1968 Rear spring bolt cover plug

[Ruppstang]

I noticed our HCS has a rubber body plug covering the front frame mount for the leaf spring. Do most of your cars have this plug? Our other 68 Mustangs do not. I would like to know if this was a assembly plant difference on my other cars or they may have been lost. I would like to find some, I think it is a good idea to keep the dirt out of the frame. I checked with NPD they did not have them. Marty

 

[rvrtrash]

I've never seen that on any Mustang I've had. I wonder if one of the plugs meant for somewhere else just happens to fit there.

Steve

 

[franklinair]

Likewise. I've never seen a plug in that location.

Neil

 

[CougarCJ]

I have both of them on my GT/CS, have one on my 1968 Cougar, the other one must have fallen out.

It shows up in my 1968 Cougar assembly manual. Part number is 377356-S.

I don't have a Mustang assembly manual. Found in "Underbody Section- Floor member plug buttons".

 

[nfrntau]

Here is a photo I took before I restored my car. I am pretty certain that it is a stock original part as it had the same color and hardness as the rest of the plugs on the car.

 

[Ruppstang]

I have both of them on my GT/CS, have one on my 1968 Cougar, the other one must have fallen out.

It shows up in my 1968 Cougar assembly manual. Part number is 377356-S.

I don't have a Mustang assembly manual. Found in "Underbody Section- Floor member plug buttons".

Thanks for the part #. I do not have the 68 assembly manuals yet I have the 67 ones. Should be the same # as the Cougar.
Good picture Bill. Did you buy new ones? And if so where did you get them? Marty

 

[6t8-390gt]

I think they are include in the complete kit that either AMK or Daniel Carpenter offers (can't remember which kit I bought) but my car has them and I did not buy any plug separately.

Danny

 

[gazrox]

I went back through my photos and found that my car has the plugs - they certainly look original.

I have replaced the rear frame rails and the new design is a little different from original in that the bolt head stays outside the frame rail and there is no need for the plug. Need a longer bolt that what is supplied with the kits - about an inch longer. I think the frame rail may be a '67 design as that is the way it is on my 67 coupe, and personally I like this better as it appears stronger and is better for keeping crud out of the frame rail.

Attached is a photo of the plug on the passenger side before removal of the springs and frame rail.

Gary

 

[Scott]

Have 1968 Ford Shop Manual for Cougar, Fairlane, Falcon, Montego and Mustang but it doesn't seem to go into this much detail - Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[nfrntau]

Marty,
I installed sub-frame connectors which covered the holes. I didn't need to address that issue.
That said, if they were accessable, I would have found the right size plug to fit the hole or used the originals. Mine are old but I may still have them if you want them. I kept almost everything as I took the car apart.
Let me know
Cheers

 

[Ruppstang]

Thanks Bill,
I think I am going to buy a new body plug set from AMK they are much softer. By the way how will you ever remove your springs? Or were your subframe conectors bolt ons? Marty

 

[nfrntau]

My subframe connectors were both. The rear bolted in place and then the front needed to be welded. I welded both ends front and rear to the frames for strength.

 

[logue636@comcast.net]

Spring plug

I bought my GTCS new I replaced my springs my self, yes there was a plug on my car. I bought new ones at Laurel Mountain Mustang, 25 cents a piece I have known Kevin Mills for many years he is the owner. Phone 724 696 9664 they are called frame rail plugs.

 

[Ruppstang]

I bought my GTCS new I replaced my springs my self, yes there was a plug on my car. I bought new ones at Laurel Mountain Mustang, 25 cents a piece I have known Kevin Mills for many years he is the owner. Phone 724 696 9664 they are called frame rail plugs.

Nice photo, Thanks to everyone for all the help! Marty

 

[Scott]

Hi,

part number on mine: 377356 - They look about 40 years old and it is the same part number as the Cougar shop manual so I'd guess they're original.

 

[Ruppstang]

Thanks Scott for getting under there to look! Marty