TI Distributors - what is the difference?

[Steve W.]

Between the different part numbers, what is the difference? If I buy a NOS TI Distributor as opposed to rebuilding my current one, what would need to be changed from a 263 to a 296 for example? thanks for any information.

[Joe L.]

Re: TI Distributors - what is the difference?

Between the different part numbers, what is the difference? If I buy a NOS TI Distributor as opposed to rebuilding my current one, what would need to be changed from a 263 to a 296 for example? thanks for any information.

Steve-----


I can find no '263' distributor so I can't tell you what the difference is between it and a '296'. However, in general, the difference between TI distributors relates to the auto cam, weights, springs, and vacuum control. These items determine the advance characteristics of a particular distributor. However, TI distributors for FI applications are obviously completely different with the added FI drive provisions. Also, there were some SERVICE-only TI distributors which lacked vacuum control provisions and used ball bearings in place of the upper bushings. So, these are examples of exceptions to the general rule.

[Patrick B.]

Re: TI Distributors - what is the difference?

The 1111263 distributor may have a reverse rotation gear on it, but it is simple to change to a regular gear if that is the case. The important difference is that the 263 ball bearing distributor has no provision for a vacuum advance. I have had one on my ZL-1 for 30 years. It works great with about 16-18 degrees initial advance, but I am going to replace it soon with my 491 LT-1 distributor to get better gas mileage.

[Wayne M.]

Re: TI Distributors - what is the difference?

...If I buy a NOS TI Distributor as opposed to rebuilding my current one, what would need to be changed from a 263 to a 296 for example? ......

Wow -- you couuldn't have picked a more impossible changeover. The 1111263 is the ball bearing racing distr. (no vac advance, stationary pole [magnet] permanently fixed to the base; everything different [maybe even a reverse-rotation drive gear] main shaft, advance weight plate, etc, etc.).

The 1111296 is conventional T.I. [I have an 8_B_26; last pic on top].

Here's some comparison pics:










c

[Joe L.]

Re: TI Distributors - what is the difference?

Wow -- you couuldn't have picked a more impossible changeover. The 1111263 is the ball bearing racing distr. (no vac advance, stationary pole [magnet] permanently fixed to the base; everything different [maybe even a reverse-rotation drive gear] main shaft, advance weight plate, etc, etc.).

The 1111296 is conventional T.I. [I have an 8_B_26; last pic on top].

Here's some comparison pics:










c

Wayne-----


I blew it on this one. I was only looking at PRODUCTION distributors. I forgot that GM #1111263 was the part number of the SERVICE-only TI distributor. I even have an NOS example of it in my collection.