I'm fixing a few details on our 1966 Carryover. I learned SAI used some special bolts to attach the top of the front Koni shocks. I ordered these special bolts and when we went to change them out with the bolts already in place, realized immediately the new special bolts are fine thread vs, coarse thread on the car.
My question is, are the new bolts the wrong bolts? Or do I have the wrong upper mounting bracket?
The bolts are the most expensive bolts I will ever buy at $120 for a set of four so would like to learn what I need?
The shock caps should have fine threads for 65-66.
Thanks Charles. I'll round up a '65-'66 set. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
I am adding to this post as I try and get the shock tower braces/caps/bee hives correct on our Carryover. When it comes to the washers that were welded onto the caps, I have seen pictures where part of the washer has been cut off making it "D" shaped. While Virginia Mustang has an excellent picture on their blog of an original cap from a '65 GT350 and the washer is a full circle. Did the factory install both ways? Does this depend on the year? One guess I can make is because the '65s and Carryovers came with Konis, they received the full washer and when Ford moved away from Konis, they went to the "D" shaped washer? Again, just me guessing.
By the way, if anyone has a nice set of caps for the '65-'66 with clean threads and no pitting they would part with, please PM me.
Thanks
Jeff
Quote from: JWH on July 14, 2026, 01:50:44 PM............... One guess I can make is because the '65s and Carryovers came with Konis, they received the full washer and when Ford moved away from Konis, they went to the "D" shaped washer? Again, just me guessing.
Ford didn't install Koni's and the shock mounts with the washers were designed for use on export Mustangs like the export brace was. These cars used adjustable Gabriel shocks like the majority of the 66 GT350's. The Koni's and the different top attaching bolts was part of the Shelby conversion during the 65 and carryover cars
Do you have 67 shock towers? They are course thread v fine for 65/66.
Hi Jeff,
Yes, I have a Carryover. #074.
Kram350, yes. I have discovered this car has the '67 caps with the coarse threads.
Quote from: J_Speegle on July 14, 2026, 05:06:27 PMFord didn't install Koni's and the shock mounts with the washers were designed for use on export Mustangs like the export brace was. These cars used adjustable Gabriel shocks like the majority of the 66 GT350's.
Do you mean that the adjustable Gabriels were part of the "Export package" (and thus different from the ordinary Handling Package Autolite shocks) on regular (export) Mustangs?
Quote from: Helmantel on August 02, 2026, 03:11:39 PMDo you mean that the adjustable Gabriels were part of the "Export package" (and thus different from the ordinary Handling Package Autolite shocks) on regular (export) Mustangs?
Yes and had been since 1965
Here is a picture of a 4L (Nov 64) dated adjustable rear shock from an export 65 Mustang as an example. These were shared on the CMF years ago. Have 4H dated ones, in picture form, also. Paint color changes during 66 production
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/23/6-020826170721-23496819.jpeg)
I'm afraid the picture wasn't attached (at least I can't see it). I live in Sweden and the Mustangs delivered here (at least the early ones) got the export brace and the shock upper mounts with the weld on washers. I'll keep my eyes open if I ever see those adjustable shocks. They're the ones with the rings with the small holes, right?
Quote from: Helmantel on August 05, 2026, 04:17:32 PM...............They're the ones with the rings with the small holes, right?
Yes on the front versions. Rears had an slightly larger outer upper body shield than standard shocks made by the same company for Ford for standard, non-export models.
At the same time tens of thousands of Gabriel aftermarket adjustable shocks were made through the 80's so many of used examples of those also with plenty of little or larger differences. So easy to confuse between originals and aftermarket in a quick glance.
Hi to all detail interested people.
To answer your question about the washer reinforcement that is welded to the top 65/66 are round and the 67-up type are known as a "clipped" type. The metal will eventually fatigue and split if a stiff shock is used without a spacer. Whenever you remove a bracket they should be inspected for distortion and damaged threads....this applies to cars with high mileage especially.
To show what Ford learned about this look at how a 60/70 BOSS 302 racecar is set up.
Hope you found the correct parts for your carryover!
R.R.
Quote from: Road Reptile on August 19, 2026, 09:15:16 AMHi to all detail interested people.
To answer your question about the washer reinforcement that is welded to the top 65/66 are round and the 67-up type are known as a "clipped" type. The metal will eventually fatigue and split if a stiff shock is used without a spacer. Whenever you remove a bracket they should be inspected for distortion and damaged threads....this applies to cars with high mileage especially.
To show what Ford learned about this look at how a 60/70 BOSS 302 racecar is set up.
Hope you found the correct parts for your carryover!
R.R.
Is the spacer you are talking about the one I have under my upper shock mount? You have to zoom in to see it. It's the same as the ones used on TA Mustangs.
Roy
Quote from: TA Coupe on August 19, 2026, 02:53:57 PMQuote from: Road Reptile on August 19, 2026, 09:15:16 AMHi to all detail interested people.
To answer your question about the washer reinforcement that is welded to the top 65/66 are round and the 67-up type are known as a "clipped" type. The metal will eventually fatigue and split if a stiff shock is used without a spacer. Whenever you remove a bracket they should be inspected for distortion and damaged threads....this applies to cars with high mileage especially.
To show what Ford learned about this look at how a 60/70 BOSS 302 racecar is set up.
Hope you found the correct parts for your carryover!
R.R.
Is the spacer you are talking about the one I have under my upper shock mount? You have to zoom in to see it. It's the same as the ones used on TA Mustangs.
Roy
It is a washer that is welded on as a reinforcement of the shock bracket and not a spacer.Your upper shock mounts appear to have that done.