Topic: 1969 Verses 1970 Shock Tower Comparison

[J_Speegle]

Put these together earlier today and thought I would post them here also to benefit the membership. What I'm attempting to show in the pictures below are the wrap around shock tower supports added to Mustangs originally equipped with big blocks or Boss 302s. There are a number of documented examples were these were added to small block cars at the factory.  Likely a simple mistake/confusion since small block Cougars being built along side of the Mustangs received them also. 

Not easy (without taking these on purpose for this post) to find exactly the same angle but these look pretty close IMHO









Hope this helps others

[Brian Conway]

Thanks for the pictures.  Other than some possible slight configuration differences they look, 69 vs 70, the same to me.  Brian

[J_Speegle]

Notice as you face them (looking at them in line with the upper a arm ) the right section of the wrap around is trimmed/shaped differently Both the top and bottom edges. Added one more picture. This time a head on shot/comparison of the drivers side from the front which shows end shape of the end of the right hand wing of the brace allot better.

[cobrajet_carl]

I have a 70 M-code 4speed with reinforced towers. VIN stampings match the car.

Funny from your pic almost all of my 70's had/have rust where the shock and inner fenders are welded together. Even the DSO 75 and 71 cars.

[J_Speegle]

Funny from your pic almost all of my 70's had/have rust where the shock and inner fenders are welded together. Even the DSO 75 and 71 cars.

Locally its very rare if ever you see rust in that spot unless the car is from out of the area. It is a common place for these cars to rust, bare metal sandwiched together and exposed to plenty of moisture,  just not all of them.  Didn't buy allot of cars back in the day if they had rust there. We were spoiled 

[Daven]

The wrap forms more of a "V" on the angle when looking straight at it on the "70".  Thanks Jeff!

Daven

[specialed]

I reseached this wrap around shock tower change years ago when we had a 69 & 70 both in shop at same time & i think the 70 design was an improved version in 2 ways. The 70 LH front lower section was trimmed back to help 428 cj P/S  pump pressure hose clearance problems when adjusting woren p/s belt. I have several original used 69 pump pressure hoses that i replated years ago & the upper hose metal crimp has flattened area on outsides from rubbing the 69 LH lower wrap around area & this would only happen after the belt was adjusted  all the way outward after many miles use & the 70 cutout would help this problem. The upper 70 wrap arounds are a shortened trimmed down angle to help remove 428cj exhaust manifolds while engine is still in the car just look at 69 cj cars that had headers installed & this upper wrap around area is often cut out to remove & install the bolts easier but 70 had more access room in that area.