I posed this question in the Big Blocks category but didn't receive any responses. One of you smart guys must know the answer. For the 1970 1111979 distributor, what numbers would you expect to find on the underside of an original cam? Any numbers on the shaft? What are differences for of the various Oldsmobile shafts?
Thanks.

 

Delco parts manual states:
Distributor Shaft: 801842
Points Cam: 801314

 

Briane, I don't have my Olds literature here. But if what Matt says is true, I think the last 2 numbers on the underside of the cam (14) = the amount of advance built into the distributor. I don't think there are numbers on the shaft. Maybe the last 3 numbers (314) are on the underside which represent the last 3 digits of the cam. GM made like a wazillion cams with different amounts of advance and clockwise or counter clockwise aps. I could be wrong, but I think that's the deal.

 

Thanks for the responses. The numbers I've seen on the cams don't seem to align in any manner with the part number. I have a few here with 722, 524, 530. But perhaps the last two digits indicate an advance value. Still wondering what the 1970 W30 cam is stamped.

 

There's a big thread here in the archives where people say it's XXX. Really rare parts like W and Stage 1 carbs and dists...if you really know your stuff, you can figure out a re-stamped unit. The people that own the cars really don't want that info out, the build dates, markings, etc. because it's easier to make fakes. There's a lot of stuff with a dist, even the weights can differ in shape and weight and stampings. And of course, the vacuum chambers differ. At one time I was really up on this stuff, but now, not so much. I can assure you that W people who know the answer saw your question yesterday, but passed on it. But maybe someone will respond, who knows?

 

Yes I can appreciate the reluctance to share information that may enable proliferation of accurate counterfeits. On the other hand, how does someone know what numbers to look for so as to keep counterfeiters from profiting from naivety?

In my case I'm trying to restore a legitimate distributor and would like to know if I have the correct cam in it. If someone knows the answer to my question, they can of course PM me.