One bird has plastic cover things for the rear shocks and leading edge of the gas tank.* The other car doesn't have these.
Does anyone else have them, or know anything about them?
* different from the underside gas tank cover
I've never seen those.I'll be looking for them at the boneyards now.
Cool I have them on the vert already. They keep the shock bolts nice.
(http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o434/SDaminski/85%20vert/underneath%20on%20lift/IMG_5255.jpg)
I seem to remember when the cars were new most of them had those , it was some sort of "crash protection" .
I believe they were supposed to keep the tank from rupturing in a rear end collision
BTW I worked at a Ford dealership as a technician from May 1985 to July 1991 , that is where my memories come from :D
I've got that guy on my gas tank, I'm sure of it. I'll check on my shocks later...
Of all the cars I've pulled parts from,I've never seen those before.Crazy.
I have them and have always wondered what the purpose was.
My '85 has both items.
Brent
I never did look at the tank. It may be gone though, I think it was replaced recently.
The one of mine with them is from the north and was mid-year production (I think). The one without them is a late production '85, from the south, and never had them.
The dealership I worked at was in Massachusetts , I had an 86 LX 5.0 Mustang I bought new and it definitely had them
my 84 has both. also all the cougars and thunderbirds at the salvage yards i been to has had them too.
Hey, I think I figured it out. I got my history 999 report in today, and look at the options. Road Abrasions Protection eh? My gas tank lasted 26 years, I think it did its job! Oh man, I missed her birthday...
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l280/dragon574444/LetterfromFordedit.jpg)
What is the procedure for obtaining that deal ?
Just call their customer support number and keep pressing the button that prompts "other" until you get a real person. Ask for the report, you'll need your VIN number, address, etc. They'll get it to you in a few weeks, I actually thought they forgot about it. It's a pretty neat thing to have.
*edit* I forgot to mention, it's free :D
*edit* where'd hyw73's post go?
If mine had them they are long gone. My car is pretty complete. BTW it is from California so perhaps it was a northern state only thing?
dragon574444,
good info, thanks.
Where do you find the "customer support number "?
I dunno, my '85 has them. I seem to recall seeing them on a few other birds I have worked on around here. I think as far as the lower shock bolt covers, a lot of people would just leave them off or they could feasibly get dry and fall off.
The number is 1-800-392-3673