68 Distributor Tag Question

[Kurt B.]

According to the NCRS Judging Manual for 1968 (3rd edition) the correct distributor tag for a L79 motor (327 with 350 horsepower) should be stamped 1111438.
However, Alan Colvins book 'Chevrolet by the Numbers' indicates that there is a second design distributor for this same motor in 68 with an identification tag # of 1111477, which is what my car has.
What will be the impact of having this 'second design' distributor tag on the judging field? I feel it is correct but a judge going by the book will rule against me.
Should I get the correct tag to make the judge happy and get the fullpoint value or leave it as it is?
Thanks for any input,
Kurt

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

My opinion is leave it as is. It sounds like it is original to the car. Just bring the literture to show it is or could be original to the car. But, the casting number on the distributor housing should match the engine???? I would not monkey with the car to get those kind of points. It goes against my grain. It implies that NCRS is the end all to knowledge on corvettes. What is know is constantly changing and to some degree a lot of stuff is totally questionable as to what was original. Just my humble opinion sticking out there again. Take care, Terry

[Kurt B.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

Terry,
Thanks for the reply.
Where is there a casting number on the distributor that I can look at?
I was unaware of such.
You indicated it matches the engine: can you explain further please?
Thanks,
Kurt

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

My engine has a cast iron distributor housing. On that housing I believe there is a 2 letter code. Something like C8, etc. I believe it stands for the month and the year. I don't know about aluminum castings. They may have something similar.

The casting date should predate the assembly date of the car. Typically, you will find all the casting numbers similar in time period on the engine. So the exhaust manifolds, intake, block, alternator, carb, etc, etc will all predate the assembly date of the car. There are others that can comment on this. I just know the generalalities of the issue.

Having a correct distributor housing with a post dated casting date would have less points attributed to it. So, it needs to have the correct part number banding and the correct casting date on it as starters to gaining full points. Judges will look at the distributor cap etc. I am not sure if they can spot the casting date. That would be hard to do. But, it supports your accusation that it is original to the car so I would be ready to point that out. Kurt, I have never had a car judged so take my comments accordingly. Terry

[Dick W.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

If the date works, leave it. I will look up the application in the Delco catalog sometime this weekend.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

Terry-----

I don't think that it's a date code. As far as I know, there are no menaingful casting numbers on Corvette distributor housings. The numbers that are present are very random in nature and may indicate a pattern number or some such other manufacturing codes.

All Corvettes through 1974 used cast iron distributor housings. Beginning with 1975 and the introduction of HEI, all became aluminum.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

Kurt----

GM and Delco specify the GM #1111438 as the "1st production" 1968 Corvette L-79 distributor. They also specify the GM #1111477 as the "2nd production" 1968 Corvette L-79 distributor. When did they change? I don't know, but I feel very certain that yours is correct for your car.

[Kurt B.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

Joe,
I agree that the 1111477 is probably correct because when I purchased the car it was only 4 years old and unmolested. The average person does not change a distributor on a 4 year old car that is otherwise original.
My concern was that the Alan Colvin book showed the second version 1111477 but the NCRS Judging Manual did not. I did not want to try to convince a judge that I was correct and he was wrong because I expected he would refer me to the judging manual and the conversation would end there and I would LOOSE points I desperately need for top flight.
Kurt

[Terry F.]

Re: 68 Distributor Tag Question

Interesting. I will try to look at mine. I am almost positive I saw a casting date that was similar looking to the one on the engine block?? Thanks, Terry