65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

[Mike Z.]

Working on my 65 FI and a questions has come up as to correct top radio shield. The car is a September 64 build, so early. The TIMJG says "Early style distributor shields do no incorporate the bottom cutout and later style distributor shields utilize a low depression in the center" I read in Nolands that the 65 top had plastic rivets, but does not differentiate early vs. late.

My problem: can anyone give me a picture of a correct "early" top without the bottom cutout? What rivets does it use? Is the later 65 top with the low depression the same as a 66-67, which have plastic rivets, but different ground straps?

Any measurement of any of these details would be helpful.

The top on my car, but not sure original to the car, has stainless rivets like 63-64, and no notch on the bottom. It has a front ground strap consistent with L63-E64 (pics I have found), but not like the pics in Noland's for 65.

Any help is appreciated.

[Mark L.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Mike,
There is an article on SB shielding 63-67 that appeared in the Restorer. At quick glance I did not see it in our NCRS collection of tech articles but I know I have a copy. If it doesn't surface I'll did it out. I am not looking forward to putting the shielding on my 67!

[Mike Z.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Thanks, would appreciate the Restorer Volume-I have them back to 92.

[Don H.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

this illustration may have come from that article. I'm not certain of the accuracy, but it's all I have.
5BA573EA-6BFC-4954-AB80-6C44A78FF8AE.jpg

[Mike Z.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Thanks Wayne, you gave me the tip as to where to look: found the article by John Amgwert Volume 47 Number 2 Fall 2020. I look forward to digesting the information.

[Mike Z.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

OK, read the article and now I am really confused. The Amgart article indicates all 65 top shields would have the bottom cut out/notch, but the TIMJG indicates early shields did not have a notch. Amgart indicates metal vs. plastic rivets were both used and could have been metal up to early 65. The taller front bulge ie., 64 would have been on all 65 units (with or without bottom notch), while the shorter bulge indicates 66-67 units. And then, the grounding strap in picture M 10-6, page 159, appears to be the T-shaped #3839334, but Amgart says all 65 used #3864672, which is a straight double teeth piece, unlike the single teeth 66-67 version. So, is the manual or Amgart info correct? I know John is known to do his homework and I know there are anomalys we learn about every day, that may conflict with the Judging guides: what details do you think is correct?
So, is the 64 type unit that was on the car: no notch, 2 metal rivets, T-shaped ground, correct? I know I am drawing a fine line in the sand-just want to get it right and have the ammunition of plead me case on the Judging field.

[Mike Z.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Thanks Don, that is part of the Amgart article that I studied, but it conflicts with the Judging guide. Please weight in when you see my reply just submitted. Thanks

[Michael G.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Don, I’m having trouble deciphering the issue of magnetic vs non-magnetic on the 65 top shield. The lower pieces of mine are very magnetic, the top piece has a very, very faint attraction to the magnet. (It won’t move the magnet to it at all, but a free-hanging magnet ends to stick very,very slightly to the shield when you move it it away) Is that correct? I’d guess the top is 302 stainless or similar.

[Don H.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

sorry Mike and Mike, I have no inside information on the shields. I had no input on the TIMJG section, so I can't clarify any of these fine points for you. Go with what you believe to be original, or closest to it is my advice. And good luck with those pesky judges.

[Michael G.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

sorry Mike and Mike, I have no inside information on the shields. I had no input on the TIMJG section, so I can't clarify any of these fine points for you. Go with what you believe to be original, or closest to it is my advice. And good luck with those pesky judges.

[Tony S.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Mike, you may want to reach out to Rick Barrack.
Tony

[Michael G.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Thanks Tony, will do. Mike

[Alan D.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Have an original 65 top cover; "The lower pieces of mine are very magnetic, the top piece has a very, very faint attraction to the magnet."
However as for the tip piece it may have NO magnetic material at all, if I lay magnet on top it rolls off. It almost feels so slippery it's anti magnetic.

[Alan D.]

Re: 65 Top Radio Shielding Questions-Correct Early top

Well just got an email from Don Hooper, however it's not showing up on the thread, so
"Alan- a question I have is, how do you know, or tell, you have an original top cover? Any tell tale differences from reproduction, or do you "just know"?"
Fair question - purchased car in Aug 1967 so assume during that time (63-67) these were not available as an after market product. So I'm guilty of "just know"