starter brace and bolt

[Timothy B.]

Is there a difference between a 1963 starter brace and a 1967 brace? I have two that look the same and both have a hole near the top where the heat shield bolts on. Is it true that in 1963 there is no heat shield used on the starter? Both braces have what looks to be a B stamped into them around the middle of the brace.

I would also like to know what the correct screw looks like that holds the brace to the engine block, and the correct screw that attaches the heat shield to the brace? I have a E headmark 5/16" x 1/2" long with a fixed serrated washer but I am not sure if this is correct.

Thanks for your help, Timothy Barbieri

[Joe L.]

Re: starter brace and bolt

Tim------

Yes, there certainly is a difference between a 1963 and 1967 starter brace, although the 2 are functionally interchangeable. The 1963 and, possibly, early 1964 brace was GM #3816511. The 1964 through 67 brace was GM #3851294. These are easy to discern. The 1963 brace has a slot in one end and a hole in the other for attachment. The 64-67 brace has a hole in each end, one of which replaces the slot used for 1963. The 64-67 brace replaced the 63 brace for SERVICE. Another brace came along much later for SERVICE and is GM #354353.

1963 used no solenoid heat shield. 1964-67 did use a solenoid heat shield of GM #3851295. This was later replaced by shield GM #3959552 which was first used in PRODUCTION for the 1969 model year. The differences between these shields are minor, but I don't recall what they are.

The screw that you described sounds correct for the attachment of the shield to the brace. I don't recall the head configuration of the brace-to-block bolt.

[Timothy B.]

Re: starter brace and bolt

Thanks for responding Joe, your information is very helpful. I will have to look for a correct brace for my 63.