Topic: Fuel Tank Wire Retainer - Long Plastic Version - 68 fastback 390GT San Jose

[RoyceP]

Makes no sense as to why - the Mustang and Cougar use the identical same fuel tank, sending units, etc.

That is interesting, that may be the answer it is a Cougar part that found it's way on some Mustangs by error or the lack of the usual clips. The car I mentioned above that has the sleeve also has sound deadener on the tunnel. That was not done on Mustangs but was on Cougars.

[ruppstang]

Makes no sense as to why - the Mustang and Cougar use the identical same fuel tank, sending units, etc.

Is the plastic sleeve called out in the Cougar assembly manual?
You are correct it makes no sense but there have been a lot of those kind of thing done on our cars. Like changing the hole 67 dash stamping the make the 68 ashtray 1/4 in smaller.

[J_Speegle]

It is most defiantly OEM...........

+1 Have found my share on unrestored cars and on yard cars. Never did a survey or comparison of them. Plenty of other details have been asked for in the past. Guess we could do a thread asking for the regular car details and findings. Guess its worth to do a start and see where it goes. Likely would need one for each plant and it would be interesting if they showed up in plants (NJ) that didn't build Cougars

[J_Speegle]

To add to the discussion and ask a couple of questions after starting to look at pictures. For those well versed in 68's as well as others

1- Did that lip that forms the front edge of the gas tank opening (rear lip of the mid floor section) have holes prepunched/drilled in that lip on the passenger side
2- For the Cougar guys - same question. Can't remember if that body panel is different from Mustangs
3- Don't think it may be connected to type of exhaust since Cougars had both single and duals. Since we're comparing them as part of the exercise


Added a line to see if examples we find had the convenience package. Just in case but I don't hold out much hope be needs to be included this early in the search  IMHO

Established separate threads we'll see where this leads

[RoyceP]

Since both Mustangs and Cougars came down the same assembly line intermixed at San Jose and Dearborn in 68 and 69 model years it's not too surprising that humans would make errors.

That is interesting, that may be the answer it is a Cougar part that found it's way on some Mustangs by error or the lack of the usual clips. The car I mentioned above that has the sleeve also has sound deadener on the tunnel. That was not done on Mustangs but was on Cougars.

[jwc66k]

somebody needs to straighten those guys out over on VMF. their responses are ridiculous.

I "lurk" and "read" the Q's and A's for comic relief. I miss Carson and Rickles.
Jim

[preaction]

Is the plastic sleeve called out in the Cougar assembly manual?
You are correct it makes no sense but there have been a lot of those kind of thing done on our cars. Like changing the hole 67 dash stamping the make the 68 ashtray 1/4 in smaller.

It is called out in the Cougar electrical assembly manual C7ZB-14A088-A a C7ZB and not a C7WY part.

[jwc66k]

It is called out in the Cougar electrical assembly manual C7ZB-14A088-A a C7ZB and not a C7WY part.

In part number prefix "C7WY", the "Y" indicates a Mercury Division service controlled part, the same as a "Z" in that position indicates a Ford Division service controlled part.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Since both Mustangs and Cougars came down the same assembly line intermixed at San Jose and Dearborn in 68 and 69 model years it's not too surprising that humans would make errors.

Agreed just like the washer bottles with the Mercury head we see from time to time. Surveys will likely support this if so with random findings with no connections and no findings at NJ

Has anyone had a chance to look to see if my earlier question about the holes being present in the lip was a standard panel feature in all cars?  Trying to determine of the holes were designed into the part in anticipation for the use of the long channel version or something else as part of the investigation

[RoyceP]

No, it doesn't. The third and fourth character designates which entity paid for the engineering. Once the part is designed and made it can go to any product in any division. The Cougar is covered in parts designed for several different Ford divisions including Mustang, Fairlane, and full sized Ford / Mercury. As is the case with Mustang.

In part number prefix "C7WY", the "Y" indicates a Mercury Division service controlled part, the same as a "Z" in that position indicates a Ford Division service controlled part.
Jim

[Coralsnake]

I have seen it on 68 Shelbys, no Cougars in NJ in 1968

[67gta289]

No, it doesn't. The third and fourth character designates which entity paid for the engineering. Once the part is designed and made it can go to any product in any division. The Cougar is covered in parts designed for several different Ford divisions including Mustang, Fairlane, and full sized Ford / Mercury. As is the case with Mustang.

I'm with Jim on this one.  For the engineering part number 4 character prefix, the first two are decade/year, the third is the vehicle line that the part was engineered for (there is an accounting aspect to this as you infer), and the fourth character represents the engineering division (which also is used in accounting/budgeting).   The service part number usurps the fourth character and replaces it with a Y (Mercury) or Z (Ford).  There are always exceptions but this is the prevalent approach.

[ruppstang]

Over the years I have parted and restored over 60 67-68 Mustangs, the only one that I have had that had the plastic sleeve was a 68 GT J code. The few I have seen on judged cars were on S and R code cars. I am not sure if there is any pattern but most of the cars I parted were T and C codes and no sleeves were found on them. The original poster on this thread has a S code.  What was the base engine on the 68 Cougar and did those get the sleeve?

[RoyceP]

Interesting thought - I will have to look at the MPC to see if it says anything about engine size. I've generally only owned W code (three), R code (two), S code (many), or X code (several) Cougars and work on mostly R code or S code Shelby GT500 / GT500KR's so you may be on to something. I last had a small block Cougar in 1989, the last small block 196 8Mustang I owned was maybe 1977. I owned a couple T code 1965 Mustangs long ago but don't recall anything about the fuel tanks or if I ever looked at the wiring.

Over the years I have parted and restored over 60 67-68 Mustangs, the only one that I have had that had the plastic sleeve was a 68 GT J code. The few I have seen on judged cars were on S and R code cars. I am not sure if there is any pattern but most of the cars I parted were T and C codes and no sleeves were found on them. The original poster on this thread has a S code.  What was the base engine on the 68 Cougar and did those get the sleeve?

[RoyceP]

Not seeing that part number in my April 1969 MPC so it apparently was not available as a service part, perhaps because they were made very well and no one could envision selling one. It also does not appear in the illustration book.

It is called out in the Cougar electrical assembly manual C7ZB-14A088-A a C7ZB and not a C7WY part.