Posts by CharlesTurner

No prob. The K convertible is a Feb '65 San Jose car.

I don't recall all the specifics, but has been discussed at length many times here at hpmx.

I don't recall seeing a hardness test on the crank, sorry. I remember it had the right casting, but had had some previous welding for balancing.

Yep, the spring perches are natural too. Those are actually originals that I was able to restore with original bushings, they have an 'M' stamp on the side.

If I remember right, the engine sleeve work was about $600 or so, maybe a little more. He made sure to match all the pistons to the cylinders. Had a different shop do the balancing.

Sharing the details of the restoration is part of the fun in doing it. It's been a real challenge to do this one.

Made a couple more updates. Finally got the motor back.

Been too dang hot to open the garage door!

http://65kresto.blogspot.com/

Would be a dual exhaust car with that plate, so a GT if it's an A code.

On a Dearborn car around that period, typically might see a rotation number somewhere on the front, usually a 3 digit number written in white/red/yellow on the bottom edge of the core support or possibly on the driver side of the radiator support. Chassis markings on the passenger side were typically marked before the car was painted and obscured once paint applied to the engine bay.

Additionally, you might find some torque/checks in various places, like a yellow or white 'X'. Sometimes red marks can be found on suspension pieces to indicate a part has been torqued.

Other than that, you might find paint inspection stamps (the baseball diamond variety) on the fenders and hood.

If you don't have any information from your own car to go by, I would suggest you start building a library of cars close in production at Dearborn to yours. You might be able to find some consistencies that give you a better idea what was common practice.

I would recommend that you hold off on applying any markings for now, unless you are duplicating something that is known to be on the car originally. Then, add some later as you learn more.

You probably need to be more specific about exactly which marks and also let us know which assembly plant and time period you're referring to.

If you're talking about MCA concours judging, the complete exhaust is worth 8 points. I'd probably suggest a 2-4 point deduction for an Arvin system. Remember that the rear resonator sections are the same as a regular dual exhaust (later GT style.)

The Ford replacements usually had something stamped on the top lip like the assembly line pieces. The format might be different, though, as I mentioned. Post some pics of what you have.

Those replacement fenders (as well as many service replacement sheet metal pieces) usually have a different date format, like "A 65", which I think is just a generic code.

Unfortunately, those black fenders are hit and miss on the sharpness of the lines and some of the manufacturing details may not match what was original to your car. It will probably fit ok, but when compared with an original assembly line fender, there will be noticeable differences.

Of course, your expectations and to what level you restore a car play into decisions like whether or not to use service replacement sheet metal.

Quote from chucks302

Are these also correct for an early June 64.5 mustang as well,

Since they were never a standalone factory option on any '65, then it would only be a dealer item. They first appeared only on GT cars, which started in production halfway through the '65 model year. So, no, I would not consider a hood molding correct for any 64.5.

Thank goodness! The older repro never seemed to get any better through the years and was always a pain to install.

Was nice meeting you finally! Wish I could have hung around an extra day to see all the cars that came out on Sunday.

Quote from lscman

You asked a question about the earlier cars having different fender emblems and you are correct as earlier built cars did have a shorter emblem and I don't know when the change came but my car is Aug.64 built car and has early emblem on fender but it is a coupe.Maybe some of the others can shed some light on the subject also as I don't know about the fastback having different emblems.

He was asking about 2+2 emblems, not the coupe/convertible emblems.

Depends on your definition of "correct"!

I say put an Arvinode system on it anyway.

Yes, typically gray at that time period, but black was also used.

I might have a pair of -c rear shocks. What dates do you need?

The export brace was typically installed on some, but not all, cars with export DSO's. They were also installed by Ford as part of the build options for Shelby's. It is a common myth that Shelby did the Export brace modifications. It was done at the Ford assembly plant, including the welded on washers for the shock tower caps.

The monte carlo brace was a dealer item, probably made more popular by the use of it as standard equipment in 65-66 GT350 cars.

Jack just did one for me using an original as a guide. He should have all of the info you need and can reproduce a very nice piece.