Topic: Two different types of assembly bolts?? Firewall and fender differences?

[Hipo giddyup]

 So here's another question that I have been meaning to ask and now I'm seeing it with the images from the other topic listed here on "paint OK" stamps. The gentleman from France has asked about the paint OK stamps and within that thread he has included a link to the Mustang club of France's forum. In that link shows what appears to be an original I6 Mustang with close up pics of the firewall. In these pics I am seeing two different types of assembly bolts. One with the star type washer (used to attach the outside shock tower cover), and the other with a smooth washer used to attach the fenders to the firewall. I have also noticed this on the nicely restored 64 1/2 Mustang convertible from Virginia Mustangs blog. The fenders show one type of bolt, (usually with a smooth washer bolt), while the firewall bolts, such as the shock tower covers, hinges, horns, etc. show the bolts with star washers. Can anyone say if this was common practice? I just order 20 each of both types but want to see where each type of bolt should go. My coupe is a June built Dearborn car. Thanks for all your replies!  The more info I find out, the more I want the car judged at shows!

[krelboyne]

I have seen the mixed bolts (washers) for the fenders on 1967 Dearborn cars too.

[jwc66k]

So here's another question that I have been meaning to ask and now I'm seeing it with the images from the other topic listed here on "paint OK" stamps. The gentleman from France has asked about the paint OK stamps and within that thread he has included a link to the Mustang club of France's forum. In that link shows what appears to be an original I6 Mustang with close up pics of the firewall. In these pics I am seeing two different types of assembly bolts. One with the star type washer (used to attach the outside shock tower cover), and the other with a smooth washer used to attach the fenders to the firewall. I have also noticed this on the nicely restored 64 1/2 Mustang convertible from Virginia Mustangs blog. The fenders show one type of bolt, (usually with a smooth washer bolt), while the firewall bolts, such as the shock tower covers, hinges, horns, etc. show the bolts with star washers. Can anyone say if this was common practice? I just order 20 each of both types but want to see where each type of bolt should go. My coupe is a June built Dearborn car. Thanks for all your replies!  The more info I find out, the more I want the car judged at shows!

Is your June build a 65 model, or a 66 model year car?
Ford made a transition from the external tooth lock washer (generic star) body bolts to disc toothed lock washer body bolts for the 66 model year. In general, 1964 and 1965 were star types, early 66 were both, and late 66 were almost all disc. The types were interchangeable and old inventory was to be used up first - that was the plan. There are exceptions, a lot of exceptions. All that applies to 5/16-18 size body bolts with lock washers. Look at the imprints of the lock washers that your car has in the fenders, brackets, hinges, etc before you make a decision. Obviously a replacement item may be different. The only place where a smooth disc was used is the rear bumper guard brackets.
Jim   

[mgmradio]

All 3 of my unrestored 65's have a mixture of fender bolts . The earliest being an Aug 64 build. Never seen the fase in and out of the toothed and star washers.

[JKWilson]

My June '66 Dearborn coupe has the following: fenders were external tooth washers, coil spring shields were disc washers, hood latch, support and hinges were disc, all trunk hardware were external tooth (hinges, trunk lid, latch and striker), door hinges were disc. I was unable to confirm the shock tower braces, the upper stone shield and front valance. Quit the mix though!

[Richard P.]

Many years ago I did some work on a 1965 GT Coupe from the Mutuchen, NJ plant. The car had 10,100 miles showing on the speedometer and was a original owner car. One side of the fenders had all star washers and the other side of the fenders had all flat washers.   

[Hipo giddyup]

Wow, thanks for the replies. Unfortunately the car had the fenders and hood replaced so I cannot be sure of which pattern the original left behind.  But, all of these bolts were star type that I removed. I can totally understand where the assembly line workers would have used whatever they had and not cared. My coupe is a 1964 June built Dearborn car. I believe the Virginia Mustangs 64 convertible was an August build? So I guess it's safe to say that using star or the disc type would be acceptable for judging as it doesn't seem the documentation is there otherwise?

[J_Speegle]

Wow, thanks for the replies. Unfortunately the car had the fenders and hood replaced so I cannot be sure of which pattern the original left behind.  But, all of these bolts were star type that I removed. I can totally understand where the assembly line workers would have used whatever they had and not cared. My coupe is a 1964 June built Dearborn car. I believe the Virginia Mustangs 64 convertible was an August build? So I guess it's safe to say that using star or the disc type would be acceptable for judging as it doesn't seem the documentation is there otherwise?

For  your specific application - possibly

[ajd350]

Just looked at a late 66 Dearborn coupe. Never apart or painted, original family with a known history. Mix of star and disc washers on passenger side, all disc on driver's side. My Jun 65 fastback had a mix on the original fenders as well. Changed them to all star to make them match 30 years ago. Conventional wisdom at the time said that mixed was wrong.