Topic: 1968 Red Dye Fasteners Research & Discussion

[bullitt68]

The list is from the 68 Assembly manual. I restored my 68 CJ using red machinist dye and this list because it is the only documentation, I had it the time (2002). The way Ford engineered the car and the way it came off the line could be different.

Where can one acquire red machinist dye?

[Bob Gaines]

Where can one acquire red machinist dye?

This gives the expected look when used properly. https://www.amazon.com/Dykem-04968-Layout-Fluid-Brush/dp/B007464BQM/ref=sr_1_8   

[bullitt68]

Great thanks

This gives the expected look when used properly. https://www.amazon.com/Dykem-04968-Layout-Fluid-Brush/dp/B007464BQM/ref=sr_1_8   

Great thanks Bob appreciate it. So final question is are all of the fasteners I coloured correct? I will reapply with the dye, just want to know if there are any I should not dye.

[jwc66k]

Where do I find the AMK Guide to Ford Fasteners, 1955-73?

National Parts Depot https://www.npdlink.com/ Virginia Classic Mustang https://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/ or AMK itself https://www.amkproducts.com/
Try a search engine like duckduckgo.com to get a stock number. Use "amk products guide to ford fasteneres".
(Note: NPD and Virginia are members of this forum.)
Jim

[Murf]

I am of the opinion that the fasteners which have the red dye are those which were critical to the safety of the occupants.  Also I think we must be careful and know the actual build date of the vehicle being  restored.  On January 1 of 1968 many new Federal regulations became effective.  One such regulation was that certain fasteners were to be checked for proper torque when assembled.  Those are the fasteners that were coated with red dye.  Obviously this did not magically happen beginning midnight of January 1, 1968. Some regulations called out implementation  the new safety standards after existing stock was depleted, while some changes were in reality put into effect before the stated date for the regulation because they had to be in use by January 1.  Hubcaps, side marker lights, shoulder belts and even interior door handles were all redesigned to comply with the new Federal laws.  In summation, it is important to only  have certain details when it is appropriate to the vehicle in question.

[bullitt68]

I am of the opinion that the fasteners which have the red dye are those which were critical to the safety of the occupants.  Also I think we must be careful and know the actual build date of the vehicle being  restored.  On January 1 of 1968 many new Federal regulations became effective.  One such regulation was that certain fasteners were to be checked for proper torque when assembled.  Those are the fasteners that were coated with red dye.  Obviously this did not magically happen beginning midnight of January 1, 1968. Some regulations called out implementation  the new safety standards after existing stock was depleted, while some changes were in reality put into effect before the stated date for the regulation because they had to be in use by January 1.  Hubcaps, side marker lights, shoulder belts and even interior door handles were all redesigned to comply with the new Federal laws.  In summation, it is important to only  have certain details when it is appropriate to the vehicle in question.

Thanks Murf my car was built June 5, 1968. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[J_Speegle]

+1  . There are fasteners that are more prone to have the safety dye typically then others . The thing that can happen during a restoration that would be a possible deduction more times then not is as Marty said about poorly done dye. Overdoing it making it too bright ,using the wrong product or using the dye over the wrong underlying finish are some of the issues. The steering coupler star bolt seen in your previous restored pictures is just such a example of too bright . The bolt was zinc phosphate and then thin dye applied. I will typically slosh the bolt around in a jar or bottle of the dye and take it out to dry.  Zinc phosphate bolts dipped in dye and zinc dichromate or bright zinc plated bolts dipped in dye have distinct different looks.

Agree that suspension related red dye hardware was first plated phosphate though other hardware used elsewhere was also plated differently before the red dye treatment. One example would be the seat belt base washers that went against the unibody. Will post some below in a new thread

[J_Speegle]

Since we are not currently looking and discussing specifically 68 San Jose red dye details will be changing the title. Just letting others know

Seat belt base washers though unseen were red dyed in 68. Don't know when that was started

Examples from in the car are from 8R1718xx so fairly late car. Individual washer in the close up have not been restored




Don't recall for certain, right this moment, but another possible unseen (once the car is completed) red dye candidate might be the bucket set mounting nuts and cage washer. Will let others confirm rather than removing one from a car right now.

[J_Speegle]

Then we have the solid brake line to flex line retainers. The U shaped clips that slide into the end fittings. Finish is typically a chalky red dye finish

For drum brake cars there appears to be 3 of them One at each front brake line and 1 at the rear.  For disc brake cars a single one from my recall

[J_Speegle]

Possible support/evidence of three caliper related red dye pieces of hardware




On another possibility have not found the fastback rear seats rear seat upper panel for non-fold downs red dyed on examples I've found.

[bullitt68]

Since we are not currently looking and discussing specifically 68 San Jose red dye details will be changing the title. Just letting others know

Seat belt base washers though unseen were red dyed in 68. Don't know when that was started

Examples from in the car are from 8R1718xx so fairly late car. Individual washer in the close up have not been restored




Don't recall for certain, right this moment, but another possible unseen (once the car is completed) red dye candidate might be the bucket set mounting nuts and cage washer. Will let others confirm rather than removing one from a car right now.

Yes my seat belt hardware looked just like that as well

[bullitt68]

Then we have the solid brake line to flex line retainers. The U shaped clips that slide into the end fittings. Finish is typically a chalky red dye finish

For drum brake cars there appears to be 3 of them One at each front brake line and 1 at the rear.  For disc brake cars a single one from my recall

This is new to me I did not have those on my list

[bullitt68]

Possible support/evidence of three caliper related red dye pieces of hardware




On another possibility have not found the fastback rear seats rear seat upper panel for non-fold downs red dyed on examples I've found.

I got 2 out of three, but not the shield bolts

[J_Speegle]

I got 2 out of three, but not the shield bolts

Hopefully we can get multiple examples to double confirm all findings. Still need to go through the 68 Shelby pictures.

[bullitt68]

Hopefully we can get multiple examples to double confirm all findings. Still need to go through the 68 Shelby pictures.

Yes things are starting to get interesting now. Glad some progress is being made and will be a great reference for others. Great detective work as always Jeff.