New to me T Bucket. Want to set the points so wanted to look up the specs, do maintenance, get spare internals. Cant see any identifiable markings/branding where it sits. Do I need to pull the distributor all together? Look under the cap, etc? Or can you tell what it is just by looking. Its sitting on a SBC 283. (rebuilding the carbs so no comments on the sorry dirty state 1 down. 3 to go..
That is probably the delco distributor the 283 was born with. They made that “window” distributor from 57 thru 74 . The window is the metal sliding door you adjust the points through
Ah... you young whippersnappers. What Big M said, with aftermarket clear cap. Get out your dwell meter and set it at 32 degrees. An allen wrench adjusts the points. Easy Peazy.
It looks like a stock GM Delco distributor with the paint cleaned off and an aftermarket cap. Most of the early ones were painted black and the first ones on the 265 were cast iron. As a starting point set the point gap to .016 with a feeler gauge blade, when you get it running hook up a dwell meter and stick a 1/8" Allen wrench through the window into the adjustment screw and turn slowly until the dwell is 30#.The dual point set up is different, you block off one set of points with a piece of plastic shim stock or cardboard and adjust dwell. Now switch the shim over to the other set of points and adjust that dwell. Don't forget to remove the shim when you get through, it won't run good ask me how I know.
There should be a plate riveted to the outside of it with some numbers on it or just numbers stamped on it. Give us the numbers and we can tell you all about it.
And when you insert the Allen wrench,just be careful.Stick it in wrong place,and your shorts just might start to glow in the dark.BTDT. Good luck.Have fun.Be safe. Leo
the aluminum distributor started being used in the early 60s, I think 1964. if there are numbers stamped on it like they should be, we can help you identify it. Part number, and date code.
Thanks! I do need to replace as several of the posts on top have snapped off and are jest being held in by the plug boot. The cap was originally black when this car was born (I have pics since my dad built it in the 70s :, known if any of the 5+ owners since chainged the actual distributor) but the clear is cool too
The early cast iron distributor bodies used an aluminum band that was placed around the housing just above the clamp. On the aluminum housings it will be found stamped on the circumference under where the cap seats.
Really cool you got back the car your Dad built! Wish I could get back my Dad's '47 Ford convertible...
it looks like this The first long number is the part number, the second number set is the date code. First digit is the last digit of the year (9 means 1969 in this case), letter is the month (C is the third month, March), 28 is the date.
Thanks! I am really enjoying it, and so is my dad with me restoring it. Original story here https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/introduction-familial-23-model-t.1133115/ Also on the lookout for another of the Rods he built late 60's, so if anyone happens to see it...
OK, I need to get up under there, didnt see it on first pass. Wouldn't put it past either my dad or some of the subsequent owners to have ground it off. He did this with the marking on the carbs too...
What particular car it's from really doesn't make much difference, you know but it sure looks like a 1964-74 stock Chevy distributor.
as squirrel said, doesn't make a lot of difference what it is from. if you need cap/rotor/points/condenser just ask for a 1964 Chevy Belair with a 283