'69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

[G A.]

Have spent time in the archives and been unsuccessful. '69 AIM shows that the lower attach points on the distributor shield box to the brackets attached to the intake manifold are to receive screws, not the wing nuts. If this was the case, could someone describe these screws to me? Would they be available from a vendor?

[Chuck S.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

Have spent time in the archives and been unsuccessful. '69 AIM shows that the lower attach points on the distributor shield box to the brackets attached to the intake manifold are to receive screws, not the wing nuts. If this was the case, could someone describe these screws to me? Would they be available from a vendor?

About the only way an AIM illustration is likely to be incorrect is when running changes are made during the model year, and earlier parts/illustrations are not shown in the late published version of the AIM. There are instances of assembly being done differently than the AIM, but these exceptions are pretty well known.

Someone else may be able to tell you if there was a running change made in that hardware. Post the AIM part number for the screw and maybe Joe Lucia will describe it for you when he comes on.

As for vendors selling you some representative version for that screw, you can count on it. But, don't be surprised if judges tell you the vendor's offering bears only a superficial resemblance to the original version.

[G A.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

OK. The AIM reference is UPC/U69 sheet A6 (hope i did that right). Item #9, part number is 163162.

[Terry M.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

I don't have an AIM here with me at one of my other jobs, but if you are showing cross-recess head screws on the passenger side of the box -- from memory they are black round head sheet metal screws. I could pull out one and take a picture when I get home from school.

[G A.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

Certainly appears to be a phillips head screw. Due to the lack of quality of the AIM reproduction the screw might actually hold the front and rear halves of the box together instead of attaching it to the vertical brace? Then if that's the case, are original boxes not spot welded together?

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

The original box from my early '69 is riveted together. The screws shown on the AIM drawing illustrate a box that is not riveted but screwed together. The screws go through the offset portion of the rear part of the box where mine has rivets. Wing screws hold the box to the support. They go through the section behind the offset.
Jeff

[G A.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

Jeff,

OK, thanks. I guess I let AIM confuse me. Didn't know there was such a thing as a box that was screwed instead of spot welded.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

Jeff,

OK, thanks. I guess I let AIM confuse me. Didn't know there was such a thing as a box that was screwed instead of spot welded.

Dan------


The later 1969 configuration uses a distributor shield that is a "2 piece" configuration. On one side, the 2 pieces are attached by 2 sheet metal screws. The screws are phillips drive, pan head and are #8-18 X 1/2". These attach the 2 halves of the shield only and do not fasten into the supports. The originals from my late 1969 are zinc plated. However, I believe the spec for the screw shown in the AIM, GM #163162, is a chrome plated screw.

The 1968 and early 1969 shield configuration is a "1 piece" shield which is attached by spot welding or, perhaps as Jeff described, in some cases by rivets.

[G A.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

Joe,

So the one piece box on my October '69 build is not the one it left the factory with. Guess I'm adding another jewel to the treasure search.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

Joe,

So the one piece box on my October '69 build is not the one it left the factory with. Guess I'm adding another jewel to the treasure search.

Dan------


I would not rule out that what you have is original to the car. All I can say, for sure, is that my mid-September built 1969 used a shield with the screws.

[Steven T.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

My mid October '69 has a spot welded box around the distributor.
Serial number 32475

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

In my earlier post I said the box is riveted together. I meant to say spot welded. Sorry.
Jeff

[Terry M.]

Re: '69 Distributor Shielding attachment screws?

Just to be sure that we are all talking about apples, and not oranges -- it might be wise to be sure that engine size [as in big block or small block] is not an issue. I suspect, based on research I conducted several decades ago, that in this case size does matter.

BTW: I'll buy the pan head, but i think mine are black. Of course maybe an early 1970 small block is different. Be happy if you have the screws. removing the ignition shield box in two pieces is infinately easier than removing in in one piece.