Searching for Midyear Part Number Information

[Andy #31563]

It seems that the deeper I dig into my car, the more I find components that don't match. I'm not really upset or obsessed with the "Matching Numbers" dilemma. I am simply interested in restoring my '63 roadster to a nice driver and will replace components correctly wherever feasible. I have resigned to the fact that this car is 37 years old and has been handled by several individuals who probably just wanted to get the darn thing fixed so they could go out and enjoy driving the car once again. The fun and frustrating thing is trying to determine exactly what and where a particular component came from. For example, the distributor is a Delco Remy single point and the band reads a part number of 1110985 and date code of 1M20. The best I can gather from Nolan Adams' information, this is from a '61. Also, in looking through the receipts from the previous owner, I found the GM part number for the cam, but can't find a website to look up information on the cam.

Does anyone know of an all-encompassing website or reference book where I can just look up a GM part with the part number?

[grr]

Re: Searching for Midyear Part Number ,just hang o

I'm not sure of how many NCRS members will answer, but we have some pretty well tuned GM parts numbers techs on this line and I'm sure they will lead you out of the jungle to the information you request. Just hang on. Or post the cam number if it's GM and I'm sure you'll get an answer.I have some cam books. grr#33570

[Joe L.]

Re: Searching for Midyear Part Number Information

Andy-----

Your distributor was originally used on a 1962 Corvette with 340 hp 327. The date code identifies it as having been assembled on December 20, 1961. Of course, this assumes that the distributor band is the same one that was originally attached to the particular distributor which you have. These bands are easily "transferred". No matter, though. As I have said before, all 62-74 Corvette tach drive, point-type distributors are basically the same. The only significant differences are the "auto cam"(which is brazed to the top of the mainshaft), the centrifugal advance weights and springs, and the vacuum control. The combination of these components is what varies among distributor part numbers. And, since all of these are easily changed or modified, any given distributor can easily assume the identity of another irrespective of what ID band which the distributor may display.

As far as parts references go, there is not one "all encompassing" reference. To have the complete picture, MANY references are required. If you provide the part number of the cam, I may be able to tell you something about it, though.

[Iron Duke NCRS #22045]

'62 SHP distributor

Joe - the '62 340 HP distributor should be the old dual point type with no vacuum advance. Andy - Is that what you actually have?

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: '62 SHP distributor

Duke----

Yes, you're correct. The 62 340 hp was, indeed, the dual point type distributor.

[Andy #31563]

Re: '62 SHP distributor (That's Right)

Yes it is a dual point. Also, above the collar, the number "40" is cast into part in an upside down orientation. Does this signify anything?

As for the cam, I plan to call GM today, but you guys probably will have more information anyway. The part number is 1966686, and was purchased from a Chevy dealer in 1988. I am really interested to know all the specs on this cam and whether or not it is a correct replacement for an L76 motor.

[Kenneth S.]

Re: Searching for Midyear Part Number Information

Your best references for correct part numbers is the "1963 Corvette Assembly Instruction Manual" and the "Corvette Parts Book 1953-1972". Both are available from NCRS.

[Joe L.]

Re: '62 SHP distributor (That's Right)

Andy-----

The number which you describe on the distributor housing is a casting number of some sort which are often seen on these housings. I'm sure that it had some significance to GM, but it's meaning has been lost in antiquity and I do not know what it, specifically, signifies.

As far as the camshaft goes, please recheck the part number. The number that you provided, or even any obvious permutation of it, was never a GM part number used for any small block camshaft that I am aware of and, certainly, was never used for any Corvette camshaft.

[Iron Duke NCRS #22045]

Re: '62 SHP distributor (That's Right)

Andy - The 1110985 distributor is unique to the '62 340 hp Corvette. Your '63 340 uses a 1111024, which was also shared with the 250-300 hp Corvettes manual transmission. I'm sure there is someone out there who needs the "985", so I suggest you find it a good home. If you can't find an"024" single point, you can easily make one out of any old tach drive single point

The original cam in your SHP engine is the famous mechanical lifter "Duntov" 3736097. The blank has a cast is number, which I think in very close to the p/n, so I doubt if you have the correct cam. Maybe Joe can tell us what you have. Chevrolet no longer sells the Duntov, but an exact reproduction is available from Federal Mogul. My recommendation is to use the 3972178 mechnaical lifter cam from the '70-'72 LT-1 and Z-28. Chevrolet learned a lot about cam design in the sixties and the lessons are in the "178" cam. It should make more torque across the range and is easiler on the valve train

Duke