Topic: 14" tire clearance at frame rail

[C5ZZ]

Was reading in "Mustang Genesis" that Ford found
a problem with the tire scraping the frame rail on a
hard turn and used a fix of torching out a small area
of the frame rail. They continued this on for 64-66.
Was this just done on cars with 14" tires?
How about ones with 13" tires were they cut also?

[CharlesTurner]

Very early in production, the frame rails were modified so they were notched, so they wouldn't require any modification, like using  torch on the early cars.  Not sure when the change was made or if the torched frame rail cuts were simply a pre-production modification.

[C5ZZ]

From the way he talked in the book they continued to torch
the notch on the line into the 66 model year, it was cheaper
for them to torch the notch rather than redesign the frame rail.
My car has the torched spot and it's a Dearborn 8/64 date.

[Pete Bush]

The way I read Fria's statement, only the frame rails on cars with 14" tires were modified - to avoid rubbing in a sharp left turn. 13" tires wouldn't have been a problem because that's what was used on the Falcon without issues..

Fria's book details the design and building of the very early Mustangs. When he talks about the practice of "using a torch to crudely cut away a portion of the outer lower lip of the rail", I believe he is talking about the 64-1/2 model year. Then when he is talking about the practice being "used into the next model year", I believe he is talking about '65.

[CharlesTurner]

Got a Jan '65 Dearborn and a March '65 San Jose car in the garage, both have formed notches with spot welds on the edges.  No sign of torch cut.

[jwc66k]

I've wondered about that. My 66 K (Oct 65 San Jose built) has a jagged cut edge about four inches long on the left side outer lip about where the lowest bolt for the steering box is located. I couldn't see any cut on the right side.
Jim

[Pete Bush]

Yes, according to Fria, it was only the left side.

When did Ford make the transition to using only 14" tires on Mustangs?

[svo2scj]

Wish Bob had said "Passenger" or Driver - as I'm looking at right side/Passenger here!



Mark

[jwc66k]

Just did a look-see on my 66 Hardtop (Oct 65 San Jose build) and a 66 Shelby (Feb 66 build) and both sides frame rails are notched. The Shelby's RH frame rail seems to be saw cut or even notched as part of the fabrication process, it's very smooth.
Jim

[5F09CNot4Sale]

Sept 28 64 Dearborn, tourch cut.

[jtfx6552]

My 29K 64 6 cyl fastback which came with 13" wheels had what appears to be torch cuts on both sides.

[J_Speegle]

You'll notice that if those are torch cuts they did not improve clearance at all  (notice the depth is the same or less than the prepressed design of the two sections at the leading and following edges -

IMHO what we are seeing are more likely some form of weld rather than cutting based on the evidence.  Maybe earlier in the production (first month or so) they needed to do something to over come a problem short term but looking at some of the examples posted it did not gain any clearance -


Will have to ask a couple of workers if they recall anything related to it

[jtfx6552]

You'll notice that if those are torch cuts they did not improve clearance at all  (notice the depth is the same or less than the prepressed design of the two sections at the leading and following edges -

I'm not following you there? Looks like they'd increase clearance to me?

[J_Speegle]

I'm not following you there? Looks like they'd increase clearance to me?

Since the forward and rear diagnial edges are left un touched and as formed -



A picture directed straight up would likely illustrate the differences better