[1969GiPper]

Back in 1983 I obtained a Pontiac unitized (hei) distributor from a fellow worker. Part number stamped on the distributor housing is 1112812 followed by a space and then 3L8. I found on another website that the 1112812 was used in 400 cube engines in 1973 and 1974 and that makes sense as the spark plug wires are marked 2Q 73. I'm assuming that the 3L8 is some type of date code as well. Can anyone tell me what the 3L8 means? Instead of storing it another 30+ years I want to sell it, however I want to be sure of what it is first.

[Bill Hanlon]

Likely 3 Dec 1978. HEI wasn't around in 68.

Edit: Just found reference to Pontiac distributor date codes being year,month,day of month, not day of month, month,year like I thought. So yours would be 8th December 1973.

[Held for Ransom]

Date code is 1973, November 8th. Placed on a '74 vehicle.

[Bill Hanlon]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Date code is 1973, November 8th. Placed on a '74 vehicle.

Did they skip "I"?

[Held for Ransom]

Electrical part didn't use the letter "I", so it wouldn't be confused with the number 1.

[1969GiPper]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Electrical part didn't use the letter "I", so it wouldn't be confused with the number 1.

Thank you.

[TedRamAirII]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Electrical part didn't use the letter "I", so it wouldn't be confused with the number 1.

"I" and "0" are never used. Not just "electrical".

[TedRamAirII]

Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon

Likely 3 Dec 1978. HEI wasn't around in 68.

Edit: Just found reference to Pontiac distributor date codes being year,month,day of month, not day of month, month,year like I thought. So yours would be 8th December 1973.

Thought that was an odd statement as HEI WAS in use in 1978 so Unitized was not. ; )

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by TedRamAirII

"I" and "0" are never used. Not just "electrical".

Since you like to use blanket statements, I'll educate you.

"I" was used on cast parts such as blocks (except in '66 for the '67 model year), heads, intakes, etc.
"I" was also used in window/windshield date coding.

[TedRamAirII]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Since you like to use blanket statements, I'll educate you.

"I" was used on cast parts such as blocks (except in '66 for the '67 model year), heads, intakes, etc.
"I" was also used in window/windshield date coding.

I stand Corrected! I misspoke, as newer VIN's do not have "I" as a character. But we were talking dates.