Mystery C2 Splash Shield Asm.w/C60, #3833398

[Wayne M.]

My '65 AIM refers to this part on UPC C60, Sheet B1, with that circular symbol [resembling an eclipse of the moon] meaning the following part(s) are installed same as regular production.

Where does this go ? What regular production component does it replace ?

The (inner) underbody splash shields are Gr.1.287 3846935-6 (L-R, except for L78, RH # 33876482)

The (outer) splash shield asm's (the ones with rubber seal stapled to, except N14) are Gr. 8.153, 3797275-6. Interestingly, in the same group is the Filler, front fender skirt, left, (commonly refered to as Battery Access Panel) with part # one digit LESS (3833397) than the mystery part.

[Michael H.]

Re: Mystery C2 Splash Shield Asm.w/C60, #3833398

Wayne,

I'm going to take a guess at this one. The part number 3833398 is about right numerically for a mid 1963 model year release, the same time C60 was released so I have to assume it's also in the 63 AIM. It's also an even number so it's for the right side. The original triangular shaped pan under the battery, part number 3797276, had a notch in one side that fit around the leg of the battery tray. Since the tray was moved to the left side of an AC car, the notch was removed from the pan so it fit against the frame completely and it was issued a new number.

I don't recall ever seeing one shaped that way tho......

Michael

[Wayne M.]

My 396 has a notch-fill tab; but not my C60

Interesting that you mention this -- you may be correct, although I haven't found this part # in the obvious part Groups, or part # history indexes.

Roger Gibson, in a Winter 1993 article in the RESTORER (Vol 19, # 3) says that a '66 L72 sidepipe car, VIN 06515, that he was restoring had (quote):

"The right side filler panel on this car had a piece of metal spot welded to it, which covered the indentation typically needed to clear the battery box. The box had plenty of clearance with the indention filled. I have not seen this on other 1966 or 1967 cars. I have seen this on 1965 396 cars, where the battery is on the left-hand (driver's) side...."

His article shows a photo of the splash shield (no rubber seal or staples, as it was a N14 car), and it is the same filler-tab I have on my 396. Mine also has the remnants of the rubber seal and staples (that must have been some strong staple machine that (John H. ?) described earlier, because one staple pierced the two layers of metal, where the spot-welded tab overlaps the shield.)

Since splash shield # 3833398 appears in the '65 AIM for C60, it's strange that it shows up on my late L78, but not my early C60 (neither were factory N14 cars).

I have never seen another "in-the-flesh" example of this on any other car, and would appreciate hearing if any on this board have one or have seen one.

[Michael H.]

Re: My 396 has a notch-fill tab; but not my C60

Wayne,

I have the filler panel from a 66 L72 side exh car, #5644, and it has the exact same tab that you mention. It's spot welded in place and looks a bit crude but I knew it was factory. I've saved this part for almost 25 years because I was convinced it was correct but at that time, no one else believed me. I know I have a pic of this somewhere but it may be a while before I can find it. It's a bit rusty and that's the reason it was replaced on the car but you can still clearly see the piece of metal that had been added. It looks like a rectangle with a peaked roof. (difficult to describe) There were no holes for staples.

I have to wonder if this could be the 3833398? I also wonder if it was originally a conventional 3797276 that had a filler plate spot welded in place at the Mill instead of at the part vendor. That could explain why the part number never appeared in the parts book. Another mystery solved?

Michael

[Michael H.]

Found The Picture

This is the original from a 66 425 HP w/side exh. The additional spot welded piece is easy to see.

[Michael H.]

Scan of 3797376 and 3833398 *NM*