Ignition Shield clip

[Ed S.]

Need help / advice regarding the clip that is installed on the front of the ignition shield. I have a 1964 365 HP, the clip is partially attached, meaning that half of it is snapped off - it is obvious that it is broken. The part of the clip that is still riveted (with one rivet) to the shield is the end with the "teeth". As it is now installed, I can rotate it 360 degrees.

In searching some of the better known vendors for a replacement clip I find that what is being listed as a clip for a 1964 Vette is different from vendor to vendor. Some are intended to be secured with rivets, others seem like they just "snap on". I've attached pics of the two types, can someone advise me which is the correct clip for a 64 / L76?.

Also - what exactly is the purpose of this clip? The best I can tell is that it is part of the shielding grounding system. What does it connect to? The part of the clip that is still on my shield will make contact with the back of the air cleaner if I bend it up and to the front a bit. But the "connection" is not secure, the natural spring in the clip is the only thing that holds it against the back of the air cleaner. I have searched high and low for a picture or diagram of this clip as it should be installed or connected but have come up empty. Essentially, I want to know what does it do and what it connects to or what connects to it.

[Don H.]

Re: Ignition Shield clip

Ed,
the different vendors should show parts illustrations of the different clips installed. In your photos, the right image shows a distributor shield with one type of front clip, which may be correct for 64 L76. Your left image is the rear clip that "clips" onto the bottom rear edge of the top shield, in the space that says "carb" for your car. It would clip into the space next to that that says FI if you had L84. This clip hangs down underneath shield and rests on top of your tach cable where it enters your distributor. Both these clips are part of the grounding system as you say. The spring shape in the front flip is just supposed to make contact with the back of your air cleaner housing. On my 65 L76, I have other shaped front clip that kind of resembles a ? and the upper part sits just under the back bottom edge of the air cleaner housing. These clips are super brittle and want to break off if the air cleaner is pushed down onto them too forcefully. That is what you have now. Just in the last few days there was another thread on how to replace the rivets. Email me if you want help on that.
dh

ps you may be able to see what I think is the right clip for 64 L76 here

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000370a~Z5Z5Z5AAEAH~P215.00~~~~S45W18MZH716223111632a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000370a#

and another of just the clip

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000370a~Z5Z5Z5AAEBX~P10.00~~~~S45W18MZH716223111632a~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000370a#

[Ed S.]

Re: Ignition Shield clip

Don,
Thanks for the quick reply and clearing things up for me. I think I now fully understand the front clip purpose and connection process. And, I did happen to notice the recent thread regarding fastening the clip with rivets. That info will be useful when I get a replacement clip and attempt to install it. Your reply really filled in the blanks for me regarding the clip(s). I obviously did not know there was another clip in the back of the shield. Do I understand that this clip only needs to make incidental contact with the tach cable, meaning there is no secured physical connection, they just touch each other?

[Don H.]

Re: Ignition Shield clip

Yes,
the front clip and the rear clip just rest against the air cleaner housing and the end fitting of the tach cable.

photo 3-28.jpg photo 1-37.jpg

[Ed S.]

Re: Ignition Shield clip

Thanks again Don.

[Loren L.]

Re: Ignition Shield clip

Ed, give yourself a Xmas present and buy a '64 AIM from Mid-America.......one that's readable. And try and find a source for the right size rivet for the top shield.

[Ed S.]

Re: Ignition Shield clip

Don - thanks again for the additional info / pics. It all makes sense now. I just couldn't convince myself that an engineered grounding system would consist of almost casual contact between components without the benefit of some type of positive fasteners. I'm surprised Zora didn't include a chain hanging from the chassis that just dangled on the road surface like gas delivery tankers used to have years ago (like around 1964).

Loren - I already sent my wish list to Santa. Thanks again - to all.