Shock Tower Crack Repair: Which Manual for Dimensions?

J

jabb

Member

Dec 14, 2007

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6

Nov 14, 2009

#1

• Nov 14, 2009

• #1

Hey all. I was just "fortunate" enough while scraping underbody coating off my passenger shock tower interior (gotta love that gooey stuff) to find a nice pair of stress fractures. I've decided that I'll do the prep work of pulling the engine and realigning everything myself before having someone who doesn't suck with a welder stick it back together.

I'd been told the proper dimensions could be found in a "Mustang Chassis Manual." My big question is: whats the actual title of the manual I need? I've found "1967 Chassis Assembly Manual" "1967 Body Assembly Manual" "1967 Shop Manual" etc. I'm guessing its the first one, but it could also be something I've not found yet.

Thanks!

 

2

2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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Southeastern Pennsylvania

Nov 14, 2009

#2

• Nov 14, 2009

• #2

I suspect they meant this. If you plan on doing your own work, you need this:

 

Realmongo

I prefer to be called "Evil Genius"

Founding Member

Oct 10, 2001

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Western Mass

Nov 14, 2009

#3

• Nov 14, 2009

• #3

If you mean this drawing, you can get a large copy of it from:

Mustang Frame and Floor Reconstruction by Mid County Classic Mustang

 

Attachments

• drawing.webp

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TurboDoctor

Founding Member

Jan 27, 2002

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San Marcos, Texas(Austin)

Nov 14, 2009

#4

• Nov 14, 2009

• #4

Where is the crack located on the tower? Base, middle, top? I doubt that any of the physical dimensions have changed from two cracks. Not saying that they didn’t, but I find it unlikely. I’m assuming that you just have some small cracks along the base of the tower? If it was just me I would weld the cracks out as they are. After 30+ years or use and abuse I’m sure nothing on the front end your car would diamond out the same dimensions as the day it rolled out the door. How do you plan on tweaking it back into specs anyway?? There’s not a lot to push or pull on under there. Let us know how it works out

 

candphall

Active Member

Jun 8, 2009

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Orlando Florida

Nov 15, 2009

#5

• Nov 15, 2009

• #5

I had a cracked tower in my 69. I ended up we;ding in a repalcement.

 

chris66dad

Member

Dec 19, 2008

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Benicia California

Nov 15, 2009

#6

• Nov 15, 2009

• #6

The Factory manual is what you need.
It is the best and comes in a CD format or you can download it directly from the publisher. The "key' lets you install the program on 3 computers.
Here are all the manuals available for a 67:
http://www.fordmanuals.com/estore/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=102

Here is the digital download shop manual for $16:
FordManuals.com - 1967 Cougar, Falcon, Mustang Shop Manual (Digital)

Here is an assembly manual that really can help for $15:
FordManuals.com - 1967 Mustang Part and Body Illustrations (Digital)

 

J

jabb

Member

Dec 14, 2007

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Nov 18, 2009

#7

• Nov 18, 2009

• #7

Cracks are near the middle bottom by where the upper control arm mount is. There are two 3 pointed cracks, one on each side. As and engineer it looks everything like tensional cracking and based on the control arm looking like its never been greased I can guess why. Comparing the joint between the shock tower face and the frame rail to the other shock tower it looks like there's at least 1/8" of deflection inward but there is no separation of the cracks themselves. It seems to me that just pressing the metal back into place, welding the cracks, and then welding on some reinforcing plates should be just as strong as new. Probably want to drill the ends of the cracks out to prevent stress risers too.

 

2

2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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Southeastern Pennsylvania

Nov 19, 2009

#8

• Nov 19, 2009

• #8

jabb said:

Cracks are near the middle bottom by where the upper control arm mount is. There are two 3 pointed cracks, one on each side. As and engineer it looks everything like tensional cracking and based on the control arm looking like its never been greased I can guess why. Comparing the joint between the shock tower face and the frame rail to the other shock tower it looks like there's at least 1/8" of deflection inward but there is no separation of the cracks themselves. It seems to me that just pressing the metal back into place, welding the cracks, and then welding on some reinforcing plates should be just as strong as new. Probably want to drill the ends of the cracks out to prevent stress risers too.

Click to expand...

The vast majority of cracked towers I have seen is on 67-70 cars with aftermarket wheels having a positive (sticking out farther) offset.

 

rusty428cj

10 Year Member

Sep 29, 2007

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Port Richey Fl

Nov 19, 2009

#9

• Nov 19, 2009

• #9

Do you have an export brace? If not get one and bolt it on if it will fit. If the shock towers have moved get a port a power to spread the towers so the export brace will fit than you can weld the shock towers.