1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

[Stephen V.]

Would a March 1970 454 have the same one piece distributor box shielding , left and right downward plug wire shield's and plug shielding as an early L46 engine? I'm referring to everything being covered by a shield. Or would just the distributor be covered and the plug wires are shielded individually and ground with the clips to the motor ? The book does seems to suggest everything is covered but I want to check with the experienced member's anyway. Thanks in advance

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

Would a March 1970 454 have the same one piece distributor box shielding , left and right downward plug wire shield's and plug shielding as an early L46 engine? I'm referring to everything being covered by a shield. Or would just the distributor be covered and the plug wires are shielded individually and ground with the clips to the motor ? The book does seems to suggest everything is covered but I want to check with the experienced member's anyway. Thanks in advance

No Big Block ever had " left and right downward plug wire shield's and plug shielding as an early L46 engine." All Big Blocks equipped with a radio used shielded spark plug wires with the shielding grounded at both ends of the spark plug wire. As to whether your March engine should have a one-piece, two-piece distributor shield, or simply be covered is something I can not answer without much more research of cars built in the time frame that yours was. My initial guess for the box distributor shield (if the box style is applicable) is that the box is two-piece with a cover.

Perhaps if you provide more specific car build date someone with a similarily built big block can help.

[Stephen V.]

Re: 1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

Build date is March 17, 1970. Engine suffix CZU.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

Stephan

The relevant text in the TIM&JG is:
"454s to at least 1970 s/n 16,716 had the box-type ignition shield."

I believe that will put your March 17 (Happy St. Patrick's Day) in need of the box type shielding. The distributor shield uprights are different for the small block and big block, so attention to details here will help you if you even have your car judged.

Edtit add: The distributor shield supports are different for the box style and the later 1970-72 bent cover/front shield combination piece.

Unfortunately the illustration referenced in the TIM&JG is to a small block, and there are no fat motor ignition shielding illustrations. We will have to get at that in the next revision of the 1970-72 TIM&JG.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

The distributor shield uprights are different for the one-piece box and the two piece box...

Terry,

I didn't know this. How do the uprights differ?

My '70 (#12931) came with the early "two piece box" shielding". For ease of service, I stored that away and installed a later one-piece style box/lid. The uprights accommodate each.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

Attached is a 70 454 ignition shielding, distributor box. I'll need to call and get a build date, but believe it an early car. In the 5,000 serial number range.

Second picture is a March 70 LT1.

For reference.

Gary Bosselman

When I quit tinkering with the 68-69 manual, I'll get those added to the 70-72 manual for it's next revision.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

Terry,

I didn't know this. How do the uprights differ?

My '70 (#12931) came with the early "two piece box" shielding". For ease of service, I stored that away and installed a later one-piece style box/lid. The uprights accommodate each.

My bad. I need to have my breakfast before I posted here. The distributor shield supports are different for the box style (either one-piece or two-piece) and the later 1970-72 bent shield (all-in-one) style. I will go back and edit my post, if I can.

If I am reading your post right Mark you installed the later 1970-72 combination lid and front shield. If that is the case you will have two weld nuts on the inner face of the supports that are unused. Supports originally installed with the later style all-in-one shield only have the weld nuts on the upper holes. The lower holes remained, but no weld nuts were installed. Your application fits fine, but a knowledgeable judge will detect the extra weld nuts. It is a case were more than 90% of the world would never notice, but it is what some of us thrive on, but only after the breakfast of judges.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1970E 454 Distributor Shielding and plug wire shielding.

Thanks Terry.