69 external fuel filter bracket

[Tim B.]

Regarding the external fuel filter bracket - I'm looking for an original bracket, or an accurate reproduction. The TIMJG says the bracket has an inverted "P" stamped into it. Received a rude e-mail from someone at Doc Rebuild who said the "**** Corvette Restorer Society" probably has seen too many of the Paragon brackets and thinks the "P" for Paragon is correct from the factory.

Can someone tell me if the bracket is supposed to have the "P" and where I might find a correct one? A picture of one would also be great.

Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 external fuel filter bracket

Regarding the external fuel filter bracket - I'm looking for an original bracket, or an accurate reproduction. The TIMJG says the bracket has an inverted "P" stamped into it. Received a rude e-mail from someone at Doc Rebuild who said the "**** Corvette Restorer Society" probably has seen too many of the Paragon brackets and thinks the "P" for Paragon is correct from the factory.

Can someone tell me if the bracket is supposed to have the "P" and where I might find a correct one? A picture of one would also be great.

Thanks

Timothy------


Well, the 'ol Doc doesn't get things like this wrong too often but I think he may finally have missed on one. The original bracket from my 1969 300/350 does, indeed, have a "P" on it. Since I'm the original owner of the car and I know I've never changed this bracket, I know this is the original one.

So, where to get one? Well, the GM piece, GM #3932342, was discontinued without supercession in September, 1982 so I don't expect that there would be too many NOS examples lying around. Plus, it's a Corvette-only piece. However, it is reproduced. This is one of those rare cases in which if Paragon stamps it with a "P" representing Paragon, it makes the part correct at the same time. If they stamp it with a "P" to mimic the original manufacturer's ID code, it makes it correct for that reason, too. So, either way, it's correct!

However, if you happen to come across one of these things that doesn't have a stamped "P" on it, I have a solution for that, too. For that see my following post.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 external fuel filter bracket

Regarding the external fuel filter bracket - I'm looking for an original bracket, or an accurate reproduction. The TIMJG says the bracket has an inverted "P" stamped into it. Received a rude e-mail from someone at Doc Rebuild who said the "**** Corvette Restorer Society" probably has seen too many of the Paragon brackets and thinks the "P" for Paragon is correct from the factory.

Can someone tell me if the bracket is supposed to have the "P" and where I might find a correct one? A picture of one would also be great.

Thanks

Timothy------

This is the handy little device that enables you to transform an otherwise correct GF-432 mounting bracket lacking a "P" to a one with a "P". This particular one is part of an inexpensive Harbor Freight numeral stamping set. And lo-and-behold the character fits the original "P" stamping PERFECTLY. So, the stamped character should be indistinguishable from the original. The "P" on the Paragon reproduction might not even do that. If it doesn't, then you'd be better off finding a bracket without the "P" and stamping your own with a stamp from the Harbor Freight set. I mean, if your "P" is "off", you might end up getting "blind-sided" by some discriminating judge! A point here, a point there, the next thing you know you're second flight!

By the way, as far as that "rude" e-mail goes, you better save that. One of these days those are going to be collector's items, sold for Big $$$$ on eBay and at Butterfield and Butterfield toney auctions. Dr. Rebuild catalogs, too. They're more precious to me than my parts collection.

Correction:

I was incorrect about it being a Harbor Freight set. I initially just looked at the box which is blue like Harbor Freight boxes. However, as it turns out, this was a set I bought years ago at Post Tool which I don't think is in business any longer. They were a similar operation to Harbor Freight, though. This set is labeled at "3 mm"

[Tim B.]

Re: 69 external fuel filter bracket

Thanks for your help. Don't think rude comments will be worth saving. The way our society seems to be going, they'll be a dime a dozen.

Tim

[Alan S.]

Re: 69 external fuel filter bracket

Hi Tim,
When I have to call Bridgeport I pray that Mrs. Doc will be answering the phone. I believe she got Doc's ration of pleasantness in addition to her own. She even remembers and speaks to me at Carlisle. BUT, neither were there this year?!?!
I agree with Joe's point to about the quality and usefullness of Doc's catalog.
Regards,
Alan