Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

[David S.]

Hi all,

I need to have a 67 ignition shielding box redone. Can anyone suggest an outfit to re-chrome it correctly.

Thanks,
Dave

[Mark D.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

Richard Fortier

[Stuart F.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

Isn't it Stainless SteeL?

Stu Fox

[Ronald L.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

BB no. Most of the SB, no too.

The issue will be where ever you go, the plater will want to polish out all the die marks, etc that are in the originals.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

Isn't it Stainless Steel? Stu Fox

It's SS with Flash Chrome. PT

[Gary B.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

To reiterate, some ign shield items are SS and some are not. The non-SS should be flash chromed. I'll give another vote for Richard Fortier. He knows how it was done originally and he knows who can replicate the original look. I wish I had talked to Richard before I had my non-SS ign shield items incorrectly triple plated some years ago.

Gary

[Scott S.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

Hi all,

I need to have a 67 ignition shielding box redone. Can anyone suggest an outfit to re-chrome it correctly.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

If you are only referring to the small block ignition top shield (1967 AIM, U69-A8, Item 5, 3882700), it is stainless steel, and it does not (and should not) have any chrome plating.

If I remember correctly, the LH front and rear horizontal ignition shields are also stainless steel. For the others, the blueprint authorized either stainless or cold-rolled steel with flash-chrome, but for reasons unknown, the suppliers used cold-rolled steel with flash-chrome for the other ignition shields. John Amgwert has an excellent article on this subject in one of the Restorer Magazine back issues.

[David S.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

Guys,

To clarify it is a 67 BB (L71) ignition shielding....

Thanks,
Dave

[Scott S.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

Guys,

To clarify it is a 67 BB (L71) ignition shielding....

Thanks,
Dave

Well, that changes everything

The 1965 big block ignition "box" is described as being chrome plated in Adams, p. 304. The part number changed during 1965 production, then again in 1966 and once again for 1967. I suspect only minor configuration changes. As others have mentioned, I would also try Richard Fortier to get the correct flash-chrome finish.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

David, the BB's were plain steel with flash chrome and rust easy if exposed to moisture, see my email to you regarding suggestions to keep the finish looking original.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

I had my 69 BB valve covers flash chromed by Todd Librandi at Librandi's Plating in Harrisburg (Middletown) PA.

You have to call Todd personally, as he normally won't do it.

Many guys don't really know the poor quality of flash chrome, and he doesn't want re-do's.

Chuck

[D S.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

I've had all four sets of 1970 Corvette 454 valve covers and three ignition shielding boxes done by a plater in Fort Worth, Texas. Flash chromed and they did a great job of duplicating the poor quality of GM chroming back in the day. Love it. However, when the plater polishes the metal and then triple plates the item the original detail and characteristics are forever lost. I've seen many original chrome valve covers with drippers that were triple plated and they look wavy and way too glitzy. Ask the plater first if they know how to flash chrome. Many don't. Make sure you are both on the same page even if you have to show the plater an example of an item previously flash chromed.

Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Jerry B.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

What is flash chroming? thanks

[Chuck G.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

What is flash chroming? thanks

MY definition is chrome plating put right on top of the metal, without prior copper and nickel coats.

The copper, nickel, chrome process is referred to as "triple chrome plating".

Chuck

[Wayne M.]

Re: Ignition Shielding Restoration/ Replating

Well, that changes everything

The 1965 big block ignition "box" is described as being chrome plated in Adams, p. 304. The part number changed during 1965 production, then again in 1966 and once again for 1967. I suspect only minor configuration changes. As others have mentioned, I would also try Richard Fortier to get the correct flash-chrome finish.

Here's the 2nd design (large keyhole) 1965 BB distrib surround shield, unrestored AFAIK [missing front ground clip]. I notice that Noland's Vol 2 also calls the '66 design as chromed steel, so I assume same for '67. Also, the "patina" on a '67 is probably similar to this example.