1968 GT350 Blower Motor Shield

[Corey Bowcutt]

At SAAC 44 someone asked me why I did not have the "shield" around the blower motor that protrudes into the engine bay from the firewall on the passenger side.  I tried to look at other GT350's at the convention but did not have a huge sample of 68 350's to look at but none there had it.  I did see them on several 67 GT350s there.  Can anyone tell me if a mid February 68 Gt350 would in fact have this shield or not.

Thank you,

Corey

[Peter L.]

  Was that not only found on the 500's and KR's ? (big blocks)

[shelbydoug]

Mine does not.

[68stangcjfb]

As far as I know, that Shield is only used on Big Blocks.  And in the most technical sense, if it's not there, you should not be knocked points off in Concourse classes because the line workers were supposed to remove it before the car came off the assembly line to be reused on other cars coming down the line. This almost never happened because it's such a pain to take off after the engine is actually in the car.

[Bob Gaines]

As far as I know, that Shield is only used on Big Blocks.  And in the most technical sense, if it's not there, you should not be knocked points off in Concourse classes because the line workers were supposed to remove it before the car came off the assembly line to be reused on other cars coming down the line. This almost never happened because it's such a pain to take off after the engine is actually in the car.

The shield was used on both big blocks and small blocks of the 67-68 Shelby variety. With that said ,it was typically taken of off of the small block because it was easy to get to. The bigblock had a tight engine compartment and it was more difficult to get to the shield fashioners. It didn't matter functionally or cosmetically if they left it on so most were left on the BB. No harm no foul. On a 67 GT350 it is more common to see the shield still installed then not. On 68 GT350 it is the opposite.They were still seen but the majority had them taken off it seems.  Given that they were were not typically left on we don't typically do deductions if missing on a SB 67/68. We will however take a small deduction if it never looks like it was ever  there.   There would typically be a witness line, impressions ,scuffs ,missing sound deadener ,etc. in the areas of the fashioners.  The same goes for the transport tie downs.

[68stangcjfb]

 I was not aware of their use on small block cars. Did all the plants use them? And am I correct in assuming this is also a Mustang Cougar thing also? Not just Shelby's? Did this apply to AC and non AC cars? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to expand my knowledge base. Thanks.

[Vcode]

Here's stuff info for the big block usage.

https://www.428cobrajet.org/id-firewall-shield

[Corey Bowcutt]

This has all been very interesting.  I would love to know what it would actually shield against during an engine installation.  It looks too flimsy to provide much protection against a heavy engine mishap?

But thanks for all the help.

Corey

[Bob Gaines]

I was not aware of their use on small block cars. Did all the plants use them? And am I correct in assuming this is also a Mustang Cougar thing also? Not just Shelby's? Did this apply to AC and non AC cars? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to expand my knowledge base. Thanks.

As I mentioned in my post it was in regards to "67-68 Shelby variety" I have only ever noticed the shield on GT350's (besides all big blocks)and the vast majority were 67 GT350's not regular Mustangs. Just haven't studied the regular Mustangs as much as the Shelby's.  I am not sure why they were used on the GT350. There is a shield specific for AC cars and one for non AC cars . There is a shield specific to 67/68 and another style for 69/70. The difference on the AC vs Non AC is a long finger that sticks out for the wrapped AC expansion valve and hoses to be protected. The non AC version ether has the finger bent down to cover the blower motor or alternatively sniped off. Initially I believe there was a effort to distinguish one from another depending on application .  As they got reused I think ether one got stuck on regardless of AC or non AC application.

[Bob Gaines]

This has all been very interesting.  I would love to know what it would actually shield against during an engine installation.  It looks too flimsy to provide much protection against a heavy engine mishap?

But thanks for all the help.

Corey

Yes they are stout enough to help deflect a engine slightly swinging or as it is coming down into position during installation.Been there done that  . I don't think that they were designed to protect against the full weight of a engine dropping from any height. 

[gt350hr]

   Bob ,
      The Big blocks and all the varieties are well documented. Are there any pictures or information on the small block version. I don't recall ever seeing one.
I got some schooling on '69 Shelbys with Magnums so I am ready to be schooled on heater motor shields for '68 small blocks now.
   Forever a student,
      Randy

[Bob Gaines]

   Bob ,
      The Big blocks and all the varieties are well documented. Are there any pictures or information on the small block version. I don't recall ever seeing one.
I got some schooling on '69 Shelbys with Magnums so I am ready to be schooled on heater motor shields for '68 small blocks now.
   Forever a student,
      Randy

Randy,these are observations that I have had over the years. I have never read anything that explains it .   

[Coralsnake]

Should it be there? Maybe.

I would answer the question similar to Mr Gaines.

It was supposed to be removed, like the tie down brackets. Personally, I would not deduct as a judge if it was not there. I also would not deduct for one being present unless it was incorrect or incorrectly installed.