When the weekend comes around and that long list of chores is staring you right in the face, you usually want to get through it as quickly as possible so you can have some fun in the time left before dragging yourself back to work on Monday. As the owners of classic performance cars, we often have vehicle maintenance on our list of chores, including things like replacing leaky valve-cover gaskets, performing tune-up work, brake jobs, and so on.
These maintenance jobs can take longer than necessary because of other parts in the way or because of already-installed aftermarket parts. As a prime example, tall valve covers (to clear roller rockers) and stock shock-tower supports means the supports must be removed to R&R the valve covers for gasket replacement. How about that brake job? Don't you curse the shock tower support as you try to not spill brake fluid when topping off the master cylinder? Of course you do, just like me. Even when changing spark plugs, the shock tower supports are either in your line of sight so you can't see to thread the plug or they are in the way of the spark plug wrench handle.
While the stock braces are removable, you're talking at the least eight bolts to remove, more with the standard export brace. Every time you wrench on these bolts, there's a chance of mis-threading them, hitting a painted surface with the wrench, and losing the hardware. Wouldn't it be easier if you could simply pull a couple of pins and yank the braces out of the way for your maintenance work? Well, now you can with the Quick Release Export Brace kit from MPG Head Service. The quick-release mechanism is a hearty 3/8-inch pin with a ball-release locking mechanism. The export brace itself is made from clear-anodized aluminum with 3/8-inch adjustable left and right radius rods, and while it is lighter than the stock parts, it is much stronger. MPG sells versions for '65-'70 Mustangs and Cougars, PN 111, $149.95; Falcons, PN 111-F, $159.95; and '71-73 Mustangs, PN 111-71, $189.95. Trick T-handle quick-release pins are available as an upgrade option for another $50.
Check out the great looks and easy engine-bay servicing as we drop one into a '68 fastback we spied at Classic Creations of Central Florida. Classic Creation's Merv Rego swung the wrenches for us, and the MPG export brace system was installed in about 20 minutes without a single hiccup. See for yourself with the following photos.
Our subject is a nice little...
Our subject is a nice little 302-powered '68 fastback with a few modifications you'll see on most any classic Mustang. The stock shock-tower supports on the Mustang attach to the shock tower and the firewall and prevent flexing of the shock tower by transferring the shock load of the front suspension into the firewall via the support itself.
A close-up of the support...
A close-up of the support shows the width of the stamped steel piece. Trying to get around this support for spark plug access, master cylinder access, or other engine work is a pain.
Here is the complete Quick...
Here is the complete Quick Release Export Brace kit from MPG Head Service. The kit includes a firewall mounting plate, left and right shock-tower mounting plates, and left and right radius rods. You reuse the factory mounting hardware for installation, but you can purchase stainless hardware to dress up your installation if you'd like.
First the stock shock-tower...
First the stock shock-tower supports are unbolted from the shock tower. The support is retained by two bolts, either under the shock-absorber mounting bracket as in our '68 example...
...or through the welded mounting...
...or through the welded mounting bracket shown in our second photo (typical '65-'66 Mustang). The welded bracket found on the earlier Mustangs can be cut off or left in place.
The two remaining bolts to...
The two remaining bolts to be removed for the shock-tower support are found at the firewall. Once these two bolts are extracted...
...the support can be removed...
...the support can be removed from the car. Repeat the removal steps for the remaining support on the other shock tower.
To install the shock tower...
To install the shock tower bracket, you simply unbolt the shock absorber from the mounting bracket,
then the shock mounting bracket...
then the shock mounting bracket from the shock tower itself,
and then slip the Quick Release...
and then slip the Quick Release Export Brace mounting bracket over the three studs,
and reassemble the shock bracket...
and reassemble the shock bracket and shock with the stock hardware.
Repeat the procedure to remove...
Repeat the procedure to remove the hardware and install the mounting bracket on the other side.
Lay the firewall attaching...
Lay the firewall attaching bracket on the lip of the firewall/cowl seam, and align the bolt holes. You may need to carefully bend the cowl seam up or down to get the bracket to seat as flat as possible. Install and tighten the original or replacement hardware to secure the bracket to the firewall/cowl assembly.
Place the radius rod end into...
Place the radius rod end into the shock-tower bracket, lining up the rod end opening with the bracket opening, and then slide one of the retaining pins through the bracket and rod end to secure.
We found that if we pushed...
We found that if we pushed the retaining pin through the rod end by itself on the workbench a few times, it loosened up the pins just enough to make final installation a bit easier on the hands.
Drop the other end of the...
Drop the other end of the radius rod into the firewall mounting bracket, and carefully rotate the radius rod until the rod end aligns with the hole in the firewall bracket. Once everything is in alignment, you can easily slide the second retaining pin into place. Repeat these steps for the other radius rod installation.
The threaded ends of the radius...
The threaded ends of the radius rods allow you to preload the shock towers. Rotate the radius rod until the amount of preload is achieved, and then lock the rod ends by tightening the 9/16-inch nuts at each end. For even more shock-tower support, add MPG's bolt-in Monte Carlo bar that also attaches to the shock towers instead of to the thin, inner-fender sheetmetal.
Take a look at the finished...
Take a look at the finished installation. There's already a lot more room with the Quick Release Export Brace installed, and by pulling a couple of release pins, you have instant access to the master cylinder, valve covers, spark plugs, and more.