Exort Brace install

[Rapid]

On a 65 there are welded "arms" coming off of the shock tower. Cut them off?
Leave them?

 

[eleanor_350]

I left them on. They don't interfere with the export brace and they're not really noticable once the export brace is installed.

 

[iskwezm]

i cut mine off so it looks cleaner

 

[180 Out]

Cut.

 

[amorrow]

Cars originally equipped with them (Shelbys and overseas models) didn't have the brackets. The brackets will pose no problem if you leave them on, but I think they simply look better without.

 

[4MuscleMachines]

drill out spot welds, pull, grind, and smooth off. Looks much better

 

[blue65coupe]

If you leave them on the bolt holes make excellent locations for zip-tying wires. This way you can run loomed wires under the export brace and keep 'em hidden. Cleans up pretty nice.

 

[Cannoball888]

Doesn't matter. But you may need to cut it for clearance if running a dual reservoir MC and an aftermarket booster.

 

[66Runt]

NPD's deep draw export brace won't fit w/o removing the brackets

Awesome brace. Nice thick steel, looks original. On my install I had to remove the brackets. Used a good spot rivet drill bit and had them off and the towers cleaned up and repainted in about 15 minutes.

Looks very clean without the old brackets underneath (IMO).

 

[brin0357]

Get rid of them. If your reaching down they are jaged and good for getting your arm cut on. I just smacked them, bent them till they broke then hammered it "smooth"

 

[stangkid88]

Get rid of them. If your reaching down they are jaged and good for getting your arm cut on. I just smacked them, bent them till they broke then hammered it "smooth"

Exactly. Could be a problem when switching spark plugs if you're not careful. I left mine for now, but they're annoying and I'll get around to cutting them sometime.

 

[6FIVE_STANG]

I just took my original "welded" off and i cant fit the new one! did anyone else experience this?!? if so what di you do?...

 

[Az Pete]

Jack the car up and put jack stands under the rear portion of the front frame rails. Allow to sit for a day or so. This will allow the car to settle to the correct position. What has happened over the years is the shock towers have collapsed a bit from normal usage and poor planning from Ford. They did not plan on the Mustang lasting so long. lol Now, when you install the brace, I believe you loosly mount the points over the shock towers and you can use a bit of pressure to pry the back bolt holes into aignment.

 

[Rapid]

I cut mine near the shock tower with a grinder, pulled them off and will go back and finish and paint the area again. I had no probelm with the install of the export brace or the monte carlo bar. I had to use a curved one to clear the Pertronix HEI and am pleased with both items. Thanks for all the feedback!