original 1965 Chev. 327 distributor "1111075 4M28" (Dec. 28, 1964) has a "724 CCW" cam (aka rotating pole plates), GM part # 1940558 in my 1965 Chev. Parts catalogs (Oct. 1964, Jan. 1965, and May 1965).

The 63 Corvette 327 (exc. F.I. ) distributor "1111024" also used a "724 CCW" cam but the GM part number is listed as # 1958990 in my 1963 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1962).

From Chevrolet Parts History:

GM # 1958990 replaced in May 1965 with GM # 1942360
GM # 1940558 replaced in Dec. 1966 with GM # 1942360

GM # 1942360 replaced in June 1973 with GM # 1966686

I don't know what the difference is between the 1958990 and 1940558 cams but they both are stamped "724 CCW".
I suspect the 1942360 cam is also stamped "724 CCW".

The 1942360 cam is listed for the 1111152 distributor (1966 Chev. w/327). I have a 1111152 distributor dated sometime in May 1966 that came with a complete 1966 Chev. 327 engine (cast.# 3858180 w/"T0521HAR" on pad) that I bought in the 1980's at a salvage yard in Orange, MA, that has all components with "matching" date codes (heads, intake, starter, MT flywheel, alternator, etc.). I will check the cam stamping in the distributor when I get a chance. I suspect it will be "724 CCW".

Dave

[Timothy B.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

My original 1963 distributor has the 724 weight base/cam, I always thought the centrifugal advance 24* is the last part of the number. My original 1967 300hp distributor has a 530 weight base/cam and the centrifugal advance spec is 30* so I wonder if there is any connection.

I also have a original 1111016 distributor from a 1963 impala SS powerglide that has a 722 weight base/cam but I think the advance specs for that distributor are 24* centrifugal advance.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

The 7-series weight base cam (or rotating pole if K66) was definitely in use early C2.

I have two examples off of '64's with T.I. One is distrib 1111060 date 4_C_30; 736 CCW (underside); autocam (football) 03 (underlined); also stamped on underside.

The other is from what I was told was off a '64 F.I. car, K66 (so had to be either L76 or L84). $10 at a swap meet for a coffee can with the rotating pole 736 CCW (see pic); the stationary pole magnet assembly; and a '236' vacuum advance. Both rotating poles have the metal sliding buttons for the weights (not the plastic).

Agree with Page C. that if some order could be made of all this, would make a good Restorer article.

[David L.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

My "1111075 4M28" distributor (Dec. 28, 1964) from an early 1965 Chev. w/327 has a "724 CCW" cam (GM # 1940558 as per my 1965 Chev. parts catalogs) as shown in the photos below. The two 0.31" dia. sliding buttons are metal. There is some very slight wear on the bottom side of the each weight (2nd photo) caused by these buttons. The 1st photo shows the top side of the weights.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

Update of my 01:59 AM post early this morning, 12/15/2012 ( I was up very late last night).

I found my "1111152 6D20" distributor (from 1966 Chev. 327 eng. "T0521HAR" or Tonowanda, May 21st, M.T., Roch. 4 bbl.) and the cam is stamped "526 CCW". I stated earlier that the cam is GM # 1942360 from my previous research.

I also have "526 CCW" cams in the following distributors from these Chev. models (these cars require premium fuel):
1111489, 9E22 (69 Camaro SS350 w/A.T.)
1111997, 9G22 (70 Chev. 350 H/Per. w/A.T.)
1111997, 0D29 (70 Camaro SS350 w/A.T.)
1111997, 0E13 (70 Camaro SS350 w/A.T.)

GM # 1942360 in Gr. 2.381 is the cam part number in my 1969 and 1970 Chevrolet parts catalogs for these distributors.

My conclusion:
The "526 CCW" cam = GM # 1942360
GM # 1942360 (526 CCW) serves also as a replacement for GM # 1958990 (724 CCW) and GM # 1940558 (also 724 CCW).

Dave

[Duke W.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

I did a "blueprint overhaul" on a '65 L-79 distributor, today, for a local chapter member. Jim purchased the car about a year ago - 90K miles, and it had been stored for quite sometime, but was unmolested.

One glitch was the dist. ground wire broke off the terminal that is secured with the forward VAC screw as I was removing the screw, and the wire was rock hard. We had to improvise a bit. I had some black 12 gauge wire and some generic terminals. Don made a new lead using the fresh wire with a generic lug on the end that's secured with the VAC mounting screw. He was able to loosen the crimp of the terminal that's soldered to the breaker plate and recrimp the new wire.

My advice: If you're going to overhaul the distributor have a NAPA LW42 ground wire repair on hand. It has indexed terminals on both ends. I'm not sure if it has to be soldered to the breaker plate or if you can secure it to the breaker plate with one of the screws that secures the points. In any event, this ground wire is constantly flexed by VAC action, so it work hardens and will eventually fatigue and break, which can leave you stranded. In a pinch, a test lead with alligator clips can be secured to the breaker plate through the window to a ground. Disconnnect the VAC and plug the hose so the breaker plate doesn't move around and knock the test lead off. This will get you home.

End play was only .043" (I typically recall .060-.090"), and there was some visible spark scatter. The football was "71", cam assembly "730 CCW". The weights had no numbers, but looked OE, not aftermarket. They had a hole drilled on the big ends as in the post #42 photo.

There was a "56" on the inside base of the housing under the breaker plate, and I think an O externally with what looked like a square symbol.

The breaker plate fit nice and snug with no wobble, and the advance bushing was okay. The grease well had some wet solid flakes, but at least the tach drive gears still had grease and were in good shape.

Once we got everything cleaned up I packed GM 1960954 distributor and starter motor grease into the upper bushing grease well, and also used it on the tach drive gears. We used a B26 (12") VAC, and Jim had already installed the Gold springs from the Mr. Gasket 928G kit. (BTW, compared to these the OE springs look like they came off a dumptruck.) A .030" and .010" shim from the shim kit brought end play down to the .004-.005" range. Jim had already installed the Echlin CS7860 32 oz. point set with the trick little lubricator wick, and I dabbed on some of the 1960954 grease. This is exactly how I recommended setting up a L-79 distrubutor in my San Diego presentation.

It fired right up after having to tweek the oil pump drive to get the distributor to seat. Centrifugal starts at about 700 and is all in at 3000-3500. The L-79 centrifugal is 30 maximum (at 5000 OE), but it's non-linear, so most of it is in by about 4000. Of course, the silver springs quicken it so it's nearly all in at 3000.

I set the total WOT advance at 39 @ 3500 and the initial is 9. The timing mark is dead steady at any RPM. That's what tight end play does - gets rid of the spark scatter that the sloppy OE assembly produces. Idle mixture screws are out one turn from the seat, and it pulls 14-15" at 750, so I have no reason to believe is doesn't have the correct L-79 cam.

Given the car's history I thought the heads may have never been off, but the gasket measured .036", so they have been off. In my brief road test I couldn't get it to detonate lugging up some steep hills. Start up from a dead stop with minimal clutch slippage was smooth with no stumble, and it was tractible down to less than 1000 revs. Low end torque was a little weak (as expected compared to the 300 HP enigine), but it was strong and linear from 3500-6000 even though it might have lower than OE compression ratio. Jim's next step is to do a regular unleaded fuel test to see if it will run detonation free on regular.

Jim and Don have reported that the engine ran smooth and strong on the trip back up the world's busiest freeway to the San Fernando Valley.

Duke

[Jim T.]

Re: Need Help to ID a Distributor

First question, is there a hole in the bottom of the housing where the tach drive gear resides? That item was introduced in 1968 to retain the plastic thrust washer that was added in that year. Otherwise the differences between engines and years are in the advance slot, and the part number is stamped on the bottom of the weight plate. the breaker plate is standard for all single point applications, the cam on the top of the mainshaft will usually have a stamped number on it and the length of the slot in the plate that is part of the cam assembly is the major factor in determining the part number for the finished distributor.

William I have a 1968 and a 1970 which are original owner cars. Both of these cars still have their original distributors. They do no have the drilled hole in their distributors for the plastic thrust washer. I have had both distributors disassembled in the past. My 68 was built in FEB 68 and the 70 was built in July 70.