63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

[David L.]

I am trying to sort out my spark plug wire "V" shields. I will just concentrate on the left side for now.
Pictured are 3 different LH "V" shields which I believe that I have identified but I would like to confirm my findings.

top: 1963-1969, GM # 3819761 in my 1963, 1966, and 1968 Chevrolet Radio parts catalogs. The article by John Amgwert about 63-67 ignition shielding in "The Corvette Restorer" (Vol. 12, # 4, Spring 1986) shows it as GM # 3819763. I believe that one part number is just the shield itself (without brackets) and the other part number is for the assembly (including the riveted on brackets).

middle: 1970-1974, GM # 3987341

bottom: 1975-????, GM # 361079

The middle and bottom shields have additional metal cut away for the later style engine mounts as shown in the photo on the right..

The bottom shield is stamped "354423" & "AT" on the shield part and "3973402" and "C" on the small end bracket. The top edge at the right side (pointed end) is also bent outward instead of inward but you can not see this in the photos.

According to Chevrolet & GM parts history GM # 3819761 was replaced in Oct. 1970 by GM # 3987341 which was then replaced by GM #361079 in Sept. 1975.

I would appreciate any comments.

Dave

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

Dave -- I don't have anything post-C2, but here's a shot of the LH shield from what I was told (when I purchased) were off a '66. The underside corresponds to the cut-outs you show for your top example. the long bracket arm has "AS" faintly stamped about 1" above the rivet.

One other thing; the short bracket that bolts to the motor mount is the same for LH and RH, except flipped. On the RH shield assy. you will probably find a stamping of the letter "B" between the two rivets. I'll bet if one was to drill out and remove the bracket on the LH, you'd also find the "B".

[Joe L.]

Re: 63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

I am trying to sort out my spark plug wire "V" shields. I will just concentrate on the left side for now.
Pictured are 3 different LH "V" shields which I believe that I have identified but I would like to confirm my findings.

top: 1963-1969, GM # 3819761 in my 1963, 1966, and 1968 Chevrolet Radio parts catalogs. The article by John Amgwert about 63-67 ignition shielding in "The Corvette Restorer" (Vol. 12, # 4, Spring 1986) shows it as GM # 3819763. I believe that one part number is just the shield itself (without brackets) and the other part number is for the assembly (including the riveted on brackets).

middle: 1970-1974, GM # 3987341

bottom: 1975-????, GM # 361079

The middle and bottom shields have additional metal cut away for the later style engine mounts as shown in the photo on the right..

The bottom shield is stamped "354423" & "AT" on the shield part and "3973402" and "C" on the small end bracket. The top edge at the right side (pointed end) is also bent outward instead of inward but you can not see this in the photos.

According to Chevrolet & GM parts history GM # 3819761 was replaced in Oct. 1970 by GM # 3987341 which was then replaced by GM #361079 in Sept. 1975.

I would appreciate any comments.

Dave

Dave-----


The middle shield in your first photo does not look to me like the 70-74 configuration. The primary difference between the 63-69 and 70+ configuration is the "cutaway" on the end of the shield (which also necessitated the relocation of the riveted-on reinforcing bracket).

[David L.]

Re: 63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

The underside corresponds to the cut-outs you show for your top example. the long bracket arm has "AS" faintly stamped about 1" above the rivet.

One other thing; the short bracket that bolts to the motor mount is the same for LH and RH, except flipped. On the RH shield assy. you will probably find a stamping of the letter "B" between the two rivets. I'll bet if one was to drill out and remove the bracket on the LH, you'd also find the "B".

Wayne,

The 3819761 (1963-1969) "V" shield does have the "AS" stamping on the long bracket but does not have the "B" on the small bracket. I think that if I removed the 2 rivets on the small bracket (which is NOT going to happen) I might find a "B" stamping on the opposite side of the small bracket. My 3819762 "V" bracket (not pictured) does have both "AV" and "B" stampings.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

The middle shield in your first photo does not look to me like the 70-74 configuration. The primary difference between the 63-69 and 70+ configuration is the "cutaway" on the end of the shield (which also necessitated the relocation of the riveted-on reinforcing bracket).

Joe,

The only difference between the top two "V" shields in my photos is that the middle "V" shield has more metal removed for clearance purposes. Logic tells me that the middle "V" shield would be the next version since the shield was modified to clear the newer style motor mounts.

Enclosed is another photo of what I believe to be GM # 361079. Note the the top edge is bent outward instead of inward.

[Joe L.]

Re: 63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

Joe,

The only difference between the top two "V" shields in my photos is that the middle "V" shield has more metal removed for clearance purposes. Logic tells me that the middle "V" shield would be the 1970-1974 version since the shield was modified to clear the newer style motor mounts. I have seen a picture of the reproduction 1970-1974 "V" shields on the Paragon Corvette website and they look more like the bottom "V" shield in my photos where the small end bracket in not vertical.

Enclosed is another photo of what I believe to be GM # 361079. Note the the top edge is bent outward instead of inward.

Dave------


Yes, I see the additional metal removal in your second photo of your first post. However, the extra clearance provided in this area would not cause the shield to clear the 1970+ locking style mount. For clearance of the locking style mount, the area at the end of the shield must be cut-away as seen in the third shield in your original photo.

As a matter of fact, the modification to the end of the shield was the only modification that GM described when modifying the 63-69 shields to fit the locking style mounts. The locking style mount was the only style available from GM after 1969 for all 1963+ Corvette applications.

[David L.]

Re: 63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

Joe,

It seems that my middle "V" shield is "lost" somewhere between the 1963-1969 "V" shields and the 1970-1974 "V" shields. The extra cuts on this "V" look like factory cuts but I suppose that someone who was extremely careful and had the proper tools could have done it. I will put this "V" shield in the "questionable" box.
Thanks,

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 63-69, 70-74, and 75-? Spark Plug Wire "V" shields

Joe,

It seems that my middle "V" shield is "lost" somewhere between the 1963-1969 "V" shields and the 1970-1974 "V" shields. The extra cuts on this "V" look like factory cuts but I suppose that someone who was extremely careful and had the proper tools could have done it. I will put this "V" shield in the "questionable" box.
Thanks,

Dave

Dave------


I think the cuts were always there. I don't think that anyone added them.

The thing that makes it very difficult to sort out these shields is the PRODUCTION part numbers differed from the SERVICE part numbers. As you have noted, the PRODUCTION pieces were made up at St. Louis from component pieces, the shield portion of which was never available separately in SERVICE. The SERVICE pieces were supplied fully assembled with all brackets. I tried once before to sort this out and finally gave up. I have a bunch of notes around here I once made in this effort but I do not know where they are at now.