RFI Shield?

[Peter G.]

Where can you get a RFI ignition shield that goes in the distributor?

It is a two piece metal item and it covers the ignition points and condenser under the distributor cap. It is used to prevent radio interferance.

Does someone repo this part?

Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: RFI Shield?

Where can you get a RFI ignition shield that goes in the distributor?

It is a two piece metal item and it covers the ignition points and condenser under the distributor cap. It is used to prevent radio interferance.

Does someone repo this part?

Thanks.

Peter-----


It seems like I saw someplace recently that the shield is available in reproduction. The problem is, I don't recall where I saw it.

In any event, these things come up for sale on eBay with some regularity. Also, you might find one inside any 1970-74 GM points-type distributor. However, many were "tossed" years ago when the original contact set + condenser was replaced with a Uniset type pointset. The shield will not fit properly with a Uniset and it was not necessary with Uniset.

[Jack H.]

Re: RFI Shield?

Yes, the shield made its debut in mid-1970 when GM surprised the competition with a 'new' feature-function; radio antenna embedded in windshield glass...

The shield was installed in the distributor to thwart RFI interference with the windshield embedded antenna option. Corvette never provided this feature/function because with a fiberglass body, designers learned WAY BACK, that they needed to mount the radio antenna as FAR away from the engine compartment as possible AND wrap the distributor with discrete shielding...

So, why then would Corvette accept the extra expense of having shields added inside the distributor cap when the whole distributor was already shielded with external parts? The answer is simple...

They found they could reduce the cost/complexity of external shield AND delete the discrete spark plug shields on the front four cylinders. Early '70 cars sported a 2-piece distributor shield while late '70 cars and those that followed used a simple L-shaped, 1-piece, shield to cover the distributor. The inside-the-cap shields actually provided a cost reduction to Corvette!

You'll find original shields still listed in various Corvette catalogs, like Chicago Corvette....

[Patrick H.]

Re: RFI Shield?

You'll find original shields still listed in various Corvette catalogs, like Chicago Corvette....

I'd rather eat broken glass than...

Anyway, the shields were also used in other GM lines of the same era. They started early 70 model year in other cars, specifically I know of my Sept 69 build 1970 Olds Cutlass. So, there are many that were produced and they're not exceltionally hard to find. Mid 70 Model year is when they started in Corvettes specifically and the change occurred concurrently with the change in ignition shielding as Jack notes.

Patrick

[Peter G.]

Re: RFI Shield?

Thanks guys for the replies. I know of eBay and auto salvage yards, but wondered if anyone repo this item to get it quickly?

Does anyone have a contact for Chicago Corvette or do they have a website?

Thanks,

[Patrick H.]

Re: RFI Shield?

You just missed one yesterday for $11.50

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170222177199&rd=1

[Ken C.]

Re: RFI Shield?

Pete,
You may want to try Norm Werners corvette parts. Out of florida. I bought one off him at regionals this past jan. in orlando area. He said he had others. Was NOS and had all mounting screws, in box
think his site is wernersparts.com

[Peter G.]

Re: RFI Shield?

Thanks guys for the additional contact information.

Yes Patrick I missed it on eBay! Like many items on eBay you don't know what is the perfect wording to search for? I had a search for "RFI Shield" with no hits in a week?

I will give these vendors a call.

[Peter G.]

Re: RFI Shield?

Thanks to Ken and everyone for their help with this part.

Today I ordered a RFI Shield from Werners parts and should see it in a few days. Now I am trying to remember when I replaced my distributor cap last month if the points and condenser were the two piece parts or the one piece? Since I understand that the one piece will not fit under the RFI shield. Frankly back in the early 70's when I was tuninng up GM cars with the points setup and shield remember what fits and what doesn't?

Oh well I guess I will remember soon enough.

Thanks again. Another missing part crossed off my list!