Correct starter brace for '68 small block ???

[DAVEN1256]

Can someone tell me which of the starter braces pictured below is correct for a '68 small block. This is the brace that connects the threaded stud on the front of starter to the side of the engine block.

The illustration in the AIM show what looks like a flat bar with 90 degree twist in it. Like in the second picture.

When you look in the parts catalogs they show either of what you see in pictures 3 and 4. A piece of bent angle iron with either a round hole at each end or one with round hole at one end and an open ended slot at the other end.

Thanks.....Dave

[bertfam]

Same brace as what's discussed in THIS THREAD.

Ed

[bcmiller]

I believe it’s the one in the last pic.

Never ran one on a race motor.

[DAVEN1256]

Same brace as what's discussed in THIS THREAD.

Ed

This thread seems to rule out the twisted flat bar, but unless I missed it, doesn't say whether it's the other style with holes at both ends or the one with the open ended slot.

Most of the parts catalogs show the one with the open ended slot. HBC seems to be the exception and shows the one with holes at both ends

I should have specified that mine would be for a 12 3/4 153 tooth flywheel.

Dave

[JonClough]

Here is what is on my LA built 1968 327cu in  12C car has on the starter. It has 27K original miles so I think this is correct from the factory.

[bcmiller]

Jon, can’t tell for sure. Does yours have a slot cut on one end?

[68camaroz28]

Later service replacements had the slot and was still available a few years ago. Originals did not have the slot from what I've researched and what is on our 68.

[Fred Mertz]

The 3rd picture is what was on my '68 Z that I had from '71 to '75.

[Sauron327]

I have two small blocks and they are like the second pic and not slotted. If you look at service replacements they are slotted like Chick said.

[DAVEN1256]

Looks like it is confirmed.....the one with the hole at each end and not the slot. That's what I will go with.

Thanks for all the replies.

Dave

[jdv69z]

I wonder how many of those are in the landfills. I have changed starters in several Chevys I have owned over the last 45 years. All of which were used when I bought them. None of the starters I changed had the bracket. It was always left off by whoever preceded me? It's an important item. All the extra cantilevered weight of a starter without the brace hanging there definitely affects its operation. If you do an experiment and compare the sound/operation of the starter with and without the bracket, there is a dramatic difference.

[DAVEN1256]

I wonder how many of those are in the landfills. I have changed starters in several Chevys I have owned over the last 45 years. All of which were used when I bought them. None of the starters I changed had the bracket. It was always left off by whoever preceded me? It's an important item. All the extra cantilevered weight of a starter without the brace hanging there definitely affects its operation. If you do an experiment and compare the sound/operation of the starter with and without the bracket, there is a dramatic difference.

My car never had one either. If it wasn't for the illustration in the AIM, I wouldn't have known it was supposed to be there. It just makes sense that something that heavy should have support at each end.

Dave

[Kelley W King]

Back in the day laying on the ground with a flashlight I threw them away. I reinstall them now. The one with the slot is easier to work with.

[ko-lek-tor]

I wonder how many of those are in the landfills. I have changed starters in several Chevys I have owned over the last 45 years. All of which were used when I bought them. None of the starters I changed had the bracket. It was always left off by whoever preceded me? It's an important item. All the extra cantilevered weight of a starter without the brace hanging there definitely affects its operation. If you do an experiment and compare the sound/operation of the starter with and without the bracket, there is a dramatic difference.

My car never had one either. If it wasn't for the illustration in the AIM, I wouldn't have known it was supposed to be there. It just makes sense that something that heavy should have support at each end.

Dave

I have seen several blocks with the corner, outer starter bolt hole, broken off, because the front starter brace was left off. If it was not needed, Chevy would have left them off, as well. I have repaired broken blocks that were damaged by braces left off.