When I changed out the oil pump on my 77 Aspen there was a shield under the oil pump. One of the tabs that hold it on was broke off and on a different bolt. I left it off to weld it back together and put it back on. Is this a rock shield, a heat sheild or what? It alerted me that the pump had been changed to an earlier model (6 bolt w/stand pipe). I was wondering about this while I was driving 6 hours to Wyoming in pouring rain and hoping it wasn't a rain shield. I think it sits to far back for a rain shield. So what is it's purpose and do I need it?
Thanks Mike

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Thanks Mike

It is a water shield, used to protect the distributor, mounted above the oil pump.

I feel that the shield has "limited value" seeing that it protects when water comes-in from the side and up, like when the front right tire hits a puddle.
I leave the shield off most SL6 engine I build and never had a problem.
DD

Thanks Doc,
I drove it thru 6 hours of bad rain without a problem. I was 2 hours into the drive before the thought of splash shield hit me. I guess I only spent 4 hours worring. The last 1 1/2 of the first 2 I was worried about wipers as I had one fly off and grabbed a replacement from a friends A body collection and had to drive that hour and a half to get to a parts store. The worrier I am I'll probably weld it up and put it back on. Thanks for the info.
Mike

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Thanks Mike

I have a couple of those I welded that spot back up...I just pulled one of the engines and pulled the pump, the sheild cracked again same spot....



-D.Idiot