1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

[Frederick H.]

Does anyone know the application for this vacuum advance? It looks like either a I63 16 or a 163 16. After reading through various posts and Duke Williams article (still learning about vacuum advance), I believe it should be a B26 or B28 (I have both). It has been on the car for a long time but I have not tested it yet (no vacuum gauge). Engine is a 340HP. Also, there are two holes on the VA to secure it to the distributor but there is only one screw securing it with no place to secure the hole on the left of the VA. Looks like I will have to remove the base to gain access to the phillips screw.

Thanks in advance.
Fred

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Does anyone know the application for this vacuum advance? It looks like either a I63 16 or a 163 16. After reading through various posts and Duke Williams article (still learning about vacuum advance), I believe it should be a B26 or B28 (I have both). It has been on the car for a long time but I have not tested it yet (no vacuum gauge). Engine is a 340HP. Also, there are two holes on the VA to secure it to the distributor but there is only one screw securing it with no place to secure the hole on the left of the VA. Looks like I will have to remove the base to gain access to the phillips screw.

Thanks in advance.
Fred

Fred------

The vacuum control is GM #1116163. GM says it was the vacuum control originally used for your application. It produces 16 degrees of advance at full deflection of the plunger.

The B26 and B28 controls are Standard Motor Parts (SMP) numbers and were never originally used on any GM distributor. The SMP equivalent of a GM #1116163 is a B1. However, either the 1116163 or B1 might not be the best vacuum control for your application. I believe that Duke has recommended a B26 or B28. Either of these will initiate vacuum advance at a lesser amount of vacuum than the 1116163 or B1.

Your vacuum advance is installed correctly; only one screw retains it to the housing as seen in your photo. The remaining hole is properly unused.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Thank You Joe. I will get a gauge and install the B26 as well as re-check the distributor indexing - should be at 10 deg BTDC.

[Leif A.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Thank You Joe. I will get a gauge and install the B26 as well as re-check the distributor indexing - should be at 10 deg BTDC.

Fred,
You can check the vacuum advance that's currently in your car to see if it's functioning. You should be able to see where it starts to pull and where it's all in. A Mityvac is probably the best tool for this. If, as Joe has stated, the installed unit is equivalent to a current B1 then it needs to be swapped out anyways.
If your car is currently in running condition, you can find out how much vacuum your engine is producing at idle...between 650-750RPM. This will let you know which vacuum can is appropriate for your engine. Tee into the vacuum line between the vacuum advance and the carburetor and check the engine vacuum with a gauge or the Mityvac.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

The 163 16 is a BOAT ANCHOR! It may take up to 19" Hg to pull it to the limit, so it won't even pass the Two-Inch Rule for 250/300 HP engine.

The OE VAC on '63 340 HP engines was the 201 15, but IT DOESN" PASS THE TWO INCH RULE EITHER! This was the first year for VACs on SHP engines and GM screwed the pooch on this, plain and simple.

The 163 16 was NEVER used in production on a Corvette engine. It was substituted for the 201 15 in the P & A catalog decades ago during an ill-conceived parts consolidation effort.

I've made this same basic post 68837548960904 times!

You need a 8" B28 to pass the Two-Inch Rule assuming you have an OE equivalent cam.

They are getting in short supply. Try to find an Airtex 4V1053, and BE SURE TO TEST IT BEFORE YOU BUY! There are reports that it doesn't meet spec.

For further information download and read my tuning seminar. Look at Rich Mozzetta's sticky and go down the list until you find it.

Duke

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Thanks for the follow up Leif and Duke. I have read the tuning seminar and quite frankly, most of it is well over my head. I will get the vacuum gauge and test the B28.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

You don't need to remove anything to get to the screw. Hook up the MityVac and pull enough vacuum to rotate the plate enough to get to the screw. Hold the vacuum while you remove the screw. Do the same when installing. I have been doing it this way for many years on my '69.
Jeff

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

As above, but pump down the VAC to the point where you know it's pulled to the limit like 20" on a B1. You should also get the centrifugal spring kit mentioned in the seminar, install the black springs, rev it to a few hundred revs above the point of max advance and set the timing at 36-40, as high in that range as the engine will tolerate without detonation. It will significantly improve engine performance.

The above must be done with the VAC hose disconnected and plugged. After the above set the idle at 900 with an accurate test tach and go through the idle speed-mixture adjustment procedure with a final idle speed of about 900. The procedure is in your 1963 Corvette Shop Manual.

Duk

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Long ago I ordered a couple of dozen of the 163 vacuum advances from Chevy. I believe it was listed as such in the parts catalog.
Little did I know then that the correct one was/is 201.
Not all of the box's had 163's in them. Some had B1's in them.
Duke called it right. Boat anchors. Doorstops. haha
Not all 201's are recreated equally. The original '63 201 was cadmium plated. The front of the it had/has the short tube soldered onto the cone.
The service replacement of later style are zinc. The short tube is part of the "cone".
Don Baker taught me that info.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Thanks John - I think I have a 201 also but it is a replacement if I remember correctly. I have a B26 but still trying to locate the B28 I purchased.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Thanks Duke - super helpful. This is the first attempt working with the vacuum advance (you would think I would have found time during the 52 years of owning the car but life gets in the way). Will gie a shout if I have any questions.

Thanks.

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Vacuum Advance 163 16

Very helpful - thanks Jeffrey!