[Guest]

I have a 67 Fastback that had two seperate export braces that went from the firewall to the shock towers. I wanted to dress up the engine so I bought a chrome unipiece constructed export brace. However, it fits on one shock tower and where it attaches to the firewall but does not fit on the other shock tower. Is there some type of equipement to "spread" the shock towers apart to make it fit. And if so, would that mess up the alignment of the hood. Or, am I out of luck that a unipiece fit won't fit on a car that had seperate export braces. By the way, I think my car is unusual anyway. It had a Wimbleton white interior which was not standard in 67, the radiator was a 23 inch radiator and none of the replacement parts, fan shroud, radiator mounting brackets fit so I had to buy all new repro parts. The master cylinder cap is for power disc brakes, yet the car has power drum brakes. I have valve covers that are chrome and came with the car when I bought it in 1974 that I have never seen anywhere. They have some slight ripples on the side and have spark plug mounting brackets guide welded to them. So, I have a weird car in that nothing the Mustang catalogs have seems to fit, or it is an hodgepodge of various parts. Who knows. Any help about the export brace would be completely appreciated. Thanks
Ken
67 Fastback 390 AC,PS,PB,Deluxe interior

 

[1966conv]

This is fairly common; 1st thing is to put you car on jackstands and let is set for a few hours or overnight. The front will sag a little and it will be a lot easier to install.
Do a search here and you'll find more info on it

 

[Cruzer]

To add to the 1st post, after letting it set overnight have a good size pull/pry bar to "help" the brace into place. It will fit...

 

[johnpro]

In addition to the other posts, what I always do is to attach the export brace to the 2 shock towers first. THEN attach it to the firewall using the biggest, baddest phillips screw driver you can find to help pry it into position.

Good luck ... export braces are NO FUN to install!

 

[PonyDoc]

Add to the above- Jack it up by the brace under the engine, until the wheels hang free. Loosely bolt it to the 2 shock towers and then use a long threaded bolt and put it through one of the firewall holes. Tighten the shock tower bolts almost snug, then ratcht the treaded rod until it meets the firewall. Place the other 3 bolts in the firewall holes and tighten everything! If it still misses a bit, have some friends hang on the fenders and you may be able to pry it onto the shock towers. It took 5 of us and a BIG pry bar to do a 69 428 car!, but small blocks usually aren't that bad.

 

[Arto65FB]

Has the been in an accident? If not you just see the effect of worn iron.
You bought the car in 1974? What have you done with the car?