72 Electra: What is this part?

I found this part in the trunk of the 72 Electra I just bought. It was in a box together with the wiper motor, but also some interior (seat?) parts.

The PO painted the part glossy black, just like the frame, suspension, inner fenders and everyting else that is not body sheet metal, so it could go literally everywhere under the hood. Could be a bracket, maybe heat shield or some sort of bumper filler, maybe.

Can anybody help?

 

Can't really see the scale of it, put a coin next to it in the photos.
Is it metal or plastic?

 

Looks like a heat shield for the motor mount . Is it chromed or painted Chrome ?? Put a ruler next to it so we can get an idea of its size .

 

I will, once I get back to the place where I keep her. From memory I’d say, it’s about 4” long. Metal, thicker than the usual aluminum heat shields. Painted glossy black, not chromed.

 

Picture makes it look chrome . If its about 4 inches long then it is the heat shield for the motor mount .

 

Starter heat shield as stated above
Bill

 

I only see someone mentioning a motor mount shield.

Below is an image of a starter heat shield

1968-75 Buick Motors Mount Heat Shield 400 430 455 RH Side Mount

Click image to view it at The Parts Place on eBay:

 

Brain was working faster than my typing fingers . Its still a heat shield .

 

You guys know your Buicks! Thanks!

Now, do I NEED this, and if so, can I install it with the engine in (I bet not!)? The engine was out to be painted and I guess they forgot to put the heat shield on when they dropped the motor back in.

 

Why would someone chrome that? It’s barely visible. I think the chrome would retain the heat and not reflect it. And no you don’t really need it. 99 percent of Buick’s are running around without them.

 

It's gloss black reflecting the background of a white wall.. so it looks like chrome.. fooled me too, that was exactly the same question that came to my mind.

And yes, it can be installed with the the engine in, you will need to support the engine under the oil pan (use a board on a floor jack all the way across the sump in the rear) and then remove the motor mount long thru bolt.. lift the engine,(you can remove just the Diver Side bolt and "tilt" it)... after you get access to it, just remove the two motor mount to block bolts, and slip the shield in behind it. It only fits the LH (Driver side) motor mount, the design of the RH exhaust manifold does not require a heat shield on that side.

JW

 

Just to confirm once more, yes, gloss black, not chromed.

Thanks Jim, I´ll see if I can fiddle that in SOMEDAY.