Are there any links/articles/experiences on putting a 68 rad/rad support into a 66 stang. What needs to be done etc?
If I do the mod, I'd like to go with welded the 67-68 core support
Are there any links/articles/experiences on putting a 68 rad/rad support into a 66 stang. What needs to be done etc?
If I do the mod, I'd like to go with welded the 67-68 core support
I haven't seen an article, but I have done it to my 65'.
To help keep my car looking original to the casual observer (it's a sleeper) I swapped in a radiator core support from a 68' mustang. It is the same height as the 65' but also has a 24" wide radiator opening (same size that the big blocks and AC cars had.) I then used a 4 row 68' copper AC radiator as it looks more stock than an aluminium unit.
A little fabrication (and some welding skill) is required to do it right, but it was easily completed in a couple of afternoons (by myself) and it works very, very well with my 393.
First I purchased a core support for a 68. I compared it to my 65' and noticed that it was the exact same height. Next I placed it on the frame rails and discovered that there was excess width on the driver's side, and not enough on the passenger side.
I removed most of the 65' core support, allowing some to remain on the passenger side to make up for the lack of material to work with. Then I clamped the 68' support in place, allowing the frame rails to determine the placement and I cut off the excess material on the driver's side. It was simple to weld the new one in.
A couple of other things will need to be changed or improved. Hood bumper mounts are different. I cut mine off the 65' and welded them in place on the new one. A little bondo took care of the welded joints. You will also need to drill new holes to install the hood latch as the 68' locations are different. You can mount the voltage regulator approximately the same place, although it will be tight.
In order to install the 68' 24" radiator and make it look stock, I needed to purchase the special 68' upper radiator clamp. The bottoms were needed too, but I just built some.
About the only other issue is the battery location. It depends on what you want. I wanted the battery in the stock location and it took some work. I purchased a battery box for a 67/68 and modified it to fit parallel to the radiator support, as the 65' one is way to big. A slightly smaller battery was needed but it still has plenty of poop.
Other possible ways around the battery are to either install a 67/68 battery apron which will mount the battery perpendicular to the radiator support or put the battery in the trunk.