1997 Grand Am GT 3.1L Mystery Brace

[LoneWolf3574]

I have a 1997 Grand Am GT with a 3100 series (3.1L) engine, this used to be my daughter's car but it developed a massive intake leak back toward the end of August 2021 and we were thinking the lower gaskets had failed since these are known for that (before anybody says anything, yes, I now know it is usually coolant leak that develops). My dad and I removed most of the upper intake hardware, the alternator, and some hardware at the back of the engine. Fast forward to last month, my daughter now needs a vehicle as the transmission (CVT) gave out on her "new" car and the work I've been meaning to get to has now become a priority.

I have reassembled much of the top end, but have come across a small brace that I set down with the rest of the hardware and now I have no idea exactly where it goes. All that I can remember is that it is somewhere near the alternator, possibly between it and the coils. I have attached a picture and I'm hoping someone can help me before it drives me crazy.

PS - Yes, that is a Chilton Manual it is sitting on

 

[melsg5]

Have you looked at the diagrams at a GM parts site such as gmpartsdirect.com?

 

[LoneWolf3574]

So I figured it out along with a missing nut and bolt. The brace, when looking from the alternator pulley, is where the bolt goes on the lower right side to the mount/alternator bracket. The "loop" of the brace goes over the plenum stud nearest to the alternator. The nut I was missing was put on the bolt that goes into the brace and the bolt you see in the brace belongs to the coil bracket.

FYI, they are all M8x1.25, that is why I got confused and mixed up.