68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

[Steve M.]

If anyone has a picture looking straight down at a correctly installed 68 427/390 distributor cap with the plug wires installed I would appreciate seeing it. I'm looking to confirm the positioning of the vacuum can relative to the ignition shield support as well as the location of the # 1 plug wire.
Thank you!!

[Terry M.]

[William C.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Look in your assy manual in the L36 section page A6. The #2 plug wire is pointed to the front of the car, and the vacuum advance is nearly parallel to the firewall, significantly different than the C-2 configuration. #1 plug wire is just to the passengers side centerline, in line with the edge of the adjusment window and just to the passengers side of #2.

[Steve M.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Thanks Bill, The Vacuum advance line must exit the shielding on the firewall side of the support. If that is not the case please let me know, otherwise I think I have it.

[William C.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

I believe it is correct, but it's been a long time since I owned a "Shark" I distinctly remember the vac advance running along the rear rather than pointing toward the front of the car like previous models.

[Jack C.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Steve, I just checked mine and Bill is correct. The vacuum advance is to the rear of the right side support bracket angeled slightly to the front of the engine.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

most of the time there is a "chisel" mark in the distributor housing and the intake manifold to show the correct position of the distributor. are all engines marked like that i don't know but a lot sure were

[Terry M.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Corvettes were supposed to have that chisel mark, but it began some time during the mid-years. The AIM page with the distributor timing contains a note about it. Of course one must have the original intake and distributor for it to work, and I just don't know what happens to the accuracy of the mark if one changes the cam and/or timing set.

[Steve M.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Thanks everyone for the help. The engine was rebuilt and I was fairly certain the distributor was not where it should be. It looks to be about one plug off. I believe the intake is the original and I see the chisel mark but don't see it on the distributor. But I'm certain now about the correct placement of the distributor and where the #1 plug wire should be.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Thanks everyone for the help. The engine was rebuilt and I was fairly certain the distributor was not where it should be. It looks to be about one plug off. I believe the intake is the original and I see the chisel mark but don't see it on the distributor. But I'm certain now about the correct placement of the distributor and where the #1 plug wire should be.

my problem is i was used to working with new corvettes back in the day that had all the original parts.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Look in your assy manual in the L36 section page A6. The #2 plug wire is pointed to the front of the car, and the vacuum advance is nearly parallel to the firewall, significantly different than the C-2 configuration. #1 plug wire is just to the passengers side centerline, in line with the edge of the adjusment window and just to the passengers side of #2.

Bill -- I don't have any of the '68 manuals, but look at what's said in the last paragraph of the Dec '67 Chevrolet Service News. Seems that only the Corvette SB had the weird orientation -- all other V8's are conventional.

So what did they do in subsequent C3 years ?

[William C.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Wayne, I remember my '72 as having the "alternate" configuration, 3 star (including mechanical star) 17000 miles, also my '74 smallblock, bought new. the reference I used was from the AIM, which I would presume to be more accurate than the Service News might be. The key is the routing of the tach cable being different from the 63-67 cars creating the issue.

[William C.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

I've only got an AIM collection thru '72, but both bigblock and smallblock were using the alternate location at least thru the '72 Model Year.

[Jack H.]

Re: 68 L-36 Distributor Cap Picture

Yes, the 'alternate' position is confirmed in the '71 AIM with the point adjust lift window just forward of the RH shielding upright...