65 L78 Distr. Ign. Shield (early ? late ?)

[Wayne Midkiff (3437)]

What's the consensus out there; the '65 TM&JG waffles on whether this larger "keyhole" for the points adjustment is for early L78's, or later. Quote: "It is unkown which design was used first". IMO, it's the late design, but I want other opinions. Maybe this uncertainty is due to Noland's Vol 2 pgs 304, 305, (GM engineering drawings of the two versions) where he labels the small keyhole as the second type.

Did early '66 big blocks use this ?

Try clicking on the link at the bottom of the auto-load picture for a view of the back.

[Michael Hanson (4067)]

Re: 65 L78 Distr. Ign. Shield (early ? late ?)

Wayne,

I believe the shield pictured is the same as the original on 14,971, a very early car. I'll try to dig out a pic and some info if possible.

[Bill Williamson (3245)]

Re: 65 L78 Distr. Ign. Shield (early ? late ?)

The orig shield off 16120 is the big opening like yours..I always found it strange that the 65s only had 425 horse BBs & had shielding with a point adjusting hole and all of the cars had TI???.Kind off makes you wonder if they had a smaller HP option plan. or if TI was going to be an option ?????? HMMMMM maybe they had a plan for those 961 2 bolt blocks... 390 hp ????Bill

[Michael Hanson (4067)]

Re: 65 L78 Distr. Ign. Shield (early ? late ?)

Bill,

You are correct. The 396 engine option was not originally going to include TI, and it wasn't to be a mandatory option. It was going to be an available option for that engine until a month or so before the engine was released. At that time, the decision was made to change TI to a mandatory extra cost option. By that time, the shielding had been manufactured by the vendor and was ready to ship, with the window for point adjustment. Not sure why the size of the window changed or why the entire lower section of the opening was removed later.

[Robert Margolies (32164)]

Re: 65 L78 Distr. Ign. Shield (early ? late ?)

Wayne, the shield you have posted is the same as the original on my car #15639.