Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

[Joe R.]

I have a 1967, 327/300, Powerglide without the K19 A.I.R. system. The distributor tag says it is part number 1111194. According to the TIM&JG, the distributor should be 1111117 for a 327/300 with automatic transmission, and 1111194 for a 327/300 with manual transmission. So, my distributor (or tag) would appear to be incorrect.

According to the Chevrolet 1967 Chassis Service Manual, the distributor part numbers appear to be assigned differently, depending on whether K19 was installed. If I am reading the table correctly, the '194 was used on all 327/300 engines, both manual and automatic, *except* for 327/300 cars that had both an automatic transmission and K19. The '117 was used for cars that had both automatic and K19.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

[Joe L.]

Re: Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

Joe----

The 1111194 is the correct distributor for your application. The application for the 1111117 is reported differently in different sources, but I think that the one thing that we can say about it is that it was used for some AIR small block application. The 1111194 was used for all non-AIR 327 300 hp applications for 1967.

[Joe R.]

Re: Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

Thanks Joe. This makes sense to me based on the specs for the '117, which include 40 degrees of total advance and appear to be related to the A.I.R. application that had the initial timing set to 4 degrees ATDC. Apparently the 1967 TIM&JG is incorrect on this, since it calls out the '117 for all 327/300 engines with Powerglide, whether or not they had A.I.R.

[Duke W.]

Re: Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

According to the AMA specs the 117 dist. was ONLY used on 300 HP/PG with K-19. All other 300 HP including manual trans with K-19 used the 194.

The 117 has a different centrifugal curve with 40 degrees total centrifugal advance and initial timing was speced at 4 deg. ATDC!!!

You can get the AMA specs, which have a lot of exellent data from GM as part of the complementary "restoration package". Call 800-222-1020. They will want your VIN.

Everyone should get this package for their year car. IT'S FREE, but you actually have to take the time to make a (free) phone call.

This is one of the better deals in the universe.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

This is a good case study. The early GM AIR system for emission control relied on highly retarded timing below 1500 RPM since this is where the emissions had to be controlled to pass the old California driving cycle test that was used back then. The 194 dist. centrifugal curve is 0@900, 15@1500, 30@5000 with 6 deg. BTDC initial while the 117 is 0@900, 25@1500, 40@5000 with 4 deg ATDC (AFTER TDC) initial. Both use the same vacuum can, so over 1500 at any engine load the maps are the same. but the 117 is considerably retarded relative to the 194 below 1500 at any engine load.

Idle mixtures were not "lean", but were actually set using the normal maximum vacuum/RPM method that was the norm for pre-emission cars, which yielded about 12.5:1 A/F ratio or about 20 percent excess fuel. The oxidation reaction temperature threshold was actually lower with all the excess unburned fuel, which is why GM didn't use a lean idle mixture on this first generation emission control system. Of course, this turned the exhaust system into an "afterburner" and the heat generation was substantial if the car was driven in stop and go driving.

There is no technical reason why the manual K-19 cars would NOT require this "special" distributor and PG would, but all references I have seen indicate that this goofy distributor calibration was ONLY used on 300HP PG/K-19 cars.

Duke

[Duke W.]

PS ATTN 1966 owners

The K-19 AIR system to meet CA emissions went into production in 1966, but I don't have the '66 AMA specs.

Could someone with the '66 GM restoration package look at the AMA and other specs and see what they say about distributor specs for K-19 cars.

They should be listed under "Engine - Exhaust Emisson Control

Duke

P.S. K-19 included a 195 degree coolant thermostat

[Mark G.]

Re: Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

Joe R., Joe L., & Duke

The specification guide lists the 1111117 distributor for ’67 300hp, Powerglide, and K19, so the TIM&JG is in conflict.

Only one distributor is listed for the base engine in ’66, 1111153, automatic and K19 are not in the equation. I’m at work and can’t reference the AMA specs but Duke suggested using 0 @900 15 @1500 and 30 @5100 with initial timing at 6 deg. or 4 deg. ATDC with A.I.R. from Corvette News for a ’66 K19 300hp. My distributor has the 24-degree bushing in the centrifugal advance, all in around 2500 rpm. The vacuum advance can is #1115355 – 15 deg. Currently, initial advance is set at 6 degrees. The A.I.R. plumbing is not on the engine and I think total timing is around 45 degrees.

I am using the Holley 3605 smog carburetor that used ported vacuum same as the ’66 L36 3606 Holley. For a vacuum source, I use the mixture control valve connection on the base plate for full vacuum at idle. Powerglide shift points are next on the list.

Mark #35760

[Duke W.]

Re: Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

I suggest you advance the timing to the 10-14 range, and advance it until you reach the detonation limit, which many not be much beyond where it's at now due to the quick centrifugal curve. You have to experiment.

There are three "total timing" numbers.

1. Total idle timing

2. Total WOT timing

3. Total cruise timing

I have defined them many times before. So what "total timing" are you talking about.

Duke

[Kevin M.]

Re: Distributor number for 1967 327/300 automatic

That's what's on my Dec 66 327 PG A.I.R car.

Kevin