Topic: 1966 fender spacers?

[evantugby]

Team,
Can you confirm if fender spacers were placed under the fenders in between where the bolts hold fender to engine bay?  If I remember correctly there were “shims” in between.  If so, did all mustangs have this to help line up the fenders correctly or were these only used as needed? 

[J_Speegle]

They were not typical used  IMHO. Rarely have I found a single one on an original car. Same findings through the early 70 cars. More often used by body shops during later repairs and such. Have to consider that the somewhat weak inner fender edge (bend with ease if you rest a heavy hand on them  so they are not going to help allow expect for the far forward, rear or at the shock towers

Sometimes shops will use the aftermarket upper A arm shims (they look different) for this purpose also during repaints and repairs. On later cars the factory shims are shaped much differently

[jwc66k]

Can you confirm if fender spacers were placed under the fenders in between where the bolts hold fender to engine bay? 

They were not typical used  IMHO. Rarely have I found a single one on an original car.

A "spacer"? Yes and no. It was "disguised" as a flat washer (44725-S2, 5/16FLW, 0.365-0.385ID, 1.125OD, 0.051-0.080T). The 64-66 body assembly manuals said 5 maximum each side, for use where the fender meets the door, and fender to rocker panel. Nothing for fender to cowl.
Jim

[mgmradio]

Interesting Jeff. My experience is the exact opposite. I can't recall seeing an unrestored Dearborn car that didn't have alignment shims under the front of the fender. My August 64 coupe and both June 65 cars have them , though the right one on my convertible was removed and is wedged between the grill and radiator support.

[evantugby]

Gents,
I want to make sure we are talking about the same area. See the attached photo with yellow highlights as the area that I believe some shims or “washers“ were placed in between the fender bolts.

Is this the same area you are talking about? 

[Bob Gaines]

Gents,
I want to make sure we are talking about the same area. See the attached photo with yellow highlights as the area that I believe some shims or “washers“ were placed in between the fender bolts.

Is this the same area you are talking about?

Washers placed in the area of the yellow highlights are not typical on the assemblyline. Speaking of washers 6S1732 Shelby typically would have stiffing washers welded to the upper shock beehive under where the upper shock bolts. They seem to be missing in the picture.

[J_Speegle]

Interesting Jeff. My experience is the exact opposite. I can't recall seeing an unrestored Dearborn car that didn't have alignment shims under the front of the fender. My August 64 coupe and both June 65 cars have them , though the right one on my convertible was removed and is wedged between the grill and radiator support.

Yes interesting. Or course we're comparing 65 verse 66 and Dearborn verses San Jose for  the OP's focus

I'm guessing (you can confirm) that your describing the shims being found only under the two front bolts at the inner fender and radiator support locations looking at the pictures I have of the cars.  Not all or any at the other locations

Three pictures from Mikes green car 

No apparent shims




One at the front bolt location




And from another 65 Dearborn example we have in the unrestored picture section. We even included a comment on them when those pictures were posted a few years back



Took a very quick peek at 66 Dearborn and found a number of cars with a shim on one side or both. Right now is appears allot more popular for cars built at Dearborn

Might be a good discussion in another thread focusing on other years and all plants

[J_Speegle]

Washers placed in the area of the yellow highlights are not typical on the assemblyline. .................

+1  Not washers and not at those locations if they ever used them.

Shops have been know to use or insert cut off paint sticks also as shims 

[mgmradio]

I have never seen washers or shims at those locations, only under the front corners and they have always been alignment type shims.

[CharlesTurner]

I have never seen washers or shims at those locations, only under the front corners and they have always been alignment type shims.

+1, only washers are sometimes on the farthest back fender bolts, usually some Metuchen cars.

[J_Speegle]

+1, only washers are sometimes on the farthest back fender bolts, usually some Metuchen cars.

Just checking - but guessing your describing what would likely be considered an "extra" larger washer between standard bolt and captured washer and the top of the fender like shown below.


65 Dearborn example - Mike's green coupe



66 NJ example


Haven't identified a pattern yet for either

[midlife]

The extra washer under the bolt head but on top of the fender itself doesn't do anything for affecting spacing, IMHO.