Topic: 1969 and 1970 Radiator Brackets

[Anghelrestorations]

Put together a new write up on the differences on the radiator brackets for 69 and 70.  Would be interested to hear if anyone has ever seen a lag screw used on cars other than what came out of Dearborn. 

http://www.anghelrestorations.com/uploads/3/1/7/6/3176630/radiator_brackets_v1.2.pdf

[J_Speegle]

How many examples from Dearborn have you found with the holes in the bracket and not in the radiator support?


Might want to show the other end (engine side) of the bracket to show the difference between the earlier and 69 style from that angle. Just a though

Will look through my pictures and see what I can find - but don't recall an example from another plant

[jmlay]

Marcus,

You must have been reading my mind. Thanks for taking the time to document & posting.

[Anghelrestorations]

Actually Jeff the holes on the radiator support bracket is on all of them.  Its only some cars that had that extra lag screw added. 
My working theory right now is its only on Dearborn cars unless you or someone else can document another plant in 69 or 70. 

[Brian Conway]

     Thanks Marcus.  Another part that can go on the short list of pieces without any ID markings ?  Brian

[Anghelrestorations]

Nope...there is no actual ID marking on the bracket itself like date codes or engineering numbers. 
And just an FYI the insulator pad here you posted looks like its for the lower bracket from the number I can see in the photo. 

[Brian Conway]

     Yes, good eye, I have 4 of the C8ZB-A pads on the car.  Figured that was the stock setup until this latest article.  I'll guess the C7 upper pads would have started life on the 67 Mustang ?  Brian

[carm]

My car (Dearborn April 21,69) had these holes. I filled them in because I thought that they didn't belong. The holes were just holes through the sheet metal. There was no fastener or anything welded to accept the screw. Is this the case on Boss 9 cars also, just a hole in the metal without a fastener? I guess I will be putting them back. Hopefully I can still find the bolts. Do you know what the size is for these bolts?
We are so fortunate to have the "Concours Mustang" forum, and the people who contribute this wealth of information. Thank you. Carm.

[Mike_B_SVT]

Hi Marcus, and all,

Regarding the lower radiator brackets, '69 vs '70.  Any idea what date these might have been changed over?

My '70 Eliminator (build date Oct 6th of '69, Dearborn) has a passenger side '69 lower radiator bracket.  I know that my car has had the major front end bits replaced forward of the shock towers, but I believe the lower radiator bracket may be original given the condition and other peculiarities (damage to the bracket, paint overspray, totally incorrect driver's side bracket).

Any insight on change dates?

[Bob Gaines]

My car (Dearborn April 21,69) had these holes. I filled them in because I thought that they didn't belong. The holes were just holes through the sheet metal. There was no fastener or anything welded to accept the screw. Is this the case on Boss 9 cars also, just a hole in the metal without a fastener? I guess I will be putting them back. Hopefully I can still find the bolts. Do you know what the size is for these bolts?
We are so fortunate to have the "Concours Mustang" forum, and the people who contribute this wealth of information. Thank you. Carm.

]FYI there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason for the screws (other then Boss 9)other then some needed the extra hold down effect. Not all Dearborn Mustangs /Shelby's got them.

[J_Speegle]

...........  Would be interested to hear if anyone has ever seen a lag screw used on cars other than what came out of Dearborn. 

Only found one example so far - unrestored but well "played with" 69 NJ example. Might be original to the car considering that if a PO did it they likely would not use those particular screws

[Anghelrestorations]

Jeff...thanks for looking.  So I would still say its hard to determine at this point if its exclusive to Dearborn, but the overwhelming feeling seems to be that this was normally seen on Dearborn cars, and like Bob says outside of the Boss9's there is no real pattern to which cars had these, and which did not. 

Of course the interesting thing is the holes in the upper bracket were stamped for a reason so you would think they always had these screws.  But that didn't happen.  And the assembly manual makes no mention of the screws.

As for the change over date its my opinion this was model year specific. 

[Mike_B_SVT]

I was looking at the pics of Dave W's old Boss 429 in the recent Hemmings Muscle Machines.

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2014/04/01/hmn_buyers_guide1.html

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2014/04/01/hmn_buyers_guide1.html#PhotoSwipe1395808662198

Notice that his boss does not have the extra bracket bolts in place.  BUT, look closely and you can see a hole in the top of the radiator support right below the bracket hole.

[Mike_B_SVT]

One more question: what size are the lag bolts?  Hex size, length, etc?

[Anghelrestorations]

Good eye on that....and yes, they are missing in the pictures of that Boss 429.
The length of the bolts is about 1.75 from what I have seen.  They have a 3/8 inch head if I remember correct.