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I have decided to post this story because I have asked numerous questions related to this project on the discussion board and have been asked for the whole story by many responders to my questions. It is not intended to "bash" anyone's business or alledge dishonest dealings on anyone's part. It is simply the facts of what has happened so far in this restoration project. I also have hope that someone may be able to provide a helpful revelation which will solve the problem.
I purchased a K-66 TI system from a regular advertiser in the Driveline, advertised as rebuilt and correct for my 1966 427/425 Coupe. It included the distributor, rebuilt amplifier, Delco embossed coil, and Lectric Limited TI wiring harness. The cost of the package was $1,000. Seemed like a good deal to me at the time. I am not a mechanic and would not know the difference in any case.
Since I had a few weeks available before my mechanic could install the system I decided to send it to "the TI expert" (with whom everyone on this forum is familiar) for inspection. He informed me that what I received was not at all correct and the distributor and amplifier was in need of a major overhaul in which the correct parts would be installed and ready for my application. $1,250 (parts and labor) later the system was ready to go into the car. I had already been using the Lectric Limited braided stainless spark plug wiring harness and shielding with a points distributor, all of which worked very well.
Once the TI was installed in the car, the car runs like a banshee until the engine warms up to 175 degrees plus. Then the car begins to missfire and dies completely when the clutch is depressed. The car has to cool down for a considerable period of time before it can be restarted. All electrical connections have been checked more than once. and yes, I purchased a second NOS coil to the tune of $150.00. I have heated the TI amplifier with a hair dryer and cannot duplicate the problem. The only thing left to do is to place the distributor in my home OVEN and heat it. If that turns out to have an effect, then the problem is most likely in the pickup coil inside the distributor, a $400 part (not including labor at $70/hr to replace). It is "the TI expert's" opinion that this is the problem. If so, why would not replacement of the pickup coil have been part of the (already expensive) overhaul? I have been advised that there is no way to test the distributor without installing it on a car and running it. I have also obtained other "expert" opinions which say that the car would not run at all with a bad pickup coil. In any case, I now have about $3,000 parts and labor in this so far fruitless project.
I have still not reached rock bottom of all of this and don't know if I can afford to, but I thought this might make interesting reading for anyone contemplating restoration of a K-66 TI system. I think it would be important to know your parts well before purchasing them. I know of no vendors who will guarantee the operation of the distributor itself. If I should ever get the system fully operational, it will of course go into the relics case in my museum of original parts. I might consider using it to drive across the Barrett-Jackson auction concourse someday, but that's about it. PLEASE don't post the fact that yours has been working perfectly for the past 30 years, as the pain would be too much to bear.
I would be happy to provide more specific details, parts installed, labor etc. if you will email me your questions. JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT...
I purchased a K-66 TI system from a regular advertiser in the Driveline, advertised as rebuilt and correct for my 1966 427/425 Coupe. It included the distributor, rebuilt amplifier, Delco embossed coil, and Lectric Limited TI wiring harness. The cost of the package was $1,000. Seemed like a good deal to me at the time. I am not a mechanic and would not know the difference in any case.
Since I had a few weeks available before my mechanic could install the system I decided to send it to "the TI expert" (with whom everyone on this forum is familiar) for inspection. He informed me that what I received was not at all correct and the distributor and amplifier was in need of a major overhaul in which the correct parts would be installed and ready for my application. $1,250 (parts and labor) later the system was ready to go into the car. I had already been using the Lectric Limited braided stainless spark plug wiring harness and shielding with a points distributor, all of which worked very well.
Once the TI was installed in the car, the car runs like a banshee until the engine warms up to 175 degrees plus. Then the car begins to missfire and dies completely when the clutch is depressed. The car has to cool down for a considerable period of time before it can be restarted. All electrical connections have been checked more than once. and yes, I purchased a second NOS coil to the tune of $150.00. I have heated the TI amplifier with a hair dryer and cannot duplicate the problem. The only thing left to do is to place the distributor in my home OVEN and heat it. If that turns out to have an effect, then the problem is most likely in the pickup coil inside the distributor, a $400 part (not including labor at $70/hr to replace). It is "the TI expert's" opinion that this is the problem. If so, why would not replacement of the pickup coil have been part of the (already expensive) overhaul? I have been advised that there is no way to test the distributor without installing it on a car and running it. I have also obtained other "expert" opinions which say that the car would not run at all with a bad pickup coil. In any case, I now have about $3,000 parts and labor in this so far fruitless project.
I have still not reached rock bottom of all of this and don't know if I can afford to, but I thought this might make interesting reading for anyone contemplating restoration of a K-66 TI system. I think it would be important to know your parts well before purchasing them. I know of no vendors who will guarantee the operation of the distributor itself. If I should ever get the system fully operational, it will of course go into the relics case in my museum of original parts. I might consider using it to drive across the Barrett-Jackson auction concourse someday, but that's about it. PLEASE don't post the fact that yours has been working perfectly for the past 30 years, as the pain would be too much to bear.
I would be happy to provide more specific details, parts installed, labor etc. if you will email me your questions. JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT...
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