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Deals and Appeals => Up For Auction => Topic started by: 2112 on March 07, 2020, 12:14:36 AM

Title: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: 2112 on March 07, 2020, 12:14:36 AM
The base model

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-FORD-MUSTANG-SHELBY-GT-500-428-PI-BALANCER/192906160355?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3D8f76249782a8460d8c015f959710c329%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D293501849789%26itm%3D192906160355%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042

The restored

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-428-GT500-Shelby-Crank-Balancer-Damper-FoMoCo-Mint-Original-Show-Quality/293501849789?hash=item445612d0bd:g:apgAAOSwugJeYZou

The Pookie
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-mustang-shelby-gt500-used-428-pi-balancer-original-fomoco-427-side-oiler/333179330869?hash=item4d93092135:g:o2cAAOSwMQ1cD-Lf

Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 07, 2020, 02:52:21 AM
Quote from: 2112 on March 07, 2020, 12:14:36 AM
The base model

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-FORD-MUSTANG-SHELBY-GT-500-428-PI-BALANCER/192906160355?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160811114145%26meid%3D8f76249782a8460d8c015f959710c329%26pid%3D100667%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D8%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D293501849789%26itm%3D192906160355%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042

The restored

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-428-GT500-Shelby-Crank-Balancer-Damper-FoMoCo-Mint-Original-Show-Quality/293501849789?hash=item445612d0bd:g:apgAAOSwugJeYZou

The Pookie
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-mustang-shelby-gt500-used-428-pi-balancer-original-fomoco-427-side-oiler/333179330869?hash=item4d93092135:g:o2cAAOSwMQ1cD-Lf
This is such a predictable story.  :D   Of course Pookies's is bogus. His is a more common 1964 427 balancer. It is missing the champher edges and the machined timing degree marks that the 67 GT500/427 Fairlane version has. His balancer typically sells in the 250-350.00 range.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: gt350hr on March 09, 2020, 01:29:46 PM
    Pookie BOUGHT that one off of epay last year! It was under $100. I was in on the bidding but got sniped in the last seconds. The rust pitting is HORRIBLE and the fan belt groove needs machining to keep from destroying belts. $750 is ( as usual) a complete rip off!
   Randy
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 09, 2020, 02:11:54 PM
Tlea put one (67 GT500 C6AE) up on ebay last fall. I think the final price was $350? It was just painted Ford blue and he figured what it went for was what it was worth.

It's difficult to find the date code that you need and to find one without hammer marks on them.

I bought a reproduction 66 427 unit from Cobra Automotive. I think it was $350 from them? They beveled the edges for me so it looks like the original 428 PI part, and it's new so no worry about it having been balanced incorrectly in the past.

You can't see the part number on these balancers once installed since they are around the backside of it. It would be the lack of beveled edges that would give the 427 balancer away.


Incidentally, I think it was Prof. Gaines that said that was done to prevent the balancer from machining itself into the top of the front anti-sway bar? Mine's got a very distinctive notch in it from one of the PO. I wonder if he had a 427 in it and didn't know any better?

Here's a picture. Pretty ain't it?
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 10, 2020, 03:36:29 AM
This was done while it was being used on other vehicles (Full-size police cars) I am more inclined to believe it had to do with tooling for the timing marks.  It would make no sense to do the front and rear of the damper for sway bar clearance.  We also see a spacer used at the frame sway bar mount pads on 68 and later FE cars. The 390 damper for 67 is different than the 68 on vehicles.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 10, 2020, 03:50:46 AM
Quote from: The Going Thing on March 10, 2020, 03:36:29 AM
This was done while it was being used on other vehicles (Full-size police cars) I am more inclined to believe it had to do with tooling for the timing marks.  It would make no sense to do the front and rear of the damper for sway bar clearance.  We also see a spacer used at the frame sway bar mount pads on 68 and later FE cars. The 390 damper for 67 is different than the 68 on vehicles.
The champered edge will not dig into the swaybar the way the sharp edge design will if it comes into contact.  The balancer would sometimes hit the sway bar when full suspension extension. The problem was eliminated with the redesign of the 69/70 swaybar .  Also the 68 GT500 or KR did not use the 427 style larger diameter dampner . Also 68 was the only year that used the spacers on the sway bar mount and that was only on the CJ cars not the 428 PI GT500 or 390 Mustang. 69/70 390/428 Mustang/Shelby did not use spacers at all.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 10, 2020, 04:35:44 AM
I have seen many 428PI dampers with the timing marks wiped from the sway bar.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 10, 2020, 10:52:34 AM
Quote from: The Going Thing on March 10, 2020, 04:35:44 AM
I have seen many 428PI dampers with the timing marks wiped from the sway bar.
I haven't seen many at all. They are pretty rare items. Sometimes it's difficult to come to conclusions on such a scarce part?
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 11, 2020, 03:09:34 AM
I have two here. The reason I was forced to replace swaybar rubbed off most of the timing marks.  The 427 damper I have has no timing marks other than the notch on the pulley and uses a completely different damper. The 428 SCJ damper is slightly narrower than the 427/428PI damper. Ford used sway bar spacers to avoid this issue.  Being we don't have blueprints/engineering information from Ford we'll just have to speculate why only one damper is done this way.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 11, 2020, 02:30:15 PM
Quote from: The Going Thing on March 11, 2020, 03:09:34 AM
I have two here. The reason I was forced to replace swaybar rubbed off most of the timing marks.  The 427 damper I have has no timing marks other than the notch on the pulley and uses a completely different damper. The 428 SCJ damper is slightly narrower than the 427/428PI damper. Ford used sway bar spacers to avoid this issue.  Being we don't have blueprints/engineering information from Ford we'll just have to speculate why only one damper is done this way.
No need to speculate. Re read reply #5 . Problem was very bad in 67 . 68 not as much given the smaller diameter dampner . Ford eliminated the problem by changing the design of the sway bar for 69/70 . No issue at all for 69/70 regardless of inf CJ or larger diameter SCJ. 
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 11, 2020, 09:24:17 PM
I am not in disagreement with the fact the swaybar made contact with the damper. I have one to support that. The 68 isn't much that much smaller in circumference. It is almost half the thickness of a PI damper. I have a set of 68 spacers in my Shelby just to avoid the bar wiping the timing marks off again.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 11, 2020, 09:59:17 PM
Quote from: The Going Thing on March 11, 2020, 09:24:17 PM
I am not in disagreement with the fact the swaybar made contact with the damper. I have one to support that. The 68 isn't much that much smaller in circumference. It is almost half the thickness of a PI damper. I have a set of 68 spacers in my Shelby just to avoid the bar wiping the timing marks off again.
I am not sure why you disagree with the fact that the swaybar made contact with the dampner given your own words "I was forced to replace swaybar rubbed off most of the timing marks" ? If the swaybar didn't make contact with the dampner how then did the timming marks get "rubbed off". Of course you are welcome to disagree but the evidence on swaybars and PI dampners alike suggest otherwise.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 11, 2020, 10:23:49 PM
I think you need to re-read what I said. I said the bevel has nothing to do with contact. The bar doesn't make contact at the rear or front edge of the damper. It's almost dead center.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 12, 2020, 01:03:07 AM
Quote from: The Going Thing on March 11, 2020, 10:23:49 PM
I think you need to re-read what I said. I said the bevel has nothing to do with contact. The bar doesn't make contact at the rear or front edge of the damper. It's almost dead center.
I suppose how the car is leaning when the suspension is at full travel has a effect on where the balancer can contact the sway bar like when making contact in the middle of the balancer.  I suppose you haven't seen enough different examples otherwise the notches seen worn into the 67 sway bar many times would convince you otherwise. Notches when they happen are the result of the swaybar catching the edge of the balancer. The bevel of course would not help if the swaybar made contact with the balancer in the middle but it would help mitigate the effect some what if the leading edge of the balancer came into contact with the sway bar. Contact at the leading edge is the most common place of contact. All you have to do to confirm is to raise a 67 GT500 up in front with wheels off of the ground and let the suspension sag.Don't ever start your 67 GT500 engine when in the hanging position otherwise you will get a first hand example of the notching effect. The effect is more pronounce if the wrong end links are used and or condition of worn end link bushings . Maybe the bevel was done on both edges for balance. Just what I believe until evidence/information suggest otherwise.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 19, 2020, 06:28:39 AM
I noted that sitting on jack stands. I agree with yo, Bob. With the risk of full suspension deflection damage to the damper. I utilized the spacers that came out for 1968 to avoid just this issue.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 07:40:23 AM
Here's a pic of mine off the car. It's like it's been machined with a notch.

Explain to me how the engineering works where this isn't caused by the edge of the balancer cutting itself in and is caused by the flat of the balancer? That makes no sense what so ever?

How thick is the shim/spacer on the 68 GT500 from the factory? I presume that "Ford" noticed these anti-sway bar issues on the '67 GT500 and offered them as a quick, inexpensive solution?

This bar is original to the car but I'm questioning the safety of running it?
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 19, 2020, 10:13:18 AM
Hello, Doug. The spacer was used on the 68 model year. My assumption would be that the change in diameter from the all cast iron pulley/damper to a large diameter harmonic balancer necessitated the change/modification. Because my damper was wiped where the timing marks are about midway I had spoken to Arnold Marks at Mustangs Etc who told me about the spacers used on the 428CJ to eliminate this exact issue. I bought the set he had.  They are reproduced and offered via NPD these days.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 19, 2020, 11:53:43 AM
Quote from: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 07:40:23 AM
Here's a pic of mine off the car. It's like it's been machined with a notch.

Explain to me how the engineering works where this isn't caused by the edge of the balancer cutting itself in and is caused by the flat of the balancer? That makes no sense what so ever?

How thick is the shim/spacer on the 68 GT500 from the factory? I presume that "Ford" noticed these anti-sway bar issues on the '67 GT500 and offered them as a quick, inexpensive solution?

This bar is original to the car but I'm questioning the safety of running it?
I am not saying that it couldn't but have never heard of a sway bar snapping because of the notch. The 68 CJ spacers were the quick fix.they were only used in 68 ;) . I know this has never been brought up before ::) ::) but the permanent fix was the redesign of the swaybar for 69/70. The 69/70  swaybar was a service replacement for the 67/68. The subtle contour difference is hard to distinguish unless you know where to look  (sway bar bracket area) and even then it still can be missed . Many are not aware their swaybar has been changed. There are many more of the 69/70 version in circulation because of more applications using them compared to the relatively rare 67/68  competition suspension version. I will post a picture of the difference when I get to my files if someone doesn't show my old picture first.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 01:30:01 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on March 19, 2020, 11:53:43 AM
Quote from: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 07:40:23 AM
Here's a pic of mine off the car. It's like it's been machined with a notch.

Explain to me how the engineering works where this isn't caused by the edge of the balancer cutting itself in and is caused by the flat of the balancer? That makes no sense what so ever?

How thick is the shim/spacer on the 68 GT500 from the factory? I presume that "Ford" noticed these anti-sway bar issues on the '67 GT500 and offered them as a quick, inexpensive solution?

This bar is original to the car but I'm questioning the safety of running it?
I am not saying that it couldn't but have never heard of a sway bar snapping because of the notch. The 68 CJ spacers were the quick fix.they were only used in 68 ;) . I know this has never been brought up before ::) ::) but the permanent fix was the redesign of the swaybar for 69/70. The 69/70  swaybar was a service replacement for the 67/68. The subtle contour difference is hard to distinguish unless you know where to look  (sway bar bracket area) and even then it still can be missed . Many are not aware their swaybar has been changed. There are many more of the 69/70 version in circulation because of more applications using them compared to the relatively rare 67/68  competition suspension version. I will post a picture of the difference when I get to my files if someone doesn't show my old picture first.

Probably any aftermarket bar will do. I don't have a '69 production bar to compare it to but do have a '68 bar.

The thickness of the shims still has not been stated. Another 1/2 answer I suppose?

Personally, I'd prefer to keep the original bar with the car. It just adds to mystique of the marque.


I'll have to let the suspension hang, and go measure and cypher a solution. Normally, being from NY, I'd say calculate but I want to stay in context.

What the heck is a cypher anyway? Is it some kind of a venereal infection?



Since the suspension hangs at a different level depending on the shocks, I'd presume that the interference happens with the Ford shocks, not the Koni's and probably when they are worn in a little? Any confirmation on that? Hum?

The shop manual pictured suspension supports I think will not be necessary for this?

I'm still waiting for a tank of original air to come up for the tires.


So I'm trying to remind myself what the point of this discussion was? I don't know...first base! Hum? Exactly!  :o
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: pbf777 on March 19, 2020, 01:58:54 PM
     This is an interesting topic, as it challenges us, decades post the original production to attempt to determine the intent for a component modification by Ford. 

     First I assume that no one here apparently is either a first hand witness, nor holds any documentation or is aware that any currently exists describing the reasoning, so we are all speculating?

     If so, I am a little at a loss to actually believe that the real engineers at Ford, after concluding that there was interference between the damper's' outer diameter and the sway bar would choose to bevel the edges of the damper solely as to avoid a perhaps more aggressive notch from being formed from the corner edge of the damper into the sway bar, but still permitting this interference otherwise?  If one considers the impact (pun intended) of this event upon the components directly involved, and the resultant effect upon others even if only indirectly, then I say: no way!            :o

     As far as a secondary bevel to the rear of the inertia ring perhaps for the purpose of balance, I don't feel there is any credence in this, as a symmetrical material removal at the face would not cause a change or imbalance of the component (as relevant here), therefor a like removal at the rear has no purpose in this arena.  But what is accomplished, and I believe the intention, in the change (reduction in this case) of the inertia ring mass is a change of the harmonic vibration dampening effect, or "tuning" of the damper for the 428 P.I. engine requirements versus the 427 application from which the dampers' engineering originated, and such a change otherwise I believe would not have been approved by those responsible for such, with other simpler solutions for chassis fitment purposes available.            ;)

     The sway bar spacers and change of the profile of the bar both appear to be a response to the apparently overlooked issue of the interference, and it is feasibly reasonable to me to believe that this issue was just that, and that the dampers' profile change had nothing to do, nor was intended to address this interference, as it was ineffectual for such.

     Well, I wasn't there, and my ears are not deaf to other's, but that's my speculation on the matter, for whatever it may be worth.            ::)

     Scott.

     
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 19, 2020, 02:03:34 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 01:30:01 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on March 19, 2020, 11:53:43 AM
Quote from: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 07:40:23 AM
Here's a pic of mine off the car. It's like it's been machined with a notch.

Explain to me how the engineering works where this isn't caused by the edge of the balancer cutting itself in and is caused by the flat of the balancer? That makes no sense what so ever?

How thick is the shim/spacer on the 68 GT500 from the factory? I presume that "Ford" noticed these anti-sway bar issues on the '67 GT500 and offered them as a quick, inexpensive solution?

This bar is original to the car but I'm questioning the safety of running it?
I am not saying that it couldn't but have never heard of a sway bar snapping because of the notch. The 68 CJ spacers were the quick fix.they were only used in 68 ;) . I know this has never been brought up before ::) ::) but the permanent fix was the redesign of the swaybar for 69/70. The 69/70  swaybar was a service replacement for the 67/68. The subtle contour difference is hard to distinguish unless you know where to look  (sway bar bracket area) and even then it still can be missed . Many are not aware their swaybar has been changed. There are many more of the 69/70 version in circulation because of more applications using them compared to the relatively rare 67/68  competition suspension version. I will post a picture of the difference when I get to my files if someone doesn't show my old picture first.

Probably any aftermarket bar will do. I don't have a '69 production bar to compare it to but do have a '68 bar.

The thickness of the shims still has not been stated. Another 1/2 answer I suppose?

Personally, I'd prefer to keep the original bar with the car. It just adds to mystique of the marque.


I'll have to let the suspension hang, and go measure and cypher a solution. Normally, being from NY, I'd say calculate but I want to stay in context.

What the heck is a cypher anyway? Is it some kind of a venereal infection?



Since the suspension hangs at a different level depending on the shocks, I'd presume that the interference happens with the Ford shocks, not the Koni's and probably when they are worn in a little? Any confirmation on that? Hum?

The shop manual pictured suspension supports I think will not be necessary for this?

I'm still waiting for a tank of original air to come up for the tires.


So I'm trying to remind myself what the point of this discussion was? I don't know...first base! Hum? Exactly!  :o
I am not sure if different shocks will have a effect or not given the travel most likely is the same . Given the spacers were designed  around the 68 smaller diameter balancer it would probably be prudent to go ahead and take measurement for spacers with your larger diameter C6AE balancer. I would like to point out that many problems with sway bar contact are caused by using the MPC called for 65-67 regular Mustang end link kit. The 67 competition suspension used a different end link kit regardless of GT350 or GT500. Not going into detail nuance differences in hardware (which there are)it is basically the same endlink kit used on 68-70 Mustang.This can be substituted successfully and fine for all but concours considerations. The bolts and the tube are longer . The regular 67 Mustang tube is shorter. The longer tube tilts the bar down more giving additional clearance. With the wrong end links you make the problem under spirited driving over bumps and jumps even worse!! The correct end links are not enough for the Spirited bumps and jumps but the point is that you need the correct end link before taking measurements to confirm spacers for adequate clearance . If you already have the longer endlinks (sorry I know them by sight but don't have tube measurements at the moment) then proceed to taking spacer measurements. 
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 02:06:31 PM
I think they knew there was contact and the balancer would just spin around a little on the bar. I don't think they realized it would polish off the timing marks?


The other alternative is that they did the bevels for esthetics? Want to bet on that one?


This is one of the old managerial procedures that it only required 15 minutes of analasis. 30 minutes is too long. Put the car in production and fix it in service.

After all, the bar only hits when the front suspension is hanging. You are supposed to use the supports shown in the shop manual if it is on the lift and how air born is a driver likely to get?

The simplest answer is shim the bar until it clears?
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 19, 2020, 02:20:14 PM
Quote from: pbf777 on March 19, 2020, 01:58:54 PM
     This is an interesting topic, as it challenges us, decades post the original production to attempt to determine the intent for a component modification by Ford. 

     First I assume that no one here apparently is either a first hand witness, nor holds any documentation or is aware that any currently exists describing the reasoning, so we are all speculating?

     If so, I am a little at a loss to actually believe that the real engineers at Ford, after concluding that there was interference between the damper's' outer diameter and the sway bar would choose to bevel the edges of the damper solely as to avoid a perhaps more aggressive notch from being formed from the corner edge of the damper into the sway bar, but still permitting this interference otherwise?  If one considers the impact (pun intended) of this event upon the components directly involved, and the resultant effect upon others even if only indirectly, then I say: no way!            :o

     As far as a secondary bevel to the rear of the inertia ring perhaps for the purpose of balance, I don't feel there is any credence in this, as a symmetrical material removal at the face would not cause a change or imbalance of the component (as relevant here), therefor a like removal at the rear has no purpose in this arena.  But what is accomplished, and I believe the intention, in the change (reduction in this case) of the inertia ring mass is a change of the harmonic vibration dampening effect, or "tuning" of the damper for the 428 P.I. engine requirements versus the 427 application from which the dampers' engineering originated, and such a change otherwise I believe would not have been approved by those responsible for such, with other simpler solutions for chassis fitment purposes available.            ;)

     The sway bar spacers and change of the profile of the bar both appear to be a response to the apparently overlooked issue of the interference, and it is feasibly reasonable to me to believe that this issue was just that, and that the dampers' profile change had nothing to do, nor was intended to address this interference, as it was ineffectual for such.

     Well, I wasn't there, and my ears are not deaf to other's, but that's my speculation on the matter, for whatever it may be worth.            ::)

     Scott.

   
Of course you are welcome to your opinion . I would like to point out that the other 427 balancers were straight cut and only the C6AE was beveled. What more reasonable explanation for the bevel then? Given the clearance issue being discussed I think that the  OCCAM'S Razor principle of the simplest reason tends to be the most correct or as another more modern Logician our own Special Ed Meyer says "That's just the way it is" . ;)
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 04:51:14 PM
Quote from: Bob Gaines on March 19, 2020, 02:20:14 PM
Quote from: pbf777 on March 19, 2020, 01:58:54 PM
     This is an interesting topic, as it challenges us, decades post the original production to attempt to determine the intent for a component modification by Ford. 

     First I assume that no one here apparently is either a first hand witness, nor holds any documentation or is aware that any currently exists describing the reasoning, so we are all speculating?

     If so, I am a little at a loss to actually believe that the real engineers at Ford, after concluding that there was interference between the damper's' outer diameter and the sway bar would choose to bevel the edges of the damper solely as to avoid a perhaps more aggressive notch from being formed from the corner edge of the damper into the sway bar, but still permitting this interference otherwise?  If one considers the impact (pun intended) of this event upon the components directly involved, and the resultant effect upon others even if only indirectly, then I say: no way!            :o

     As far as a secondary bevel to the rear of the inertia ring perhaps for the purpose of balance, I don't feel there is any credence in this, as a symmetrical material removal at the face would not cause a change or imbalance of the component (as relevant here), therefor a like removal at the rear has no purpose in this arena.  But what is accomplished, and I believe the intention, in the change (reduction in this case) of the inertia ring mass is a change of the harmonic vibration dampening effect, or "tuning" of the damper for the 428 P.I. engine requirements versus the 427 application from which the dampers' engineering originated, and such a change otherwise I believe would not have been approved by those responsible for such, with other simpler solutions for chassis fitment purposes available.            ;)

     The sway bar spacers and change of the profile of the bar both appear to be a response to the apparently overlooked issue of the interference, and it is feasibly reasonable to me to believe that this issue was just that, and that the dampers' profile change had nothing to do, nor was intended to address this interference, as it was ineffectual for such.

     Well, I wasn't there, and my ears are not deaf to other's, but that's my speculation on the matter, for whatever it may be worth.            ::)

     Scott.

   
Of course you are welcome to your opinion . I would like to point out that the other 427 balancers were straight cut and only the C6AE was beveled. What more reasonable explanation for the bevel then? Given the clearance issue being discussed I think that the  OCCAM'S Razor principle of the simplest reason tends to be the most correct or as another more modern Logician our own Special Ed Meyer says "That's just the way it is" . ;)

I see the brilliance in his statement. I stand enlightened.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: gt350hr on March 19, 2020, 06:06:43 PM
   The spacers on my 68.5 CJ are 1/4" . The spacer has no affect other than increasing bar to dampner clearance. The same thing "could" have been done with a longer link BUT that "can" (or could) get the bar too close to other things under compression. Changing the "bar angle" has no effect of bar function.
    "I" don't see a functional reason for the bevel in the rear but at Ford "everything had a reason" or it would not have been changed. Changes were NOT random nor dome without a blueprint change. I do not have much of the XE information and the only way to solve the mystery is look at the blueprint for the dampner.
    Randy
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 19, 2020, 07:06:07 PM
Randy: I wasn't discounting it either. I was just noting where mine was damaged and several sold on Ebay in recent history.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 19, 2020, 08:51:57 PM
Quote from: gt350hr on March 19, 2020, 06:06:43 PM
   The spacers on my 68.5 CJ are 1/4" . The spacer has no affect other than increasing bar to dampner clearance. The same thing "could" have been done with a longer link BUT that "can" (or could) get the bar too close to other things under compression. Changing the "bar angle" has no effect of bar function.
    "I" don't see a functional reason for the bevel in the rear but at Ford "everything had a reason" or it would not have been changed. Changes were NOT random nor dome without a blueprint change. I do not have much of the XE information and the only way to solve the mystery is look at the blueprint for the dampner.
    Randy

TY Randy. Now the secret is out of the bag.

FYI, I went to 6" x 1/2" od bolts on the '68 end links. The stock bolts were bending up.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: JWH on March 20, 2020, 08:26:34 AM
This is a timely topic as I am just dropping the 428 into my '67 GT500. I have noticed that the balancer sits right on top of the sway bar and I have wondered how to solve for this issue. From this thread, I read there are three solutions:

1) install the spacers for the sway bar
2) install the longer hardware links for the sway bar
3) install a '69-'70 sway bar with a slightly different shape

Of these three, which is most effective to make sure the balancer and sway bar never make contact?

Will just one of these solutions solve the problem or is a combination the best way to go? For instance, install both the spacers and the longer links?   

Thanks in advance.
Jeff
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 20, 2020, 08:32:48 AM
Quote from: JWH on March 20, 2020, 08:26:34 AM
This is a timely topic as I am just dropping the 428 into my '67 GT500. I have noticed that the balancer sits right on top of the sway bar and I have wondered how to solve for this issue. From this thread, I read there are three solutions:

1) install the spacers for the sway bar
2) install the longer hardware links for the sway bar
3) install a '69-'70 sway bar with a slightly different shape

Of these three, which is most effective to make sure the balancer and sway bar never make contact?

Will just one of these solutions solve the problem or is a combination the best way to go? For instance, install both the spacers and the longer links?   

Thanks in advance.
Jeff

They can all be part of the solution but I think, the simplest and safest solution is just to shim the bar down.

You can play with the end links but from what I see, they do not solve the problem.

Others who have worked on this will likely have different perspectives.

Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 20, 2020, 08:39:33 AM
There is a real easy fix for it. Buy the aftermarket 1" sway bar, put your original away.  If you do order one, be sure to make sure it's for an FE car. The small-block units also don't clear oil filter on an FE either. 
As for the sharp edge. If you had a 67 500 you'd know the OE 15/16 bar is nowhere near either edge of the damper. The rub is almost dead-center on the damper.
I am still inclined to believe that it was done for tooling purposes. Rolling the timing marks on the damper. The earlier 427 damper doesn't have any degree/timing marks. It simply has a V notch on the front edge of the incorporated pulley, which necessitates a timing pointer with the degree mark on it.

Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 20, 2020, 08:43:34 AM
No, Doug. The spacers work pretty well in concert with the Arning drop which lowers the chassis, in turn also giving more clearance. 
What I don't recommend is doing the "Streets of San Francisco" because I am relatively sure that full downward deflection of the suspension would have the same effect. Rubbing.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: shelbydoug on March 20, 2020, 09:57:50 AM
Quote from: The Going Thing on March 20, 2020, 08:43:34 AM
No, Doug. The spacers work pretty well in concert with the Arning drop which lowers the chassis, in turn also giving more clearance. 
What I don't recommend is doing the "Streets of San Francisco" because I am relatively sure that full downward deflection of the suspension would have the same effect. Rubbing.

Re-read post #28, "spacers are the best and simplest solution".

Even so, the car needs to be verified that under full suspension travel, there is clearance.

Plus the spacers are just easier to do.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: The Going Thing on March 20, 2020, 10:15:21 AM
I am the one that brought up 68 the spacers. It was my fix initially. I wound up making the change to a 1" bar for the FE. They are also bent differently so there is no longer a concern about damper contact.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 20, 2020, 01:17:25 PM
Quote from: JWH on March 20, 2020, 08:26:34 AM
This is a timely topic as I am just dropping the 428 into my '67 GT500. I have noticed that the balancer sits right on top of the sway bar and I have wondered how to solve for this issue. From this thread, I read there are three solutions:

1) install the spacers for the sway bar
2) install the longer hardware links for the sway bar
3) install a '69-'70 sway bar with a slightly different shape

Of these three, which is most effective to make sure the balancer and sway bar never make contact?

Will just one of these solutions solve the problem or is a combination the best way to go? For instance, install both the spacers and the longer links?   

Thanks in advance.
Jeff
In regards to #2 the 67 Shelby is supposed to get the longer 68 end link style . I am not advocating for even longer ones.   A regular 67 Mustang calls for shorter versions just like 65 and 66. It is a common restoration mistake which compounds the problem.
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: gt350hr on March 20, 2020, 02:01:38 PM
   If the links get too long , they "tip" forward a bit . This will put "some" additional pressure on the lower control arm. I would ONLY do it as a "last resort".  The bar/dampner interference happens as the front end rises ( as the chassis and LCA separate) not compression.
   Randy
Title: Re: The tale of 3 GT500 dampers
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 20, 2020, 02:16:54 PM
Quote from: gt350hr on March 20, 2020, 02:01:38 PM
   If the links get too long , they "tip" forward a bit . This will put "some" additional pressure on the lower control arm. I would ONLY do it as a "last resort".  The bar/dampner interference happens as the front end rises ( as the chassis and LCA separate) not compression.
   Randy
To add clarification that the 68-70 endlink length is is also stock length and not too long on a 67 GT350/500 .