63 r-side spark plug shield issue

[Stanley D.]

Hi
First time post. Need advice on removing right side spark plug shield. Having hard time removing. Does the battery and heater hoses have to be removed? Got the wing nuts off but no clearance to slide the shield out. Trying not to scratch the shield or frame. Engine is a 327/340 HP and no Air. Any tips would be appriciated.
Thanks
Stanley Davis 45842

[Richard M.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

Stanley, I feel your pain. Went through this before. See this thread, post#8.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ghlight=shield

In short, I had to move the battery(note NOT remove) to get clearance, then remove/install shield from underneath so the exp tank didn't need to move.

Rich

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

I do mine from beneath also, although it has been a number of years since I last did it. The first time, in 1963, I bent mine in the middle to get it out (not cool I know). It has since been damaged by battery acid.

Stu Fox

[Stanley D.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

Thanks for the tips. I'll give it a shot.

[John D.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

Hi Stanley, Glad you made the post as for once it's good timing for me. My 63 FI car has an old repro RH shield on it. Got dinged at a regional by Doc Mike. You see he reached inside of the fake shield with grubby pawls and saw it had no reinforcment. Then he promptly smiled and said to old JD. Gotcha. It was very funny and we all laughed.
Recently my son found my original rusty RH one piece shield up in the attic but I already bought one and had it chrome plated. Told the plater no show chrome. Just crappy chrome job please. Anyhow now that I learned from your post that it's easier to remove/install the shield with the battery out that's a big plus because the battery just got rebuild but is not installed.
Ron Libengood in Pittsburgh area rebuilt my old tar top. So I will replace the repro shield and then install the battery. Thanks very much, John

[Paul Y.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

Hi Stanley, Glad you made the post as for once it's good timing for me. My 63 FI car has an old repro RH shield on it. Got dinged at a regional by Doc Mike. You see he reached inside of the fake shield with grubby pawls and saw it had no reinforcment. Then he promptly smiled and said to old JD. Gotcha. It was very funny and we all laughed.
Recently my son found my original rusty RH one piece shield up in the attic but I already bought one and had it chrome plated. Told the plater no show chrome. Just crappy chrome job please. Anyhow now that I learned from your post that it's easier to remove/install the shield with the battery out that's a big plus because the battery just got rebuild but is not installed.
Ron Libengood in Pittsburgh area rebuilt my old tar top. So I will replace the repro shield and then install the battery. Thanks very much, John

Thanks to JD's advice I don't use that shield or any other sheilds on my 63 Fuely driver. I had it on till I changed spark plugs and after the hard way I had getting it off I find that it looks so much better hanging on my shop wall. Wait, I do use the side ones that cover the wires coming up the back because they don't touch anything important.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

I used to leave mine off before I changed to electronic ignition conversion. Now, it is so rare that I need to change plugs that I have left them on for the past 7 or 8 years. As I recall, I changed them the year before we moved to Florida (2004) when I changed my battery. I only recently started looking at what is still available as replacements for AC-44's (J-8Y's). I actually prefer the Champions as they are less likely to rust into the heads.

My current battery is a dry look-a-like and weighs a whole lot less, so removing it for a plug change is easy (a one hander).

Stu fox

[Stanley D.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

I used to leave mine off before I changed to electronic ignition conversion. Now, it is so rare that I need to change plugs that I have left them on for the past 7 or 8 years. As I recall, I changed them the year before we moved to Florida (2004) when I changed my battery. I only recently started looking at what is still available as replacements for AC-44's (J-8Y's). I actually prefer the Champions as they are less likely to rust into the heads. My current battery is a dry look-a-like and weighs a whole lot less, so removing it for a plug change is easy (a one hander). Stu fox

Stu, thanks for the info. You mentioned the dry look-a-like. Who makes the battery and where can someone purchase one? Thanks again.

[Bob R.]

Re: 63 r-side spark plug shield issue

I just replaced the plugs on my 63 and I was able to disconnect the shield and slid it over enough to get all of the plugs without actually removing the shield. The rear two plugs can be accessed from below and were not that difficult, the number two can be accessed from the front and although difficult can be done, the number 4 was the tough one. I slid the shield over enough to get a spark plug socket with a short extension on it by the shield then used a rachet to remove. It took some patience. The last time I removed the shield completely I found the easiest way was to remove the heater hoses. Drain down the radiator and pull the hoses out of the way. I little bit of a paiin but with the hoses out the shield is accessible. With the hoses out of the way the shield will come out from the top. I think the heater hoses are easier to remove then the battery.