66 Shock Tower Survey Help Needed

[s2ms]

Thanks to all who participated in this interesting discussion. I just heard back from Howard Pardee on this subject and here's what he had to say:

As for the shock tower brackets, I too have seen a few cars without them (washers) but I agree with you that it was probably a supply issue. Ford's San Jose assembly plant , not Shelby American, installed them and maybe the issue might have been the UAW person who was supposed to be installing them was sick that day or week! Again, this is something that is very difficult to supply a definitive answer.

Since the issue of original Konis on 66's also came up in this thread I asked him about that too. He gave some very detailed info that I will post in a new thread.

[Snakepit]

Originally Posted by s2ms

Thanks to all who participated in this interesting discussion. I just heard back from Howard Pardee on this subject and here's what he had to say:

Since the issue of original Konis on 66's also came up in this thread I asked him about that too. He gave some very detailed info that I will post in a new thread.

Might as well throw another opinion in the pot

Look forward to what he's seen

[jbarela]

Hey Jeff..just found this thread...our car 6S1902 late 178XXX does not have the washers either ...had the car since 68...but dont know what our original shocks were


by the way we just had ours stripped to re paint them...no fomoco stamp anywhere..did they come with it or not?
Jimmy

[6S1431]

6S1431 has the washers, and I had 1855 and from the older pictures it appears it also had the washers. Not sure what the orginal shocks were on either car

[s2ms]

As Jeff previously mentioned, it's the Ford VIN that's important in trying to figure this out since the export brace and washer reinforced shock towers were installed at San Jose. If 6S1855's Ford VIN is, or isn't, in the same 178XXX range as Jimmy's car that would be helpful info.

It's unlikely we'll ever prove this but based on cars I have personally seen plus the info gathered in this thread I strongly believe there was a small run of 66 GT350's that did not receive the washer reinforced shock towers due to a supply issue.

[Snakepit]

Originally Posted by jbarela

Hey Jeff..just found this thread...our car 6S1902 late 178XXX does not have the washers either ...had the car since 68...but dont know what our original shocks were


by the way we just had ours stripped to re paint them...no fomoco stamp anywhere..did they come with it or not?
Jimmy

Jimmy

What are the markings on the shocks?

Should have an

- arrow or three along with three settlings SOFT - NORMAL - FIRM
- a large styled "G"
- code like P6CA
- and MADE IN USA

[jbarela]

Hey Jeff..our shocks are aftermarket koni ..not original..I was refering to the shock tower caps that the washers are welded to..we stripped ours and found no markings on them..so was trying to figure out whether or not they should have a fomoco logo or partnumber or something?

JImmy

[Snakepit]

Sorry - misunderstood your statement. Nope no markings on the shock supports

[jbarela]

Hey here is an interesting thing also..this is a pic of our shock tower brackets...you can see on the edges its not smooth but rather has..well see the pics..I have not seen tower brackets like this before...

[s2ms]

My originals are the same as Jimmy's. I would also like to know if there were different OE styles. I've seen other cars with (supposedly) original brackets that have a straight edge and have bought several straight edge sets at swapmeets.

[6S1431]

Reading this thread I see a long ways back I see that someone mentioned the tie down brackets. Mine still had them on when I took it apart for restoration. Should I reinstall them? The always were in the way of the exhaust and unless is was aligned perfectly it rubbed and made a noise. Trying to make the restoration "correct" without going too "perfect". Iclluded a shot of the car at the Bonneville salt flats in 1972, I drove it to there from the east coast for three years in 1972-74, I think that may be where it got some of it's rust issues from

[Snakepit]

Originally Posted by 6S1431

Reading this thread I see a long ways back I see that someone mentioned the tie down brackets. Mine still had them on when I took it apart for restoration. Should I reinstall them? .............

Your choice. These are not required for any show and they do produce issues (reason Ford wanted them removed)

IF you trailer the car they can come in handy

[Bob Gaines]

Originally Posted by Snakepit

Your choice. These are not required for any show and they do produce issues (reason Ford wanted them removed)

IF you trailer the car they can come in handy

I don't even like them for lashing down a trailered car. Jeff, I have found that securing the car by using the factory tie down brackets when transporting in my trailer causes me to have to re tighten the straps ever few hundred miles or sooner if bumpy terrain. By using straps around the rear end housing you keep the body tight. The slight up and down motion that the leaf springs allow when using the tie downs seems to work the straps a little loose. I can drive 2000 miles and not have to re tighten the straps when using the rear end housing (even though I check them at every fueling stop). I also don't think it is a good thing to put the stress on the rear leafs for long periods. Just my observation after doing it both ways for many years. Bob

[Snakepit]

Said "handy" not the best

Did work out quick and fast last weekend when the Boss choose not to run on the way to the show. Didn't have to tow it far


Back to work on that project

[jbarela]

does anyone else want to chime in on there shock tower caps versus the ones I posted a photo of?? we are 99 percent sure these are our originals...

JImmy

[Snakepit]

Originally Posted by jbarela

does anyone else want to chime in on there shock tower caps versus the ones I posted a photo of?? we are 99 percent sure these are our originals...

JImmy

Jimmy those are fine. Seen them less pronounced but the little waves are often there on other originals

[jbarela]

ahh...I am glad you said that..then for sure ours are original to our car and never came with the washers on them...I am going to have some put on anyways since they are supposed to have them...its great to see the minor variations on these cars..

[s2ms]

Originally Posted by Snakepit

Jimmy those are fine. Seen them less pronounced but the little waves are often there on other originals

Jeff, have you seen originals without the "waves"? If so, was it a production plant thing? Seems like I've seen lots of cars without them but really haven't paid attention if they were Shelbys or not.

Thanks,
Dave