Those 3 holes are used for alignment of the support that mounts to the the shock tower. Slpa some big bolts in there to hold parts in place while welding! Obviously you would need to measure beforehand, and make sure that you get everything in straight and level. Make sure that you inspect your frame rails while you have everything apart. (You will have the entire front end taken apart....there is no way around it.)
Haha thanks, luckily I've already gotten the entire front end off. I bought a complete
suspension rebuild kit for it and decided to strip and repaint the frame rails and inner fender with POR-15 while I had the
suspension off. Well this is when I discovered the shock tower problem. So I've ripped off both fenders, headlight bezels, bumper, front apron, grill, etc. This is what the driver's side looks like after stripping and hitting it with Metal Ready
and passenger side
This is how the driver's side looks after paint. Haven't gotten the passenger side photos uploaded yet.
I'm happy with the condition of the frame rails.
Use an Export Brace to help locate the shock tower. The spring cover holes on the aprons will help, but won't get the angle of the tower correct. The Export Brace will do that.
Alright cool, I have one. I'll do that.
I replaced my drivers side shock tower due to cracking as well. I bought my shock tower from CJ Pony which was made by Dynacorn. The shock tower was thicker than the original which is cool for added strength. The way I lined it up was using the 3 holes on the apron and using my export brace to measure the distance. I've never welded, but my buddy welds as a profession so he showed me how to weld. Now, I'm addicted to it. Somehow, I managed to finish it. Mustang Monthly had an article online which was a big help. I am also planning on adding some reinforce kits, but I am going to make it myself. This site (
http://home.flash.net/~sanco/mustang.htm) can shed some light.
I just saw that site yesterday, the sanco one. I plan on doing the welded up tower like rnrjunkie did and the guy specified in that site and I will also be making the brackets he has. I think that will be good for what I plan on doing with the car. I've also read through that Mustang Monthly article, good information in it
.
The aftermarket export braces are inconsistent in their measurements. I have had some bolt right on and others that needed persuasion. I used a car that had good shock towers and bolted some upper shock mounts on and welded a piece of 1" square tubing to them and a couple more pieces from the tubing back to the fire wall where the export brace attaches. This gave me a jig that holds the towers in place. Do one tower at a time.
I have, what I believe to be a factory export brace. It was on the car when I bought it and it is a pretty sturdy piece of equipment. My friend who I'll be working with said that the ridges on the original piece were deeper than they aftermarket ones, about 3/8" I think.
Hmm in regards to your jig, my friend has a 65 and a 69 Mustang both with good shock towers. Could those be used for the jig or do I really need a 67/68?
Oh, and while you're at it, do the shelby drop on the upper control arm mounting points. I believe you can get templates from Branda.
I've got that already
As I said above I bought a complete
suspension rebuild kit before I found out about this shock tower issue. I expect this thing to handle like a completely different car after I'm done with this work.