69 L46 starter brace and shield

[Richard R.]

a bit of a fit problem. I installed the starter (from Pirkle - very nice) in my L46 and went to install the brace and shield (from Paragon) and the darn brace is too long. The distance from the stud on the starter to the block is 4", the brace is 5". The starter I took off was a replacement from who knows when, and was missing the brace and shield. However it has the same dimensions of the correct one I got from John. Any suggestions? perhaps another supplier?

Thanks guys,

Rich

[Bill L.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

a bit of a fit problem. I installed the starter (from Pirkle - very nice) in my L46 and went to install the brace and shield (from Paragon) and the darn brace is too long. The distance from the stud on the starter to the block is 4", the brace is 5". The starter I took off was a replacement from who knows when, and was missing the brace and shield. However it has the same dimensions of the correct one I got from John. Any suggestions? perhaps another supplier?

Thanks guys,

Rich

69-70 L46 uses the smaller brace. There are plenty of original braces that show up on ebay. An indented hex head screw attaches the shield to the brace and the brace is attached to the starter with a unique crimp nut.

I would get pictures of my 70 L46 but am out of town.

Kindest Regards,


Bill

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

Thanks much Bill.

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

anyone know the part number for this shorty? my aim shows 3932398 but that is for the 5" version, I think.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

anyone know the part number for this shorty? my aim shows 3932398 but that is for the 5" version, I think.

Richard-------

GM #3932398 is a big block brace. The original brace for your application was GM #3851294. This was later replaced by GM #354353. The latter is still available from GM.

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

Thanks much Joe.

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

Resolution: I picked up a brace on the internet - GM part no 396-5589. Perfect fit. The brace bought from Paragon was an inch longer. below are pics of the two sided by side, along with the installed brace.

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[Joe L.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

Resolution: I picked up a brace on the internet - GM part no 396-5589. Perfect fit. The brace bought from Paragon was an inch longer. below are pics of the two sided by side, along with the installed brace.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]68808[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]68809[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]68810[/ATTACH]

Richard------

The GM #3965589 brace will work but, strictly speaking, it's not correct for a 1969. The 3965589 was first used for the 1970 model year. Just how it differs from the 1969 brace, I don't know.

[Richard R.]

Re: 69 L46 starter brace and shield

Well, it has been confirmed - I am losing my mind.

When I took the car apart 4 years ago, I thought I was well organized. parts bagged and tagged. photos on every aspect taken. bagged parts boxed by major components. stacked on shelving and in attic for easy access. Yet still parts turn up missing. how can that be?

The other night, I was looking for something else (I haven't found it yet) and guess what I did find? yes, the missing starter brace and shield that I thought I didn't have. oh brother. I have to apologize for consuming time on questions that I didn't need to ask. Anyhow, for those 69 owners in the future I post the pictures below comparing the brace and shield that came off the car, with the parts I bought and now don't need.

First pic is of the shield from paragon and the original. notice the original shield is narrower. second pic is a close up of the marking on the shield. Third pic is the bolt with head marking. fourth pic is the original on top of GM part that Joe says is from a 1970. note that it is just a bit shorter than the original.

Rich

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