Topic: 1968 Coupe Trunk Torsion Rod Insulator

[1968Cally]

Hi, My name is Dave and I just joined this forum due to my purchase of a 1968 GT/CS that is quite nice IMHO.  Attached are a few pictures.

I am trying to figure out what is correct for the Trunk Torsion Rods anti-rattle.
Currently, the rods are cinched together with a S-shaped clip.  On either side of the clip, on both rods, is the anti rattle spiral rubber/plastic pieces that extend all the way over to the 90 degree bends at each hinge.

I know the 65-66 coupes used a bracket that cinched the rods up to the underside of the package tray support and kept them apart.

Not sure what is correct for the '68.  Is that S clip that I have on there now not correct?  Should the anti rattle spirals just be a foot or so long in the center where the rods touch?  Any info is appreciated.  Pictures would be great!

Thanks.

Dave

[jwc66k]

Dave,
Welcome to the forum.
The only references to the trunk I can find are in the GT/CS registry (1996, Paul M. Newitt). It says "The GT/CS Trunk Lid is . .  identical to the one used on the '68 Shelby convertible." and a "- CS-only deck lid spring."
That's not much and there is no reference to anti-rattle or clips, but there is a lead to what possibly was used, Shelby.
Jim 

[1968Cally]

Dave,
Welcome to the forum.
The only references to the trunk I can find are in the GT/CS registry (1996, Paul M. Newitt). It says "The GT/CS Trunk Lid is . .  identical to the one used on the '68 Shelby convertible." and a "- CS-only deck lid spring."
That's not much and there is no reference to anti-rattle or clips, but there is a lead to what possibly was used, Shelby.
Jim

Thanks, Jim.  I found a picture of a GT/CS and it does have the S clip and the rubber insulators like I have.  I am going to assume that the S clip is correct.  Not sure why the rubber insulators go all the way to the hinges as the rods are far apart at that point.

[ruppstang]

The S clip is correct for a 68 SJ car there were no rubber parts. On your trunk correctness thread on calaforniaspecial.com the photos of Mike J's. GTCS clearly  shows the S clip. That is a MCA Gold award concours trailered car and a good one to look at details on. The spiral rubber anti rattler was used in other assembly plants in 68.
I found a picture of the S clip on our 68 HCS.
Marty

[1968Cally]

The S clip is correct for a 68 SJ car there were no rubber parts. On your trunk correctness thread on calaforniaspecial.com the photos of Mike J's. GTCS clearly  shows the S clip. That is a MCA Gold award concours trailered car and a good one to look at details on. The spiral rubber anti rattler was used in other assembly plants in 68.
I found a picture of the S clip on our 68 HCS.
Marty

Once again, thank you Marty.  Sorry I have been such a pain.  After I posted, I did remember to go back and look at that car and indeed saw the S-clip and no rubber insulator.   With SJ only using the clip and no rubber explains why I saw what looked to be concours type cars having it both ways.

I just found this site a couple of days ago and it seems to get a little more traffic than the GTCS forum.  This wraps up the trunk thankfully.

Dave 

[dkknab]

I am to assume that on my car there is the torsion rod clip but no rubber insulators? I can't seem to locate in the assembly manual that part of the trunk.

[RoyceP]

The S clip is correct for a 68 SJ car there were no rubber parts. On your trunk correctness thread on calaforniaspecial.com the photos of Mike J's. GTCS clearly  shows the S clip. That is a MCA Gold award concours trailered car and a good one to look at details on. The spiral rubber anti rattler was used in other assembly plants in 68.
I found a picture of the S clip on our 68 HCS.
Marty

+! the clip is correct for '68 and is found on both Mustang and Cougars that model year. Some of the real early '68 models had the split black rubber tube like was used in '67 model year so it must have been an early change to the clip.

[J_Speegle]

Dave - Thanks for joining. Hope you find the information and support helpful in your restoration and concours projects

Just added the running change to those major threads. Did a survey for San Jose over the last couple of hours and will be posting what I've come up with. For San Jose in general the change was not really early in the production year but will cover that in detail later

We would need to know when your car was built Dave to provide some confirmation of your findings. We suggest that you add your cars information to your signature that way its always there and you don't have to keep answering that question every time you ask a question. As you will discover where and when your car was built (the real date if you've gotten it) makes allot of difference.

[RoyceP]

There's a nice unrestored 1968 Mustang coupe 8F01J12XXXX on BAT right now that has several nice shots of the clip holding the two torsion bars in the trunk.


I disagree that the four tires on the ground are original - but the spare looks right.

[ruppstang]

There's a nice unrestored 1968 Mustang coupe 8F01J12XXXX on BAT right now that has several nice shots of the clip holding the two torsion bars in the trunk.


I disagree that the four tires on the ground are original - but the spare looks right.

You are right that is a very nice unrestored car. In another thread some time ago you said that you had a friend who has a 68 Mustang that had original Michelin radials on it. Did Ford use both BFG and Michelin radials in 68?   

[RoyceP]

It's not the answer you want but honestly I don't know. The BFG radials on this particular Mustang are listed as one of one on the Marti Report. That could be the case for Michelin Radial tires that year too. I don?t think Marti Reports were a thing while Gus had his Mustang.

[ruppstang]

I do not know either but did not think Michelin was an OEM supplier. It would be good to know the facts.

[J_Speegle]

I do not know either but did not think Michelin was an OEM supplier. It would be good to know the facts.

Has to be in print somewhere. Just have to find it.  good subject for another thread once we figure it out