69 U69 Ignition Shielding

[Floyd B.]

I'm sorry if this has been discussed several times in the past but my search of the archives yielded no results. Was there a change in the configuration of the distributor/coil shield box during the '69 production year? The AIM page U69/A6 (434) shows a two-piece unit but there is a notation on this sheet: "REDRAWN & REDESIGNED" but the date of the notation is not legible. I seem to recall that there was some question about the use of one-piece units on early '69's. I have an L36 with a production date of 10/4/68 (#3704).

It also is not clear to me whether the clip on the front is riveted in place with the teeth pointing up or down on an L36 without C60.

I would also appreciate a little history lesson on the use of the one-piece and two-piece designs and cut-over date.

Thanx,

-Floyd-

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

I'm sorry if this has been discussed several times in the past but my search of the archives yielded no results. Was there a change in the configuration of the distributor/coil shield box during the '69 production year? The AIM page U69/A6 (434) shows a two-piece unit but there is a notation on this sheet: "REDRAWN & REDESIGNED" but the date of the notation is not legible. I seem to recall that there was some question about the use of one-piece units on early '69's. I have an L36 with a production date of 10/4/68 (#3704).

It also is not clear to me whether the clip on the front is riveted in place with the teeth pointing up or down on an L36 without C60.

I would also appreciate a little history lesson on the use of the one-piece and two-piece designs and cut-over date.

Thanx,

-Floyd-

Floyd------


If you are talking about the three piece box versus the one piece, I can tell you that my original owner, mid-September, 1969 built convertible had the three piece. As a matter of fact, most 1970 Corvettes were equipped with the three piece and I highly doubt that any 1969's were ever equipped with the one piece shield.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Joe,

I should have most properly discribed them as three-piece (as pictured in the AIM) and two-piece. The two-piece versions I have seen are almost identical to the three piece except that the lower portion is a single band of steel with just one seam. Are these only repros?

Also, for L36 w/o C60, should the clip be pointing up or should it be pointing down. The AIM does not make it clear which configuration is correct.

Thanx

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Joe,

I should have most properly discribed them as three-piece (as pictured in the AIM) and two-piece. The two-piece versions I have seen are almost identical to the three piece except that the lower portion is a single band of steel with just one seam. Are these only repros?

Also, for L36 w/o C60, should the clip be pointing up or should it be pointing down. The AIM does not make it clear which configuration is correct.

Thanx

Floyd------


In that context I am not familiar with any shields that were two piece (i.e. with the lower "box" being a welded-together configuration). It may have existed, but I am not familiar with it. I can tell you that my original owner, mid-September, 1969 has a three piece shield.

I think the L-36 grounding clip is oriented "down". However, I am not 100% sure.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Floyd,
The original box on my Oct. '68 car is two piece (box and lid).
Jeff

[Floyd B.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Thanx Jeff. Do you know if this perhaps caried over into early '69 production? Mine is missing so I was planning to search for one at Spring Carlisle. It sounds like I should look for the three piece version but I want to be sure. The built date of my L36 is 10/4/68.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

I surveyed this "feature" during the 1980s & 1990s when there were fewer restored early C3s, and the results were at one time, and may still be, in the 1968-1968 or the 1970-72 TIM&JG. Floyd I assUme you have looked in the 1968-69 TIM&JG.

First let's be clear about what we are talking about.
The 1968 Corvettes had the distributor shield box installed in the car as two pieces -- the top piece and the side piece. The side (vertical) pieces (originally formed and finished as two separate pieces) were spot welded together on the passenger side and had to be removed as one piece which meant the spark plug wires on the passenger side (at least) had to be removed in order to remove the sides vertical portion) of the box.

By SOP (start of Production) 1970 the distributor shield box was installed in the car as three pieces -- the top piece and two side (vertical) pieces which were held together on the passenger side by two round head cross recess (Phillips) zinc plated sheet metal screws. Removal of the side (vertical) pieces (either one or both) could be accomplished without removing the spark plug wires.

I am sure the later installation took more time at the assembly plant, but later vehicle maintenance was easier with the later style.

I know there is a past thread on this subject because we had a spirited discussion on the subject of the finish of those two screws, and I had to take my shielding apart to satisfy myself regarding that finish.

The orientation of the air cleaner ground clip is discernible from the AIM, but as I remember it took several years of AIM sheets to make sense of it. I can not now remember which years (1968, 1969, and/or 1970), but if no one can definitively determine it sooner I will look when the Holiday is over.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Oh, and Floyd, I've been looking for an original 3 piece shield for my '70 for about 3 years now without even a sniff. The only ones that I've seen are the two piece reproductions.

A quick question for the judges. Does the ignition shielding need to be removed during flight judging? I've looked, but haven't found where this is addressed. If it doesn't, I was thinking of drilling two holes on the right side of the shielding (properly located) and inserting the round head screws so that the shielding configuration appears more correct.

Thanks.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Usually only the top cover is removed so we can judge the distributor cap and the rest of the interior of the box -- ground connections for the spark plug wires ont he fat motor and the like.

Unless you drill the holes for the screws at the spot welds -- which holes might not line up with the holes in the shield support -- the spot welds will still be visible. Also even if the spot welds do line up with the support holes, spot welds are very difficult to drill. Like painting carburetors you may fool most of the people, but not many of the judges.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Thanx Terry. That clears it up for me. I will have to assume with a 10/4/68 production date car that I should use a box of the spot-welded variety (aka two piece). It looks like the rule for the clip is: angled up for tri-power cars, angled down for round air cleaner cars.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

I surveyed this "feature" during the 1980s & 1990s when there were fewer restored early C3s, and the results were at one time, and may still be, in the 1968-1968 or the 1970-72 TIM&JG. Floyd I assUme you have looked in the 1968-69 TIM&JG.

First let's be clear about what we are talking about.
The 1968 Corvettes had the distributor shield box installed in the car as two pieces -- the top piece and the side piece. The side (vertical) pieces (originally formed and finished as two separate pieces) were spot welded together on the passenger side and had to be removed as one piece which meant the spark plug wires on the passenger side (at least) had to be removed in order to remove the sides vertical portion) of the box.

By SOP (start of Production) 1970 the distributor shield box was installed in the car as three pieces -- the top piece and two side (vertical) pieces which were held together on the passenger side by two round head cross recess (Phillips) zinc plated sheet metal screws. Removal of the side (vertical) pieces (either one or both) could be accomplished without removing the spark plug wires.

I am sure the later installation took more time at the assembly plant, but later vehicle maintenance was easier with the later style.

I know there is a past thread on this subject because we had a spirited discussion on the subject of the finish of those two screws, and I had to take my shielding apart to satisfy myself regarding that finish.

The orientation of the air cleaner ground clip is discernible from the AIM, but as I remember it took several years of AIM sheets to make sense of it. I can not now remember which years (1968, 1969, and/or 1970), but if no one can definitively determine it sooner I will look when the Holiday is over.

Terry------


My mid-September, 1969 has the 3 piece shield. I will check the original owner October, 1968-built 1969 that belongs to a friend of mine to see if it's a 2 piece.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Ken,

Fortunately it looks like I need the spot welded (i.e. two piece) variety.

-Floyd-

[Floyd B.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

I will check the original owner October, 1968-built 1969 that belongs to a friend of mine to see if it's a 2 piece.

Joe,

I would very much appreciate that because it would verify which version I need.

Thanx,

-Floyd-

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Terry------


My mid-September, 1969 has the 3 piece shield. I will check the original owner October, 1968-built 1969 that belongs to a friend of mine to see if it's a 2 piece.

It would be helpful for the 1968-69 Judging Manual team to know the results of your quest Joe, and also what others have found on original 1969 Corvettes. A good piece of research can always stand to be updated or improved upon.

[Mark D.]

Re: 69 U69 Ignition Shielding

Here is the bottom of a service assembly I purchased for my 69. It is spot welded on both sides. Is this what you guys are calling a three piece assembly (if the top were pictured)?