I have a an OEM Distritubor that I keep as Back Up for my Mallory HyFire VI Unit which I believed originated from a 67 L78 Vette but now I question it.

1111169 6 L 8

67 or 68 396 325hp All, 396 350hp w/A.I.R. (L78?)
6 = 1966
L = December
8 = 8th day of the month
December 8, 1966 for a 67 vehicle.

If the distributor originally came out of a 67 L78 Vette which my leads indicated (were they not a SFT 375 Hp mill with a Cast Tach Drive Distributor). As all L78's are SFT why is there an AIR designation? Perhaps I am confusing something. I know SFT SBC’s do not come with AIR probably because of the Hi-Revs. Did SFT BBC's have an AIR option because they Rev Lower, does this combination even exist or perhaps the distributor came from a 325 or L36 350Hp HFT Chevelle Engine with AIR or possibly a L78 Chevelle?

I thought the 427 took over for the Vette in 67 or could this be a 66 Vette Dizzy - Very confusing if not impossible for it to be a Vette item.

What does the AIR Designation mean – Low PSI Vac Pod, Cam Curve, Springs?

I recall when I tore that motor down it had Closed Chamber Rectangular Port Iron Heads, fair sized Doomed Pistons, had the Grove in the Rear Cam Journal and Canister Oil Filter. That engine originally came in my 70Z. I traded the 396 for a LS4 which I presently run. Wish I could remember if the cam was HFT or SFT !

After 35 years with this part, curiosity is at hand, and would like to know if any of our members might clue me in and suggest an approximate value. I would consider the Item to be in near NOS condition.

Thanks: Ron

I have a an OEM Distritubor that I keep as Back Up for my Mallory HyFire VI Unit which I believed originated from a 67 L78 Vette but now I question it.

1111169 6 L 8

67 or 68 396 325hp All, 396 350hp w/A.I.R. (L78?)
6 = 1966
L = December
8 = 8th day of the month
December 8, 1966 for a 67 vehicle.


It's a good number for a 67 (& 68) Chevelle 325hp and 350hp engines - neither of which are the L78. A.I.R. is short for Air Injection Reactor, or smog pump.


If the distributor originally came out of a 67 L78 Vette which my leads indicated (were they not a SFT 375 Hp mill with a Cast Tach Drive Distributor). As all L78's are SFT why is there an AIR designation? Perhaps I am confusing something. I know SFT SBC’s do not come with AIR probably because of the Hi-Revs. Did SFT BBC's have an AIR option because they Rev Lower, does this combination even exist or perhaps the distributor came from a 325 or L36 350Hp HFT Chevelle Engine with AIR or possibly a L78 Chevelle?

I think you have your Corvette vs. Chevelle numbers mixed with each other.

Your leads (at least what you've shown as the application for the distributor) do not indicate the 375hp L78 engine.

I don't recognize the SFT or HFT terms you use. :confused:

The A.I.R. system has nothing to do with the RPM limitations of the engine but rather meeting emission standards, the LS6 came with A.I.R.

There was no L78 Corvette in 1967; the L78 is a 396cid engine where the 1967 Corvette has the 427cid engine.

The L36 engine you mention is a high performance Corvette RPO 427/390 hp engine, not a Chevelle 350hp engine.


I thought the 427 took over for the Vette in 67 or could this be a 66 Vette Dizzy - Very confusing if not impossible for it to be a Vette item.
It did and no, from the date this can't be from a 66 model year. As noted, the distributor number matches a 396 325hp All, 396 350hp w/A.I.R. and was also used in the 1968 Chevelle model year with a 396 325hp All, 396 350hp automatic. However, the date would eliminate the 1968 model year application.
http://chevellestuff.com/qd/distributor_numbers.htm


What does the AIR Designation mean – Low PSI Vac Pod, Cam Curve, Springs?

A.I.R. is Air Injection Reactor

I recall when I tore that motor down it had Closed Chamber Rectangular Port Iron Heads, fair sized Doomed Pistons, had the Grove in the Rear Cam Journal and Canister Oil Filter. That engine originally came in my 70Z. I traded the 396 for a LS4 which I presently run. Wish I could remember if the cam was HFT or SFT !

After 35 years with this part, curiosity is at hand, and would like to know if any of our members might clue me in and suggest an approximate value. I would consider the Item to be in near NOS condition.

Thanks: Ron

A 1111169 with that date code is correct for:

67 Chevelle, Impala and Camaro 396/325 (not sure they were building 396 Camaros that early yet, though)
67 Chevelle 396/350 with A.I.R.
67 Impala 427/385 with A.I.R.

The others have already identified the distributor as a non-Corvette application. Just some additional information with respect to Corvettes. 1965 was the only year the Corvette had a 396; it was replaced with a 427 starting in 1966. All Corvettes of those years used tach drive distributors.

I, too, am curious about the SFT and HFT. I suspect it has something to do with solid or hydraulic lifters, but the FT escapes me.:confused:

Ok, T is for tappets. Now I have to figure out what F stands for. :o:D

I was also gonna mention that the Vette would have a tach drive distributor.

SFT = Solid Flat Tappet ?
HFT = Hyd. Flat Tappet ?

Did I win? :D

169 distributors aren't all that valuable. The last few that I sold were about $75-$125 each and that was on ebay.

-Matt

Thanks for your responses:

SFT = Solid Flat Tappet ?
HFT = Hyd. Flat Tappet ?Dwayne's the winner - LOL

OK, looks like the distributor is correct for a 67 Chevelle 396/325 or 350Hp with A.I.R. or a 67 Impala 427/385Hp with A.I.R. worth appox 75 to $125.

Curiosity satisfied and learned something about Vettes too ;o)

Don't think I'll sell it as it's a great Back Up Dizzy.