Big block distributor shield, repo or not?

[Scott Marzahl]

I reviewed the 67 judging manual for any indication on tell tale signs if a 427 distributor shield is repo or original. Besides the accumulation of surface rust on this thing I'm assuming that the type and style of rivet and ground clip may be the key.

Thanks,
Scott

[Craig S.]

Re: Big block distributor shield, repo or not?

Another observation is the visual quality and metal thickness. I have a NOS cover for my 66 427/425 I found at Carlisle a couple years ago with a 68 date code on the box, and the attention to detail on metal prep before plating is not great, more rough and not as smooth and nice looking as the repro parts....I have also see the repros being made from thinner guage steel, but this observation is in the Shark years, not sure if this applies to midyears....Craig

[Rob A.]

Re: Big block distributor shield, repo or not?

I had both an original and repro for my '67, and It was hard to find any real, consistent differences between them. The only difference I could see for sure, as you suggest, is the clip and its' rivets.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Big block distributor shield, repo or not?

Rob, I have an original distributor shield on my 67 BB but the rivets and clip are after market. Can you describe the differences of "original" to "aftermarket" for those items? Is there a washer inside the shield under the rivets? I need to install the new clip, as the original broke off long ago.

[Rob A.]

Re: Big block distributor shield, repo or not?

Steve,

I disscarded the reproduction rivets from LIC and reused the originals. If I remember correctly, the originals were not aluminum, but steel(stainless perhaps) and the heads were a bit smaller. There were washers on the inside of the shielding. Hope that helps some.