Export brace and windsreen washer

OziPhil · December 13, 2007 at 1:57 AM

Two Questions : 1. When an export brace is installed(Factory or dealer), are the lugs for the standard one removed or did they just bolt it over the top? Have seen a car for sale with the second method and looked very dodgy. 2. Was a windshield washer setup a factory item or optional in 1965? Same car didn't have this either. Five points for each correct answer! Phil.

CharlesTurner · December 13, 2007 at 6:23 AM

Factory export brace would not have had the "ears" welded on the shock towers. Factory installs also have the reinforcement brace welded into the cowl. Dealer installed would be pretty much any combination, but I doubt very many were installed by dealers... if any.

Windshield washer systems were optional in '65 but standard in '66.

You can keep the points. <img src=images/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

C6ZZKGT · December 13, 2007 at 8:01 AM Official Post

Cars with the factory export brace will also have the extra washers welded to the tops of the upper shock mounts. The bolts at the firewall are also different than the standard brace cars.

-Fred-

s2ms · December 13, 2007 at 10:09 AM

I have seen a few 66 GT350's, including mine, that did not originally come with the washer reinforced shock towers. I have always thought this was a supply issue but have heard from others who believe it was because only the cars with factory Koni's received them. Since Koni's were optional on 66's this is also a reasonable assumption but I haven't seen nearly enough cars to correlate this.

Anyone else with more info or opinions on this?

OziPhil · December 13, 2007 at 4:49 PM

Thanks again for your help, guys. Your points are in the mail! Phil.<img src=images/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

C6ZZKGT · December 13, 2007 at 7:19 PM Official Post

I had a 66 Hipo T5 GT convertible and it had the shock tower washers. I have seen several other original T5 cars both GT and non GT and they all had the washers as well. Being that a T5 was an export car with the export brace, I am basing my statements on these cars. None of them ever came with Koni's.

-Fred-

J_Speegle_old · December 13, 2007 at 8:04 PM

Have seen original export cars with and without the washers on the shock supports but most I've seen/worked on were without this detail. (even found a few Falcon export cars) Most recent a 67 very original NJ built export car without them. This car of course didn't have the firewall support for the export brace (a practice that ended in 66)

By 68, it may have depended on where the car was being shipped to if the car even received an export brace. Have one going to Europe with, one to Japan without (both pretty original cars both NJ built)

As far as Shelbys the washers were typical through 67 (seems a larger percentage of 67's came without them - but the vast majority with from my experiances)

Nothing to do with the Koni's, just a stronger mounting point.

s2ms · December 13, 2007 at 9:30 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>I had a 66 Hipo T5 GT convertible and it had the shock tower washers. I have seen several other original T5 cars both GT and non GT and they all had the washers as well. Being that a T5 was an export car with the export brace, I am basing my statements on these cars. None of them ever came with Koni's.

-Fred-<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

As far as Shelbys the washers were typical through 67 (seems a larger percentage of 67's came without them - but the vast majority with from my experiances)

Nothing to do with the Koni's, just a stronger mounting point.

Thanks Fred & Jeff. The 66 GT350's I've observed that originally did not have washer reinforced shock towers are near my car in production sequence so this supports the supply issue theory.

Edited by - Mad4HiPos on 12/13/2007 21:35:05

CharlesTurner · December 14, 2007 at 8:27 AM

BTW, it is a common misconception that the washer reinforcements were done during the Shelby conversion. The washer upper mounts would have been done at the assembly plant.

s2ms · December 14, 2007 at 9:51 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

BTW, it is a common misconception that the washer reinforcements were done during the Shelby conversion. The washer upper mounts would have been done at the assembly plant.

Here is a detailed discussion on this subject:

http://www.hipomustang.com/hpmx/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6155

J_Speegle_old · December 14, 2007 at 11:00 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

Thanks Fred & Jeff. The 66 GT350's I've observed that originally did not have washer reinforced shock towers are near my car in production sequence so this supports the supply issue theory.

Dave!!!! that's not fair. Remind me what car you have... please.

s2ms · December 15, 2007 at 12:31 PM

Sorry Jeff! 6S1757.

5F09C_old · December 25, 2007 at 2:30 PM

I KNOW my dad's 64 1/2 he ordered on April 17 did not have windshield wiper set up. (no pump or bag) I remember growing up listening to my mom gripe at my dad about ordering a big motor and 4 speed yet did not even remember a way to wash the windshield.

C6ZZKGT · December 27, 2007 at 8:16 AM Official Post

I sold a restored 65 Hipo GT fastback to a buyer that was really not a Kar guy years ago. His first gripe was that it did not have a windshield washer system. I explained to him that it was optional in 65 and that I would add one if he wanted it. I also told him that if he drove the Kar long enough to get the windshield dirty enough to need the washer that he should be ashamed of himself. He chose to not install the washer. <img src=images/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-Fred-

66KGT_old · December 27, 2007 at 9:39 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

I sold a restored 65 Hipo GT fastback to a buyer that was really not a Kar guy years ago. His first gripe was that it did not have a windshield washer system. I explained to him that it was optional in 65 and that I would add one if he wanted it. I also told him that if he drove the Kar long enough to get the windshield dirty enough to need the washer that he should be ashamed of himself. He chose to not install the washer. <img src=images/icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-Fred-

LOL Fred, thats a good one!

428QBird_old · January 11, 2008 at 1:51 PM

I have a 64 Cyclone that based on the ROT sheet came with HIPO engine. It does have the export brace from the Firewall to the shock towers. When I did the restoration I did not see any extra washers at the shock tower, but the brace is bolted and spot welded from underneat at the firewall. I would like to see some pictures of what the Mustangs look like to compare with.

Rick

C6ZZKGT · January 11, 2008 at 5:09 PM Official Post

The Comet export brace is a cleaner installation than the Mustang one. You can look at any 65/66 Shelby underhood picture to see the extra firewall reinforcement as the Mustang version is sandwiched between the export brace and the firewall. It sticks out beyond the export brace on the sides and is partially blended in with what appears to be seam sealer and then painted body color. The Comet version of the reinforcement is below the firewall pinch weld to the upper cowl and is not really obvious to the untrained eye. It is painted black like the rest of the engine compartment so it blends right in. The Comet shocks only have a single stud with bushings going through the shock tower caps so there is no place or need for extra washers like on the Mustang. The Mustang shock attaches with 2 bolts to the cap and that is where the washers are added. A friend of mine has a 65 Hipo Cyclone so this information is first hand as I regularly work on his car.

-Fred-

Export brace and windsreen washer

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