Topic: Shock Tower Help

[68GTFastback]

Have S Code Fastback with 390 engine. Are the shock towers a different order # for this car, compared to a 289-302-351 etc? I cannot find a separate part # for big block cars in cataloges.

[krelboyne]

Pretty sure that the reinforced, or big block shock towers, didn't show up in the 1968 S and R codes until mid year.

[ruppstang]

67 S codes and 68 X,S & R codes had the same shock towers except the inner and outter structure was welded verticaly on both sides. I will see if I can find a picture. Marty

[J_Speegle]

Since you didn't mention when and where you car was built we're kind guessing what the correct answer for you would be

As mentioned 67-8 S codes were just welded up - not very pretty. 68 S & R's  had extra reinforcements added part way through the year. So we don't have any idea right now which is the correct replacement for what your car should have.

Also be aware that you can't just go out and purchase every piece for these cars and may of us here would suggest that you use original parts rather than purchasing a reproduction as they often differ in look from originals

A couple of 67 Examples

 






A 68 big block welded shock tower example







Late 68 R & S code shock towers

[67gta289]

What about 67-68 Shelby's, both the small and big block varieties?  Same thing - welded on BB only until the extra brace as a running change in 68?

[ruppstang]

Seem as though I saw a car some where that had a welded on one side and the late on the other. May have been a repair?

[68GTFastback]

Sorry I left this out. The car was built at San Jose November 31, 1967. Thanks for your input and photo's.

[67gta289]

I helped out a bit (minor touches) on a 67 GT350, all original sheet metal, welded fully on one side, but the other side only the side towards the front was welded, not the rear.  The 3 or 4 welds looked like Jeff's pics.  I chalk that up to a simple error.  But it is a small block with the supplimental welds.   Can get the vin if that would help.

[J_Speegle]

Sorry I left this out. The car was built at San Jose November 31, 1967. Thanks for your input and photo's.

So somewhere in the 8R0xS14xxxx range? All of my pictures are organized and filed by VIN. Would guess that that was during the welded seams not the added brace period but now with the complete information we can see what they were doing at San Jose around that time

Follow - up

Apparently you car is right around the change over point - so based on what I've got pictures I can't suggest one or the other practice

8R02S133811 - no extra metal just extra welding



8R01R158074 - extra metal - brace


Sorry

[Bob Gaines]

What about 67-68 Shelby's, both the small and big block varieties?  Same thing - welded on BB only until the extra brace as a running change in 68?

Shelby typically had the welding done on both BB and SB.

[TLea]

Nov 67 would be welded reinforcement. Wrap around didnt start until around 4/1/68

[WT8095]

So somewhere in the 8R0xS14xxxx range? All of my pictures are organized and filed by VIN. Would guess that that was during the welded seams not the added brace period but now with the complete information we can see what they were doing at San Jose around that time

I can add one more data point. I have welded shock towers, and figured out early on that it must have been done at the factory. The welds have grey primer and chassis black over them, all appearing to be original. I started looking at other 390 '68s at shows, and every SJ car had the same welds (2 or 3 cars).

My car was bucked on 2/2/68, VIN 8R02S140290. No digital photos handy, I will try to locate and scan some prints.

The welds on mine are just as ugly, even have big chunks of welding wire sticking out of one of them! I'm going to try to preserve those in place.

[Bob Gaines]

I can add one more data point. I have welded shock towers, and figured out early on that it must have been done at the factory. The welds have grey primer and chassis black over them, all appearing to be original. I started looking at other 390 '68s at shows, and every SJ car had the same welds (2 or 3 cars).

My car was bucked on 2/2/68, VIN 8R02S140290. No digital photos handy, I will try to locate and scan some prints.

The welds on mine are just as ugly, even have big chunks of welding wire sticking out of one of them! I'm going to try to preserve those in place.

I used to think that the welded up shock tower brackets were only a Shelby addition but have since noticed them on other regular Mustangs with the competition suspension option as well regardless of if BB or SB. 

[WT8095]

I used to think that the welded up shock tower brackets were only a Shelby addition but have since noticed them on other regular Mustangs with the competition suspension option as well regardless of if BB or SB.

Interesting, I haven't paid enough attention to look for the welds on non-S-code cars. Since you brought up the suspension option issue, I will add that my car is not a GT and has the standard handling package.

[ruppstang]

I had previously thought it was only big blocks that had the welds but as noted above the small block Shelby's did as well. We are restoring a 68 HCS J code GT and I have found that it is welded as well. It does not have the competition handling option.
Marty