A 1963 340 Question

[Joel T.]

Guys;

A small question but one which has been bugging me for some time.. The clearance between the 340 air cleaner and distributor shield..

My car has what I believe to be the original chrome air cleaner.. The car also has a reproduction distributor shield. There is like zero clearance between the two... the cover of the air cleaner actually rests on top of the distributor shield, like 1/8", and when bolted down the two are in constant contact.

Is this correct?

Joel

[William C.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Have a picture?

[Stuart F.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel;

Mine makes contact via a toothed clip on the distributor top shield. Much of the alignment of the shield is determined by the position of the spark plug wire brackets on either side to which the shield attaches. Loosening the manifold bolts and/bending them some can afford additional clearance. However, there are many interrelated things to consider, including the shield's fit over the plug wires and cap, as well as the top shield's engagement with the vertical shields, etc. I spent a lot of time on mine when I last changed wires to ensure a good fit and lessen any chances of cross fire by using plastic wire separators. Even then, when I have the top shield off and replace it, I sometimes have to give it a final push backward on one or both sides to get the attachment bolts in.

Stu Fox

[Joel T.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Have a picture?

Bill;

Here you go! You can see the extent to which there is interference... I have the correct 129 manifold and the correct AFB in there. The distributor shield is a '63 repop

Joel
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[Tom H.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

My air cleaner on my 63 340 makes contact with the shielding.

[Joel T.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel;

Mine makes contact via a toothed clip on the distributor top shield. Much of the alignment of the shield is determined by the position of the spark plug wire brackets on either side to which the shield attaches. Loosening the manifold bolts and/bending them some can afford additional clearance. However, there are many interrelated things to consider, including the shield's fit over the plug wires and cap, as well as the top shield's engagement with the vertical shields, etc. I spent a lot of time on mine when I last changed wires to ensure a good fit and lessen any chances of cross fire by using plastic wire separators. Even then, when I have the top shield off and replace it, I sometimes have to give it a final push backward on one or both sides to get the attachment bolts in.

Stu Fox

Stu;

I have been through most of what you have outlined.. I also keep a split piece of vacuum hose on the lower rear edge of the distributor shield to protect that "pink wire". If you get a minute could you post a picture of yours so I can get an idea as to what it should look like....?

This car had a bunch of odd ball parts on it when I picked it in in 2005. The distributor shield which came with it was off of a 1965 as were the heads (it now has Jan '63 heads in there) along with a steel case T10 wide ratio and the original 3.70 rear with 3.36 gears inside.. I keep finding stuff!

I'm just wondering if there is something else I am missing here by way of incorrect parts.... I've looked at this interference for some time now and every time I see it I say to myself "this can't be right"!

Joel

[Stuart F.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel;

I'll try to get some photos this afternoon, but I don't know if they will show what I think I see as the problem. The front radius portion (closest to the air cleaner) of my top shield is tapered or beveled, When I hold a measuring tape up across the top of the air cleaner and sight down to the vertical portion of the front of the shield, I see a good 1/4" clearance. At the actual edge of the air cleaner to the shield, due to the bevel, I have at least 1/2" clearance. FWIW, when I put my hand down behind the shield, I can barely get my fingers between it and the wiper motor. My clip on the front of the shield barely makes contact with the air cleaner housing.

I suspect the repro shields do not have the bevel, rather maintain the same radius all across the leading edge of the housing.

Does that explain it for you, or do you still want the pictures?

Stu Fox

[Joel T.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel;

I'll try to get some photos this afternoon, but I don't know if they will show what I think I see as the problem. The front radius portion (closest to the air cleaner) of my top shield is tapered or beveled, When I hold a measuring tape up across the top of the air cleaner and sight down to the vertical portion of the front of the shield, I see a good 1/4" clearance. At the actual edge of the air cleaner to the shield, due to the bevel, I have at least 1/2" clearance. FWIW, when I put my hand down behind the shield, I can barely get my fingers between it and the wiper motor. My clip on the front of the shield barely makes contact with the air cleaner housing.

I suspect the repro shields do not have the bevel, rather maintain the same radius all across the leading edge of the housing.

Does that explain it for you, or do you still want the pictures?

Stu Fox

Hmmmm... yes it does... My repop has that same radius... I'll check the clearance between the shield and the wiper motor but my recollection it id fairly significant.. Hold off on the pictures...

I'm wondering if '63 had different side mounts for that distributor shield....

Joel

[Daniel K.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel,

On my 63, 340hp car, IIRC the only engagement of the distributor shield and air cleaner is via the clip on the distributor shield. I can send a picture of the set-up, but I won't be able to do so until tomorrow.

Dan K.

[Joel T.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel,

On my 63, 340hp car, IIRC the only engagement of the distributor shield and air cleaner is via the clip on the distributor shield. I can send a picture of the set-up, but I won't be able to do so until tomorrow.

Dan K.

Dan... If it is not too much trouble, please do. Thx, Joel

[William C.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Adjust the side mounting brackets rearward and you should lose the interference.

[Stuart F.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel;

Noland Adam's Restoration Guide -Vol.2 63-67, Pages 163 thru 165, shows a number of pictures and describes the early and later versions of the 63 top Ignition shields. The "Beveled" leading edge of which I spoke is quite evident. If indeed your repro unit does not have that bevel, then it is easy to see where you have an interference problem.

Loosening the side brackets and readjusting backward may help, but as I said before, it is all inter-related. My vertical shields are very close (driver's side) and touching the valve cover (passenger side). There just is not much "give" room there to be had.

I have pictures now, but I believe the book's photos/drawings show it better.

Stu Fox

[Daniel K.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel,

[Joel T.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel,

Dan;

Thanks for posting the pictures... Is your top shield original? Yours has that notch up front on top which Stu referenced yesterday and does not touch the intake manifold down below.....Mine is a repop, with no notch and which extends down and contacts the intake. I need to pull those mounting brackets apart and see what gives... Something ain't right as the man used to say!

Thanks!

Joel

[Daniel K.]

Re: A 1963 340 Question

Joel,

To the best of my knowledge, the distributor shield is original to the car. Purchased the car from a fellow during the Bloomington Gold event in 2002. The car was one of the main features in the auction brochure and was told the car was a NCRS Top Flight car. Talked to the then owner and he gave me all the documents when the car was judged and I am pretty sure this is the real deal as far as the shielding is concerned. Confirmed, shielding does not touch the intake manifold.