Spark Plug Barrels

[Edward S.]

I have full set of 1965 spark plug barrels - can not remember if the originals or repros have a seam running through them. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bill W.]

Re: Spark Plug Barrels

The ones from 16120 do not have seams

[Wayne M.]

Re: Spark Plug Barrels

I have full set of 1965 spark plug barrels - can not remember if the originals or repros have a seam running through them. Any help would be appreciated.

A set of seven I have (bought off eBay years ago) all show seams when examined from the inside; outside almost undetectable. They were painted black (I stripped part of this one to show the "patina". Also, mine are 3.0" overall length and have a slotted attaching tab. The seam locations vary from ~10 deg. off the bottom, to 45 deg. Believe there has to be a seam, as I can't see how they could extrude seamless on such a thin item. The length and tab type of this one is at odds with GM drawings (Noland, pg. 285) that shows slotted tab shield on a 2_1/2" barrel, [part # 3868828] and hole tab on the 3" one [part # 3871266]. The '65 AIM calls for the "828". But the P&A30 catalogs (from July'65 thru Jan'70, at least) show the "266", under Gr 2.251. The mystery deepens ...

There's lots of previous discussion on these items; search "spark plug shield barrel", although I don't believe seams were mentioned.

The '65 TIM&JG (5th ed.) doesn't discuss seams, overall length or tab type.

[Joe L.]

Re: Spark Plug Barrels

A set of seven I have (bought off eBay years ago) all show seams when examined from the inside; outside almost undetectable. They were painted black (I stripped part of this one to show the "patina". Also, mine are 3.0" overall length and have a slotted attaching tab. The seam locations vary from ~10 deg. off the bottom, to 45 deg. Believe there has to be a seam, as I can't see how they could extrude seamless on such a thin item. The length and tab type of this one is at odds with GM drawings (Noland, pg. 285) that shows slotted tab shield on a 2_1/2" barrel, [part # 3868828] and hole tab on the 3" one [part # 3871266]. The '65 AIM calls for the "828". But the P&A30 catalogs (from July'65 thru Jan'70, at least) show the "266", under Gr 2.251. The mystery deepens ...

There's lots of previous discussion on these items; search "spark plug shield barrel", although I don't believe seams were mentioned.

The '65 TIM&JG (5th ed.) doesn't discuss seams, overall length or tab type.

Wayne------


I'd be amazed if these shields were manufactured in any way other than seamed. Any other manner would have been higher cost and to absolutely no benefit whatsoever. Yes, as you mention, the seams may be hard to discern but they're there.

[Edward S.]

Re: Spark Plug Barrels

Thanks everyone for the help. I remember how long it took me to find correct ones - cost big bucks. So I thought I took them off after judging and put repros. back on until next judged show, Just got confused with the seam/no seam issue. The mind is the next thing to go after eyesight.

[Bill W.]

Re: Spark Plug Barrels

Edward I guess I didnt understand the question Yes mine do have a welded seam . I thought you were talking about a open or overlaped seam .