C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

[William B.]

Need a delco cap for judging, what does the R mean and will it pass or is it wrong? D308R? Help, Thank you

[Dave S.]

Re: C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

Bill,

I assume you have a 230 HP car. If so the correct cap is a Delco Remy, D-308, black, single window, cap with PATENT PENDING, No R embossed on the top. Any Delco D-308 cap will functionally work but only the PATENT PENDING, no R cap will pass muster on the judging field. Any other marking(s) will take some point deduction on origionality. If you have anything but a 230 HP car with the 891 dual point distributor you will need a D-305 cap which has no external markings at all.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

Bill-----

I believe that the "R" refers to some resistive component or compatibility of the cap, although others dispute this. The "R" first appeared on these caps at the same time that resistor spark plugs bean appearing on the cars (about 1969). After they appeared, they were the only SERVICE part that was produced for all applications of the particular Delco number. In other words, after about 1969, if you needed a Delco D-309, all you could get was a D-309R which SERVICED both D-309 and D-309R applications.

[William B.]

Re: C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

Thank you, i was looking for a cap and found a D308R. Now i know i need a D308

[Dave S.]

Re: C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

Bill,

You not only need a D-308 non "R" cap but to be correct you need a Patent Pending style. Some more plentiful D-308's have a Patent Number in lieu of Patent Pending but do lack the R.

[William B.]

Re: C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

Looking down on the top of the cap, does it say "D308" or just delco remy patent pending? thanks Bill

[Dave S.]

Re: C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

Bill,

D-308 is a Delco number and came w/ different markings on the top. You will see markings as follows however all Delco caps will have Delco Remy embossed on the top of the cap. In addition it will have:

Patent Pending

Patent Pending R

Patent Number(it is 7 digits ending in 047)

Patent Number R

Costs will vary greatly with different markings.

[William B.]

Re: C1 59 Vette Delco cap D308R ???

Thanks Dave, I'm learning