63 rear exhaust heat shield

[Steve D.]

I checked the archives for this, but came up empty.

For 63 there was a heat shield on the muffler tip behind the bezel in the exhaust panel, but was not used in 64-67. Did GM determine that it wasn't effective, or was something else changed (bezel size) that made it unnecessary?

Steve

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 rear exhaust heat shield

The bezel size did increase, when they went to chrome plated cast pot metal from fabricated stainless, which allowed a little more "tolerance" in the pipe exit. My take is that this was a "value engineering change" i.e. reduce cast, but I don't think the panel paint was harmed due to the lack of the heat shields.

As is the case with most chrome plated pot metal parts, the pot metal bezels can pit with time. The stainless bezels are corrosion proof and last virtually forever. If the tack-weld breaks and competent welder can repair it.

Duke

[Geoff C.]

64-67 larger bezel = less paint heat blistering *NM*

[mike mccagh]

Re: 63 rear exhaust heat shield

Duke: 64 and 65 bezels were larger than the 63s but they were still stainless. it wasn't till 66 and 67 that the chrome plated pot metal bezels were utilized. regards, mike

[Tracy C.]

I hate it when you're right Mikie... *NM*