Rear valance, center exhaust collector, and fuel tank clearance?

[Leterip]

Working on my 1969 GT350 jigsaw puzzle leads to the following question.  I have a dropped in a standard 20 gallon tank into the chassis well, fits perfect.  When I mock up the center exhaust collector it seems that there is not enough space for it to fit between the tank and the valance.
Did Shelby use a smaller tank or was the valance a custom part that created more space behind the valance?  All of the documentation that I have does not address this question so any insight would be appreciated  I don't like the idea of the exhaust collector against the fuel tank.

[Coralsnake]

Shelbys used the same tank as a Mustang.

[FL SAAC]

Working on my 1969 GT350 jigsaw puzzle leads to the following question.  I have a dropped in a standard 20 gallon tank into the chassis well, fits perfect.  When I mock up the center exhaust collector it seems that there is not enough space for it to fit between the tank and the valance.
Did Shelby use a smaller tank or was the valance a custom part that created more space behind the valance?  All of the documentation that I have does not address this question so any insight would be appreciated  I don't like the idea of the exhaust collector against the fuel tank.

Nope

redid both our 69s had no issues what so ever

must be something else that does not allow the proper alignment of your components

Best of luck on your endeavors

[Bob Gaines]

Working on my 1969 GT350 jigsaw puzzle leads to the following question.  I have a dropped in a standard 20 gallon tank into the chassis well, fits perfect.  When I mock up the center exhaust collector it seems that there is not enough space for it to fit between the tank and the valance.
Did Shelby use a smaller tank or was the valance a custom part that created more space behind the valance?  All of the documentation that I have does not address this question so any insight would be appreciated  I don't like the idea of the exhaust collector against the fuel tank.

As confirmed the gas tank is regular Mustang. Yes the collector is close to the gas tank.  It looks to only be a 1/4 to a half inch at the top of the gas tank and collector . In the picture I put my hand in between the collector and the gas tank on the bottom side. It is what it is.  The gas tank is also close on the forward side between the stock transverse muffler and the gas tank. Yes the gas gets heated very effectively.

[Shelbypat]

There are bushings between the collector and body. look likes shock bushing.

Bob, on your picture the exaush clap is missing right ?

[Bob Gaines]

There are bushings between the collector and body. look like shock bushing.

Bob, on your picture the exaush clap is missing right ?

Exhaust clamp is used on the GT350 adapter from the Ford pipe to the collector but adapter not needed on GT500 . There is a hanger bracket and hanger clamp that is missing on this picture example. Hanger bracket and hanger clamp was on from the factory but left off many times during restorations because it is not needed. The bolt on the top side of the collector once tightened against the pipe holds the pipe tight.

[Special Ed]

The rear hanger bracket and j hook and band clamp is still used to support tailpipes up and i have never seen the screw bolt used on top of collector hole even thou its in the drawing its to hard to get to to tighten down as no room to get a wrench up in that area.

[Bob Gaines]

The rear hanger bracket and j hook and band clamp is still used to support tailpipes up and i have never seen the screw bolt used on top of collector hole even thou its in the drawing its to hard to get to to tighten down as no room to get a wrench up in that area.

Ed ,I don't disagree about the hanger as I said "Hanger bracket and hanger clamp was on from the factory". I was explaining why many time past owner restorations leave that bracket off but not advocating that it be left off. That is because the hanger bracket and hanger clamp is not needed to hold the pipe tight if the bolt is used. As far as the bolt on top of the collector I have seen it used on original exhaust and also seen it not used. However if the bolt is not used the pipe can cause (not every time but sometimes) a rattle against the collector (which is secured by rubber bushings to the body). I found out the hard way initially many decades ago on my own car but have since diagnosed mystery rattles on other owners cars to that pipe.  The bolt is hard to get to but I have always managed. Apparently the elimination of a possible rattle is why it was engineered into the design.

[Special Ed]

The rear L bracket hanger is adjustable so you can line up pipe into collector so pipe fit in straight before u clamp down the rear band clamp as its needed for support and alignment. You might be able to screw a bolt into top of collector on the rh side but good luck trying on the lh side since gas tank is offset to lh side a very tight fit especially on the big block exhaust and factory tie down brackets in place.

[Shelbypat]

On the draw we see bolts secure the collector through body and bushings.
Aren't they supposed to be studs and nuts ?

[Leterip]

thank you to everyone that has chimed in