I recently purchased on eBay an NOS exhaust heat stove 3916302 for a 1968 small block Cheverolet (SBC) with automatic transmission. It had the original GM parts sticker affixed to it (see photos in this post). Exhaust heat stove 3916302 is depicted in the 1968 Camaro Assembly Instruction Manual under UPC M35, Sheet A22 for both RPO L30 (327 ci) and L48 (350 ci) engines with Powerglide (RPO M35) transmissions.
I already had an original one on my 350 L48 auto car, but it was in used condition with some very minor pitting and was painted in high temp cast iron color to preserve it against rust. There was no way for me to determine the original finish on the one installed on my car because it was glass bead blasted to bare metal at some time in the past.
Several past CRG posts on the 68 SBC exhaust heat stove had replies that speculated whether the original finish was unpainted galvanized steel (like the 69 NOS heat stoves sold over the GM counter that we see occasionally on eBay) or was dipped in semi-gloss black paint before being installed on the engine by the factory. On September 20, 2021, Ed ('bertfam') said "All these kinds of parts were dip-primed semi-gloss black, but the paint burned off the first time the car was started!" in his Reply #2 to the following CRG post ("L48 heat stove on driver side exhaust manifold"):
http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=19528.0. That same post had photos of an original heat stove that post originator 'dlshady' said might have been a semi-gloss black.
Well, the NOS 68 SBC exhaust heat stove that I bought appears to have a satin black paint finish...not quite shiny enough to be a semi-gloss. It would therefore seem reasonable for originality purposes (and concours Legends Judging) to first paint the 68 SBC exhaust heat stove with VHT FlameProof Coating 1,300-2,000-degree F flat black aerosol paint, then follow-up with VHT FlameProof Coating 1,300-2,000 degree F satin clear aerosol paint.
For those looking for this part for their car, it is Part Number 3916302 under Group 3.417 (Carburetor Air Heater Stove) and is listed in at least the following two GM references:
- Camaro 1967-68 Master Parts Catalogue No. 681A (1968, July) (Original work 1967, November), p. 40 lists it as: "1968/327 AND 350 ENGINE"
- Chevrolet Parts and Accessories Catalog P&A 34A (1969, February), p. 3-19 lists it as: "68 ALL w/A.T. (8 cyl.)"
Bernie
