1995 Integra GS-R

Removed the distributor to replace a leaking oil seal (ended up needing an entire distributor anyway) and noticed two things.

1.) The water/dust cover that's just below the cap has a 'P73' stamped onto it. Do all VTEC, B-Series distributors have this? I thought P73 was strictly a Type R designation...



2.) Noticed this sticker on it:


Now this is a replacement distributor I got from NAPA 6-7 years ago. I thought the number on that sticker was some kind of Honda part number to identify distributors (every distributor I find on eBay is mentioning the TD-68U plus some other similar part numbers/designations). Does this mean that this was a rebuilt factory unit? Are most distributors you get from a parts store merely OEM rebuilds?

Also, can someone shed some light on what TD-68U signifies and how it differs from others I've heard mentioned? I remember a TD-44 or TD-44U in quite a few of the ads on eBay.

Thanks in advance.

 

No one wants to answer this?

 

No responses between 5pm and 6pm... did you ever consider that many people might be traveling between work and home at that time ??? Be patient...

Now, lets answer some of your questions.

The housing number for all modern Honda/Acura distributors is STAMPED into the edge of the casting and is identified by a 5 digit code: TD-XXU. The two "X" digits denote the model specific application. The NAPA distributor that you have pictured above is NOT a rebuilt OE distributor, it is in fact a low-cost replacement product. The white sticker with black lettering (TD-68U) suggests that it is the replacement for that OE application. The TD-44U fitment is the twin grey plug OBD-1 DOHC VTEC B16A distributor. The distributor cap for the TD-44U is slightly smaller than that of the TD-68U OBD-1 GSR distributor and is not interchangeable. The entire distributors ARE interchangeable, as long as you remember that you must order the cap/rotor and dust cover for the housing that you are using.

The Integra Type R distributor shares the same housing, cap and rotor as the GSR, but since no Type R was available in 1995, the TD-68U was never factory installed on the Type R. OBD-2 GSR's and Type R's do share the same distributor.

 

First off, thank you for the detailed answer. You answered every question I had concisely.

As far as being impatient, further examination of my first and second posts will reveal there was one hour plus 14x24 hours in between posts.

 

LOL !!! Fair enough... I only looked at the time stamp and not the date. I take it back.

 

Where exactly is this? I'm shopping used distributors and would like to be able to tell OEM from aftermarket pieces.

 

One of the mounting legs have the stamp iirc

 

It is usually found on the top ear facing the front of the car, on the edge (similar to where the sticker is on your photo above). Some will be down lower toward the front most lower ear. If the edge is clean, they should be relatively easy to see. If you cannot find these marks, it is NOT a factory TEC distributor, so you might consider moving on in your search for another.

 

TEC is the company that manufactured these for Honda?

Sorry about all the questions. Just want to spend this $100-$125 wisely and hopefully not again (at least for a considerable amount of time).

 

Where are you shopping ??? You will not find a new OE distributor for $100-125... you will only get the **** you already have. What you will be looking for is a good used one for that kind of money, but you gotta make sure it is a genuine TEC and has the markings that I have outlined above. The key is that if the distributor doesn't throw any codes once plugged in, and the shaft seal isn't leaking oil into the distributor... a coil and an ignitor, along with a cap and rotor button can be purchased at any time.

 

 

What do you know about Richporter Technologies distributors? They seem to carry a pretty solid rep. on here as well as other forums.

Seems they are made of Spectra Premium these days...?

Richporter Technology - Distributor Line: RPT | Part # TD68

I've got a lead on (what the seller calls) a lightly used one of these for well below what O'Reilly wants for a brand new one.

 

Did a little research on this in case someone stumbles upon this thread with the same question. Picture is a little blurry, but if you look closely you can see the TD-68U stamped in the recessed square on the leg of this distributor.





Location of Part Number on OEM Distributors