68 front support rods
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
68 front support rods
Guys,
I am having trouble figuring out how the front rods bolt in. The assembly manual shows one rod that appears to bolt to the front bumper header to the lower radiator support. It is too long no matter how I try to bolt it up. A pic would be a great help. Also, the AM shows only one rod and Paragon sold me two.
Thanks,
Larry
I am having trouble figuring out how the front rods bolt in. The assembly manual shows one rod that appears to bolt to the front bumper header to the lower radiator support. It is too long no matter how I try to bolt it up. A pic would be a great help. Also, the AM shows only one rod and Paragon sold me two.
Thanks,
Larry
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
I believe that it bolts to the top of the core support, and runs forward to the front surround reinforcement that's riveted in place behind the bumper.
I don't have a photo of one installed, but I pulled one from the shelf and measured it. The correct rod appears to be 20 1/2" in overall length. The end with the 90 degree bend attaches to the core support. Paragon's part number for the part is 2036K. Is this the rod you got?
I don't know what the second rod they sent you is though. There is only one front support rod used on 68-72's (other than the 2 shorter rods used in each headlight assembly). The 74-82 nose support rod is much shorter than the 68-72 rod, as it ran from the surround header reinforcement bar (the bar under the surround, between the headlight openings and the hood), down to the bottom of the core support.
I don't have a photo of one installed, but I pulled one from the shelf and measured it. The correct rod appears to be 20 1/2" in overall length. The end with the 90 degree bend attaches to the core support. Paragon's part number for the part is 2036K. Is this the rod you got?
I don't know what the second rod they sent you is though. There is only one front support rod used on 68-72's (other than the 2 shorter rods used in each headlight assembly). The 74-82 nose support rod is much shorter than the 68-72 rod, as it ran from the surround header reinforcement bar (the bar under the surround, between the headlight openings and the hood), down to the bottom of the core support.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Mine bolts to the bottom of the radiator support and to the horse collar bumper support at the peak of the nose.
How much too long is your bar? If it's minimal, the nose is down and needs to be raised. If it's way too long, you may have the wrong bar.;
How much too long is your bar? If it's minimal, the nose is down and needs to be raised. If it's way too long, you may have the wrong bar.;
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
I bought one on E bay, it is also too long. I will wait to see what is said here. i have the AIM, showing the mounting, but the support is far too long. Did they run them all the way through '68 production? Mine is a June car, so maybe this was an early part that was discontinued. I was considering cutting the rod in the middle, threading the ends, and using a threaded coupler to adjust the length. Thanks for the thread!! 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
On my 71 the right angled end of the rod bolts to the bottom of the core support. The bolt comes through the support from the rear side of the support to the threaded hole in the rod. The spoon shaped end of the rod has a threaded hole and receives a bolt that has passed through a hole in the steel reinforcement that is flat riveted to the very front lip of the front clip. The rod passes above the large center bumper support in order for the bolt and hole to line up.
Might/must be different in earlier cars?!? What a surprise!
Regards
Alan
On my 71 the right angled end of the rod bolts to the bottom of the core support. The bolt comes through the support from the rear side of the support to the threaded hole in the rod. The spoon shaped end of the rod has a threaded hole and receives a bolt that has passed through a hole in the steel reinforcement that is flat riveted to the very front lip of the front clip. The rod passes above the large center bumper support in order for the bolt and hole to line up.
Might/must be different in earlier cars?!? What a surprise!
Regards
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
I've got a June built '68 that I'll try to get some pictures from ( not in the best place for picture taking) I've also got a spare rod from another June built '68 that I can measure if anyone needs me to and I can find it..
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
My rod is 20 1/2" long. I found out that how it is installed. Now I am wondering if all the cars had them. Mine looks just like John65's photo.
What is that bracket on the right side of the front support? Does that have anything to do with the rod? I will be at the shop this weekend and see how it fits.
What is that bracket on the right side of the front support? Does that have anything to do with the rod? I will be at the shop this weekend and see how it fits.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
My rod is 20 1/2" long. I found out that how it is installed. Now I am wondering if all the cars had them. Mine looks just like John65's photo.
What is that bracket on the right side of the front support? Does that have anything to do with the rod? I will be at the shop this weekend and see how it fits.
What is that bracket on the right side of the front support? Does that have anything to do with the rod? I will be at the shop this weekend and see how it fits.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 561
From: Macedonia Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Yes, on my car at least, I have seen another one at a cruise night like mine also, but not often. Pulled my interior apart years ago, the word pilot is written on the back of some of the peices. Must be an early 68, sadly I dont know how early, but thats ok.
