Under Body Heat Shields

[Kenneth T.]

I have a '71 coupe.

The heat shields located under the driver's and passenger's floor, were they finished with the grey phosphate as are the hood latches?

Also, my memory fails me here, was there an aluminum foil insulated blanket under the transmission or was that my '65?

[Kent K.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

I seem to remember the shields were painted black & tere was insulation in the transmission tunnel. Hope were are on the same page. If not, someone else will jump in and give us both the answers.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

If you are talking about the stamped steel shields on each side of the lower firewall, those are called splash shields, and they are dark gray phosphate. After 69, Corvettes don't have underbody heat shields on the floor pans to my knowledge.

There is a foil and fiberglass insulation blanket attached to the underside of the transmission tunnel with bend-over clips...it is formed to fit the tunnel. There should also be a foam collar in front the insulator blanket that is cemented to the forward part of the tunnel with weatherstrip adhesive.

[Terry M.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

There is a foil and fiberglass insulation blanket attached to the underside of the transmission tunnel with bend-over clips...it is formed to fit the tunnel. There should also be a foam collar in front the insulator blanket that is cemented to the forward part of the tunnel with weatherstrip adhesive.

Not to be too picky, but the evidence I have seen indicates the foam collar was glued to the bell housing and then the body was lowered over it. Not that anyone could tell how it was done without a lot of disassembly.

[Bill C.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

If you get the Mangenese Parkerizing solution - they will look perfect.

Grey phosphate is to light.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

If you are talking about the stamped steel shields on each side of the lower firewall, those are called splash shields, and they are dark gray phosphate. After 69, Corvettes don't have underbody heat shields on the floor pans to my knowledge.

There is a foil and fiberglass insulation blanket attached to the underside of the transmission tunnel with bend-over clips...it is formed to fit the tunnel. There should also be a foam collar in front the insulator blanket that is cemented to the forward part of the tunnel with weatherstrip adhesive.

Thanks Chuck, I know the "shields" you speak of. I have shields under the floor, horizontal with the ground on the driver and pass, side.

I do remember that blanket though even with that the BB was Hot in the summer of '71! Do You know if I can get that foil insulation, I know I am getting anal but I want it all as was.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

Bill,

Even if I leave it in a long time? The other method you mentioned is for finishing pistols and other types of guns, no? There is a website for the products, I just don't remember.

Are the shields and their color judged?

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

If you are talking about the stamped steel shields on each side of the lower firewall, those are called splash shields, and they are dark gray phosphate. After 69, Corvettes don't have underbody heat shields on the floor pans to my knowledge.

There is a foil and fiberglass insulation blanket attached to the underside of the transmission tunnel with bend-over clips...it is formed to fit the tunnel. There should also be a foam collar in front the insulator blanket that is cemented to the forward part of the tunnel with weatherstrip adhesive.

Chuck,
I have checked the GM parts book and it lists the 69-72 shield, underbody tunnel heat, part # 3958884? If so I will search for it under that number. Thks Ken

[Chuck S.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

Thanks Chuck, I know the "shields" you speak of. I have shields under the floor, horizontal with the ground on the driver and pass, side...

It's a good thing you elaborated...those plates are not heat shields; they are the underbody reinforcement plates for the front seat track bolts.

Check your AIM...they should be shown in UPC 1, about Sheet B1. These reinforcement plates were originally painted with GM black primer, which you can closely simulate using satin black in spray cans.

[Joe L.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

Chuck,
I have checked the GM parts book and it lists the 69-72 shield, underbody tunnel heat, part # 3958884? If so I will search for it under that number. Thks Ken

Ken-----


The tunnel insulator was GM #3912670 which is discontinued. The last ones of these I saw weren't really that good, anyway. The edges were "cut" and the internal fiberglass insulation could be seen. On the originals, the edges had the aluminum foil covering folded around so no internal fiberglass could be seen. The reproductions sold by Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, and others are much better, in my opinion.

The GM #3958884 is the foam heat shield which goes between the bellhousing and the firewall extension. It was discontinued years ago and replaced by GM #336110. Dr. Rebuild sells an EXCELLENT reproduction.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

Chuck,
I have checked the GM parts book and it lists the 69-72 shield, underbody tunnel heat, part # 3958884? If so I will search for it under that number. Thks Ken

Underbody heat shield, PN 3958884, was the foam collar I mentioned...See the AIM, UPC 1, about Sheet B7. You'll find good examples in reproduction; I doubt the GM part has been available for decades.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

I doubt the GM part has been available for decades.

Actually, I bought a GM one about 5-7 years ago.

It's a Paragon piece that has the embossed Paragon logo removed with an X-acto knife. I kid you not. Still sitting in the GM box in my basement.

Patrick

[Chuck S.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

Actually, I bought a GM one about 5-7 years ago.

It's a Paragon piece that has the embossed Paragon logo removed with an X-acto knife. I kid you not. Still sitting in the GM box in my basement.

Patrick

I bet it really ticked you off to find you paid twice as much for a Paragon repro in a GM box!

Since it was a large relatively fragile piece subject to shop (warehouse) wear, and arguably a non-essential part, I figured that heat sheield would have been discontinued in the mid to late 70s along with all the other "soft" goods. I wonder if Paragon had to pay royalties on the ones they supplied to GM. HaHaHa...

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

Thanks everyone, I will be under it this weekend...nice weather here in NY.

This is Deja-Vu stuff, I remember it but which car was it on and I was checking the CEC trans hookup on my 71 and I wondered...something missing? Yes too folded on the edges, no exposure of the insulation within.

Yanks loose'n to Boston..back to the game
Ken

[Chuck S.]

Re: Under Body Heat Shields

Not to be too picky, but the evidence I have seen indicates the foam collar was glued to the bell housing and then the body was lowered over it. Not that anyone could tell how it was done without a lot of disassembly.

We need you guys that know better to be picky!...Thanks for the reminder, Terry.

The AIM shows the collar's location relative to the firewall seam, but in fact, the AIM sheet DOES NOT SHOW the weatherstrip adhesive quantity and location usually shown where parts are cemented in place. Some thought had to be given to how the collar should be located on the bell housing to meet the AIM specification.