1111499 Distributor Question??

[Dillon14]

I will have a friend use a micrometer today on the distributor and as suggested by z28z11, I will measure the O.D. of the body at the stamping, and also measure the O.D. at the cap mounting step. Hopefully, someone can measure their original and compare numbers. This should resolve the issue for good.
Thanks again,
Al

[BillOhio]

I think it looks like it has been restamped when you look close. One picture appears like new numbers are right beside originals. Might be same numbers. Kinda odd

[Dillon14]

These are about as close and still be clear as I can get of the stampings.

[Dillon14]

OK, hopefully this will put this discussion to bed once and for all. For good or for bad. I just went to my friends shop and he measured my 1111499 distributor body with his micrometer and it is, as he says, "exactly 3.806."

Now if someone out there who has a known original 1111499 distributor and not a re-stamp, will please measure theirs, we will know for sure if my distributer has been turned to remove the old numbers and then re-stamped.

I am anxiously awaiting a response.

Thanks,
Al in Maine

[z28z11]

I measured both my 499 original and my 467 Z originals - both measure exactly the same at 3.816" O.D. at the numbers. I need to dig my 480 out and measure it as well - 2 samples are not really enough to be a definitive check. No reason to believe the hi po units are any different from low po in construction, other than internal parts.

The step at the top of both distributors for the distributor cap measures out at 3.794" +/- .001". It's difficult to measure closer due to the short height of the step.

At least one of the closeups suggests there is no step left at the top of your 499 - that's what now leads me to think it might be a restamp. If the step is there on yours, you need to measure it as well. I haven't seen an original that did not have the step. Turning the O.D. down .010 - .012 to remove the former roll stamping would remove most of the step from the top edge of any distributor. Considering how light some of the stampings are, .012 per side would get it all and then some.

Hope this helps -

Regards,
Steve

[Mike S]

FWIW.... I took some measurements of original distributor bodies using a digital caliper:
* Distributor body 1112047  (2E10) modified to prime the oil and block and it measures exactly 3.803"
* One on my 67 396 1111169 (7C2) and measures exactly 3.806"
* Another 1111169 (7A3) measures exactly 3.805"

Mike

[z28z11]

Is there a step at the top of all of your distributors ? If so, can you get a measurement on that diameter as well ?

Regards,
Steve

[Mike S]

 Good point about the step, Steve....it can be felt easily with my fingernail too.
Here is what I measured at the step just below the top
1111169 (7C2) - 3.796"
1111169 (7A3) - 3.795"
1112047 (2E10) - I believe this may be 1972 vintage - 3.796"

Mike

[Dillon14]

I absolutely can feel the step. I'm not an expert but may be one when this is over. A friend brought over his 1111487 distributor that he took out of his 1969 Camaro. He says it is absolutely original and who would re-stamp a 350/250 distributor anyways? I am going to borrow the micrometer later today and check both distributors myself. I did take a photo of both trying to show the lip. They look/feel the same to me. Here is the photo:

[BULLITT65]

only thing i notice from the pictures is the bevel on the top where the cap sits on yours shows more reveal than his original. (very little bevel on original). Not saying this means anything just an obeservation

[z28z11]

Two pics of my 499 and 467 unrestored distributors, showing the stepped diameter at the top. The lower picture is one of yours - you can see why I questioned the appearance of a "no step" by the pic - it looks completely smooth as compared to the last one you posted beacause of the cap being installed. By diameter of the body, and the presence of the step, I'd say it's that much closer to believeable. The last angle you show looks totally different than your first examples (even though they were great shots), due to the cap being removed.

Note one other thing - the date stamping font size is slightly smaller on both of mine as compared to the part number stamp - the "9" is different on the 499 in shape in addition to size. Just an observation, If you're wondering about the color of the stamping, it's White Out correction fluid, added for contrast. Both distributor housings had to be soaked to remove the accumulated crud of centuries and expose the numbers. Should have taken "before" pics as well -

Regards,
Steve

[Dillon14]

Steve,
My friend did not bring over his micrometer but I will get it tomorrow and I will measure for myself the 499 as well as the 487. Both the body and cap area. I'll post the results.
Thanks,
Al

[69Z28]

Is there a way to find the person who "restored" that 499? I would like to know his method of cleaning. If the dimensions are correct for it compared to an untouched distributor, then wouldn't the next step be how did it get so clean looking. Yes, the stampings look pristine, but how did it get that way? Is it possible to offset lathe a distributor body? That might explain the fresh looking stampings. How about some kind of template that goes around the surface. If it was offset that should give some indication that it was tampered with. IDK, it seems like a lot back and forth going on with this thing on all the websites and it would be a crying shame if the damn thing was real and got thrown out with the trash because everyone thinks it's a fake. What the heck is happening with our hobby? Seems like we are all becoming divided and have made 'Hobby' a bad word. Just my thoughts.

[BULLITT65]

I don't see why it would get thrown out even if it was a restamp. It still looks to have all the correct internal parts, I think the major difference is the price it will fetch being original vs. re-stamp. They should operate the same.

[Dillon14]

Gary,

I'll try and find out tomorrow who actually restored the distributor.

Possibly this is a good time to come up with some type of criteria that everyone could live with so that others don't have to go through this. With the prices being asked for some of these distributors, and people willing to pay those prices, something other than "I guarantee this is not a re-stamp" should be determined. If that is to happen, it is sites like this that will need to pave the way for individuals like myself, to look to for guidance.

However, I hope we are not back to determining originality or should I say non-originality just because it looks "too good".

Al