Distributor ID needed and questions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
Distributor ID needed and questions
I can't figure out the date code on this and not sure if it 'may' be the original.
8 G 15, is this Feb 15, 68? All parts & date codes have been Jan/Feb 69, is it possible this is still the correct original if this is correct code? Or am I reading date wrong?
I see it has magnetic pick-up, vacuum advance, and tach drive...I guess I'm wondering how well these perform vs points and HEI? Since I don't know much about magnetic pick-up and how they work vs other types. (and a novice with distributors to boot)
Is there anything that need's restored, cleaned, or replaced on this before installing it? (to be sure it runs well) I'm not sure what needs to be done or checked before use. :o
8 G 15, is this Feb 15, 68? All parts & date codes have been Jan/Feb 69, is it possible this is still the correct original if this is correct code? Or am I reading date wrong?
I see it has magnetic pick-up, vacuum advance, and tach drive...I guess I'm wondering how well these perform vs points and HEI? Since I don't know much about magnetic pick-up and how they work vs other types. (and a novice with distributors to boot)
Is there anything that need's restored, cleaned, or replaced on this before installing it? (to be sure it runs well) I'm not sure what needs to be done or checked before use. :o
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
Off the top of my head it looks like July 15, 1968. Post the 7 digit number also and that will tell you what motor the distributor was manufactured for. When I get home I'll look it up and tell you for sure if someone else hasn't already.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
As far as I know, the Transistorized Ignition system used by GM in the '60-'70s was pretty good compared to points systems. If you have the whole system intact and working...and you believe that it was original with the car...three cheers! 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
The GM# is 1111928, which is for 69' 435hp, but i'm not sure if it is or could be correct dated distributor.
It does have the transistor igition box and I have the original coil with "transistor ignition" sticker on it, and plan to use it all, but I don't know much about it nor what needs cleaned/restored for it to function optimally. Should I clean the transistor box up as well?
It does have the transistor igition box and I have the original coil with "transistor ignition" sticker on it, and plan to use it all, but I don't know much about it nor what needs cleaned/restored for it to function optimally. Should I clean the transistor box up as well?
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
Yep, book says 1111928 = 1969 L71 and L89 427/435 with K66 which is 1969 transistor ignition. There were 5,702 cars produced in 1969 with K66. I don't see that distributor number or the option K66 listed for any other year besides 1969.
The date code represents the day that the distributor was assembled. The first number represents the year / the letter represents the month with A as January, B as February and so on but skipping the letter I / the third number or numbers is the day.
8 G 15 = 1968 July 15
Book says that "it's entirely possible that several months may separate the distributor assembly and the engine assembly." But 6 months is the accepted maximum if you're into that.
Check wth Lars about performance, I bet he'll know all about these.
The date code represents the day that the distributor was assembled. The first number represents the year / the letter represents the month with A as January, B as February and so on but skipping the letter I / the third number or numbers is the day.
8 G 15 = 1968 July 15
Book says that "it's entirely possible that several months may separate the distributor assembly and the engine assembly." But 6 months is the accepted maximum if you're into that.
Check wth Lars about performance, I bet he'll know all about these.
