Ignition shielding, 1970

[Jeff A.]

Now that I have all of the shielding parts, I can't find a good chart ( even in the AIM ) as to where it all goes and connects. Does anyone have such an item or can direct me to a chart. Thanks Jeff

[William C.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

Look at the U-69 section of the assy manual

[Jim T.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

Jeff my original owner 70 has the plug wire shielding that attches to each side of the block, easy to figure out which side piece shielding goes where. The two vertical pieces attach to the shielding that covers the distrubutor and coil. Of the remaining two pieces, the shield with the big hole in it goes on passsenger side over the two rear spark plugs, the hole is for the temp sender connector and wires to go through to connect to the temp sender in the cylinder head and the other shield attaches to the drivers side rear spark plug position. Front plugs have no shielding like earlier Corvettes

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

"Front plugs have no shielding like earlier Corvettes"

That statement depends on when in the 1970 model your car was produced. My 1970 was produced early in the MY and has chrome shielding on the front set of plugs. I believe this is pretty well covered in the 1970-1972 TIM&JG.

[Jim T.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

Terry my 70 is a July car and came with the dual snorkel air cleaner. Did your early 70 come with the open element air cleaner also?

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

Jim,
Mine is LT1, so it is open element -- LT1s retained the open element all the way through to 1972. However, as early as mine is (January 29) I would expect an open element regardless the engine style.

IIRC (without checking the TIM&JG) the open/closed element style, 4 to 2 spark plug shields, and distributor shield box to one-piece shield changes all took place in the 12,000 serial number range +/- 1000 units. I'm sure if my memory is off someone will correct me.

LT1s, while retaining the open element air cleaner, did have the change in distributor shield and the 4 to 2 spark plug shields at the same time as the other 1970 SB engines.

These little details are what make 1970 such a fascinating model year.

[Tony Merendino]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

I also have an early build 70 Jan 29 build date. It is a 350/300 HP engine with what appears to be an original open air cleaner. It also only has the rear ignition shielding. No shielding or shielding brackets on the front 2 plugs on either side. I have been trying to figure if the original shields and brackets were removed or never assembled.

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

I'm surprised at the lack of front spark plug shields -- mine built the same day has all four shields. If nothing else we can always count on stuff happening.
Nice to hear of someone with a Corvette from the same day. Mine is s/n 2161

[Tony H.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

My late July-built 1970 BB has the dual snorkel and the 3-piece distributor shielding in place. I have no reason to believe these are not original to the car even though they don't exactly match the approximate 12000 serial number range offered in the TIM&JG.

[Tony H.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

According to the TIM&JG 3rd ed, my configuration is covered. While the 12000 sn appproximately marks the changeover to closed air cleaner, the box type shielding did not take place until around 16716 for BBs.

[Terry M.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

OK, I'll bow to the book. I just never learn to look first before shooting off my mouth. What does the book say about the box type shielding for small blocks and the 4 to 2 spark plug shields?

[Tony H.]

Re: Ignition shielding, 1970

Here's what the TIM&JG says, paraphrased, about small block box shielding and 4-to-2 spark plug shields:

Box shield used to about SN 14,073 (12,824 to 14,073 both box and single-piece shielding).

Supports are brush painted for aluminum intake, spray painted with motor otherwise.

4 spark plug shields used up to SN 14,073 (11,015 to 14,073 both 2 and 4 SP shields observed). Some transitions with box shielding and 2 (rear) spark plug shields observed.