Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

[Paul S.]

Hi all,

Here are four different starter solenoid heat shields:

Heat Shields.jpg

I believe that all four of these are original GM shields used on small block Corvettes.

Can anyone tell me which one would be correct for my 1969 convertible with the base 300 HP/350 CID motor? (My car's build date was 6/23/69, in case that matters.) I am thinking it is one of the middle two shields, but I am not sure.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!


Thanks,
Paul

[Leif A.]

Re: Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

Pat,
If you want to believe the attached...door #1 in your pictures.

https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-34...id-shield.aspx

[Paul S.]

Re: Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

Pat,
If you want to believe the attached...door #1 in your pictures.

https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-34...id-shield.aspx

Thanks, Leif... I actually saw that, but I am not 100% convinced that Paragon is correct based on some conflicting research I've found on this forum and elsewhere.

- Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

Thanks, Leif... I actually saw that, but I am not 100% convinced that Paragon is correct based on some conflicting research I've found on this forum and elsewhere.

- Paul

Paul------


They could not be correct because they show the GM part number as 3851295 and this being applicable to 1964-74. However, the 3851295 was applicable only to 1964 to 1968 and, possibly, early 1969. Thereafter and through at least 1974 the shield used for Corvette small blocks was GM #3959552. There had to be a difference between the two shields or there would not have been a change of part number.

I have the original shield from my original owner, September 1969 convertible. However, I can't find it right now. My recollection, though, is that it's like either the 3rd or 4th in your photos. I do not think it's configured like the 1st and 2nd photos.

[Paul S.]

Re: Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

Paul------


They could not be correct because they show the GM part number as 3851295 and this being applicable to 1964-74. However, the 3851295 was applicable only to 1964 to 1968 and, possibly, early 1969. Thereafter and through at least 1974 the shield used for Corvette small blocks was GM #3959552. There had to be a difference between the two shields or there would not have been a change of part number.

I have the original shield from my original owner, September 1969 convertible. However, I can't find it right now. My recollection, though, is that it's like either the 3rd or 4th in your photos. I do not think it's configured like the 1st and 2nd photos.

Thanks, Joe! The more I look into it, the more I think that the 3rd shield shown in the photo is the correct one for my '69.

- Paul

[David L.]

Re: Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

I started a thread about starter shields awhile back (see link below).

Dave

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...starter+shield

[Joe L.]

Re: Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

I started a thread about starter shied awhile back (see link below).

Dave

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...starter+shield

Dave------

From everything I can find, these shields were used only for Corvettes. The 1964-68 shield was the GM #3851295 which is, apparently, the "wide" shield. Beginning in 1969 it was replaced for PRODUCTION by the GM #3959552. However, the latter was not available in SERVICE until sometime in late 1971. In May, 1972 it replaced the 3851295 for SERVICE.

There may be different versions of the 3959552, though. I suspect that the last 2 photos in Paul's original post are both 3959552 but there are slight differences between them. This was probably accomplished via a change to the specifications for the 3959552 "somewhere along the way".

[Paul S.]

Re: Correct starter solenoid heat shield for '69 small block? (with pics)

Thanks, guys! My research matches what is contained in the thread that David provided. In other words:

Shields.jpg

However, I am still at a loss to explain this shield:

Mystery Shield.jpg

It has the overlapping "SS" logo, so I believe it to be an original GM shield. Perhaps yet a third version of the GM #3959552 shield?


Thanks again,
Paul