'68 SS Emblem with Standard Grill

[Camarocards]

So I'm at the point in my '68 SS BB restoration where I thought I'd tackle something easy; the grill assembly. I reach into my stockpile of NOS parts that I've been collecting for 30+ years and pull out the grill, parking lights, upper and lower moldings and SS emblem. BTW, this is on a standard grill not RS. I paint the grill, install the moldings and parking lights and now move onto the SS emblem. I notice that the SS emblem on my old grill has a different backing plate (see first picture) and the studs are very much different in size than the NOS backing plate I had in my stockpile (see second picture). Now I can't say for certain that my old SS emblem is original to the car and it could have been swapped out by a previous owner prior to me purchasing the car in '78. So with curiosity getting the better of me I start to look into the part number on my NOS emblem box. The part number on the box is 3981921 and the casting number on the emblem is 3982043. A quick Google search later reveals two threads which talks about emblems:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=120003
This threads states that the NOS emblem I have is for a '71-72 Camaro

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=473348
This thread states that the NOS emblem is for a '70 Camaro but goes on to say that it is similar in design to the '68 emblem (p/n 3919194)

So now I turn to the '68 AIM and sure enough part number 3919194 is listed on page 294. When I look at the diagram in the AIM, I also notice that the backing plate looks to be much smaller than the backing plate that came with my NOS emblem. Now I know that the AIM is not always correct and this diagram could simply have been a copy from page 138 that shows the standard bowtie emblem.

Totally confused, I start to look at some of the Camaro vendors websites and I see that some vendors advertise the smaller backing plate (here is one from HBC - http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/14927/Camaro-Grille-emblem-retainer-plate-1967-1968/) while others sell the emblem with the larger backing plate (here is one from Rick's - http://www.rickscamaros.com/camaro-grille-emblem-ss-for-cars-with-standard-non-rally-sport-grille-1968.html)

Soooo....I have a couple of questions...

1. Did part number 3981821 supersede the original emblem part number (3919194) shown in the AIM and would it be correct for my application ('68 SS BB not RS)?
2. If part number 3981821 DID NOT supersede the original emblem part number (3919194) then what year(s) is it used on?
3. Was the original emblem backing plate for a SS car without the RS option, the smaller type plate or the larger type backing plate?

It would be great if any of the members could look at their BB survivors to see what type of backing plate it has.

So much for a simple and easy part of the restoration! 

Many thanks,

Bob

[cook_dw]

Only pic I have handy.  But looks like the small one is correct.

[ggtsvnv]

 
 Maybe the larger backing plate was a second gen thing as I had a 71 SS 350 that had the larger backing plate; however I don't know that it was original to that car. 

[Camarocards]

Anyone else? I'm thinking the smaller backing plate is correct but need some verification. Still haven't got to the differences in part numbers.

Thanks,

Bob

[69Z28]

Looks similar to the backing plate for the 69 grill bowtie emblem.

[ChrisM]

I bought a SS grill emblem in 1986 when I was painting a car I owned.  Bought it from the local Chevy parts department.  It came with the larger backing plate.  I'm guessing the smaller is the installed from the factory part.  Hope this helps. 

[Camarocards]

Thanks Chris. I bought mine in the early 80's, also from a local Chevy parts department. Maybe, as you suggest the service replacement emblems came with the larger backing plate.

[rare396bronze]

After checking my parts books & emblem's 3919194 is correct for 68 ss open headlight car was changed to 6263015 with casting#3986590. Part #3981921 with casting#3982043 is for 1969-1971 camaro ss. Hope this helps!

[Camarocards]

Thank you very much! I was hoping someone had some parts books to verify the numbers.

I guess that clears up what I have. Now I'm wondering what the difference is between the '69-'71 version and the '68 version? HBC advertises that the '68 version replaces the '69-71 version. Doesn't make any sense to me.

http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/18564/Camaro-SS-Grille-emblem-w-std-grille-1968/

[Mike S]

 It can be confusing what is for sale out there. You need to be careful with the sellers of repro parts state in what it fits.
Example: I have yet to see an accurate reproduction of a 67 SS/RS 396 emblem with the flat bottom.
The originals (396 equipped Camaros) looked like the 'SS 350' tag with the 350 milled off as if the SS 350  molds were modified to eliminate the 350 engine size.
I've had people with the SS 396 reproduction emblems tell me that is the way they came originally from the factory (just like the caution fan sticker) and that the original flat bottoms on my 67's are wrong.

Mike

[MarksBB]

Thank you very much! I was hoping someone had some parts books to verify the numbers.
I guess that clears up what I have. Now I'm wondering what the difference is between the '69-'71 version and the '68 version? HBC advertises that the '68 version replaces the '69-71 version. Doesn't make any sense to me.
http://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/18564/Camaro-SS-Grille-emblem-w-std-grille-1968/

OK, I just joined. This is my first post, but I've owned my car for over 36 years. I have this exact same question. If HBC states their part replaced both the part for the '68 and the part for the '69-'71, what is the difference between the original parts? FYI: My experience has been very positive with HBC.
Can anyone answer? (I have a situation where someone on ebay (not HBC) shipped me a part with numbers stamped in the back. Tell me, are the casting numbers supposed to stick out as protrusions or are they stamped. Stamped doesn't make sense to me, but I thought I would check before I expose this guy as a fraud .....  if he is reading this maybe he'll refund my money before I talk.) Oh, this if fun. I'll look at the numbers later tonight. Yes, my car is a '68 SS standard grill. I've looked at this forum many times. It is very helpful. I hope I can contribute also.

[VINCE Z28]

Over the years a part will be depleted (out of stock) but a functional equivalent part will still be available, looks the same but has a different part number, but not the original production part. HBC and others will sell you these and tell you that's what you need. If you know the part numbers and know the right things to ask, you will under stand what your getting for the money. If not buyer beware.

[tom]

Might not look the same, but will function the same.

[cook_dw]

Pics courtesy of rare396bronze

[Camarocards]

Thanks Darrell. Your emblem looks identical to my original (first pic below). I've always assumed that this emblem was incorrect and a reproduction since there is no casting number on it. It was mounted using the small bracket shown in the picture.

The NOS emblem I have (2nd pic), which I thought was for a 68 is p/n 3981921 with casting number 3982043. In reply 7 of this thread it was reported that this emblem is used on a 69-71 Camaro. The studs on this emblem are about 1/2 inch longer than my original and came with the larger mounting bracket. HBC sells a 68 replacement emblem, which according to their website replaces the 69-71 emblem with these numbers. So then what is the difference between the 68 and 69-71 emblems?

From a functional point of view the NOS emblem (69-71) is acceptable and will look and fit just fine but the backing plate is still a mystery.

Is your emblem mounted using the small bracket or large bracket? Also, do you know if it is the original emblem to the car?

Thanks,

Bob