Hey guys, I'm having problems with my front end. Here's the deal: Ok so I have a 1968 mustang coupe which has a 351c in it but recently (guessing due to the size) the motor cracked the strut tower brace. What do I do? I've heard good things about replacing the front to a Mustang II front clip to free up some room and it prevents that problem in the future....I'm not sure I can afford anything like that. Are there any alternatives other than replacing the brace???
ANY advise would help but please keep in mind I'm a college student who's tight on money.
Thanks

 

The 390 weighs more than your 351C. Do you mean the brace from the top of the tower to the cowl? You should have an export brace, anyway. One piece, heavy steel, very strong.

 

Yeah, the factory brace was sometimes a flimsy 2 piece unit that could crack easily, the heavy duty 1 piece is a very solid unit.

 

A mustang 2 kit would make the car handle and ride worse.Yeah buy a cheap export brace and throw it on there.If your worried about the shock towers http://drgas.mybisi.com/product/1875...t_1082092.html that kit welds in but will stiffen them up big time.

 

Post a picture. I think there is some confusion. Technically, you don't have a strut tower brace. You have strut rods, shock towers and shock tower braces. Strut rods connect the lower control arms to the chassis near the front frame rail and front crossmember below the car. Shock towers are the heavy gauge sheet metal parts that connect the front coil springs to the front frame rail. The upper control arms bolt to them. The shock towers have shock tower braces that connect the towers to the front cowl.

I hope it's not your shock towers. That would be a pain in the @**.

 

Yeah...sorry i'm away at college right now so it'll be a bit before i can get pics up but yeah....its one of sthe shock tower braces...sorry for the confusion...

 

Shock tower brace goes on a 45 degree-ish angle from the top of the shock tower to the cowl. If that is the part, they are cheap. A vintage mustang junk yard should have one of those for less than a large pizza with all good stuff. If you intend to keep the car, I would install an export brace. It will stiffen the chassis in the front considerably. It does require some grinding. It isn't a straight bolt on.

http://www.mustangsplus.com/catalog/...%20Catalog.pdf

page 240 for the export brace

 

While your at it I would install a Monte Carlo bar as well. You can get the curved one so that it won't interfere with the distributor.

 

I agree with whats been said so far. I would definitely get the 1 peice export brace and add a monte carlo bar.

 

The straight one doesn't interfere with the distributor on the 289/302 any more than the curved bar. I have used both on my car, Currently the straight one. He might have a problem either way with the 351C. Here's a 351W with a bar clearance problem, solved quite easily. He bent it: