'65 Splash Shield Question

[Ashley S.]

I am beginning to restore my '65 which I believe to have originally been a big block. I've been trying to find and document anything that would help me make my case. In looking at the Paragon catalog they list a different front inner RH splash shield for the big blocks. I haven't found anything in the judging guide that mentions this.

Is there a different splash shield for a big block?

[Dan A.]

Re: '65 Splash Shield Question

bbslash3 (Small).JPGYes, the picture should show the half moon cut out for tthe exhaust pipe.

[Philip C.]

Re: '65 Splash Shield Question

I am beginning to restore my '65 which I believe to have originally been a big block. I've been trying to find and document anything that would help me make my case. In looking at the Paragon catalog they list a different front inner RH splash shield for the big blocks. I haven't found anything in the judging guide that mentions this.

Is there a different splash shield for a big block?

WHAT side of the car is the battery on should be your first clue. Phil 8063

[Donald T.]

Re: '65 Splash Shield Question

I am beginning to restore my '65 which I believe to have originally been a big block. I've been trying to find and document anything that would help me make my case. In looking at the Paragon catalog they list a different front inner RH splash shield for the big blocks. I haven't found anything in the judging guide that mentions this.

Is there a different splash shield for a big block?

Ashley,

I would check the archives. There's lots of info on BB clues and splash shields would not rate very high on the list for verification. Check tach, oil gauge, sway bar, half shafts, approximate build date, rear end housing code, fuel line, etc. Splash shields are easily swapped out but exchanging a SB fuel line for a BB line requires body removal. You should thoroughly document everything with detailed pictures BEFORE starting the restoration and throughout disassembly.

[Michael G.]

Re: '65 Splash Shield Question

Donald,

With regard to BB half shafts....my understanding shaft size was same size as SB, 2.5". Same on rear spring both engines using same spring.

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 Splash Shield Question

....
Is there a different splash shield for a big block?

Answer is yes, as others have mentioned, and as appears in the left side shield in Dan's picture. I'm surprised the 5th ed. 1965 TIM&JG doesn't mention this on page 135.

But (as others have said) this could be one of the first items to never have been re-installed after removal, for whatever reason.

A more potentially reliable indicator (although not many of the 396 gurus are aware, or believe it ) is the right-hand OUTER dust shield, with the tab spot-welded in place. Michael Hanson and I have discussed this as far back as December 2004, but I can't seem to pull up the thread using advanced search this far back.

[Donald T.]

Re: '65 Splash Shield Question

Donald,

With regard to BB half shafts....my understanding shaft size was same size as SB, 2.5". Same on rear spring both engines using same spring.

Yes, but you can check the half shafts to see if it has the SB style u-bolt or the BB configuration with caps.

[Michael G.]

Re: '65 Splash Shield Question

Yes, but you can check the half shafts to see if it has the SB style u-bolt or the BB configuration with caps.

Believe that would have to do with the configuration of the half shaft yokes rather than the shaft itself. Shaft were the same....yokes changed from SB to BB and as you state BB's used the cap, SB u-bolt.