Topic: '65-'66 Mustang Trunk Tension Rods, What's the correct setting?

[NEFaurora]

Subject: '65-'66 Mustang Trunk Tension Rods, What's the correct setting?

On my two 'verts, Both have different Trunk tension bar settings.  It's not something that I've really ever thought of, but What are the correct default factory settings for the rods in the notches on each side?? Were both sides in the same notch on each side, or did each side have its own different setting.  I have always wondered about this..

Anyone have an idea?

What's the consensus?

Any/All help is greatly appreciated!


Thanks guys.

[C5ZZ]

Does one trunk open better than the other?
I have taken them off at the salvage yard and
boy they sure have a lot of tension on them!

[NEFaurora]

The '65 is way wimpy, and the '66's opens like it should, but in the '66, the rods are not in the same notches on both sides.. Should'nt the rods occupy the same notch on both sides?  Which notches are light tension, and which are heavy tension?

??


Tony K.

[NEFaurora]

Ok, I've got one of the rods out... What's the trick to putting these back in?  They did these in 5 minutes in the factory when the car was made?? I don't think so...! It's A BEOTCH!!

Any tips for putting it back in?  It seems to be under enormous pressure...

Thanks,

Tony K.

[carlite65]

there is a special tool for this task. i don't have one but have seen pics. i think someone over on VMF posted info. try searching there. also found this using google search  http://www2.cougarpartscatalog.com/67trunkhingetool.html 

[C5ZZKGT]

Can I tack on a question about the tension rods??

When my car was restored they put a yellow mark on BOTH rod ends, I was told the factory did this in order to signify that the rods were at the proper torque.

Question is should BOTH rod ends have a mark or just one? and if its just one which side should it be?

[NEFaurora]

I checked out the '65 Ford Factory Assembly manuals concerning this, and they say in there that the rods do not have to be in the same hole on each side, BUT, CANNOT exceed more than one notch deviation between both sides, basically meaning that the rods do not have to be in the same notch on each side, but for example, one rod on one side cannot be in notch #1 on one side, and notch #3 on the other side.  =But something like a notch #1, and notch#2 combination is OK, or a notch #2 and notch #3 combination is OK and so forth.. and of course the freaking manuals say nothing about installation of the rods other than mentioning the notches...but at least it gave something..

PS: I took a look at the tool Charles linked to above, and it says "Removal Tool" - It says nothing about installation!..lol..

There must be someone on here who has installed these rods at one time...

Anybody?



Tony K.

[carlite65]

PS: I took a look at the tool Charles linked to above, and it says "Removal Tool" - It says nothing about installation!..lol..

sorry, that wasn't charles. that same tool can be used for installation.

[C5ZZKGT]

Can I tack on a question about the tension rods??

When my car was restored they put a yellow mark on BOTH rod ends, I was told the factory did this in order to signify that the rods were at the proper torque.

Question is should BOTH rod ends have a mark or just one? and if its just one which side should it be?

No takers on my question?  I have had 1 person who is knoledgeable tell me that just one rod end should have the yellow mark on the end that I have described....

May be these marks were just a figment of someones imagination?

Who knows.....may be 1 is correct by some folks here on the east coast and 2 are correct on the west.....may be no marks are correct in the extreem northern areas.....

[CharlesTurner]

I have seen the yellow marks, but it was under exterior paint.  Think I mentioned before that this was an orientation mark for installation, but would rarely be seen as these were installed before the car was painted.

This is a case where the assembly manual makes mention of it, but have to put it in context of the assembly process.  The marks are only meaningful for the person installing the rods.

[C5ZZKGT]

I have seen the yellow marks, but it was under exterior paint.  Think I mentioned before that this was an orientation mark for installation, but would rarely be seen as these were installed before the car was painted.

This is a case where the assembly manual makes mention of it, but have to put it in context of the assembly process.  The marks are only meaningful for the person installing the rods.

Ok Thanks Charles! So, mine being on top of the exterior paint I'd be best to remove the yellow paint all together....-don't think I'd better mess with trying to cover the yellow now.....does kinda stick out aganst the Raven Black....

[CharlesTurner]

Ok Thanks Charles! So, mine being on top of the exterior paint I'd be best to remove the yellow paint all together....-don't think I'd better mess with trying to cover the yellow now.....does kinda stick out aganst the Raven Black....

Unless there is documentation of yours or another original Dearborn car that has the yellow on top of exterior paint, I would definitely remove it.

[C5ZZKGT]

I agree Charles. I will remove it. What likely is the paint? what would be the best to remove it? don't want to mess up the Black paint.

Anouther related trunk question.......I think I'll start anouther thread on it come to think of it.

[NEFaurora]

Boy, Did this thread get off topic...

Has anyone installed/re-installed these rods ever?

Tony K.

[aaatp]

Tony: I have put these rods back in my car, you have to figure out which is left and which is the right side. It becomes apparent after playing with them. I made the tool that was shown, out of a piece of 3/4 inch iron water pipe. You can use it to install as well, they slipped right in
real easy using the tool.

John