johnkoe 11 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 I am installing a 428 motor into a 1968 Mustang that originally had a 289. Do I need to install different shock towers or add a reinforcement to them? 1 MashapeP reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
68stang289 26 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 The shock towers were the same, except that the 428 cars got reinforcements welded onto the shock towers to handle the extra stress of the motor. Interestingly, I believe the 390 cars in 67 and 68 did not receive the shock tower reinforcements, just the 428's. Opentracker Racing sells a similar reinforcement kit http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/towerkit/ . I've always heard nothing but great things about that operation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmlay 80 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 If you would like a more "correct" set of braces contact http://sancospecialties.com/ sanco@sancospecialties.com. I have not purchased anything from him but have talked to him personally at a few swap meets, he is relativity local to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Correct? How correct is a 428 put into a C or A car? I'd be doing so my shock towers don't crack, not for correctness. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dennyb68 11 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 I bought the open tracker kit and it went in with no problems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnkoe 11 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Thank you to the 4 guys who answered my question. Jhn Koebensky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike65 476 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 John, Dr gas & pro motorsports both make the Mustang shock tower reinforcement kit. Mike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jmlay 80 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Correct in regards to the shape of the reinforcement, not the car in question. Depends on what you are looking for. This is just another option. Correct? How correct is a 428 put into a C or A car? I'd be doing so my shock towers don't crack, not for correctness. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stangme428 33 Report post Posted January 4, 2013 John, Dr gas & pro motorsports both make the Mustang shock tower reinforcement kit. Mike. yep...i went with the pro motorsports kit on my coupe.. welded up the beginning of some cracks, installed the reinforcement kit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 5, 2013 I should have used better words to explain my thoughts. The owner is installing an engine( and a good one in the 428) into his car which came from the factory with a 289. My brother has a 69 Mach I 428 scj drag pack. Every time he buys a " correct" part for it, it costs him several times more than if he just bought a replacement part. I was expecting the correct shock tower pieces to cost more and be an expense that the owner need not incur, since the car is not being restored to original. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
68stang289 26 Report post Posted January 5, 2013 My brother has a 69 Mach I 428 scj drag pack. Every time he buys a " correct" part for it, it costs him several times more than if he just bought a replacement part. If I only had a dime for every time I said this...I wouldn't be as poor as I am as a result of my SCJ! :surrender::cursing: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David120 10 Report post Posted January 10, 2013 The surprise systems were the same, except that the 428 vehicles got supports welded onto the surprise systems to deal with the extra pressure of the engine. Remarkably, I believe the 390 vehicles in 67 and 68 did not get the surprise structure supports, just the 428's. I've always observed nothing but advantages of that function. . . . . . . . . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted January 10, 2013 What is the suprise system? I've never heard of it. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
