Topic: 68 gas line clamps

[ruppstang]

In 68  did the SJ plant use band clamps at the fuel tank or spring clamps?

[Murf]

Marty, my 68 has spring clamps with square ends on the "ears" of each clamp at the tank.  I have no way of knowing if they are original, but I feel confident that they have not been changed since the entire car mechanically was pretty much untouched.  Oddly enough, the junction of the two piece gas line under the car about where your left foot  rests has the band type clamps, and again, I cannot be certain they are original, but surmise from the rest of the car that they were installed at the SJ plant in April 0f 68

[68 S Code]

As mentioned the spring clamps are correct. Originals do have the squared off tabs. I do not think the band clamps (with the screw? Or are you saying small tower clamps?) are correct. I believ the spring clamps are as follows, 2 at gas tank hose, two below drivers floor pan and one at the fuel pump inlet. Then the one for the line from fuel pump out let I'm not sure but I believe the short hose at the fuel pump is either a spring clamp and then a crimp ring at the fuel filter or two crimp rings at either end of this short rubber hose.

[Murf]

I looked closely at the band type clamps at the fuel line junction near the rocker panel and it seems they could be the original. (Not pedestal clamps or crimp clamps, but little band clamps with a screw that tightens them around the line)  They are aligned with each other, the hose is alligator type material and very soft.  Probably needs replaced in fact!  Again, I did not purchase this car new so cannot be certain of what is original and what is replacement.  I am sure others will chime in and let us know what their observations have been.   There is no doubt that not all cars were built alike and we know Ford used what they had to get a car out of the assembly plant and to the dealer so it is not surprising that we have different observations.

[TLea]

What John is talking about are #2 Whittek clamps. They are used at the frame rail on NJ cars through beginning of Feb and I've seen them on SJ cars through at least March so his are probably original. Square eared spring clamps @ sender, short hose to pump (both sides) At the filter are crimp clamps for a big block. I don't have any data if the #2 Whitteks were used on Dearborn cars.

ps: after those dates spring clamps were used at frame rail

[Murf]

The square ear spring clamps are still on both ends of the inlet side of the fuel pump rubber line as well as what appears to be the original rubber short hose connecting the hard fuel line to the fuel pump.  Some day I may be sorry for preserving these artifacts of a bygone era when we are standing along the road due to a hose failure. 

[68 S Code]

John this may just be my opinion but if you regulArly drive this car with 40 year old fuel line and brake hoses then broke down at the side of the road may be the best case scenario. I would say that some of these 100% original parts have survived longer then they were intended to. Some of these parts only belong on static display cars which don't turn a wheel under their own power. Time to swap those out.'put them in a box and if you ever park it for good you can use those parts again.

[J_Speegle]

I'm guessing that since it is you Marty your asking about the spring of 68 at San Jose rather than another time period

Here are some pictures of original cars from that time period - hope they help

First the mid line clamp - it appears the change was between 8R01C13931x and 8R01C150443 (sorry don't have Marti reports with the real build dates for either) Will see if I have ones even closer to one another


EARLY





LATE





One at the tank as described

[ruppstang]

Thanks for all the help guys, now I can get her done. Nice pics Jeff. Marty

[DTruitt]

8R151934 with a March build date had the the band clamps at the mid-line, also my former J-code GT with a December build date had the band clamps.

Danny

[68 S Code]

Tim
You mentioned above that crimp clamps were used at the fuel filter hose. Do you mean at both ends of the short hose from the fuel line to the filter on BB car? Is this the same for all three plants?

[TLea]

I can't say for sure on all 3 plants but because the carbs were fitted at the engine plant, not the factory I would say yes. Most people don't realize those clamps were used as an anti tamper preventative to see is engine was taken apart/altered regarding warranty issues

[68 S Code]

Thanks Tim. After looking at the shop manual under fuel system they show an illustration of the fuel filter and hose with two crimp clamps being attached to a test tool so I was pretty sure it was that way. Thanks for confirming. Your point about it being a means to potentially limit tampering is plausible.