Restoring a 1985 CCU 4BLL 305 base Firebird to all mechanical (Edelbrock Carb/manifold, GM Performance Dizzy). Carefully removed all emissions devices, harnesses, ECM, etc. and rebuilt/upgraded engine as above (now ready to put back in car). Found this crazy part left over, and have no idea what it is, what it does, or where it came from (see pictures). I know, I know...."you should tag/label all devices during restorations". I really organized everything well and should know what this part is...but I don't. I even carefully searched a 1985 FB GM Shop manual as well as both Chilton and Haynes FB manuals and no mention or pictures of this part. Suspect it may be an emissions harness hold-down but really don't know. Doubt seriously that it is a carburator componant or a transmission mount componant. I just don't have a clue? Is there anybody out there ever seen one of these or that knows what this is....or what it does? Appreciate any ideas.

 

It looks like some sort of guide tube for either wiring or perhaps the transmission dipstick tube... just guessing. I took a bunch of unnecessary bracketry off my car recently- they over-engineer these things sometimes, just to make it impossible to work on!

 

Tube for starter wires IIRC. To shield them from heat.

 

Ya just gotta love the third gen members. My thanks already to micktroup2 and white gold 88. Still don't have completely clear answer to my question on the part identification yet, but greatly appreciate the prompt suggestions and I think we're getting close. I know its not the transmission dipstick housing, cause I already have that on hand and installed on the transmission. But I fully agree that it seems like some type of wiring housing as both of you have suggested. I do hope White gold 88 takes another look at this post, because I'd like to know what "IIRC" stands for with regard to the starter. In fact, I did completely separate the starter motor wires from the engine and battery during teardown, and I set those wires aside as a separate bundle (inches away from where I found the part in question). I haven't yet reinstalled the starter wires cause the engine is still on the rebuild stand. So any further identification, suggestions, pictures and/or clarifications would be very much appreciated. See picture attached of where I am with my engine.

 

IIRC means "If I remember correctly".

That is the heat shield for the starter wires, he is correct. Most of the time they are missing, I guess they fall off of the wires when people replace their starters, and don't put them back.

 

I also will verify that as correct.

 

Part identified! You guys are all correct.....thanks a ton. It is indeed the heat shield for the two starter wires (one hot, one ground), which exit the main engine wiring harness on their way accross the passenger side of the engine down to the starter solenoid. I can see the imprint of this shield on the two wires which are dangling inside my engineless engine compartment. Unfortunately, I still have no clue what the shield used to bolt up to, and the old factory headers have been replaced with Heddmen shorties. Further, all the old emissions brackets, devices and wires have also been removed. I'd sure like to reuse the heat shield, so if anybody knows or has a picture of one installed I would be grateful.
My "before" picture is attached just after pulling my 305. Prior to reinstalling my beautifully updated 305 I am going to rent a tux, and take an "after" picture with a white napkin on one arm, a glass of red wine in the other, and my engine dangling just before droping it my FB. Great Fun!!

 

IIRC, one end bolts to the bell housing with one of the bell housing to engine bolts and the other attached to the same bolt as the starter brace that never got reinstalled either. Mine was in a 84 so I'm sure it's a little different.

 

BTW, you don't look like the wine and tux type!

 

Thanks a million again to white gold 88. It makes perfectly good sense for the shield to be bolted to the bell housing as it will indeed bold up nicely there (explaining the wierd angle of the bracket arms) and then point the shield in exactly the right direction to feed the wires to the starter. Great pickup on your part, and invaluable information to me.....been wracking my brains, losing sleep trying to figure it out.
I'll be running up my rebuilt 305 on a dyno next weeked to make sure everything is timed appropriately and well-sealed before dropping back into my 85 FB.

And actually I don't even own a suit, much less a tux, and vastly prefer scotch or beer, to wine any day.....thus the ultimate irony of the "after" picture.

 

P.S. Installed started today and noted that the heat shield's rear bracket indeed bolts to the bell housing as previously noted. The front bracket lines up perfectly, and is held down by, one of the two bolts which hold the starting solenoid against the starter motor. Problem completely solved. Hope this thread helps others.