C2-1966 TI distributor identifycation

[Larry S.]

I have a 1966 427/425 car.When I purchased my car it had a ti distibutor with it in and a burned up portion of a harness in a box of parts with absolutely no marking on it.(installed and operating in the car was a late model vette hei distributor)

So I am trying to get the correct ti system back in the car.So I am gathering some information here.I have been told that any ti distributor can be built to work in any mid year car and that only the band (I recently got one off ebay ) and the vacum advance can tells what the dist is and its not seen unless the ignition sheilding cover is off.

Also that the correct disributor for my car has a special thing for the oil on the base (that is not visable unless the distibutor is out of the motor).I am also told that any ti distibutor will work in my car as long as it is built with correct components for the motor.I was also told that a skilled fellow with a die grinder can simulate the exspencive distributor but when they are side by side the difference is night and day

I also got an extra ti disributor in a parts trade with a fellow corvette owner for some extra parts I had taken off my car.

I have said it before When I purchased my car I never had started out wanting a date coded factory correct car but some how I got sent in this direction and it been a fun and enjoyable journey (exspencive but fun) that being said I do have hopes for having my car judged sometime this year depending on what else I discover is incorrect.

Back to my question can some one send me in the right direction where I can aquire this information? or post a picture of the correct distibutor I need?
I was told the the correct one is rare and EXSPENCIVE and I should just take one of the ones I have and have it rebuilt and install that with my ebay distributor band.

But even thought I know I am not judged on the feild on the distributor I would like to have it in there for myself to know that I am factory correct

As always thanks in advance for your input

Larry Savino

[Chris H.]

Re: C2-1966 TI distributor identifycation

Hello Larry,

Obviously small block TI distributors won't work in big blocks. I beleive there are some oiling details on certain big block TI distributors that render them not all interchangeable.

Also, ignition curves were unique to engines (427/390 vs 427/425). So to unleash the potential of your motor, you want the correct curve in the distributor.

TI stuff generally isn't cheap, but I think it's generally worth the cost and effort to install. I'm partial to TI systems. When I see a car that had it originally, and is now running something else, it's a little sad.

Dave Fiedler's "TI Specialty" business / website is the definitive resource on TI. "He's at http://www.tispecialty.com/index.html"

[Howard Nardick]

Re: C2-1966 TI distributor identifycation

Larry, An original mid year BB distributor has a bridge about 1/3 of the way around connecting the two machined surfaces just above the main drive gear where the groove on all distributors after 67 went all the way around, it has something to do with the original cam bearings. You can remove the bridge for use in a post 67 distributor but you can`t add it. A small block (or any other) TI distributor will work (unless you still have the original cam bearings, but to do the job right you should have the advance curve tailored to your application. HN

[Chris H.]

Re: C2-1966 TI distributor identifycation

I stand corrected on the big block / small block interchangeability.

[floyd dossey]

Re: C2-1966 TI distributor identifycation

Larry,
Contact Dave Fiedler at TI Specialty, he restored the TI distributor for my 65 fuelie. It was so nice I didn't want to put it back in the my vette.

Floyd
65 Fuelie

[Larry S.]

Re: C2-1966 TI distributor identifycation

Thanks guys

I do plan on using Dave fielder.I was trying to understand the difference between the different units and try and determine if the one that came with my car (no marking that I can see) is actually the correct original unit Or If I have to shell out mega dollars to get the correct one for my car.

Thanks Again

Does anybody know where I can see some pictures of what was described above about the differences.