I have always noticed a small hole on the passenger side firewall at the top by above the hood gasket. Always wondered why it was there. Well I saw a beautiful 67 Shelby at a car show Saturday and saw he had a copper ground bracket screwed there. The owner told me it was there to ground the stock steel hoods and Shelby never removed them. So should I have a copper ground strap screwed into this location for my 68 GT350?
yes
Quote from: shelbydoug on April 30, 2018, 09:59:53 AM
Quote from: 68blk500c on April 30, 2018, 09:11:16 AM
yes
Really? Why?
Because it was there from the Ford assembly line and was not removed at AO Smith even though it serves no purpose with a fibreglass hood.
Chris
Probably bent down so as not to gouge the fiberglass.
TOB
Quote from: TOBKOB on April 30, 2018, 11:44:37 AM
Probably bent down so as not to gouge the fiberglass.
TOB
If your lucky. I don't think it was given an thought.
Can someone post a picture? I have this car since 1971 and don't know what you are referring to? Thanks.
I did take a picture of the 67 last Saturday but I can not post pictures for some reason.
First photo try since crash; hopefully it works. This picture is of #2444 unrestored 500.
The screws are not typical in my opinion
Quote from: Coralsnake on April 30, 2018, 05:01:33 PM
The screws are not typical in my opinion
Looked through my stuff and only found two examples (may have been changed - maybe not) but the vast majority were hex heads
Here are some unrestored examples that were handy
8T1554xx
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300418175321.jpeg)
8T1736xx
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300418175432.jpeg)
8T2051xx
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300418175454.jpeg)
8T2062xx
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/10/6-300418175513.jpeg)
Have more :)
Quote from: Coralsnake on April 30, 2018, 05:01:33 PM
The screws are not typical in my opinion
Totally agree Pete & Jeff. Just plucked a picture of the strap of my files; sorry to pick one with the incorrect fastener.
My KR, built 5/16/68, has the same clip and hex-head fastener as shown above by J_Speegle.
Here's a question: Why would a Shelby-destined car have been built with a hood ground strap?
I assume that a strap would only be needed on cars with the Mustang's optional turn-signal hoods.
Weren't all SAI cars in '68 delivered to AO Smith without hoods?
Thus, I'd think that there would be no need to have the cars spec'd with the turn-signal hood ground strap at all.
Am I missing something here?
Quote from: Side-Oilers on April 30, 2018, 08:33:59 PM
Here's a question: Why would a Shelby-destined car have been built with a hood ground strap?
I assume that a strap would only be needed on cars with the Mustang's optional turn-signal hoods.
Weren't all SAI cars in '68 delivered to AO Smith without hoods?
Thus, I'd think that there would be no need to have the cars spec'd with the turn-signal hood ground strap at all.
Am I missing something here?
Yes, you are assuming it only had to do with turn signals in the hood. It was in fact a radio static control detail as much as anything else. The clip had two sharp prongs that were to dig into the metal for a superior ground that was suppose to better connect (ground) the hood to the rest of the chassis . This was to create a shield (top and sides) to prevent static from the ignition wires from interfering with the radio . I believe the clip is included in radio kits sometimes too. Just like the strange static suppressors that go inside the front wheel bearing caps. FYI Shelby's with all fiberglass hoods were very susceptible to poor AM reception. That is one main reason IMO why the antenna was relocated to the driver rear quarter from the front on early 68 Shelby's.
Quote from: Bob Gaines on April 30, 2018, 08:48:05 PM
Quote from: Side-Oilers on April 30, 2018, 08:33:59 PM
Here's a question: Why would a Shelby-destined car have been built with a hood ground strap?
I assume that a strap would only be needed on cars with the Mustang's optional turn-signal hoods.
Weren't all SAI cars in '68 delivered to AO Smith without hoods?
Thus, I'd think that there would be no need to have the cars spec'd with the turn-signal hood ground strap at all.
Am I missing something here?
Yes, you are assuming it only had to do with turn signals in the hood. It was in fact a radio static control detail as much as anything else. The clip had two sharp prongs that were to dig into the metal for a superior ground that was suppose to better connect (ground) the hood to the rest of the chassis . This was to create a shield (top and sides) to prevent static from the ignition wires from interfering with the radio . I believe the clip is included in radio kits sometimes too. Just like the strange static suppressors that go inside the front wheel bearing caps. FYI Shelby's with all fiberglass hoods were very susceptible to poor AM reception. That is one main reason IMO why the antenna was relocated to the driver rear quarter from the front on early 68 Shelby's.
FYI in 69/70 Shelby the clip was eliminated. On 69/70 there is typically no hole where the clip is secured on other like Mustangs. It wasn't taken off because it was typically never installed on 69/70 Shelby's
Thanks for the info, Bob. I'm always up for learning something new about the cars we all love.
The cars did have hoods, but they were not "production" hoods. They were simply used to keep water out during transport.
Likely this part was so small, it was easier to leave it in place, rather than to eliminate it.
Thanks to you too, Pete. Makes sense.
00212 has this
(http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=35.0;attach=2734;image)
Quote from: Coralsnake on April 30, 2018, 09:18:15 PM
The cars did have hoods, but they were not "production" hoods. They were simply used to keep water out during transport.
That's interesting Pete..so what did these non-production hoods look like, and are there any around?
(http://www.thecoralsnake.com/ao4.jpg)
A mixture of Mustang and non useable Shelby fiberglass hoods, most likely used over and over and then scrapped
(http://www.thecoralsnake.com/ao3.jpg)
Quote from: gt350shelb on April 30, 2018, 10:08:19 PM
00212 has this
(http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=35.0;attach=2734;image)
Oh that thing? Mine has a Phillps head screw in it. I thought it was there to hold the gasket in place? ::)
other side of cowl has Phillips screws :o