Topic: 1968 Speed Control Installation

[E35Pilot]

During the past few months I've been working on rebuilding the engine and freshening up the engine bay.  As we're ready to install the engine now, I've been thinking about installing a factory speed control system into the car first.  I've had most of the parts for years and have had them restored/rebuilt as necessary.  The system is now complete with all required parts.  If I decide to install the speed control system, the one question I have is the exact location where the harness goes through the firewall.  Does anyone have any pictures of where the harness goes through?  Is the location of the hole through the firewall the same for all factories, engines, body styles, etc? Any advice, info, or pictures would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Lee

[67gta289]

I thought this was a 67 only option that was dropped very early, resulting in extremely low number of cars built with the option.

[E35Pilot]

I thought this was a 67 only option that was dropped very early, resulting in extremely low number of cars built with the option.

The option was available1967-1969. 

From Mustang Monthly: "Cruise control, or "Fingertip Speed Control" as Ford originally called it, is something the Mustang didn't see as an option until 1967. Consider yourself extremely lucky if your '67 Mustang came with factory speed control; according to Kevin Marti's Mustang…By the Numbers book, only 55 units were built with the option that year. For some reason, Ford dropped speed control for 1970-1978 Mustangs."

Read more: http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/interior-electrical/1305-how-to-add-on-cruise-control-for-vintage-ford-mustangs/#ixzz3IlsJLHwH

[gtamustang]

only 55 1967 Mustangs and 437 1968 Mustangs came from the factory with Speed Control. I have only seen one Mustang on the show circuit with the Speed Control (maybe around 2000-2001) and the owner collected the parts over the years and added it much like what you are thinking. Odds are that you are not going to find an original so you are going to have to take a best  shot at  it. If it is a small plug for the firewall, then I would suggest punching out one of the dimples at the firewall underneath the shock tower brace mounts.

Regards,
Pete Morgan

[J_Speegle]

Remember that the systems were also available in kit form for dealer installation and there were two different companies making them - each design differed a bit.

I've had a couple of NOS kits over the years when no one wanted 67 and up Mustang stuff (65-66 only was the rule locally for a number of years.

If I recall correctly I copied at least one set of installation instructions - will need to dig around to see if I can find and post them. Lacking or in addition to that there should be trouble shooting and other stuff around here also that should help. Give me a couple off days  - it should save you some time and headaches in the long run

[E35Pilot]

If I recall correctly I copied at least one set of installation instructions - will need to dig around to see if I can find and post them. Lacking or in addition to that there should be trouble shooting and other stuff around here also that should help. Give me a couple off days  - it should save you some time and headaches in the long run

That would be great Jeff.  I have some time....especially to gain a few additional bits of information. 
I'm aware from other postings, etc. that there was a dealer kit that could have been installed but I've never seen one or pictures of this system.  It would be interesting to see how these systems (and the specific parts used) compared to the factory installed systems.  Thanks.  Standing by......
Lee

[ruppstang]

I am restoring a 67 S code fast back for a friend. He has two of these speed control systems. He wants me to install one in the S code. His daughter has a 68 GTCS that has a factory installed speed control that we are going to use as a reference. I do not know when I will get to see the car again but will get some pictures when I do.
Marty

[J_Speegle]

Looked around and found the 67 instruction sheets - not sure how much will directly apply to 68. Cougars will be a great resource for you since allot more of those came from the factory with the option. I think I should have a 68 trouble shooting manual for the 68 so will find that one also.

In any case will be posting a scan of the 67 installation system over the weekend. 7-8 pages originally had to move stuff around to fit the format I needed. a number of the sheets were 17 x 11" . After looking the sheets over I would not want to try to put one of these on a car with out this road map.

Will post an announcement once up

[J_Speegle]

OK the converted pages from the instruction are in place in the 67 Mustang section of the Library. About half way down the page under INSTRUCTIONS and marked NEW so you can find them with ease. Originally 7 pages of drawings and details - now 14 pages and they should be easier to read and figure out. Lots of moving parts to this puzzle

Might even provide a detail or two for the guys discussing, earlier, all the vacuum tank details - or just add to the confusion.   

Hope these are helpful to some of you

[E35Pilot]

OK the converted pages from the instruction are in place in the 67 Mustang section of the Library. About half way down the page under INSTRUCTIONS and marked NEW so you can find them with ease. Originally 7 pages of drawings and details - now 14 pages and they should be easier to read and figure out. Lots of moving parts to this puzzle

Might even provide a detail or two for the guys discussing, earlier, all the vacuum tank details - or just add to the confusion.   

Hope these are helpful to some of you

Jeff, thanks greatly for your effort.  I will spend some time reviewing the pages you added to the library and provide some comments.  This is really cool!
Lee

[E35Pilot]

The instructions posted for the speed control system were very informative.  However, as you might suspect, there are a few significant differences from these instructions and the factory installed system for 1968.  A few of the differences I noticed include:

a. The 67 instruction's mounting position for the speed control head on the inner passenger fender/shock tower attaches in a different position and uses a different bracket
b. The on/off switch mounts through the instrument panel where the 68 attaches below the ignition switch on its own bracket
c. There is an added mechanical brake-cut-off switch attached to the brake pedal arm, the 68 factory system uses an electrical brake light switch "jumper" integrated into the wiring harness

There are other finer details including vacuum line hose colors and installation of a separate vacuum canister depending on a vehicle's A/C and/or tilt wheel options.
However, this is a great reference for anyone looking to repair/install a speed control system.  The basics of system operation and associated parts and controls are all there.

If you don't have all the parts and you're looking to locate/purchase parts, be forewarned: this is not a project to do "on-the-cheep".  Some parts show up for sale reasonably often, e.g. speed control heads, relays, and the turn signal set switch as I suspect these tended to ware out and replacements were produced.  My own experience proved that some of the harder parts to locate/replace included the system on/off switch and bracket, the connecting hardware for the servo control bracket (bellows) to the existing accelerator rod, wiring harness, and the correct length and configuration of the speedometer cables.  As an example, there's an on/off switch that shows up on ebay every once in a while asking over $1K...just for the switch.  I guess it could be worth it if it's the only part you need to complete/repair your system.

PM me if you have specific questions or feel like commiserating over the complicated/rare nature of these systems.  I surely do not have all the answers, but after installing one system, I may have a few nuggets of advice.

BTW...returning to my original question...I drilled the hole for the wiring harness using one of the dimples on the upper firewall underneath the export brace.  I have a few pictures I'll post later once I get them transferred from my camera. 

Lee

     
 

[E35Pilot]

I have a few pictures I'll post later once I get them transferred from my camera. 
 

The photo below shows where I decided the wiring harness needed to go through the firewall. 
Thanks for everyone's help and information.

Lee