Topic: Distributor Date Code vs Build Date

[67TXStang]

How close should the date code on a distributor be to the build date of the car?

My '67 was built in Dearborn on 4/21/67.  The original distributor was removed and replaced with one from a '69 Mustang.  I've been looking for one which would be correct for my car. 

The intake(7D7), block (7D7) and heads (7B24/7D11) were all made in either Feburary or April.  I've found the correct part number distributor but it was made on 01/25/67 so I'm not sure if it is close enough.

[J_Speegle]

Examples I have on record for that plant the spread is typically 1-2 months. Did have one at three months

[67TXStang]

Thanks for the quick response Jeff.  I'll keep looking for something closer to my build date.

[10w30dna]

Yes, I agree that the date spread can be up to 3 months before the cars production. I have been tracking down people from the Autolite distributor production shop and been getting interesting info. Distributors were built in batches and,depending on demand, were used in production at varying rates. Some low production distributors have the biggest spread. Boss 302 seems to be one that has the 2-3 month spread. As I get more info,I'll pass it on.

[JKWilson]

If it's any help, the dist. on my '66 (Metuchen) fastback is dated 5KC. The scheduled build date of the car was 28K. I'd have to look at the block for assembly date. I don't recall what it is right off the top of my head (and I didn't record it on the computer with my other component info). This correlates to exactly what Jeff and Tim have posted.