Topic: Correct Screw Protectors for Metuchen '69?

[drummingrocks]

I'm doing some last minute detailing on the trunk of my '69 Mach 1, and I'm trying to figure out what is correct on the plastic protectors that go over the screw tips in the trunk.  This is a Metuchen '69, built June 5th, 1969.

I have a good friend with a '69 Mach that was also built at Metuchen, but several months before my car.  His car has gray plastic "bullets" on the taillight studs, like seen here:


1. Should I have these on all eight taillight studs? 

2. What should I have on the side marker light studs?  I know NPD sells these, but I don't know if they're correct: http://www.nationalpartsdepot.com/store/products/cap_plastic_for_tail_light_screws-143806-1.html

3. What should be on the trim screws that come through around the rear seat (this is a non-fold down car)?  I've seen some cars with what looks like a black vacuum cap on the screw threads.

[J_Speegle]

I'm doing some last minute detailing on the trunk of my '69 Mach 1, and I'm trying to figure out what is correct on the plastic protectors that go over the screw tips in the trunk.  This is a Metuchen '69, built June 5th, 1969.

I have a good friend with a '69 Mach that was also built at Metuchen, but several months before my car.  His car has gray plastic "bullets" on the taillight studs, like seen here: 

Looks like the ones used on other years (67 firewall and taillight for example) - I've never seen these on an original 69 - any plant

1. Should I have these on all eight taillight studs? 

IMHO no. On the limited number of cars I've found with them still in place (like other years they often get knocked around) they were only on one of the taillight studs and only on the one stud where they would normally have been knocked off, leading me to believe that they were originally only placed on one stud. Since unrestored NJ cars in good condition are rare I've not seen these on NJ cars but considering that we do find them every so often on cars from the other two plants I believe meant to and likely did install them at NJ also. Pictures of original San Jose and Dearborn cars with the black rubber vacuum caps

The Dearborn example (top) looks like a slightly different design when compared to the San Jose (lower picture) but don't have enough samples to know if this was typical Lower version looks to be identical to the voltage regulator screw protectors used on 65-66 San Jose

2. What should I have on the side marker light studs?

Never seen or heard of any on original 69 Mustangs - Believe that is a later thing that you can find from time to time on restored cars - borrowed from other years

3. What should be on the trim screws that come through around the rear seat (this is a non-fold down car)?  I've seen some cars with what looks like a black vacuum cap on the screw threads.

Much thinner material than vacuum caps (like used on the taillight studs) Closer IMHO to really think shrink tubing. Again easily knocked off over the years and most cars no longer have them still on the car.  Examples from NJ Feb & March

[drummingrocks]

Great, thanks for your help!   

[rockhouse66]

I had the pleasure of inspecting a lo mile Metuchen '69 Grande recently, scheduled build Dec. 4, 1968.  It had these protectors on top two bolts of DS only, none on the PS.

[drummingrocks]

I had the pleasure of inspecting a lo mile Metuchen '69 Grande recently, scheduled build Dec. 4, 1968.  It had these protectors on top two bolts of DS only, none on the PS.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but are the two protectors on the upper studs the kind that are really thin heat shrink material, like Jeff mentioned?  It almost looks like there's nothing there at all.

[J_Speegle]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but are the two protectors on the upper studs the kind that are really thin heat shrink material, like Jeff mentioned?  It almost looks like there's nothing there at all.

Agree - if that is original its very different material or cap than the other two factory examples (from other plants)

rockhouse66 great opportunity (69 NJ car)  don't get those often. Last one I took pictures of was the CJ Rally car . It had been played with and touched up but still allot of details remained if you can pick through the other. Unfortunately auctions are not the best place to gather pictures from the undercarriage

[rockhouse66]

Jeff - I took quite a few pictures but probably of the wrong stuff    Interestingly, I saw 3 Metuchen Grande's in a short period of time and they all had the fender apron service decal mounted vertically.

Yes, these screw protectors are the long, thin style.  I know they are reproduced like this because I just today sorted through a box of '70 Mustang parts (mostly repro) and there was a package of them in there for use in this application.  (not saying whether these are correct for '70, just that I know this style is reproduced)

[jimhib]

    My car (Nov 68) does not have them and never did. The first time I removed my tail light assemblies I put every nut cap and washer in a freezer bag and put them back on when finished. NO caps.

[J_Speegle]

    My car (Nov 68) does not have them and never did. The first time I removed my tail light assemblies I put every nut cap and washer in a freezer bag and put them back on when finished. NO caps.

Wow - a 69 NJ original owner. I was too young to have purchased any of these from the dealership    Would be great to see some pictures sometime- still have the original contract and window sticker or any other drive off stuff the dealer gave you?

Jeff - I took quite a few pictures but probably of the wrong stuff    Interestingly, I saw 3 Metuchen Grande's in a short period of time and they all had the fender apron service decal mounted vertically.

You never know - often you get home only to find that you forgot something  or you discover something in the pictures that you never noticed at the time. Works both ways.   The decal thing is something that appears "normal"  for at least one of the workers assigned that task. IMHO one of the reasons and the fun of following these sub patterns

[drummingrocks]

Good to know that these are reproduced.  I took a look at Virginia Mustang's site.  Do any of these look like the correct thin ones?

http://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/Search.aspx?k=screw%20protector

[jimhib]

 Jeff  Back in 68 when I purchased the car those items weren't something always saved. I figured I'd have the car for a couple years and it would be a trade for something else. I drove it forty K the first three years and have gone another thirty over then next 42 years. The buck tag rotted off the passenger side fender apron the second year, must get a new one but do have the original warranty plate in the glove compartment, never been moved. The tune up sticker is on the drivers side valve cover and it never had the Red and White sticker on the right side of the Ram Air base that seems to be on so many cars today.

[rockhouse66]

Good to know that these are reproduced.  I took a look at Virginia Mustang's site.  Do any of these look like the correct thin ones?

http://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/Search.aspx?k=screw%20protector

I don't think any of these are correct.  Now I'll have to find the package with the ones I have so I know where they came from 

[drummingrocks]

I don't think any of these are correct.  Now I'll have to find the package with the ones I have so I know where they came from 

Post a picture if you happen to run across the package.  I'd like to see what those look like.

[rockhouse66]

These are described as 1970 but they sure look similar to what is in the picture I posted.  They are skinnier than they appear in this photo.

[J_Speegle]

These are described as 1970 but they sure look similar to what is in the picture I posted.  They are skinnier than they appear in this photo.

Looks like the maker/provider to NPD messed up in the description. Why would the fact that the car was a fold d own car relate in any way to the taillights? 


Up those look like the screw protectors for the "package tray" time screws  and apparently some of the taillight studs

Thanks for digging those out and posting  will have to include a couple of packages in my next order or little stuff so I can get those screws covered