Stangboy 14 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 A few questions. I am in the process of straightening and reinforcing the front end of my car. Looking to run a one piece export race and weld the reinforcement plate to the cowl area. First, what is the circular hole in the center of the cowl for? It had a rubber plug in it, but it crumbled when I removed it. Will it matter if the top of this hole is open after the plate is welded in? It seems the holes in the plate don't line up with the holes in the cowl. Do I ream out the holes in the plate? Or the cowl? Or do I really need it? Thanks. 3 Selmadox, xapedVem and hapedVem reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 The reinforcement plate goes on the underside of the pinch weld ( the nut side). 1 RPM reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stangboy 14 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 The reinforcement plate goes on the underside of the pinch weld ( the nut side). Are you sure? Every picture I've seen of them they are on the top side. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969_Mach1 335 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 The reinforcement plate goes on the underside of the pinch weld ( the nut side). Yes, is goes on the bottom side. Also, on mine, the leg of the angle without bolt holes would not go flush with the firewall and still have the bolt holes line up. The only way it fit was with that leg away from the firewall. I wouldn't weld that into place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stangnet33 88 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 Agree, it goes on the bottom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeStang 247 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 aint that big hole where the wiper motor connection pops out at? Been a while since I looked, but I know I got wires coming out of there on my car LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Conway 279 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 That ' hole ' was used on the assembly line. It is a jig mount used to locate the firewall to the floor pan prior to welding. The same rubber plug is used at the forward frame rails 2 each side. Brian 1 Stangboy reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stangboy 14 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 So I guess I can patch it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,268 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 So I guess I can patch it. Yep. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Conway 279 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 ...or get a plug and cut off what you don't need. Brian 1 Cou Gar reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,268 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 I did my rubber plug like Brian. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,202 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 The plate did originally go on the top and was welded to the cowl . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969_Mach1 335 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 Are the repro's not meant to be installed on top as the originals? They don't come close to fitting on the top. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raven R code 281 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 The plate did originally go on the top and was welded to the cowl . 1.jpg Mine came on the bottom and wasn't welded....might be different install procedures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,202 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 The reproduction plates don't fit well,they are straight and should have a bow to match the front of the cowl and holes are always off.I usually lock them in a vise and bend in the bow and just drill through them to align the holes .I believe only the 65- 66 shelby had them in the first place .I have a 67 T5 here ,it has the brace but there is no inforcement plate under it .I have restored a couple of 67 Shelby's but i don't remember if they had the plate or not . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stangboy 14 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 Well, I decided that since the plate comes nowhere near lining up up, and the curve isn't really right top or bottom, I'm going to reuse the plate that came with my old Global West setup. It fits underneath, and fits perfectly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,268 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 An option would be to use the supplied piece, but use the solid side for the holes in the lip. Then mark and drill for correct location and weld the side with holes to the cowl/firewall. You can plug weld the holes if desired. 1 Ridge Runner reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsanter 158 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 That plate was used on the 65-6 cars only. You don't really need it but if you want one I would just make one that fits on the bottom Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stangboy 14 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 That plate was used on the 65-6 cars only. You don't really need it but if you want one I would just make one that fits on the bottom Bob Actually the plate I ordered is for the 67-70 cars. It has a curve in it that is supposed to match the firewall. The earlier cars are straight across. Unfortunately the curve is wrong. It doesn't quite match no matter how I turn it. I could probably get it to match with some heat and a BFH, but the Global West piece fits perfectly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,268 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 I could probably get it to match with some heat and a BFH, BFH! Now we're talking! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ridge Runner 1,202 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 The 65 -66 is curved .it is actually the same cowl face 65-68 ,the top is slightly different ,they just usually don't have the correct curve .I usually make my own plate or re arch the aftermarket one 1 Selmadox reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969_Mach1 335 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 I've read these braces were only installed on cars being exported out of the United States. If so, pretty rare to see an originall installed brace for us within the United States. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsanter 158 Report post Posted January 13, 2017 I've read these braces were only installed on cars being exported out of the United States. If so, pretty rare to see an originall installed brace for us within the United States. Ford advertised selling them as an add on for your car, many people added them that were going to be running their car hard Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PetesPonies 11 Report post Posted April 23, 2018 The reinforcement plate went on the top of the cowl pinch weld. You can put it where ever you wish . . but for the Shelbys had it on the top. Let's keep the info accurate for searchers. 1 69RavenConv reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stangs-R-me 124 Report post Posted April 23, 2018 I put mine on the bottom as this was the only way I could get it to simply fit without any modification to the car. Looks fine and likely adds some rigidity but not as much as it would were it welded in place with the flange at the firewall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
