69 big block starter heat shield

[nuch_ss396]

Hello everyone!

I've visited your site numerous times in the past to look
through all of the restoration info posted here. It's a
gold-mine! I decided to become a member earlier today.
Yes, I did just give a donation to the SYC via. Paypal!
It was my chance to give something back.

I need to enlist the assistance of any of you who can help
me verify the validity ( existance ) of an original starter
heat shield used on the '69 SS 396 Camaro's & Chevelles.
According to a well known author, the '69 big block Camaro's
used a starter heat shield. I have as of yet to see one
original car with one intact. That doesn't mean that they
don't exist. I am closing in on the final stages of my
SS 396 Camaro restoration and I very much need to know if
this heat shield was used in production. My car was built
10-D-68.

I have been told that the heat shield in questions was both
steel and stainless steel. Which was it? The Corvette guys
tell me that the BB Vette had a stainless steel shield, but
it was used only for the BB Vette. If this heat shield does
exist and it in-fact a true original part, can any members
here post a picture ( or five ) showing exactly what it
looks like? Also, I need one and if any members have one or
know of where one exists, kindly let me know.

Thanks,
Steve

[bkhpah]

I believe that the starter shield was a later addition. The 396 Camaro shield was initiated @ 5/13/69 with the Novas getting it about a month later on @ 6/3/69. I have never taken one off an early car and have never had a Camaro or Nova big block in the shop later that O7A and not one has had it. I would like the answer to this as well. Good question..BKH

[Belair62]

Welcome and thanks for joining up and becoming a Member Don't know if this is correct or not but here it is....it's on my Chevelle...

[bkhpah]

Just had an unmolested 396/375 1969 Chevelle in the shop with the correct 814 and no shield. I think it was an April car...BKH

[Belair62]

Probably the first thing to get tossed once you had starter problems.

[69L78]

My 12k mile survivor L78 has a 12B date and has the original shield on it.

[nuch_ss396]

Thanks for the input gentlemen! I hope it continues.

One more thing to add: On some other forums, it had been
suggested that as these cars were in for any repairs that
required the starter to be removed, these shields were the
first things tossed. Can any of you comment on this? I
expect it could have happened ( especially in Bubba's shop )
but not always. What we need are a few of the very low
mileage owners to chime in here. Lastly, I find the comment
about mid 1969 as the intro date for the shield interesting.
It would certainly explain why a lot of these BB cars don't
have the shields. If this proves true, I am in the clear.
Finally - for once! You know the early BB Camaro's had
two-piece rotors, '113/'114 frame mounts, etc.....
I'm forever chasing these "holy grail" items.
Steve

[nuch_ss396]

L78GEARHEAD,

Would you be able to post an image of your heat shield?
Also, is it stainless steel or plain steel? Is your car an
early or late build date?
Steve

[TDW]

I have an 06D built L78 Chevelle that has the shield. Looks just like Belairs, only not as clean. I don't think my starter has ever been taken off.

[mrrec]

The shield was polished stainless steel (the more reflective the surface, the better it reflects heat). My 69 SS RS 396 conv. still had it on when I bought it in '79. It is a 10A 68 car.

There is absolutely no question the heat shields and parts similar were "lost" along the way. I worked in a service station in the 70's and know first hand that many parts like these were trash canned.

The GM replacement has been galvanized steel for years. I believe the polished stainless shield is now being reproduced.

Dave