Reversion Plate
The eight throats of the Weber carbs make an impressive sight that sets the GT apart from many lesser conveyances. But that awesome look is not really original. The Mark I GT 40 had a reversion plate mounted above the Weber carbs. The Webers were hidden from view. Its purpose has been variously described by different sources as protecting the Webers from errant debris being dropped inside, protecting the rear glass from backfires, or maximizing the flow of air into those eight throats. That later is likely the primary purpose.
The point, however, is that an accurate reproduction should have a reversion plate covering the carbs. But who in their right mind wants to cover the carbs? How about the GT that uses a single four barrel instead of Weber carbs?
A Holley type carb just does not look right on a GT, Mark I. So we sought a way to conceal the dreadful truth – that we no longer had Webers.
There was some variation in the style of reversion plates used on the originals. The early Mark I used a setup ideally suited to our needs. A rectangular shape with a downward lip, supported by five bolts mounted on a flat pan at the base of the Weber’s air horns. Easily duplicated.
We made up the usual pattern. The dimensions were 18 inches by 12 inches with a three quarter inch lip. The corners have a one half inch radius. Once satisfied that it would clear the clip, cover the carb, and not interfere with the glass, we contacted Fran at RCR and asked if he could fabricate it for us.
The RCR crew did an excellent job. The cover is made from a hefty piece of aluminum, the corners are nicely curved, and the inside corners welded in typical RCR fashion.
Five holes were drilled for quarter inch bolts. The four corner bolts are non functional, intended to duplicate the look of the original
An oval billet aluminum air cleaner was purchased. (Summit BSP-15329). It was not cheap. But the smooth top plate provided a good mounting surface for the reversion plate. The last bolt hole was drilled dead center and the screw goes directly through the billet cover plate into the carb. A couple of strips of 1/16 inch foam tape keep it from sliding.
The aluminum reversion plate was sanded with 400 grit followed by 800 grit paper. It was primed and again sanded. Then it was painted our usual engine low gloss black. It matches the inner area of the rear clip perfectly.
A lower plate and deflector to reduce head from the collectors affecting the carb could be fabricated, much like the early Mark I GT. That may be our next project.
At some point we may move up to Dyna Tech fuel injection. But for now we have a really sweet running engine, well suited to frequent road trips, that looks similar to the original early Mark I.
