Distributor Rebuild

[Andrew P.]

Hello,

I am in the process of rebuilding my tach drive distributor. I have found info on previous threads and they all lead to an article by John Hinckley in the December issue of "Corvette Enthusiast" magazine.

My question is can I still get this article? or does anyone know of any other articles that have specs for type of rebuild.


Thank you,
Andrew Papanicolaou (48361)
71 350, 4spd

[Erv M.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

I hope this article helps you

[Alan S.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

Hi Erv,
Boy, that's a GOOD article by Dave. Thanks for posting the link to the document.
Regards,
Alan

[Roger W.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

I second the thank you. The instructions are very clear.

[Andrew P.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

Hello,

Thanks for the reply and the document. Lots of great information.


Andrew Papanicolaou 48361
71, 350, 4spd

[Erv M.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

I have been on this board for a couple of years and this is the first time it afforded me the opportunity to be a contributor instead of the usual benifactor of such vast knowledge.

Today is a good day indeed!

Erv

[Roger W.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

I hope this article helps you

Is this the same article that was in the Spring 2002 (Voume 28 # 4)?
I have the Corvette Restorer Disk 1953-1962 Vol. 1 Version 32.4. I can not get the article "62-72 TACH DRIVE DISTRIBUTOR RESTORATION" to open. This seems to be the only article that I have a problem with. Has anybody else had a problem opening this article on their disk?

[William C.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

I've owned a distributor machine and worked on delco systems since 1968, will answer any questions posed. (Old Drag racer, a sickness)

[Roger W.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

I have a tach drive distributor that was given to me. It has an oil cap next to the vacuum advance. The bottom gear is held on with a roll pin not peened over pin. I have a 1962 distributor that does not have the oil cap.

Do you have any idea what year this distributor is?

[Walter K.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

Not sure if you are even still on this site but wanted to ask a couple of questions. I am trying to work on an L79 distributor #1111438. I have found that the springs and weights have been changed. Do you know of a source for the original weights that might have been in this distributor from the factory? Thanks in advance

[Duke W.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

It was common back in the day to modify the spark advance map for better performance and fuel economy, which is possibly why the weights and springs are not original. All L-79 spark advance maps have plenty of room for improvement. The centrifugal was lazy and the VAC was more aggressive than necessary.

My 2012 National Convention tuning seminar has guidance on how to set up an optimum spark advance map for all vintage corvette engines. You should have either a 1963 Corvette Shop Manual or '66-up COM both of which have step by step disassembly/assembly instructions. Also, I started a thread here circa 2012 "L-79 distributor blueprint overhaul" that has additional info and tips. Just remember to install the gear with the dimple pointing the same direction as the rotor tip as this very important assembly instruction is not included in the GM documentation.

OE weights and springs are long gone from GMPD and are difficult to identify, and finding originals would be like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack unless you find and buy an original unmodified distributor. Use whatever you have now as a baseline and modify as required to achieve the recommended optimized map.

Duke

[Robert K.]

Re: Distributor Rebuild

Andrew,

Here's the article I believe you are looking for. December, 2007 Corvette Enthusiast by John H.

Take care,

Correcting Cross-Distribution (Putting Your 1963-74 Distributor In Proper Rotation), Hinckley, D.pdf