Unknown part in engine bay
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
My understanding is that for C3 cars that were equipped with radios, it is an RFI shield from electrical noise generated by the secondary voltage from the distributor.
Or something like that.
Or something like that.
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It's an ignition shield that covers the distributor and coil on C3's. the purpose is debatable depending upon who you talk to and to be honest I don't really know for sure because all answers/opinions seem plausible. There are other threads covering this topic. Below is one of them.
Terry
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...on-shield.html
Terry
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...on-shield.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi J,
It IS the shield for the distributor. You'll notice there are also 2 vertical shields and a couple of lower horizontal shields that cover the spark plug wires too.
It and the other shields were installed only on cars that had a radio as an option. (Was a radio ever standard equipment?)
Regards,
Alan
It IS the shield for the distributor. You'll notice there are also 2 vertical shields and a couple of lower horizontal shields that cover the spark plug wires too.
It and the other shields were installed only on cars that had a radio as an option. (Was a radio ever standard equipment?)
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,681
Likes: 3,134
From: Shamong, NJ
An AM/FM mono radio became standard equipment, in 1980. You could delete the standard radio, by specifying RPO UL5, which added a $126 credit to invoice.
The 53, 54 & 55 Corvettes, listed the radio as an option, but it was a mandatory option, as all 4,640 53-55 Corvettes came with radios.
Between 56 and 79, radios were always optional.
The 53, 54 & 55 Corvettes, listed the radio as an option, but it was a mandatory option, as all 4,640 53-55 Corvettes came with radios.
Between 56 and 79, radios were always optional.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 106
From: Sloatsburg NY
Oldtimer
Hi J,
It IS the shield for the distributor. You'll notice there are also 2 vertical shields and a couple of lower horizontal shields that cover the spark plug wires too.
It and the other shields were installed only on cars that had a radio as an option. (Was a radio ever standard equipment?)
Regards,
Alan
It IS the shield for the distributor. You'll notice there are also 2 vertical shields and a couple of lower horizontal shields that cover the spark plug wires too.
It and the other shields were installed only on cars that had a radio as an option. (Was a radio ever standard equipment?)
Regards,
Alan
I questioned the first owner of my car as to what it was back in 1965. He said they told him due to the firewall being fiberglass it was to reduce radio static---I believed him.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Porsgrunn Telemark
Thanks for great answers! I have a problem with my radio (newer, not original). Haven't had the time to find out what's wrong, but I might have just gotten the answer :-) I found this kit: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1975-1977.html
Anyone with experience with this?
Anyone with experience with this?
Last edited by Jornan; Mar 31, 2013 at 02:31 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi J,
That's the COMPLETE kit and a LOT of $$.
Check to see what parts of it might still be on your car. Some of it could well still be there!
You can order the parts individually.
The parts shown in the picture are for both the radio noise suppression, and also heat shields for the spark plugs.
Regards,
Alan
That's the COMPLETE kit and a LOT of $$.
Check to see what parts of it might still be on your car. Some of it could well still be there!
You can order the parts individually.
The parts shown in the picture are for both the radio noise suppression, and also heat shields for the spark plugs.
Regards,
Alan
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,367
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
I was always under that impression also, but IIRC, my wife's '79 did NOT have those shields. I think there was some other sort of plastic looking shield over the distributor cap...but it did have a factory radio.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Get a better radio OR learn how to hook it up correctly, you have a modern HEI in there, and EYE have never noticed any shielding over them in the past.....that I remember anyway....
and don't bother with AM radio, no one listens to that anyway....
so with FM as the worst signal source, and a good hookup to the system, you will not hear any ignition noise, your worst problem will be from alternator whine......and that's another issue.....
and don't bother with AM radio, no one listens to that anyway....
so with FM as the worst signal source, and a good hookup to the system, you will not hear any ignition noise, your worst problem will be from alternator whine......and that's another issue.....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,681
Likes: 3,134
From: Shamong, NJ
Don't waste your money on that full ignition shielding kit, as you won't be able to use half of it!
Your car has headers on it, and the factory lower shielding, can't be used with headers. The spark plug heat shields, that come in the kit, won't work with your headers either.
Before buying anything, find out whats wrong with your radio. I doubt the issue is the missing shielding, because all it does is reduce interference, and mainly on AM.
I've owned my 62 for 37 years, and never had shielding on it. The aftermarket FM radio in it, plays fine without any shielding.
The HEI distributor is correct for the OP's car, and did originally come with shielding.
All Corvettes built from 75 on, came with the HEI distributor, and used shielding, if they had a factory installed radio. Even the 84 up Corvettes, used a variation ignition shielding.
Your car has headers on it, and the factory lower shielding, can't be used with headers. The spark plug heat shields, that come in the kit, won't work with your headers either.
Before buying anything, find out whats wrong with your radio. I doubt the issue is the missing shielding, because all it does is reduce interference, and mainly on AM.
I've owned my 62 for 37 years, and never had shielding on it. The aftermarket FM radio in it, plays fine without any shielding.
All Corvettes built from 75 on, came with the HEI distributor, and used shielding, if they had a factory installed radio. Even the 84 up Corvettes, used a variation ignition shielding.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Porsgrunn Telemark
Where can I buy the book (for a reasonable price)? Those I've found on eBay are priced between $100 $300 ... And are there any eBooks/PDF-versions? Shipping to Norway takes a long time ...
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 177
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From: MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO
I have used Corvette America Corvette central,Zip and most recently Paragon Willcox is ver good just havent ordered anything major yet all of the major vendors are listed on this forum getting stuff to Canada can sometimes be tricky with the smaller vendors so make sure they are willing and have some expierience shipping to Europe...oh and by the way I have an aftermarket stereo and no ignition shielding and have no problems with the stereo Cheers Eric