Topic: Correct finish for rear tie-down plates and bolts.

[Oz390]

Picked up a set, hard to tell if the plates were originally natural or painted.  Bolts/washer/nuts natural or S2 finish?

'68 San Jose, build date Dec '67 if it matters.

[TLea]

pretty sure SJ are black. Dearborn/NJ are natural, hardware is all S2

[Oz390]

Thanks Tim...

[jwc66k]

The hardware and hardware finish is a mix of what was mostly available on the assembly line. As the plates and associated hardware was reused (or supposed to be), the finish was in poor shape. What I have found on 65 thru 69 Mustangs is as follows:
Bolts - the bolt used to attach the bell housing to the engine on SB V8 engines was used from 65 thru 68, p/n 20546-S2. For 1969 thru 73 I found the bolt to be only used on the plate, no other application on Mustangs. The only documentation I've found is on the 71-73 Body Assembly manuals, AM0041 page 61 and AM0046 page 63. The short bolt is 20430-S2 which was used to attach the bell housing to the transmission.
Washers - the washers are also unique to the plates, 44730-S2 and some other off the wall type that the closest AMK item is a GM bumper washer.
Nuts - a real mix - 64-66 were the front bumper nuts, 374358-S8 (when you remove a rusty nut and the "protected" underside is clear zinc, the whole nut is clear zinc): 67-68 used many; 34446-S8, I6 trans mount; 55695-S2, rear bumper; 55806-S2, front bumper; 55826-S7, 390 engine mounts.
The bottom line is there is little consistency even per car. All you need to do is to have clean hardware and it should not cost you judging points.
("Part number" deniers should not pay attention to "part numbers".)
Jim
 

[Oz390]

Cool, I saw no references for '67 or '68 I could find.

I have a full set as pulled off a car, unsure of origin, and am just going with that.  4 common bolts, washers and nuts.

Was only concerned about cast blast painting or SGB on the plates, and will just fake an S2 by gun bluing, heat and a dunk in oil... it gets "close enough" for me...  all balsted and very clean parts, and jsut don't want them rusting as here in Brisbane the humidity and heat corrode bare metal with flash in a day and it just keeps going!

Thanks!!!

[J_Speegle]

pretty sure SJ are black. Dearborn/NJ are natural, hardware is all S2

+1

Hopefully you have the correct style (dual exhaust.......) for your year and plant

[Oz390]

Correct style exhaust, or tie downs?

On the tie downs, which way do they mount and does it matter which way the bolts go through to be "correct".  Do the mount to the inside or outside edge of the rail, and the loop/hole to the rear or front?  Bolt goes thru from the inside or outside?

Could find no references.. 

[jwc66k]

There is another question, when did the shipping plates go on? Trying to remove them from a dual exhaust car can be time consuming, so did Ford install the plates before the exhaust went on?
Jim

[Oz390]

?  have a dual exhaust '68.  Had them in place and could have finshed it off in about 5 minutes.  Biggest issue, as noted, was not sure which way they mount, not getting them in or at the bolt/nut... not direct access, but nowhere near as bad as spark plugs on the S code! 

[J_Speegle]

?  have a dual exhaust '68.  Had them in place and could have finshed it off in about 5 minutes.  Biggest issue, as noted, was not sure which way they mount, not getting them in or at the bolt/nut... not direct access, but nowhere near as bad as spark plugs on the S code! 

Dual exhaust versions mount facing reward

[Oz390]

On the outside or inside of the rail?  Which way do the bolts install from?  A picture is worth... 

And as you refer to a dual exhaust version of the plates, what is the difference between them and non-dual variant? How to ID what I have?

[Oz390]

Here is what I have.

[Oz390]

Have seen this type, too, most indicate this is '69 and later, but some say for 67 and later...

[J_Speegle]

Here is what I have.

Single exhaust -

Your other post showing the version with the three mounting points is a dual exhaust version like those used in 68. With the rounded corners they look like a decent reproduction of the Dearborn/NJ version given the bottom corners - rest of the details are pretty similar

Single vertical bolt came in two different versions/styles -  hope this helps


San Jose Feb 67 dual exhaust example






San Jose mid year 68 dual exhaust example

[Oz390]

Cool... thanks.  Guess they go on the Cal Special!