'68 J Code Shock Towers

[67scodecoupe]

Hi Everyone, I new to the forum, but not new to vintage mustangs. I've got a question about '68 J Code Shock Towers ('68 Cougar in my case). Does anyone know why the shock towers on a '68 J Code (Mustang or Cougar) would have additional welding on the shock tower like on a big block car? I've posted this question on another Mustang forum, but to date no one seems to have an answer or a theory on the extra welds. One member on the other forum has a '68 J code Mustang with the same welds I'm asking about.

I'm attaching some pictures for you to see what I'm talking about. Thanks!

Here is a picture of the '68 J Code Cougar shock tower. These are the welds I'm talking about. They look factory applied and I've only seen these welds on Big Block Mustangs.

This picture is a '68 T code Mustang shock tower. I'm sure this is what we typcially see; no welds at all.

This is my former '67 C code coupe. I had the shock towers welded while the engine was out.

 

[mustangmutt]

I have only seen those welds done by someone who wanted to strengthen the shock tower. All the "unmolested" cars I have worked on haven't been welded like that. I have a 68 J code at home, and it's towers are not welded in that fashion. I worked on an S code that the original towers were not welded, but it was a 67 so maybe it's a '68 thing. I know that in '69 and '70 the big block towers had additional material that wrapped around the tower and was spot welded in and the only '68 I've seen with the factory re enforced towers was an R code.

 

[67scodecoupe]

I have only seen those welds done by someone who wanted to strengthen the shock tower. All the "unmolested" cars I have worked on haven't been welded like that. I have a 68 J code at home, and it's towers are not welded in that fashion. I worked on an S code that the original towers were not welded, but it was a 67 so maybe it's a '68 thing. I know that in '69 and '70 the big block towers had additional material that wrapped around the tower and was spot welded in and the only '68 I've seen with the factory re enforced towers was an R code.

Thanks for sharing your information! Really interesting how your own '68 J code doesn't have these welds; as well as the '67 S code you mentioned without the welds also. Attached are pics of my '67 S code with the factory welds. This car was definately untouched from the factory.

 

[mustangmutt]

The access hole to the upper control arm is interesting. I have never seen one from the factory.

 

[67scodecoupe]

That hole is not factory. You might know this, but a common practice back in the day was to "blow" a hole in the shock tower and install a zerk fitting since the upper control arms didn't have them. Interestingly enough, my car only had one hole done on it. If I had to do it over again, I would have had the hole welded up. I missed the chance when the body and paint were being done. I "rounded out" the hole and installed the body plug.