Topic: '68 dual exhaust rear leaf spring shackles

[Oz390]

Have seen them with both nuts on one side, and staggered.  What is the correct pair of shackles for the dual exhaust '68?  And which way do the nuts face?

[Oz390]

In a bit of digging around it looks like:

RH side is both nuts on same side of shackle, with nuts to outside.

LH side is nuts on different sides, nut on top inside, bottom outside

can someone confirm?

[somethingspecial]

Richard, What I have found in the Assy. Manual and confirmed by a MCA Gold Card Judge and an Asst. National Head Judge, your findings are correct.  Left side shackle is opposing, with upper nut to the inside, lower nut outside.  Right side is both nuts outside.  This was a conversation we had on my S Code GT/CS at the last MCA show I attended.  Both these Judges I respect and have several decades of knowledge between them.  As a new 67/68 Judge myself, I found this info very helpful in my "Bag o tools" to help me in the future.  Hope this answers your question.   Mike

[Paperback Writer]

+1

Both the '67 and '68 Assembly Manuals show it as Mike describes, and my '67 390 Convertible is the same way as well: driver's side nuts are staggered (upper nut inside/lower nut outside), and the passenger side nuts are both to the outside...

[Bob Gaines]

65-68 had the special duel exhaust shackle.

[TLea]

I would hold the fort saying all 68 dual exhaust cars have staggered studs on left side. yes that is whats shown in assembly manual. Yes that is what a lot of judges expect but the fact is of all the unrestored 68's (mostly NJ) I have taken apart the majority of them have the same shackle L & R. I would say its somewhere in the ratio of 20 to 3. Because both apparently were used I would accept either in judging

[Oz390]

Thanks for the replies!! 

Dearborn X code, had two of the same, which I was not sure was correct or not.  As that is as found and the car and it appeared pretty untouched there (OEM leafs) I'll go with the way it was...

[Bob Gaines]

I would hold the fort saying all 68 dual exhaust cars have staggered studs on left side. yes that is whats shown in assembly manual. Yes that is what a lot of judges expect but the fact is of all the unrestored 68's (mostly NJ) I have taken apart the majority of them have the same shackle L & R. I would say its somewhere in the ratio of 20 to 3. Because both apparently were used I would accept either in judging

I would default to the staggered stud in 68 with nothing else to go by . With that said I have seen enough shackle anomalies in the 68 model year that I too (like Tim)accept either in judging for 68 only. I couldn't in good conscience do otherwise.

[somethingspecial]

I would hold the fort saying all 68 dual exhaust cars have staggered studs on left side. yes that is whats shown in assembly manual. Yes that is what a lot of judges expect but the fact is of all the unrestored 68's (mostly NJ) I have taken apart the majority of them have the same shackle L & R. I would say its somewhere in the ratio of 20 to 3. Because both apparently were used I would accept either in judging

With that being said, a few questions:  1) What kind of shackle is found, same side nuts, or staggered?  2) If staggered, what is the mounting configuration?  3) You stated mostly NJ, would this still hold true to SJ built cars?   4) You would accept either, but what about other judges? Should someone restoring a car do as the assy. manuals call for to cover what most judges expect, at least for now?

Thanks, Mike

[Paperback Writer]

Here's the odd thing... 

There appears to be more than enough room to use a shackle on the driver's side where both nuts face out - so what was the reason for the staggered design where the top nut faces in?

[ruppstang]

I would hold the fort saying all 68 dual exhaust cars have staggered studs on left side. yes that is whats shown in assembly manual. Yes that is what a lot of judges expect but the fact is of all the unrestored 68's (mostly NJ) I have taken apart the majority of them have the same shackle L & R. I would say its somewhere in the ratio of 20 to 3. Because both apparently were used I would accept either in judging

One of the most frustrating things in this hobby is that you learn something like the duel exhaust spring LH shackle bolts are off set. Then confirm it in the assembly manuals then find out Ford did it only sometimes. It really takes years to become a credible judge. I started questing that all duel exhaust cars had the special shackle when I got our 68 GT350. I can not say that these have never been changed but the nuts on them have not been turned in a very long time.   Tim I am with you on not deducting it either way

[67gtasanjose]

I would default to the staggered stud in 68 with nothing else to go by . With that said I have seen enough shackle anomalies in the 68 model year that I too (like Tim)accept either in judging for 68 only. I couldn't in good conscience do otherwise.

The combined information of this thread is stating that ONLY in 68 models, there  would be no deduction for NOT having it staggered. For 65-67 models it would be required, correct?

Richard

[Bob Gaines]

The combined information of this thread is stating that ONLY in 68 models, there  would be no deduction for NOT having it staggered. For 65-67 models it would be required, correct?

Richard

It is general consensus that 65-67 the staggered shackle was typical based on many observations by numerous different people on survivor type cars.  It has not been observed on 65-67 the anomalous use and non use like the 68 model year for the staggered shackle. That is the reason. That part was being phased out which is one possible explanation for the use and non use.

[TLea]

It is general consensus that 65-67 the staggered shackle was typical based on many observations by numerous different people on survivor type cars.  It has not been observed on 65-67 the anomalous use and non use like the 68 model year for the staggered shackle. That is the reason. That part was being phased out which is one possible explanation for the use and non use.

+1 not that we are talking about it here but 69 also I dont see the staggered studs. Assembly manuals are helpful but they are kind of like AMK hardware, majority of time they are correct but often miss the mark.
Bottom line is this guys, it takes a lot of time and research to understand all the nuances of these cars and its not something that can be covered in a book. When it comes to judging I know its frustrating that not all are aware of all differences but thats just the way it is. Most simple rule of judging: when you don't know give the car the benefit of the doubt

[somethingspecial]

Just to be clear, My car received no deduction on the spring shackles, but it sparked a good conversation, which I feel was cleared up here.  Thanks guys.