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Hello. I am attempting to install the four lower/outer ignition shields on my 69 sbc. The shields that with a bracket attach to the exhaust manifold. Does anyone have a picture that shows the orientation of the shields and what they look like when installed.
I'm having trouble with how they fit. I don't think my dyslexia is making it easier. Thanks in advance.
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
No help here but i found reinstalling them to be a real PIA to the point where I gave up and they are now stored in a box waiting for the next guy to fool with them.
Not sure if you are installing the spark plug heat shields as well, but if you are…
1968 through early 1970 Corvettes equipped with a small block engine and a radio used four chrome plated ignition shields over the spark plugs to decrease feedback to the radio through the ignition system (later cars only covered the rear four plugs). Because the radios were an option at this point, the engines were delivered without any ignition shielding (it was installed at the assembly plant in St. Louis when the options for each car became known). When the engines left the Flint engine assembly plant, they were equipped with four (each covered two plugs) spark plug heat shields to protect the plugs and wire ends from the exhaust manifold heat. What you’ll find is that the front left (if memory serves me correctly) heat shield interferes with the installation of the ignition shielding at that location. The factory simply removed the forward heat shield on that side. Late 1970 and up (through at least 1972 and probably later) cars didn’t use the forward ignition shields for the spark plugs so the heat shield remained in place.
Front left heat shield on a late 1970 Corvette. This was removed on earlier cars equipped with a radio and just the ignition shielding at that position was installed (the heat shields remained at the other three locations).
Not sure if you are installing the spark plug heat shields as well, but if you are…
1968 through early 1970 Corvettes equipped with a small block engine and a radio used four chrome plated ignition shields over the spark plugs to decrease feedback to the radio through the ignition system (later cars only covered the rear four plugs). Because the radios were an option at this point, the engines were delivered without any ignition shielding (it was installed at the assembly plant in St. Louis when the options for each car became known). When the engines left the Flint engine assembly plant, they were equipped with four (each covered two plugs) spark plug heat shields to protect the plugs and wire ends from the exhaust manifold heat. What you’ll find is that the front left (if memory serves me correctly) heat shield interferes with the installation of the ignition shielding at that location. The factory simply removed the forward heat shield on that side. Late 1970 and up (through at least 1972 and probably later) cars didn’t use the forward ignition shields for the spark plugs so the heat shield remained in place.
Front left heat shield on a late 1970 Corvette. This was removed on earlier cars equipped with a radio and just the ignition shielding at that position was installed (the heat shields remained at the other three locations).
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Hello Rowdy Rat. Thanks for that information. I was wondering if any of the heat shields needed to be removed and you have answered that before I started. Take care.
Dams Lars - I sure like the look of those polished shields! I cleaned my old ones up a bit and painted the dog legs, and while an imporovement over what they were, no where as nice as that!
Yeah. I considered buying all the contraptions but it looked like a PITA to me also.
The setups do look sweet..... if I was a purist I'd do it.
Originally Posted by pltmgr
No help here but i found reinstalling them to be a real PIA to the point where I gave up and they are now stored in a box waiting for the next guy to fool with them.
Dams Lars - I sure like the look of those polished shields! I cleaned my old ones up a bit and painted the dog legs, and while an imporovement over what they were, no where as nice as that!
The lower V-shileds on my '76 L-82 were zinc plated from the factory, as yours probably were too, hence the dull appearance.
Hello,
I believe you'll find that over the years there were variations in the configuration of all the shields.... ignition, heat, boomerang, vertical and distributor.
That resulted in certain shields fitting together in some combinations but not in others.
The Paragon print catalogue of a number years ago had especially good illustrations of how the parts went together and what was typical for which years and which engine.
LOTS of parts and tricky to install.
Regards,....
71 350/270 (Rear ignition shields only in 71)
Right side only in first photo.
Right Side Only.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Originally Posted by Alan 71
.LOTS of parts and tricky to install.
I don't know if it's possible to install it all correctly with the engine in the car... I would pull the engine and put it on an engine stand to install all the parts - no way I would do that while trying to bend over a fender or work from the bottom...
Lars
Hello Lars,
Nice photos from you!!!
All the shielding can be installed/removed with the engine in place.
The forward bolt on the boomerang heat sheild DOES require that one of the engine mount bolts be removed and put back in place.
A little tricky but doable.
I think a complete small block Chevy engine is a beautiful thing!!!!
Regards....
Ignition Shields
