Topic: 69 P/S idler arm

[astat1]

Do all original FoMoCo (factory/replacement) idlers have a CxZx stamping? If yes were there C9/C8 idlers for a 69? All I have seen have a C7Z stamping. Thanks

[TLea]

Pretty sure the ones with the C7 cast in the arm were 67 only (maybe very early 68) The ones used in 68/69 had nothing other than paint mark id.

[Bob Gaines]

Pretty sure the ones with the C7 cast in the arm were 67 only (maybe very early 68) The ones used in 68/69 had nothing other than paint mark id.

Tim, I thought I would respond because I don't want to hear a certain grumbly southern Indiana hillbilly complain anymore (you know who). The C7 is cast into the idler arm on all the ones used on 67 -70 P/S Mustangs/Shelby's. It had a FOMOCO in block letters in a rectangle up until 1969 and changed to a FOMOCO in oval for 1970 or there abouts. The casting can be misleading with very faint markings to appear blank or a maybe a later service replacement since the idler arm was the weak link in the chain and wore out first.  This was info pounded into my head some years ago by the same mentioned hillbilly . I thought I would share this info with you so when you see him in June you don't get corrected by him "again" (as he always says to me) because he enjoys it too much.  Bob

[TLea]

I'll have to listen to him complain. I've got about 3 or 4 idlers I pulled off 68s that have no C7 cast in them. All have remnants of yellow paint stripe. To random to be just a service piece as I would suspect very few took cars back to dealer to replace idler. Could be a plant thing? You know what plant all mine are from. Hillbillys don't scare me. you just give them moonshine and they'll fall asleep 

[astat1]

Since we're on the topic, is the bracket that attaches to the frame the same finish as the arm itself (heated finish) or is it different? I saw an NOS one which looks like there may be a difference. Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

Since we're on the topic, is the bracket that attaches to the frame the same finish as the arm itself (heated finish) or is it different? I saw an NOS one which looks like there may be a difference. Thanks

That looks pretty typical to me IMHO.  The chassis portion is steel and the arm is cast iron . Two different materials that normally have two different looks. There is a range from darker to lighter that each could be on both different materials IMHO. Bob

[J_Speegle]

Have to disagree a bit - even though both are forms differently they were both heat treated and would have had, originally, a very similar tone. Don't believe that 40 year old parts with surface rust are really representative of what they were originally.

The one pictured - is that suppose to be a NOS example (noticed the retaining nut)?

[astat1]

It was sold as NOS.  Sold for $29.95, naturally a couple days after I started looking for one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-1967-1971-Ford-Mustang-Mercury-Cougar-idler-arm-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a8895230QQitemZ230460838448QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1793wt_1165

[Bob Gaines]

Jeff,your opinion is welcome as always since we often bounce ideas back and forth. I am not trying to be contrary on purpose but the bottom retaining nut doesn't look out of place to me IMHO. The threads are swedged down to lock the nut as normal too. I attached a picture of the Killian low mileage 67 GT350 idler arm shot with the same nut. It had the C7 engineering number (felt it but didn't see).The example ebay picture looks to be in very good shape with minimal oxidation that would change the look of a finish to any great extent IMHO. Logically even if the parts are not assemblyline they would have been made with the same manufacturing techniques with the same materials and turn out having a similar look (finish)to a assemblyline part of the same design. Just my viewpoint to add to the conversation.Bob

[TLea]

Well Bob, I am going to have to eat crow here. After your comment of felt but not seen I went and checked my idler arms and 2 of the 3 I can clearly feel some numbers or letters cast into them. Can't really read them but there is definately something there. The nuts looks exactly like the ones pictured

[Bob Gaines]

Well Bob, I am going to have to eat crow here. After your comment of felt but not seen I went and checked my idler arms and 2 of the 3 I can clearly feel some numbers or letters cast into them. Can't really read them but there is definately something there. The nuts looks exactly like the ones pictured

No worries . You as well as others have helped me see a different viewpoint on issues past. I know you are aware of this but to others reading we are all friends here sharing info to try and help each other get a better understanding . It will be my turn again to taste crow meat soon enough. Bob

[TLea]

I'm so used to eating crow that sometimes it tastes good 

[BillEBobb]

It was sold as NOS.  Sold for $29.95, naturally a couple days after I started looking for one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-1967-1971-Ford-Mustang-Mercury-Cougar-idler-arm-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a8895230QQitemZ230460838448QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1793wt_1165

I'm the one who bought it -- that and some NOS outer tie rods.  Tell me I didn't get screwed!!

Bill

[J_Speegle]

Thought there were different ones for PS and manual?:

Not unusual for sellers to mislabel stuff for sale

[T Lea]

Whats really unusual is the top picture is not the same idler arm as the bottom picture