71 Wiring Shield by Starter

[Sheldon S.]

I am looking for a supplier for the piece of I think it is fibreglass heat protection for the wiring harness where the wiring goes near the block and the starter on my 71 BB car. Any help greatly appreciated.
'Thanks
Sheldon

[Mike E.]

Re: 71 Wiring Shield by Starter

Pretty sure that is stamped steel and available from most large vendors.

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 Wiring Shield by Starter

Mike,
I think he is looking for the heat resistant tube that the wires go through near the solenoid. I am not sure what it is made of. I see these kinds of heat protectors made for spark plug wires when tubular headers are installed, but I don't think those items will at all look original.

So we need to know what the primary interest is -- function or judging. Also we need confirmation of the exact item that is being sought.

[Alan S.]

Re: 71 Wiring Shield by Starter

Hi,
On my 71 sb the insulation is a type of tape.
It's flexible but has some stiffness as though the material had been immersed in something to make it a heat barrier.
It must still be available because the reproduction ignition harness I bought from Lectric Ltd has what appears to be the same tape.
Might the same thing been used on bb harnesses at this location?
Regards,
Alan

[William C.]

Re: 71 Wiring Shield by Starter

SB and Big-block are different in the lower area of the starter harness. The exhaust heat on the BB is greater and the proximity of the wiring to the manifold is closer. Typical BB wiring harnesses had the lower 9 inches taped with the heat-resistant tape shown in the picture Alan posted and the conductors under it were also coated with a more heat resistant material. (expensive) those wires were spliced to the harness and the standard PVC insulated wire was used for the remainder of the wiring up to the firewall connector. Very expensive and a real pita to build, but common process for BB Corvettes due to the design of the exhaust manifolds. The callout on the wiring print indicates it was a purchased item, my memory does not include recall the supplier of the heat resistant tape material.

[Kevin G.]

Re: 71 Wiring Shield by Starter

Hi Sheldon,

I'm sorry I can't help with the supplier but here is what I believe the area untouched, as built on my 71bb.

[Alan S.]

Re: 71 Wiring Shield by Starter

Hi Kevin,
NICE!
The tape looks similar (the same?), and a good picture of the 'sheath' on the battery cable.
I wanted the sheath to be shown in the LS5 option pages but don't see it mentioned or illustrated.
Was the cable for a bb a different part?
Regards,
Alan

[William C.]

Re: 71 Wiring Shield by Starter

Yes, the BB wiring harness was engine specific, SB did not get the added cost of the "goodies" needed to allow the wiring to survive in the heat of a Big Block, especially with the free flowing exhaust manifold runners used on the Corvette. BTW, the tape was actually white when the wiring harness was built. I don't know how long it took to change color to the pictures shown.