Topic: 1967 vs 1968 hood hinges

[krelboyne]

Looking for input on my findings regarding 1967-68 hood hinges. Through the collective knowledge of the members of the Concours Mustang Forum, we know that mid-way in the 1968 model year they started using the notched or cut down upper section by the hood. Picture below shows 1967 hinge on the bottom, 1968 with trimmed section on top.

Both of these hinges are otherwise the same, same X mark on the rivets, and straight angle cut on the upper section.

Picture showing straight (1967-68 upper) and concave (1969-70 lower) on the upper bracket rear.

I spent some time inspecting my 1968 Cougars for a change over date. My fairly generous sample indicates that Dearborn made the change approximately the 3rd week in February. San Jose made the change between the 2nd and 4th week in March. I made these assumptions based on the scheduled build dates from the many door tags in my possession.

[J_Speegle]

So your finding hood hinges with the (side view) lower side rail (for lack of a better term) and a straigh back edge of the horizontal side/surface?

[Bob Gaines]

The Metuchen cars that I have seen seem to change around April.

[krelboyne]

So your finding hood hinges with the (side view) lower side rail (for lack of a better term) and a straight back edge of the horizontal side/surface?

Yes, here is a picture depicting both details.

[WT8095]

Also note the difference in shape of the rear link, and the amount of material around the rivet.

[Murf]

Our April 03 scheduled build date California Special ( SJ) car  has one of each hinge.  Had never noticed the difference until this thread came along. 

[J_Speegle]

Yes, here is a picture depicting both details.

Will see how many cars I have pictures of that area of the car and report back



NOTE: Believe that for participants in the survey that have hinge examples if they could include the stamping dates from the hinges it would likely provide some additional good info for the discussion. Just a thought

[J_Speegle]

Looking for input on my findings regarding 1967-68 hood hinges. Through the collective knowledge of the members of the Concours Mustang Forum, we know that mid-way in the 1968 model year they started using the notched or cut down upper section by the hood. Picture below shows 1967 hinge on the bottom, 1968 with trimmed section on top........

I spent some time inspecting my 1968 Cougars for a change over date. ........................ San Jose made the change between the 2nd and 4th week in March. I made these assumptions based on the scheduled build dates from the many door tags in my possession.

Scott looking at what I have pictures and documentation of I found the following for the San Jose cars I have records of, after ignoring those that may have been replaced and  individual cars (orphans) lacking any support.


- The latest cars cars with the earlier style hinge was a group built (real build/completion dates) on May 15-16th 1968

- As for the earliest with the later version I don't have any real build dates but only VIN and the projected/guessed dates


Our Calif Special is one of the ones in the earlier style example group - unfortunately its not at home so can't provide the stamping dates from the hinges 
8R15227x - 22C
8R15806x - 30D
8R16140x - 22C

Unfortunately this group above is not a very tight grouping (almost 10,000 numbers apart which makes it hard to determine anything from it alone IMHO

[68NordicCat]

Here is a later style pair with a stamp that looks like 84 303 or B4 303. Didn't catch the 8 or B until looking closely at the pics. Can just barely make out the 4 and the last 3 on one of the hinges. Not sure what date code that is but the different flange style is visible.

Dan

[WT8095]

Here is a later style pair with a stamp that looks like 84 303 or B4 303. Didn't catch the 8 or B until looking closely at the pics. Can just barely make out the 4 and the last 3 on one of the hinges. Not sure what date code that is but the different flange style is visible.

Dan, second photo, that's definitely a "B" in front of the "4". And if you look really closely, you'll see there's another character in front of the "B". I can't make it out, but I think it could be a "9" or possibly an "8".

[68NordicCat]

Yep I see that now. How do you read these codes?

Dan