Author Topic: 67 Shock tower caps (Read 2893 times)

jonnyship · « **on:** February 03, 2010, 08:54:27 PM »

Hi,

I'm building my front suspension on my 67 coupe. I bought the car completely tore down and media blasted. I just bought the shock tower caps and went out to the garage tonight to try and install them. However, the holes in the spring seat on the shock tower don't line up with the caps. What are you supposed to do? The spring seat is welded. Do you drill new holes? I'm really confused. I'm usually really good at reverse engineering things, however, since I bought it tore down I didn't get to take it apart and actually see what it looks like. Thanks for the help. Words are good, but, pictures with words I understand alot better. Thank you again!

Jon

Soaring · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2010, 11:07:29 PM »

I don't have a 67, but I do have a 65 which is mostly the same animal I would presume. See if these pics of mine come close to what your shock towers will wind up looking like when finished. As far as the spring perches, they should be damn near the same. I'm too old and it's too cold outside to crawl under the frame to take pics. Maybe next week.

66GTKFB · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2010, 12:59:15 AM »

Your terminology may be off so how about a picture of the area in question. If it's the bracket that is held to the body with three studs and the shock mounts to the top with two bolts, there is a difference between 64-66 and 67-68.
Jim

jonnyship · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2010, 07:31:23 AM »

Alright, I'll get a picture tonight after I get home from work.

jonnyship · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2010, 08:01:26 PM »

Ok, here's the pics I promised. I think there is something I'm missing. The base plate to the caps seem to be just too small. The shape is right because when you add the export brace (stock) it fits perfectly around the outline and the holes line up on them, just not on top of the tower.

Jeff1967 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:32:31 PM »

OK,
I did my 67' about a year ago and now trying to recall: I believe your bolt heads slide into the top of the shock towers and slide down towards the narrowing 3 slots holding them into place, making them semi adjustable to the size and shape of the caps, if that makes sense? I can see in your pictures where they will align if you move the bolts into place. Take a look at my 67' the way they look set up with shocks in place, I am sure the same set up as Glen's 65'

Jeff

Jeff1967 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:33:26 PM »

It would help if I attached the pics...

JJ

Jeff1967 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:34:40 PM »

Pic 2

66GTKFB · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2010, 01:32:53 AM »

Thanks Jeff, the pictures say it.
Jon, The three bolts (per side) are a 3/8-16X7/8 carriage bolt (Ford p/n 378535-S2) with a phosphate and oil finish. The head is 5/32 in thk and 13/16 in dia. I don't think that a hardware store carrys anything close. They slide in the round part of the mounting area into the slot. The nut is a flanged 3/8-16 hex a bit over 3/8 in thk (Ford p/n 377706-S7). The nuts are cad plated but zinc plating is a good substitute. You can get them from AMK products http://www.amkproducts.com/ as a set under p/n F-312 for $9.00. As AMK has a $30 minimum order, add the four shock mount bolts (p/n F-809) for $6.00 and see what else you need. They have an on-line catalog in Adobe .pdf format.
And guys, paint your shocks black, it looks a lot better.
And as usual, I recomend you get a set of the Mustang Assembly manuals for 1967.
Jim

Jeff1967 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2010, 02:00:20 AM »

Wow Jim, now that is some research that will help Jon put his 67' back together. As for the shock color that is a matter of preference, I purposely left them white because I like the clean look of the KYB's. When you look into the engine compartment the dash of white add's a tad bit of techiness as well....But that is just my opinion...

Jeff

Soaring · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2010, 06:57:13 AM »

The color of the KYB's is just a matter of preference. I painted mine black so they don't stick out from the rest of the bay. Most other classic Mustangers will tell you the same. I see that I have some touch up work to do now that I haven't done my bay for going on 10 years now.

The shock tower cap will go on, you just have to "massage" it and get it in perfect. This isn't rocket science or brain surgery guys.

jonnyship · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2010, 01:48:10 PM »

Thanks for the info. However, I still don't quite understand. The spring seat that is on the bottom side of the shock tower is spot welded in. I don't see how you can "massage" the holes to line up with out cutting out the spot welds and rotating that disk below it get it to fit. I do have 3 shop manuals for the car, they don't really explain it all to well. I appreciate the Patience, this is my first restoration by myself without help. Thanks! Jon

Soaring · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2010, 02:39:23 PM »

Jon, the spring perch should not have moved over the years. You are just not getting the new shock tower aligned up right.

66GTKFB · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2010, 03:19:39 PM »

The round head of the carriage bolt fits in the rounded part of the hole and the square underside of the bolt slides into the slot. Align the holes of the bracket over the squared part of the hole. Again, no hardware store carries that type of carriage bolt.
Jim

jonnyship · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2010, 04:22:48 PM »

I think I'm understanding what you are saying. I have the bolts and nuts for the 67. Bought them off the internet. I'm really not being a pain in the butt, but, there are only round holes and that seat on the bottom side of the shock tower doesn't move. The keyhole slots in the top of the shock tower do fit the cap, but, the part under it does not.

66GTKFB · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2010, 04:50:37 PM »

Consider this, they came out. Here's a picture of the carriage bolt. The piece that you say doesn't move should depress enough for the thin head to slide into the slot from the top.
Jim

jonnyship · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2010, 05:59:09 PM »

So you're telling me that the bolts don't insert from the bottom, they go between the two pieces of metal, from the top.

jonnyship · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2010, 06:20:56 PM »

Eureka! Thank you everyone for your help! The puzzle just clicked into place and everyone's directions now make sense. Thank you again. You guys are the best. Thanks for having the patience with me.

Jon

Soaring · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2010, 07:19:00 PM »

I love it when a project comes together. Now, go have a beer and kiss mama.

Author Topic: 67 Shock tower caps (Read 2893 times)

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