Topic: Identifying original 68 idler arm?

[68 S Code]

What marking should I be looking for to identify an original 68 idler arm assembly. I spoke with one suspension specialist and he mentioned a C7ZE-#-B stamping and a ford logo with no zerk fittings. Another claimed markings of (MF) 68 and 14-248 stamped on bottom with a zerk fitting below the ball and socket connection. Mentioned nothing of Ford logos. Stated that 67's and earlier didn't have a zerk fitting. This is for a 68 July produced car if that makes any difference.

[J_Speegle]

Not sure if all of them had the Ford oval (others will comment) or the part number (some were pretty faint) but never seen a zert on a line idler arm

[68 S Code]

Jeff, knowing that there was no zert is a start. Now regarding any numbers or logo that will be the next thing to get verified.

[carlite65]

'zerk' is the correct term.

[67gta289]

+1 on zerk

"The patent for the Zerk fitting was granted to Oscar Zerk in January 1929" per wiki

[Anghelrestorations]

For a 68 idler arm (manual or power steering) there would be no zerk fitting, the engineering number stamped on the arm and a Ford logo.  I can post pictures if needed.

[68 S Code]

Marcus a picture would answer some questions. So the logo and part number are stamped on the long arm?

[J_Speegle]

Marcus a picture would answer some questions. So the logo and part number are stamped on the long arm?

Would guess (bases on other examples) that they are debossed (raised) cast into the arm section

[68 S Code]

Yes most suspension parts have the raised numbers. Is it possible to rebuild old used idler arms? Don't know if bushings are available from ford or aftermarket?

[T Lea]

Yes they can be rebuilt and bushings are available

[Anghelrestorations]

Here is some pictures of original idler arms where you can see the engineering numbers and the FoMoCo logos.....and pictures showing it mounted on the car looking from underneath. 

Bottom of idler arm:


Top of idler arm:




And on the car....

[68 S Code]

Marcus thanks. The pics were perfect. Exactly what I needed. The installed pic was what year car as frame mounting bracket goes all the way through idler arm. aftermarket arms are different.

[Anghelrestorations]

The pictures show a 69 Mustang but I think this area is the same on the 68 Mustang since they use the same part. 

[68 S Code]

Marcus thanks for clearing that up. I do have a question regarding the yellow marks you have on the idler, upper ball joint stud and tie rod end. I have a similar yellow trace of paint on the top of my lower control arm ball joint stud. Did yellow denote suspension regardless of side, or as in the case of this photo did it mean passenger side yellow and the drivers side in a different color.

Jeff S mentioned that he has seen original examples where the arm which is mounted to the frame for the rear connection of the idler having two green slashes of paint between the mounting holes. With that i would think that maybe passenger side would be green and the drivers is yellow.

I know that sway bars typically had a green and yellow daub of paint. Probably signifying that yellow goes to this side and green to the opposite side. With that said was passenger side considered yellow and drivers green.

[J_Speegle]

Marcus thanks for clearing that up. I do have a question regarding the yellow marks you have on the idler, upper ball joint stud and tie rod end. I have a similar yellow trace of paint on the top of my lower control arm ball joint stud. Did yellow denote suspension regardless of side, or as in the case of this photo did it mean passenger side yellow and the drivers side in a different color. With that said was passenger side considered yellow and drivers green.

In the pictures the "yellow" is shown on the center link - not the tie rod. For that year the Yellow (on these particular parts) identified PS related parts - not orientation marks

Jeff S mentioned that he has seen original examples where the arm which is mounted to the frame for the rear connection of the idler having two green slashes of paint between the mounting holes. With that i would think that maybe passenger side would be green and the drivers is yellow.

I have not found two green slashes on your year vehicle but on others. Believe in this case they were orientation marks

I know that sway bars typically had a green and yellow daub of paint. Probably signifying that yellow goes to this side and green to the opposite side. With that said was passenger side considered yellow and drivers green.

Sway bars did not typically have yellow and green marks - that was a specific identifier for only one (of many) sway bars. But it was a commonly used sway bar for many of the cars. These were not identifier marks 

With that said was passenger side considered yellow and drivers green.

Nope