80-High altitude distributor

[Steve King]

When I was checking numbers I found that the distributor is a high altitude one. And I do not live in a high altitude area. Is there a way to confirm this, maybe on the build sheet? I have the history of the car and it was sold new in this state and has always been in this state. If this truly is a high altitude car would the carburetor have been jetted differently then a non high altitude car?
Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: 80-High altitude distributor

Steve-----

For 1980, there was no distributor which was specific to Corvettes with "high altitude" emissions systems.

[Tom R.]

Re: 80-High altitude distributor

Steve:

Give us more specific information...like distributor number, emission label broadcast code and engine suffix. We can tell you if it fits the configuration that appears to have been installed on your 80.

[Steve King]

[Tom R.]

Re: 80-High altitude distributor

Steve:

The 1103353 was used from 78-80 on L48 automatics and specified for use with NA6 in 78 & 79. It may have carried over in 80 regardless of the NA6 RPO. However, I've seen automatics of that period with 4 speed distributors and they had low mileage...Bowtie cars. JL indicates that 1103353 was not equipped on NA6 in 80 and the question may be was NA6 an option in 80. The Black Book does not reference such an option. I thought I had an 80 service manual which lists that type information but can't seem to lay my hands on it at the moment.

Otherwise, while you did not list it but from what you write, your engine suffix is probably ZAK which called out the CX emission label and the 204 carb. Your distributor date code is Jun 21st 1979 so you must have an early 80 car. Cross reference with your build date and the date codes should reconcile which suggests the date code of the distributor falls within the build date sequence (6 months).

In regards to build sheets...the distributor must have been called out with the engine harness...but from those build sheets I've looked at...no distributor is designated and no box is titled "distributor." I don't believe a build sheet will help identify a correct distributor for your 80.

Others may be able to help you diagnose your mechanical problems but I would retrace my upgrades and ensure hoses are probably connected and to correct sources.

[Steve King]

Re: 80-High altitude distributor

Tom,
The car is a ZAK, body build date 11/20/79 serial #7077. The engine build date is 11/13/79. The build sheet has NA5 STD Emissions. The only thing I can think of is that they must have used a high altitude distributor on a STD emissions car. There were only three owners of the car before me and they were all in Pa. The build sheet also says it was shipped to a dealer here in Pa. I guess I will have to keep looking for the problem.
Thanks for your help.
Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: 80-High altitude distributor

Steve-----

The information in the NCRS spec guide on this one is incorrect. The GM #1103353 was used on ALL 1980 Corvettes with THM, L-48, and federal emissions. It was NOT a distributor specific to high altitude emissions. As I mentioned earlier, there was NO distributor used on 1980 Corvettes which was specific to high-altitude emissions; both high and low altitude with THM, L-48, and federal emissions certification would have used the GM #1103353. As a matter of fact, the GM #1103353 was used beginning with the 1978 model year and last used for the 1980 model year. None of its applications included engines certified for high altitude emissions only. It was discontinued from SERVICE in January, 1991.

The GM #1103352 distributor which the NCRS Specification Guide says was used for 1980 Corvettes with THM, L-48, and federal emissions was NEVER a Corvette distributor, at all. Its only application was 78-80 Cadillacs. So, if you find one of these in your Corvette, you've got problems. However, if you find the GM #1103353 in your 1980 Corvette with THM, L-48, and federal emissions, regardless of whether it's certified for low or high altitude, you've got the right one. So, your problems are unrelated to an incorrect distributor.

[Steve King]

Re: 80-High altitude distributor

Thanks Joe, this answers my question. And I can look at other things for the problem.
Steve

[Tony Roussos]

Re: 80-High altitude distributor

Hi Steve. Where in PA are you and where in PA was the car initially sold? Just curious. I live in Erie.
Tony