1963 Distributor Cap

[Rick A.]

Folks,

Before anyone says look at the 1963/4 Judging Guide and use as the basis, this is where part of my dilemma comes in! Several folks I have spoken to say the JG is "BS", the NCRS is "BS", and many other comments have been made. Be that as it may. Here is the crux of my dilemma.

Getting ready to start restoring my 1963 fuelie and know I need the "short tower" D310 cap. I currently have a "replacement cap" on the car. I have the "opportunity to buy" the three following "short tower" caps and all of the people insist they are "original" NOS caps and of course all of them are $$$$$$$! They are as follows:

1. DELCO REMY "large letters" PATENT PENDING "smaller letters" (insists correct)
2. DELCO REMY only "large letters" (insists this is RARE and correct)
3. DELCO REMY "large letters" PATENT and then patent # "smaller letters" (insists correct)

I know that the DLECO REMY PATENT PENDING R is a service replacement and should be judeged such. But what about the above three? Are they all correct? None correct? Only one correct?

FYI - Each of the individual caps have the correct GM # on the box (don't remember off the top of my head, but was correct according to my Corvette only parts catalgoue printed in January 1976)

[Gary C.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

Of course you have been told these things. Your sources have financial incentive.

I vote for #1. Be wary of some "R" caps where some crafty soul has erased the R.

I recently purchased two used non R caps on ebay for about $70. They are out there.

[William C.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

The part number has stayed the same, but the appearanc3e of the part has changed several times thru the years. The original part will be found in a string-pupp type box with the part number ad D-310 on the box. The "R" versin wil also come in a string-top box, but with D-310R on the outside (and of course, the "R" on the top of the part. All early tops wre "Patent Pending", Any with the patent number on them are replacements from the 80's or newer. I have never seen one without a patent reference, and I've been looking at these since I was in High school so I believe I can state this was not a producr of the '63 era. Delco Remy had multiple molds to produce this part, and the size of the font is likely a random variation in the build of the mold, not something I would worry about if the other features are correct, In my opinion. I see many of these for sale on eBay, many or which have blurry pictures to obscure less than adequate features of the top of the cap. A good photo-editing program can go a long way toward answering questions on some of these pictures with attention to adjusting the brightness and contrast of a captured picture.

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

Bill,

So based on my three choices that I listed, #1 should be the one that I should be buying - #2 isn't for a 1963 - #3 is an older replacement from the 80's

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap - Bill/Gary THNX *NM*

[William C.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap *NM*

[Dave S.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

Rick,

You have recieved excellent advice for the others. The Patent Pending, No "R" cap is correct for 63.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

Rick-----

I'm going to throw another opinion into the ring: I don't think that ANY of the caps are correct for a 1963 with FI because I don't think that, for 1963, FI engines used the D-310 cap. As I may have mentioned previously, I can't find any reference to the fact that any cap other than the D-308 was used for any 1963 model Corvette, including FI. I've cross-checked this from several different references and each shows that the only cap used for 1963 was the D-308 also known as GM #1942654.

After about 1965, or so, the D-310 also known as GM #1943047, became the SERVICE cap for 1963 FI models, but I don't think that it was originally used in PRODUCTION for those cars. After about 1965, if a person went to his Chevrolet dealer and asked for a distributor cap for a 1963 with FI, that person would have been sold the D-310. That may have resulted in a LOT of 1963 Corvettes with FI getting a D-310 that they might not have originally been fitted with.

One other thing: on page number 136 of Noland Adam's Restoration Guide is a picture of a prototype 1963 with FI. In the picture, the distributor shielding is not present. Considering the length of the exposed portion of the distributor cap towers, it looks to me like this cap has the tower length of a D-308. On page 290, the middle right photo shows a 1965 Corvette with FI which would have used the D-310 cap. Although it's not too easy to see, you will note that the exposed portion of the distributor cap towers is much shorter than those shown in the previously referenced photo of the 63 FI.

Of course, the 1963 model pictured in Noland's book is a prototype and PRODUCTION versions, either from the outset of the model year or thereafter, may have used a different distributor cap.

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

Joe,

Thanks for weighing in again! Whoa Nelly! Talk about throwing fuel on something! The JG is completely wrong if your assertion is correct! If you are correct then what was the D310 used on from the factory? Or, were ALL of the D310s sold "service replacement" caps and everyone of the cars that have them should be assessed a penalty for a "service replacement cap"!

So, I should be looking for a D308!?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

Rick-----

The D-310 was definitely used in PRODUCTION on all 1964 and 1965 with FI applications. I just think that for 1963 it was not used for either some or all of the model year.

As far as what you should do, for judging purposes I guess the best thing to do is to follow the 1963 Judging Guide. That's the basis on which you're going to be judged regardless of what I say or regardless of whether what I say is accurate, or not.

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Distributor Cap

Joe,

Thanks for all of the great info. I have been doing a lot of research into parts as I get ready to begin resotration of my 1963 Z06. Unfortunately, there are so many "conflicting" opinions, etc. out there on a lot of items. And a lot of $$$$$ being asked for items.

FYI - I thought the 1963 came with the D308 but couldn't "prove" it. Your research just gives me a little satisfaction in that direction. Again, THANKS!