Topic: Leaf spring cross reference - 68 J code GT High Country Special

[J_Speegle]

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[ruppstang]

Jeff why is the C7 5556-Y listed on Jim's MPC and not on yours? Or is it on the next page? My C code HCS has those.
Do you believe that the C7 5556- AU was the correct spring for the 68 HCS J code GT? If so what color band would it have had?
Thanks Marty

[J_Speegle]

Jeff why is the C7 5556-Y listed on Jim's MPC and not on yours? Or is it on the next page? My C code HCS has those.

Suggests to me that Ford was not installing or using them on the line at the time of printing or it was a mistake lacking any other documentation

Do you believe that the C7 5556- AU was the correct spring for the 68 HCS J code GT? If so what color band would it have had?

The application of matching - engineering numbers and paint colors is the difficult thing for me. Use to rely on the books until I found enough original cars that didn't fit the boxes so now when I help with paint marks I normally as for the engineering numbers instead of the application. Less mistakes and poor guesses that way. Same thing for collecting the pictures and info - match the picture and marks with the numbers. Unfortuately they are often difficult to make out and hard to get a clear picture of.   Enough of excuses 

- First the -Y rear spring is a standard base rear spring not one that would have normally been installed on your car as equipped

- Looking at build sheets (have none that match your car in equipment and month), otes, observations and pictures:

I do have is a picture of what was reported to be a J code automatic GT coupe built the end of December - early Jan 68 time period. It shows paint ID stripes of one orange and one pink on the short leaf.  This matches a buildsheet for a J code GT auto no AC fastback I have a copy of. Don't have a picture of the engineering number to go with the picture but I'm guessing it would match

Best I have at the moment

Hope it helps

[ruppstang]

I tracked down a 68 GTCS J code GT and it had AT springs. What is confusing is on Jeff's MPC the AT is not listed for a coupe and has a 665 load rate. The AU is listed for a coupe and is listed at a 625 load rate. In Jim's MPC the AT and AU are listed as 665 load rate and both for a 68 coupe.
This is very confusing I see why you are giving up on the MPC.
Marty

[J_Speegle]

I tracked down a 68 GTCS J code GT and it had AT springs........

When was that car built?  Or just the date from one of the springs.

[ruppstang]

I do not know the build date of the car but here is a picture. I will try to find the build date.

[J_Speegle]

I do not know the build date of the car but here is a picture. I will try to find the build date.

Was more interested in the date from the spring

The stamping on the example you show is very different from what I typically see on San Jose springs. Believe its likely a service replacement. Originals normally don't have the Ford oval, stamped so deeply and have the date under the engineering number. Date pattern normally includes letters and numbers. 

Can be applied/stamped vertical or horizontal to the spring leaf's length. Shape of the short leaf can also help identify an original or service piece .

One of each of the different stamping orientations

[ruppstang]

I thought it was odd as well but was a C7 ZA not a C7 ZZ.

[jwc66k]

I thought it was odd as well but was a C7 ZA not a C7 ZZ.

It's the other way around. A C7ZA- part is the part number that engineering used to design the part. It is the part number on the drawing. It's the same part number that the part was bought for assembly line use.
A dealer would use C7ZZ- to get the same identical (in most cases) part for a customer's car for service or replacement purposes. At the dealership, the part came with a tag stating C7ZZ-, but would still (in most cases) be marked with the C7ZA- part number. It's actually a fairly good part number system once you understand the what and why (better than GM or Mopar). It is not an absolute, many replacement parts are identified with the engineering number in service department documentation.
Jim

[WT8095]

I do not know the build date of the car but here is a picture. I will try to find the build date.

The '75 MPC lists the following for 1969:

MODEL
F(63)-8 cyl. 302 use with improved handling pkg.-(exc.GT350/500)
F(65)-8cyl. 302, 351, 390 4/B with improved handling pkg.-(exc.GT350/500)

DESCRIPTION
4 leaf-665 lb.load rate-C7ZA 5556-AS,AT,AU,AV

PART NUMBER
C7ZZ 5560-M

Any chance the spring in the photo could have come from a '69?

[J_Speegle]

.................
Any chance the spring in the photo could have come from a '69?

Markings and patterns are different from what I've seen on factory rear springs for 69

I'm thinking late 70's - early 80's maybe

[ruppstang]

It's the other way around. A C7ZA- part is the part number that engineering used to design the part. It is the part number on the drawing. It's the same part number that the part was bought for assembly line use.
A dealer would use C7ZZ- to get the same identical (in most cases) part for a customer's car for service or replacement purposes. At the dealership, the part came with a tag stating C7ZZ-, but would still (in most cases) be marked with the C7ZA- part number. It's actually a fairly good part number system once you understand the what and why (better than GM or Mopar). It is not an absolute, many replacement parts are identified with the engineering number in service department documentation.
Jim

Thanks that makes sense. I had seen NOS parts relabeled with a latter part number. 

[ruppstang]

Here is the perfect match to our HCS it is a 68 GTCS J code GT automatic transmission and has the AU springs. It is also marked with the pink and orange like the one Jeff described above. Now just to find one.
 

 

[DTruitt]

Here is the perfect match to our HCS it is a 68 GTCS J code GT automatic transmission and has the AU springs. It is also marked with the pink and orange like the one Jeff described above. Now just to find one.

It's a San Jose built GT (December 1967), but it's not a GTCS. I used to own it and know it well!

Danny

[tim_morrison82]

Just to throw this in, from memory my rear springs are C7ZA 5556 AU. This is from a Non GT coupe with Heavy Duty Suspension option.