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SAAC HQ => Ask a Registrar => Topic started by: aboss4tg on December 29, 2025, 10:30:24 AM

Title: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: aboss4tg on December 29, 2025, 10:30:24 AM
I have a low mileage 66 with a lot of original parts I am cataloging and noticed the cowl seal has two metal tabs on each end that have what looks like the tab is bent over the mounting screws
Is this normal? My other 66 cars just had the flat plate
Todd
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: Bob Gaines on December 29, 2025, 10:49:35 AM
Quote from: aboss4tg on December 29, 2025, 10:30:24 AMI have a low mileage 66 with a lot of original parts I am cataloging and noticed the cowl seal has two metal tabs on each end that have what looks like the tab is bent over the mounting screws
Is this normal? My other 66 cars just had the flat plate
Todd
The clip is typical.
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: TLea on December 29, 2025, 02:16:21 PM
Seen it a bunch of times. Thickness of fiberglass would bind up so easiest fix at SA was to hammer them over
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: aboss4tg on December 29, 2025, 04:12:37 PM
TY

I spoke with Peter Geisler, Orlando Mustang on this and he said the same thing. He has worked on or restored quite a few 65-66 Shelbys and this was consistent with most of these cars.



Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: Bob Gaines on December 29, 2025, 04:38:52 PM
I forgot about that so I stand corrected.
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: Brant on December 29, 2025, 09:38:11 PM
I see more of them bent like that than not.

It all depends upon how the hood fits.

Removed or modified push-in rubber hood bumpers along the top sides of the fenders are sometimes seen as well.
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: s2ms on December 30, 2025, 01:54:44 PM
Well, that solves a mystery I've been wondering about. My late March 66 had the same bent over support tabs. Figuring they "shouldn't" be like that I carefully pried them back enough to remove the screws then straightened out and reinstalled. Had never heard this was done at SAI, guess I need to decide now whether to bend them back or not.
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: Bob Gaines on December 30, 2025, 03:08:12 PM
Quote from: s2ms on December 30, 2025, 01:54:44 PMWell, that solves a mystery I've been wondering about. My late March 66 had the same bent over support tabs. Figuring they "shouldn't" be like that I carefully pried them back enough to remove the screws then straightened out and reinstalled. Had never heard this was done at SAI, guess I need to decide now whether to bend them back or not.
Curious if you had a clearance problem after you straightened and re installed them.
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: s2ms on December 30, 2025, 05:05:49 PM
No issues at all. Think I'll resist the temptation to re-flatten them, can see that going sideways in several scenarios...
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: Bob Gaines on December 30, 2025, 05:40:17 PM
Given the comments here it seems to be a "as needed" modification that sometimes got done regardless.
Title: Re: 66 hood to cowl seal
Post by: J_Speegle on December 30, 2025, 07:21:16 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on December 30, 2025, 05:40:17 PMGiven the comments here it seems to be a "as needed" modification that sometimes got done regardless.

That's been my conclusion.