[Guest]

i recently purchased an original 1966 Mustang Sprint 200 for my 16 year old son. we are in the process of restoring it. we are not looking for show quality, but do want to restore to original.my problem is concerning the front end...we have been told that the front ends on the 65-66 models were weak..the shock towers would compress over time causing the front end to become out of alignment..we have been told that the shock towers on his have been welded to stop this, and also a Mustang Restoration shop near us says there is a brace that can be purchased and installed to prevent this...our trouble is that we have the Mustang at a frame shop, and he cannot find the correct measurements for the frame..so he can straighten out the passenger side spindle..during the alignment, we found out it has about a 7-8 degree forward lean..to much...so what can i do???please any help is greatly appreciated

 

[Flash]

The following is out of a 69 Chiltons. Hope it helps.
Frame length=181.6"
caster= range-0n to 2p, preferred-1p
camber= range-1/4n to 1 1/4p, preferred- 1/2p
toe end= 1/8 to 3/8
king pin alignment- 7 degrees
wheel pivot ratio= 20 inner wheel, 18 7/8 outter wheel

 

[Guest]

The supports I think you are talking about are called a monte carlo bar and an export brace. The export brace is a solid heavy peice that goes between the firewall and the shock towers. It replaces the small stamped metal ones that came stock with the car. They run about $40 and are simply a bolt in unit. I had to redrill mine to line up with the bolt holes at the firewall (the spaceing between the bolts was off not the positioning). Don't drill your car to make it fit! The monte carlo bar goes just in front of each shock tower and braces them from leaning in toward each other. On this one it is best to move the shock towers apart to get the bar in rather than cutting the bar to fit. The towers do often lean in more than they should. These bars cost like $20. Together these give a triangle support to stiffen the unibody in the front end.

 

[geegee]

Yes, they can but it's easily corrected. As another said, just install a Monte Carlo Bar and Export Brace. The cost of these parts is about $50. The simple act of installing them corrects the problem. The Monte Carlo bar is cut to the correct spacing between the shock towers. When installing it, jack the shock towers outward or pull them inward to get correct dimensions. Do not shim or change the Monte Carlo bar dimensions.

The Export Brace forces the dimensions between the unibody box and the frame rails to be correct. If the Export Brace appears oversize (jambs the firewall) then place jackstands under the frame rails sufficiently aft to allow the engine to exert downward force on the front of the car. Let it settle naturally until the Export Brace fits (usually overnight is sufficient). If the Export Brace seems undersize (doesn't meet the firewall mounts) then place the jackstands forward on the frame rails and let it naturally close the gap. Leaving the car on jackstands overnight is all that is usually required. Once bolted in place the two braces are sufficient to maintain the body shape unless you plan on using big block engines. If you use a big block then added stiffening is in order (added crossbar under the frame rails).



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[Guest]

66 Sprint 200 Frame Work

i just wanted to say thanks to all for the help with my sons Mustang...we just got it back from the shop, and the front end is repaired..i have purchased both the Monte Carlo Bar and the Export Brace to install..i really appreciate all the assistance...and so does my son..so THANKS all!!