Topic: 390 GT Engine Compartment

[Bob Gaines]

Here's the build sheet and Marti for my 68 "S" code. It's a late build Metuchen car, The tape covered the "GT" block on the build sheet but it's definitely a GT. Has the chrome lid air cleaner with the round air cleaner vacuum door and chrome covers.  Also odd that it shows a 55 amp alt. but I think this was covered in a previous post ...

Not odd because it has the heavy duty battery option according to the Marti which the 55 amp alt and heavy duty C8TF regulator is a part of.

[nightmist]

Was the rubber seal across the top of the radiator support (that was attached with staples) only installed on big block cars in 1968?

[Bob Gaines]

Was the rubber seal across the top of the radiator support (that was attached with staples) only installed on big block cars in 1968?

No. The 68 small blocks that I have seen the strip on had the heavy duty cooling option . The strip was meant to direct air through the radiator support and hence radiator instead of allowing it to pass over the top of the support. Maybe a coincidence or maybe tied to that option I'm not sure.

[Coralsnake]

I believe six cylinders got the seal as well

[J_Speegle]

Was the rubber seal across the top of the radiator support (that was attached with staples) only installed on big block cars in 1968?

Noticed that you have not added a signature to your post so we don't know when and where you car was built so can't give good details for your question about how it was attached 

I believe six cylinders got the seal as well

Very correct as usual.

If someone want to see some examples there are a number of unrestored cars in that section of the site with them visible. Pus have a fair number of additional pictures 

[nightmist]

Noticed that you have not added a signature to your post so we don't know when and where you car was built so can't give good details for your question about how it was attached 

San Jose early January 1968 production S-code GT with extra cooling package but no A/C.

[nightmist]

Is it correct that the hood seal on the radiator support was installed on Mustangs in 1968 with the Extra Cooling Package option regardless of whether the car was a small or big block, with or without A/C?

[J_Speegle]

Is it correct that the hood seal on the radiator support was installed on Mustangs in 1968 with the Extra Cooling Package option regardless of whether the car was a small or big block, with or without A/C?

Don't believe so but would have to compare pictures with Marti reports to show proof at this point

[nightmist]

What do you think was the determining factor for installing the hood seal then if both small and big blocks had them--but not all small blocks?

[J_Speegle]

What do you think was the determining factor for installing the hood seal then if both small and big blocks had them--but not all small blocks?

Have not found any original unrestored SB with them in 68 any plants though you can find a fair number of repaired/"restored" cars with them added by owners in the thought that it would help with the efficiently of the car/cooling. Guess that is what you have been seeing at some shows or the internet. 

Unfortunately Kevin Marti didn't choose to include the "extra cooling package" in his break down of options and how many cars were produced with it in his book Mustangs by the Numbers

Haven't found a Marti report or buildsheet of a 68 SB Mustang with that option on it except for 68 GT350 but like 67 GT350's that extra cooling package was part of the standard equipment for those cars as written in the specifications but these were not your regular Mustangs. Still looking through more

[J_Speegle]

Finished looking through 300-400 68 Marti reports  (had more but sort of gave up for the minute 

Found no cars with the extra cooling package as an ordered option. As far as some models (FE, 6 cylinder and AC) it was likely part of the AC or engine type option. Did find the extra cooling package but that was for a different Ford model (rear big car) built elsewhere in a different plant that where Mustangs were built.

With that said I focused on 68 small block Mustangs and Cougars with AC built at all of the plants and found none of those (unrestored or modified cars) and none of them showed an original hood seal nor evidence of attachment from the pictures I have. 

[J_Speegle]

San Jose early January 1968 production S-code GT with extra cooling package but no A/C.

Sorry looks like I skipped over the direct response as we got sidelined with the other questions

Here are a couple of unrestored cars (early 68 S code wo/AC) for example.  Seal with staple retainers

7R0xS1094xx (top) and 7R0xS1404xx

[nightmist]

Thank you so much for the detailed answers!

[bullitt68]

T


This brochure does not mention the engine dress up option. I thought that the chrome was part of the GT package and that cars ordered with 390 without the GT package received no engine chrome.

[WT8095]

IMHO all S codes came with disc brakes. PS was a separate option.

My Feb '68 SJ fastback is a non-GT S-code car. Manual drum brakes only, but does have power steering. The original motor was gone when I got the car back in the 80's, so I can't confirm if it had the chrome dress-up pieces.