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Author
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Topic: Total Control export brace and monte carlo bar
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JJonesy99
Gearhead Posts: 203
From: Lakewood, CO USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-09-2005 09:17 AM
 
I have a 66' mustang and is wondering if anybody has used the total control export brace or monte carlo bar? If so, what do you think of it? I have a 351W with a MSD distrubutor, so do I need a curved or straight monte carlo bar? Thanks for the help.Jason
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F551
Gearhead Posts: 284
From: Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-09-2005 06:31 PM
My brother's 67 with Windsor and MSD distributor needed the curved bar for clearance.I made my own set using some used rod ends from a 4 link and Stainless Steel tubing.
This way you could fab brackets and move them forward to allow a straight bar - the curved one just looks like a place for it to flex. Now with the cage tied to the shock towers and the motor plate this is less of an issue. We went with the rod ends so we could use pins to pop the bars out for running the valves without taking out all those bolts. See pic in Members Photo:
https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/F551.html[/URL] And welcome to M&M 
------------------
Fred
68 Mustang 500CID/Powerglide - "No Tubs"
86 Mustang GT Cobra
[This message has been edited by F551 (edited 03-09-2005).]
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6376
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 03-10-2005 12:45 PM
The design just totally confuses my logical mind. The purpose of the bars are to strengthen the front end, keep them from moving around. Why on earth would you want heim ends and slip collars unless they are just decorations? Ideally the damn things should be welded on, but at least bolted rigidly.
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JJonesy99
Gearhead Posts: 203
From: Lakewood, CO USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-10-2005 12:47 PM
Tom, I was planning on weling them in, cause I really dont trust anything thats bolted in thats so post to strengthen something. But, thanks for the advise
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6376
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 03-10-2005 12:52 PM
Fred's setup allows for adjusting the tension, that other crazy setup the goofy Eleanor thingies have is pure just decoration. Having two angled brakes attach to the cross tube with slip collars defies logic. Think of what you are trying to do with those braces... that would be to stop the shock towers from wanting to tip inwards under spring pressure. The carb is in the way to go in a straight line from tower to tower so you compromise by going around it. A simple Export Brace does the job nicely.
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JJonesy99
Gearhead Posts: 203
From: Lakewood, CO USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-10-2005 05:50 PM
Tom, Sorry I'm new and where can I find Fred's setup? So your saying forget the fancy decorations and get something that works. I liked the total control just cause everything linked together if you purched each of the 3 kits. I was thinking that it would make it stronger but I'm new to this so thats why I've asked.
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F551
Gearhead Posts: 284
From: Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-10-2005 08:50 PM
Jeez Tom - you almost hurt my feeling at first!My setup was out of need to have something to hold the shock towers but still be able to service the motor with out undoing a dozen bolts everytime. The Total Control stuff as Tom says is pretty - but $280 US to duplicate what I built for basically - a bottle of rum for the Aluminum welding and scrounging in the scrap bin at work for the tubing (a friend gave me the rod ends). The rod ends are left and right thread - so yes they are tightened. Hardest part was finding a left hand 3/4"NF tap. If I did it again I would buy tube adapters - all this stuff was machined/fabbed by me. Mine is probably overkill - but the Total Control stuff is kinda flimsy. Look at the attatchment by the shock tower 2 bolts - I copied the original design by wrapping over the top and using 4 bolts. Welding those bars in is pretty permanent - hard to get motor out! Jason you can see a pic by clicking on Member's Pics at the bottom of the page, then scroll down to F551......... ------------------
Fred
68 Mustang 500CID/Powerglide - "No Tubs"
86 Mustang GT Cobra
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Capri
Gearhead Posts: 1747
From: Lyons, ILL, USA M&M member #007... the secret agent member
Registered: May 99
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posted 03-10-2005 10:22 PM
Welding it in might make it fun to make an engine change should something go wrong. Our bolt in unit works fine and does a great job.
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JJonesy99
Gearhead Posts: 203
From: Lakewood, CO USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-11-2005 01:44 PM
has anyone used the MPG (from MPG heads)? It may be useful cause it is removable, but how much strength can it have being removable? Its only held together by pins.... slightly pondering.
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TomP
Gearhead Posts: 6376
From: Delta BC Canada
Registered: Dec 99
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posted 03-12-2005 03:35 AM
An Export Brace is a hassle to remove to get valve covers off on a big block, but on a smallblock i've pulled engines with it left on, it's not too badly in the way.
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JJonesy99
Gearhead Posts: 203
From: Lakewood, CO USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 03-12-2005 05:26 PM
Thanks for the advice Tom. I have a 351w so I dont think i'll have any problems.
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