Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

[Floyd B.]

I bought a good working 287 coil a few years ago to replace the cheap after market coil that was on the car. I would like to remove the 287 coil and put it away as a "judging only" part. I'm trying to trace the service replacement history to identify the original Delco Remy coils that would be functionally equivalent. As most of you know, a 287 is rather expensive whereas something like a 432 is $20 on ebay.


So far, I have not been able to identify any inexpensive coils that I can definitely trace back as specifically stated to be service replacements for a 287. The GM Parts Wiki provides no information on 1115287. The Delco Remy site states that 287 was superseded by 1115238 - also obsolete - the trail ends there. 238's aren't cheap either. I also found that 1115432 was superseded by 1115238. The Corvette Parts Interchange Manual wasn't much help.

I'm hoping a 432 coil would be suitable for my 427/390 car - without TI. I'm also wondering if there are other Delco Remy coil numbers that would work just fine.

[Joe L.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

I bought a good working 287 coil a few years ago to replace the cheap after market coil that was on the car. I would like to remove the 287 coil and put it away as a "judging only" part. I'm trying to trace the service replacement history to identify the original Delco Remy coils that would be functionally equivalent. As most of you know, a 287 is rather expensive whereas something like a 432 is $20 on ebay.


So far, I have not been able to identify any inexpensive coils that I can definitely trace back as specifically stated to be service replacements for a 287. The GM Parts Wiki provides no information on 1115287. The Delco Remy site states that 287 was superseded by 1115238 - also obsolete - the trail ends there. 238's aren't cheap either. I also found that 1115432 was superseded by 1115238. The Corvette Parts Interchange Manual wasn't much help.

I'm hoping a 432 coil would be suitable for my 427/390 car - without TI. I'm also wondering if there are other Delco Remy coil numbers that would work just fine.

Floyd------


Use coil GM #12337166, aka Delco U505.

[Mark E.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Floyd------
Use coil GM #12337166, aka Delco U505.

I'm also looking for a high quality replacement coil for my '70, and based on this thread ordered an AC Delco U505.

It arrived today, and to my surprise it sloshes when shaken.
Weren't original coils epoxy filled, not oil filled? So I'm wondering if the current U505 is a proper replacement.

It came in the familiar looking ACDelco box showing:
ACD# U505
GM# 12337166
Made in China

The coil itself has white silk screened/printed lettering:
12V
USE WITH PRIMARY
RESISTANCE WIRE OR
EXTERNAL RESISTOR
067

But nothing printed or embossed saying ACDelco or referencing the correct part numbers.

Do you think this coil was put in the wrong box? Or are replacement coils now oil filled? I haven't installed it, but it looks about the right physical size.

Any suggestions for other brands that offer high quality replacement coils? I'm more concerned about performance, reliability and fit rather than judging. I heard the reproduction coils don't quite fit in the bracket.

[Joe L.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

I'm also looking for a high quality replacement coil for my '70, and based on this thread ordered an AC Delco U505.

It arrived today, and to my surprise it sloshes when shaken.
Weren't original coils epoxy filled, not oil filled? So I'm wondering if the current U505 is a proper replacement.

It came in the familiar looking ACDelco box showing:
ACD# U505
GM# 12337166
Made in China

The coil itself has white silk screened/printed lettering:
12V
USE WITH PRIMARY
RESISTANCE WIRE OR
EXTERNAL RESISTOR
067

But nothing printed or embossed saying ACDelco or referencing the correct part numbers.

Do you think this coil was put in the wrong box? Or are replacement coils now oil filled? I haven't installed it, but it looks about the right physical size.

Any suggestions for other brands that offer high quality replacement coils? I'm more concerned about performance, reliability and fit rather than judging. I heard the reproduction coils don't quite fit in the bracket.

Mark----

The GM #12337166, aka Delco U-505, is what GM says is the "direct descendant" of the original coil. The printing on the coil sounds to me like what I've seen on these coils. I expect the coil in the box is exactly what it's supposed to be.

As far as the source is concerned, original coils of this part number (which goes back 20+ years) were made in Japan. Later examples were made in Mexico. Apparently, they are currently manufactured in China. However, regardless of where manufactured, I would expect that the GM specifications remain the same.

[Gene M.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

If it is made in china it's not going in my car........!

[Mark E.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Mark----

The GM #12337166, aka Delco U-505, is what GM says is the "direct descendant" of the original coil. The printing on the coil sounds to me like what I've seen on these coils. I expect the coil in the box is exactly what it's supposed to be.

As far as the source is concerned, original coils of this part number (which goes back 20+ years) were made in Japan. Later examples were made in Mexico. Apparently, they are currently manufactured in China. However, regardless of where manufactured, I would expect that the GM specifications remain the same.

Thanks Joe. I'm still surprised it's oil filled, which is a big departure from the original design.

Can anyone recommend another high-quality OEM spec coil for these cars? Again my priority is performance, reliability and fit rather than original appearance.

[Joe L.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Thanks Joe. I'm still surprised it's oil filled, which is a big departure from the original design.

Can anyone recommend another high-quality OEM spec coil for these cars? Again my priority is performance, reliability and fit rather than original appearance.

Mark------


Accel makes (or, at least used to make) a coil that is of high quality and of similar appearance to the originals. The ones I once purchased were USA-manufactured. Whether they are still available and/or whether they are still USA-manufactured I don't know. Components like these are increasingly being shifted to foreign manufacture. In fact, these days if you obtain a part that's only manufactured in Mexico, consider yourself lucky.

[Terry M.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Thanks Joe. I'm still surprised it's oil filled, which is a big departure from the original design.

Can anyone recommend another high-quality OEM spec coil for these cars? Again my priority is performance, reliability and fit rather than original appearance.

Regarding what coils are filled with: They are simply electrical transformers with a cooling medium inside.
Original coils from the 1970s and earlier were filled with a high viscosity oil based material that also contained PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) as a fire retardant. Those of us who have worked in the electric utility business for any length of time have extensive experience with these materials. The old coils were likely more completely filled with little or no expansion space remaining. Thus between the high viscosity (at room temperature) and complete fill they didn't usually "slosh." If they leaked the residue should be handled carefully and disposed of as hazardous waste.

I suspect current ( beware the bad pun) coils, even those made in China, are filled with a modern coolant that is more environmentally acceptable, but probably more flammable. The modern coolant may expand more with temperature increases than the old (outlawed) coolant and thus needs more room for expansion. Thus the "sloshing."

As always, if the coil doesn't leak no problems.

[Mark E.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Thanks Terry.

For high vibration use (like on an intake manifold), would an epoxy filled coil be better suited than an oil filled one?

To find the proper coil, I'm discovering I need to also understand the primary and secondary resistance, and output voltage requirements.

[Joe L.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Thanks Terry.

For high vibration use (like on an intake manifold), would an epoxy filled coil be better suited than an oil filled one?

To find the proper coil, I'm discovering I need to also understand the primary and secondary resistance, and output voltage requirements.

Mark------


One other thing to keep in mind as I've mentioned previously: the last GM car that used this type coil was built in 1974. That's going on 42 years ago. How many 1974 and older cars do you see on the road nowadays? That means that the market for this type coil and related ignition parts has shrunk MARKEDLY. I expect that significant manufacturing consolidation has occurred for these type of parts. For these older applications, China is a "go-to" manufacturing source. I would not be surprised if all of the coils of this type are currently manufactured in China and boxed under different brands. The exception might be high performance brands like Accel, Mallory, etc.

[Mark E.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Happy New Year Folks!

Thanks for your note, Joe. I understand what you're saying.

It's 2016 and globally sourced parts are a reality. My concern is not so much country of origin but rather fit, function, and reliability.

The FSM shows these specs for the coil in 1970 V-8s w/o TI-
- Primary Resistance 1.77 - 2.05 ohms
- Secondary Resistance 3k - 20k ohms

So I'm looking for a high-quality, epoxy filled coil with these specs that will fit it the stock bracket. Stay tuned.

[Mark E.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

I'm discovering it's difficult to find specs for aftermarket coils. And the ones which are listed have primary resistance below 1.5 ohms.

How would a bit lower primary resistance affect the ignition system?

I'm also considering used original coils on eBay. 1115270 coils (300, 350 HP) are about half the price of 1115287 coils (390, 400 HP). Does anyone know how they differ functionally?

[Joe L.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

I'm discovering it's difficult to find specs for aftermarket coils. And the ones which are listed have primary resistance below 1.5 ohms.

How would a bit lower primary resistance affect the ignition system?

I'm also considering used original coils on eBay. 1115270 coils (300, 350 HP) are about half the price of 1115287 coils (390, 400 HP). Does anyone know how they differ functionally?

Mark-------


They don't internally differ, at all. I believe the small block coil was supplied with the mounting bracket and the part number on the coil is that of the ASSEMBLY. I believe the big block coil was installed at Tonawanda and the part number on the coil is that for the coil alone.

[Mark E.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Thanks Joe. Knowing the 270 and 287 are the same coil is good news since it gives more shopping flexibility.

Do coils deteriorate with time? I'm wondering if a 40 year old NOS coil could perform as new, or if from a functional perspective, it's best to just get a new replacement?

[Joe L.]

Re: Coil Part Number Succession - 1115287

Thanks Joe. Knowing the 270 and 287 are the same coil is good news since it gives more shopping flexibility.

Do coils deteriorate with time? I'm wondering if a 40 year old NOS coil could perform as new, or if from a functional perspective, it's best to just get a new replacement?

Mark------


I'm sure that coils deteriorate; if they didn't, no one would ever need a new one. However, I don't know if it's age or use related. I do know that a lot of old cars are running around out there with original coils. However, when it comes to electrical parts of just about any description, I don't like used. I rarely buy them and when I do, only for "reference" purposes. The only reason I'd actually use a used electrical part is if new was unobtainable. Of course, this does not apply to rebuildable electrical parts like alternators or starters but, even then, I prefer new.