1961 ignition shielding

[Ted B.]

I need help to determine the correct lower (horiz) ignition shields for a late (10795) 1961 Corvette. I am planning to have the car judged at a regional meet in October. The distributor/coil, vertical and lower spark plug shielding is on the car.

Thanks.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Late 61 shields should be the same as all other 61 shields. The change for 62 was because of the 2 1/2" exhaust manifolds, and as you know, 61's used 2" all the way through.

[Ted B.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Late 61 shields should be the same as all other 61 shields. The change for 62 was because of the 2 1/2" exhaust manifolds, and as you know, 61's used 2" all the way through.

Mike:

Thanks for the info. Is there a judging penalty for using new shields from a source like Corvette Central or should I try to find used originals?

[Bob B.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Ted,

As far as I am concerned, originals beat repros every time no matter how shiny they are. Amazingly, in this instance, the reproduction is better than the original, so they are easily distinguishable.

The reproduction spot welds are neat and evenly spaced. The original has sloppy, uneven welds that actually can be right on the edge of the top piece and melt down onto the lower piece. To fix this, take the top to someone who can spot weld and let them have at it.

The ends of the top piece on the reproductions are smooth and fit nicely. On originals, it appears that the ends didn't fit against the bottom part, so someone took a hammer to the ends of nearly every one to bang it down to make it fit. To fix this, hammer your ends some.

The tops of the reproductions are non-magnetic and a magnet will not stick. A magnet sticks to the tops of the originals. Nothing you can do about this.

On the inside ends, the reproductions have some sort of tabbed cutouts that make the tops fit as nicely as they do. On originals, the inside ends are all straight. Nothing you can do about this, either.

Add similar comments to basically every reproduction item and you'll understand why a decent condition original is always preferable to a repro.

I can't say about the shielding, but everyone always wonders why those making reproductions can't seem to get even the simplest features correct. The answer is simple: Most incorrect reproductions are purposely made incorrect, so that one feature at a time can be corrected and all of us will run out and buy the next run to get that extra point. And then the next to get another point. And so on and so forth. Several more reasons to go with the original the first time if you can.

Bob

[Ted B.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Bob:

Thanks for taking the time to respond in detail. I believe the top shielding and verticals to be original on my '61. The lower spark plug shields are there as well. I'm missing the horizontal pieces and may have a source for NOS. Reproductions are an option but I would prefer not to lose points if avoidable.

[Bob B.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Ted,

The top shield is the most critical part since the differences are many. I've never seen any deductions taken for the other pieces, so I wouldn't sweat the vertical shield pieces. (Of course, if I say that, you'll be the first!) The only exception might be that the 62-63 horizontal has a reenforcement on the inside that a judge might notice if a repro or an earlier original is used.

Bob

[Ted B.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Bob:

This sounds encouraging (I think). My top and vertical shields are in good shape and appear to be original. I'll let you know if I become the poster boy for repro horizontal shields - I had heard that the '62 horizontal shielding had the reinforcing piece and that it possibly could be found on some late '61 cars.

[Bob B.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Ted,

I think that almost any changeover piece like that can go either way. I wouldn't be surprised for the reenforcement bar to have shown up on late 61 cars or for the piece without it to show up on early 62 cars.

Bob

[Ted B.]

Re: 1961 ignition shielding

Bob:

Thanks. I forgot to add in my last post that both the top and vertical shielding on my car IS magnetic. According to your earlier note, this is a good sign.