Topic: Shock Tower Support Bracket question

[Jays66gt]

Looking around at other Mustangs I see that the export braces are one solid piece. But mine is not. It's bolted together and welded to the shock tower. Is mine original to the car? Are the originals supposed to be bolted together? Obviously a solid piece is stronger.

BTW, that picture is old.  The Edelbock carb and ugly fuel filter is LONG gone!

[carlite65]

that is not an export brace. it is the stock factory bracing. all mustangs had that. export brace is as you stated a one piece item bolted above the stock brace after it is removed.

[Jays66gt]

All Mustangs?  I've seen many with no bracing at all.  But thanks for letting me know this is how it should look.

Jay

[67gta289]

Yes, all Mustangs received braces.  They of course vary from year to year, and in some cases have additional holes along the brace to strap hoses to make for a large number of variants.  Export vehicles, Shelby's, and perhaps those with competition suspensions got the once piece export brace in lieu of the standard pair of individual ones.

[J_Speegle]

....................... perhaps those with competition suspensions got the once piece export brace in lieu of the standard pair of individual ones.

Never seen a Comp suspension car with an export brace and build sheets do not indicate they were installed

[67gta289]

Thanks for the clarification on the competition suspension - I used the term "perhaps" because that is an area I have not studied, and figured that someone that reads this post later on might wonder about it.

I suppose I should also mention that in other posts and sites there has been some discussion, with pictures, of some exported vehicles that might not have received the export brace.  I would think, though, that the export brace should be "expected" to be found on exported and Shelby versions of the Mustang, and expected to not be found on others.  Exceptions, even if documented, probably should be respectfully questioned.

[J_Speegle]

Thanks for the clarification on the competition suspension - I used the term "perhaps" because that is an area I have not studied, and figured that someone that reads this post later on might wonder about it.

Understand and that's why I responded so that it was not left hanging

I suppose I should also mention that in other posts and sites there has been some discussion, with pictures, of some exported vehicles that might not have received the export brace.

Would guess that the pictures were of 65-66 "export " cars ... we've seen a couple of made "Export " cars at shows that unfortunately some one sold a buyer on

 

I would think, though, that the export brace should be "expected" to be found on exported and Shelby versions of the Mustang, and expected to not be found on others.  Exceptions, even if documented, probably should be respectfully questioned.

+1

[MWM]

What finish is the export brace? Gloss, flat, something else?
Thanks

[J_Speegle]

What finish is the export brace? Gloss, flat, something else?
Thanks

None of the above

Semi-gloss black - glossier than engine compartment walls or engine pulleys