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1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: wll17057 on March 01, 2025, 03:18:01 PM

Title: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: wll17057 on March 01, 2025, 03:18:01 PM
Our 1968 Couple is a Metuchen 6-cyl. 3-speed Manual. 8T01T225520.

Alternator bracket:  It is my understanding alternator brackets on 6-cyl engines were attached to the engine block when it was painted.  Therefore, the alternator bracket carried the same blue engine block color.  The alternator bracket on 8-cylinder engines was not attached to the block when it was painted.  8-cyl alternator brackets were subsequently painted black. 
Our bracket is blue.  We are headed to shows this season and I'm sure we will be told the alternator bracket should be black and not blue.  Is there hard documentation (Ford or Metuchen) somewhere that supports the blue bracket color on our engine?

Shock tower caps:  It is my understanding that there were two suppliers for this part at the Metuchen plant in 1968.  Some supplied black caps while others phosphate and oil caps. Our cap is black.  Similar to above, is there hard documentation somewhere that supports the black finish on our car?  I have seen Metuchen VIN numbers....some noting black and others noting phosphate and oil.  How can we find documentation that would support the black Shock Tower Cap on our car?

Thanks very much.
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: Keith Stem on March 01, 2025, 08:17:35 PM
Refer back to the Judging Rules, they were revised this month. I would follow the rule, as judges our judging sheet are our only written guidance. Without documented proof you could lose some points. I have lost points on items I did not want to change, but the car still got 10 golds in 11 shows. It is your car restore it the way you want.

Shock tower caps for your car by the rule are natural, the trunk will have a mat, and the alternator bracket and adjustment arm should be black.

It was discussed in the last judges meet in December, that there are exceptions to the rule, but it would be difficult to have rules that included all exceptions.
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: ruppstang on March 01, 2025, 08:41:49 PM
I have seen a blue alt. mount on the 6 cil. motor. I would not deduct for it. I think all Metuchen Mustangs had phosphate and oil shock caps. The exception is a Shelby that had the reinforced shock caps that were black. 
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: dkknab on March 02, 2025, 03:41:37 PM
Refer back to the Judging Rules, they were revised this month. I would follow the rule, as judges our judging sheet are our only written guidance. Without documented proof you could lose some points. I have lost points on items I did not want to change, but the car still got 10 golds in 11 shows. It is your car restore it the way you want.

Shock tower caps for your car by the rule are natural, the trunk will have a mat, and the alternator bracket and adjustment arm should be black.

It was discussed in the last judges meet in December, that there are exceptions to the rule, but it would be difficult to have rules that included all exceptions.

I downloaded the new judging sheets.  It would be helpful if changes were identified somehow in the new documents. Guess I'll have to do my own comparison.
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: carlite65 on March 02, 2025, 04:01:09 PM
it sure would be very helpful. several years back i was heavily involved in the rules revisions and one of my peeves was highlighting the changes. with mca personnel changes recently those in power now do not feel or see the need for that to occur......shame on them. they are doing a disservice to those who show their cars in competition.
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: jwc66k on March 02, 2025, 04:59:31 PM
it sure would be very helpful. several years back i was heavily involved in the rules revisions and one of my peeves was highlighting the changes. with mca personnel changes recently those in power now do not feel or see the need for that to occur......shame on them. they are doing a disservice to those who show their cars in competition.
The MCA is under new "management", and "it" shows.
Jim
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: ruppstang on March 02, 2025, 08:52:43 PM
it sure would be very helpful. several years back i was heavily involved in the rules revisions and one of my peeves was highlighting the changes. with mca personnel changes recently those in power now do not feel or see the need for that to occur......shame on them. they are doing a disservice to those who show their cars in competition.

I attended the judges meeting last December and we spent many many hours updating the 2025 sheets during and after the meeting. After they were approved by board someone had to make all those changes to the judging sheets. That was a huge task. I agree it would be great if they could be highlighted, but we are all volunteers with our own lives too. Too many want to complain and not lend their help. My suggestion is if you want something get involved and make it happen.
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 02, 2025, 09:08:53 PM
I attended the judges meeting last December and we spent many many hours updating the 2025 sheets during and after the meeting. After they were approved by board someone had to make all those changes to the judging sheets. That was a huge task. I agree it would be great if they could be highlighted, but we are all volunteers with our own lives too. Too many want to complain and not lend their help. My suggestion is if you want something get involved and make it happen.
A BIG +1. Well said Marty.
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: dkknab on March 03, 2025, 09:08:32 AM
I attended the judges meeting last December and we spent many many hours updating the 2025 sheets during and after the meeting. After they were approved by board someone had to make all those changes to the judging sheets. That was a huge task. I agree it would be great if they could be highlighted, but we are all volunteers with our own lives too. Too many want to complain and not lend their help. My suggestion is if you want something get involved and make it happen.

Great suggestion Marty.  I'll reach out to MCA and offer to do my class' judging sheet.  Given technology of the today I'd like to think this is doable.
Title: Re: Color Verification Shock Tower Cap and Alt. Bracket 1968 Metuchen 6-cyl
Post by: Keith Stem on March 03, 2025, 09:29:07 AM

Plus 1 Marty,

The first-generation December judges meeting lasted for an intense 2 1/2 days. Making a change document would have been a beneficial addition for MCA members, but the main concern was first to correct and improve the current judging sheets and second to ensure that the judging rules that are published on the MCA website matched the judging sheets used by the judges. After going through this process, it would be prudent if the remaining judging groups would do the same.