Is This An Original Distributor Cap 22162-E3001?

[CanTechZ]

I found this greenish gray distributor cap with my old original dated coded spark plug wires and would like to know if it could be an original cap. It has a Hitachi logo on it, but also has the number 4659-2700 molded into it.

This cap looks like it has aluminum terminals, would that be correct or did the originals have brass?

Just trying to determine if this is worth saving, any help would be appreciated.

Edited June 4, 2015 by CanTechZ

[siteunseen]

I've got a greenish grey one too but it just has "YEC" stamped in it, aluminium contacts.  

 

Your's could be original.

[CanTechZ]

Thank's site, I put that cap on in about 1980 and it was purchased from my local Datsun dealer but the p/n on the invoice reads 22162-NPN so I wasn't sure if it was an OEM. It would be nice if someone could confirm if it is an OEM, or not.

[Hardway]

I am glad I clicked on this.  The wires on my '71 240z had been replaced at some point in its life with some greenish clear NGK wires but the cap is the same as yours.  Greyish green, made of a rather soft plastic with aluminum terminals with the same part number molded in the top, 4659-2700.  When you Google the part it comes up as a Hitachi part number but I cannot find any reference indicating it is original.  I checked my '71 240z factory service manual but it does not provide any part numbers.  I too would love to know for sure if the cap could possibly be original.

[Zed Head]

Are you asking if 4659-2700 = 22612-E3001?  Or of the cap is from a 240Z factory car?  You can still buy 22612-E3001 from Courtesy Nissan for $26.

 

http://www.courtesyparts.com/cap-dist-p-277372.html

 

 

Since Hitachi is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for Nissan, I think by literal definition, that is an OEM cap.  Literally.

[Zed Head]

This is just an aside but it might be relevant to your quest.  The greenish-gray color might be indicative of an early resin formulation, compared to a modern one (black).  Today's caps are probably made from a different resin due to typical cost-saving material changes over time.  So the cap you buy today might have the same part number, but be of a "non-original" material.  

 

So, if you're trying to determine if the cap is "period-correct" you might do a little more research on the materials used over time, and then test a shaving of yours to see what it is.  Unfortunately, the quickest test would be to have someone who knows the smell take a whiff of the vapors from burning a shaving from the cap.  Sounds bad, but it's an old test and easy if you know the smells.

 

You could also buy a cap from the dealer and compare them.  If you get a gray-green one with aluminum electrodes and the same part numbers, then it's "just" a cap.

[CanTechZ]

Are you asking if 4659-2700 = 22612-E3001?  Or of the cap is from a 240Z factory car?  You can still buy 22612-E3001 from Courtesy Nissan for $26.

 

http://www.courtesyparts.com/cap-dist-p-277372.html

 

 

Since Hitachi is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for Nissan, I think by literal definition, that is an OEM cap.  Literally.

 

Perhaps I should have said "Is this the OEM part originally specified for Nissan part number 22612-E3001 used on a 240Z?" 

 

I would also not expect that after 40 plus years the part ordered from Courtesy to be a NOS part in the original color, likely it could be an equivalent part produced by Nissan's current OEM.  Same as when you order new hoses by the old Nissan part number they are  usually available but likely not braided. With new parts the fit and function will be good but they may look slightly different. 

 

FWIW

Mike

[CanTechZ]

This is just an aside but it might be relevant to your quest.  The greenish-gray color might be indicative of an early resin formulation, compared to a modern one (black).  Today's caps are probably made from a different resin due to typical cost-saving material changes over time.  So the cap you buy today might have the same part number, but be of a "non-original" material.  

 

So, if you're trying to determine if the cap is "period-correct" you might do a little more research on the materials used over time, and then test a shaving of yours to see what it is.  Unfortunately, the quickest test would be to have someone who knows the smell take a whiff of the vapors from burning a shaving from the cap.  Sounds bad, but it's an old test and easy if you know the smells.

 

You could also buy a cap from the dealer and compare them.  If you get a gray-green one with aluminum electrodes and the same part numbers, then it's "just" a cap.

 

Zed,  thanks for your thoughts. I was slow getting out my last post (stopped mid sentence for lunch) so I had not seen this as I was typing. Yes my interest is to collect as many of this type of original period correct parts to go along with my on going restoration process. In the case of this cap I am just unsure, as it was a replacement from the early eighties.

 

Thanks again

Mike

[26th-Z]

It always helps to SEARCH the archives: http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/25508-question-regarding-distributor-cap/?hl=%2Boriginal+%2Bgreen+%2Bdistributor#entry221376

[Chickenman]

Thank's site, I put that cap on in about 1980 and it was purchased from my local Datsun dealer but the p/n on the invoice reads 22162-NPN so I wasn't sure if it was an OEM. It would be nice if someone could confirm if it is an OEM, or not.

The 22162-NPN is the question mark. Local dealers usually used that Suffix to indicate " No Part Number " for when they sold Non-Nissan parts. I was a Nissan Dealership Partsman from 1975 to 1992 and knew most of the local Parts guys in the 1980's.  Which dealership did you buy it from?

 

The early 1980's is when we started to see a some local aftermarket Parts vendors bringing parts in from Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. They were marketed quite aggressively....

 

Best bet would be to take the dizzy cap down to West Coast Nissan in MapleRidge. Talk to the Parts Manager Glen Goodwin. Glen is a huge Datsun enthusiast and really digs into the old time stuff. If any one can confirm the originality he can. Edit: Tell him Richard Boyk sent you 

 

Frankly, I have my doubts if it's Factory Datsun. The 22162-NPN is a Red Flag as is the Part stamping " 4659-2700 " . I don't ever recall seeing numbers like that on Factory caps.

 

Edit: Looks like it could be an OEM Hitachi replacement... but not necessarily  a " Factory OEM Nissan " cap as Zed Head mentioned.

 

https://partsdb.info/autopart/beru/vk288

 

It might be worth hanging on to though. The color is correct and aluminium terminals were what the later style factory replacement caps came with. Both OEM replacement and aftermarket would have had aluminium contacts in the 1980's. So could be either. 

Edited June 5, 2015 by Chickenman

[CanTechZ]

The 22162-NPN is the question mark. Local dealers usually used that Suffix to indicate " No Part Number " for when they sold Non-Nissan parts. I was a Nissan Dealership Partsman from 1975 to 1992 and knew most of the local Parts guys in the 1980's.  Which dealership did you buy it from?

 

The early 1980's is when we started to see a some local aftermarket Parts vendors bringing parts in from Japan, Taiwan and Thailand. They were marketed quite aggressively....

 

Best bet would be to take the dizzy cap down to West Coast Nissan in MapleRidge. Talk to the Parts Manager Glen Goodwin. Glen is a huge Datsun enthusiast and really digs into the old time stuff. If any one can confirm the originality he can. Edit: Tell him Richard Boyk sent you 

 

Frankly, I have my doubts if it's Factory Datsun. The 22162-NPN is a Red Flag as is the Part stamping " 4659-2700 " . I don't ever recall seeing numbers like that on Factory caps.

 

Edit: Looks like it could be an OEM Hitachi replacement... but not necessarily  a " Factory OEM Nissan " cap as Zed Head mentioned.

 

https://partsdb.info/autopart/beru/vk288

 

It might be worth hanging on to though. The color is correct and aluminium terminals were what the later style factory replacement caps came with. Both OEM replacement and aftermarket would have had aluminium contacts in the 1980's. So could be either. 

 

Thanks for the info Richard.  I had my own suspicions about the "NPN" possibly meaning no part number, I just had not seen it used with a Nissan P/N prefix.

 

I purchased the cap from Chilliwack Datsun. Thanks for the contact at West Coast Nissan, if I contact Glen I will definitely mention you name. It seems some Nissan dealers of today are not to helpful with our old Datsun's, the local dealership here in Chilliwack has been of no help even when I give them a good S30 part number.  Do you know Len at Jonker Nissan in Surrey, I have found him to be very helpful.

 

When doing a previous search about dated coded spark plug wires I noticed that Arne on this site has an original green-gray cap, maybe he will see this thread and chime in, if not I may PM him and report back if I learn anything.

 

Thanks

Mike

[CanTechZ]

It always helps to SEARCH the archives: http://www.classiczcars.com/topic/25508-question-regarding-distributor-cap/?hl=%2Boriginal+%2Bgreen+%2Bdistributor#entry221376

 

Thanks for this, I did do a search with various search terms but did not see this topic. Search can be hit and miss depending on the words chosen.

 

I see on that thread that Arne posted pictures of his cap. This helps a lot.