C-1 coil

[Jon S.]

Are the Delco 1115091 coils still advailable and if so what would be the best source? A Delco coil is still advailable from my local chevy dealership(12337166) as a replacement. Is it close to the original in appearance? It just might be my only option. Info or opinions please.
Regards, Jon

[Tom Wander]

Re: C-1 coil

091 coils are no longer available from GM. You might find one on Ebay or other places but they are pricey. $300 and up is not unusual for used refurbished 091's. I can't even imagine what an NOS one would bring. One thing to watch out for is counterfit 091's. The 091 "can" is available and some people are installing that can on coils with similar tops and passing them off as a real 091.

Tom Wander

[Mike M.]

Re: C-1 coil

JON: THE COIL DELCO SELLS TODAY DOESN'T EVEN REMOTELY RESEMBLE THE COIL YOUR C-1 LEFT ST LOUIS WITH. UNLESS YOU JUST GOTTA HAVE AN AUTHENTIC 091, GO JUNK YARDING AND FIND A 12 VOLT GM COIL ON A PRE 63 CHEV, OLDS CADDY ETC. BE SURE TO CHOOSE ONE THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE "BLOCKING PROTRUSIONS" BUILT INTO THE TOWER AS THE JUDGES RECOGNIZE IT AS A 63 OR LATER DELCO COIL. AFTER YOU FIND THE PRE-63 COIL, SIMPLY ORDER THE COPPER SLEEVE AVAILABLE FROM MOST VET SUPPLIERS(PARAGON FOR EXAMPLE) AND SLIP THE 091 SLEEVE OVER THE JUNK YARD COIL. BELIEVE THE SLEEVES RUN ABOUT 35 BUCKS.MOST C-1S BEING JUDGED THESE DAYS HAVE A SLEEVE(USUALLY UNDETECTABLE). WAY LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A NOS 091. GOOD LUCK, MIKE

[Dennis A.]

Re: C-1 coil

Jon...
Call Mary Jo,She had the #091 for $110.00, also Corvette Central states they have them? If you do not plan on being judged, a good new Delco replacement will do the job. Orginal #091's (painted gloss black)have only a shoulder on top through which the terminal posts project and two holes exist so the retaining clips will not turn. They are embossed with "091" and "12-V",this may help in locating an orginal one.

[Jack H.]

Not necessarily true...

the detail in the above reply, that is.

The '091 coil was made for a number of years and there are SEVERAL variations in construction detail specifics based on when & where the particular '091 you purchase came from. There's only one configuration that's factory concours correct for most Corvettes and you have to state the year of your car/engine (sometimes the month of build) in order to know which of the permutations is actually considered correct for it....

There have been a number of member contributed articles on '091 and '087 coils in the NCRS Restorer Magazine. Having the Complete Restorer CD is a leg up because it lets you search past articles, read and learn.

[John M.]

Absolutely!

Jack, You are right on point as usual. The early model 091 coils are quite different from the later C2 versions and can be identified even from a distance.
As Tom stated, they are very expensive to buy, and even a defective coil will sometimes fetch over $100 simply for the outside shell. A knowledgeable restorer can put this shell on a passenger coil with the proper tower configuration. The last good early 091 coil that I sold brought close to $300, and I have seen NOS coils bring over $450! I would seriously doubt that any coil that Mary Jo is selling for $100 would pass judging. If judging is not in your plans, just save the money and put a good generic black coil on the car! The really sad thing is that on my 60, the 091 emboss is covered by the coil bracket, and the judges have to judge it by the configuration and not the emboss. I have allways offered to pull it so they can verify the numbers, but they have yet to make me do it!

Regards, John McGraw

[Jon S.]

Thanks everyone!

My car is fairly original ,but is nowhere ready to be judged, nor will it probably be ready anywhere in the near future. I will check with my local salvage yard to see what I can find. Should nothing turn up I'll order the Delco replacement from my local dealer. Again, I would like to thank all members for their responses and knowledge.
Regards, Jon
P.s. Jack, going to order one of those CDs with the money I saved on the coil.

[Dave Suesz]

I got one last winter...

From Mary Jo. Well, I needed a 086, got her repro, and put it in as part of my tune-up. Perfect appearance, and perfect performance.

[Geoff C.]

[Dennis A.]

Re: Not necessarily true...

Sorry about that...I relied on the Judging Manual and will have to rethink the coil I installed. Looks and runs good however... Thanks for the correction

[Jon S.]

Re: I got one last winter...

Dave are her reproductions, and I'm assuming thats what they are, that close in appearance to the original or are they just a more expensive incorrect part?
Have you had your car judged with it on and recieved no deductions? If your not having the car judged, may I ask why you chose it over the Delco reploacement, a cheaper wrong part?
Regards, Jon