Alternator bracket

[James J.]

Doing some routine maint. , cleaning and touch-ups. I decided to repaint the alternator arm, some of the black paint was chipped where the bolt goes through the arm to the altenator.
I took the arm off and was going to simply scuff it with some 400 grit paper. The black paint just disappeared, leaving a fairly shiny surface underneath.
Is this normal, that the black paint is that thin and applied over a shiny metal surface or is this an arm off of something else that someone painted black to make it appear as though it belongs on the car?
The car is a 63 with a production date of Oct. 31, 1962
Any thoughts?

[John D.]

Re: Alternator bracket

James, Notice the "V" on the alternator brace? That's a rare part you have there. The 63 is much thinner than later models. Flimsy part but the real deal. As far as the paint issue goes I can't answer that. JD

[James J.]

Re: Alternator bracket

Thank you John. I was hoping that the V had some significance. Now about that thin coat of paint.
Jim

[Edward J.]

Re: Alternator bracket

Thank you John. I was hoping that the V had some significance. Now about that thin coat of paint.
Jim

Jim, I am not a authority on the amount of paint that was on the bracket, but can tell you alot of brackets GM were just dipped into black paint and hung to dry.This goes for many years of corvettes.

[James J.]

Re: Alternator bracket

Edward, that make a lot of sense that the black paint would be applied by a simple dip instead of spraying. I guess what really gets me is how easily the paint came off. Paint doesn't stick real well to a shiny surface.

[David L.]

Re: Alternator bracket

James,

As John said the 63 alternator brace (not bracket), GM # 3825462, is very rare if it is an original. The alternator bracket is the part that is bolted to the exhaust manifold. Your brace is a one year deal and only used on the 63 Corvette (without AC) The letter "V" is for the manufacturer. I have many Chevrolet and Corvette braces and the only one with the letter "V" is the 63 Corvette brace.

If the surface is "shiny" I believe that your brace was probably chrome plated by one of the former owners.

Is the width of the brace about 1/8" wider in the vicinity of the letter "V" then the straight part of the brace? I have owned a couple of these 63 braces back in the 1980's.

Dave

[James J.]

Re: Alternator bracket

Thanks Dave
I suppose that a previous owner could have plated the "brace", but it is unlikley. The car had just under 34k mile on it in 2001 when I bought it. There were no alterations made to the car except for one repaint of the exterior. Everthing else, as far I can tell was untouched and original.
Jim

[David L.]

Re: Alternator bracket

Jim,

From 1963 to 2001 is 38 years. Things can easily change and then change back in 38 years. I bought my 1966 Corvette in 1979 and frame-up restorations of 63-67 Corvettes were very common in the 1980's.

Dave