ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: bullitt68 on January 12, 2019, 01:42:41 AM

Title: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 12, 2019, 01:42:41 AM
I did a search and did find fine some info but no photos of the plastic strip protector. Also curious if these are still available. Here is a photo of what is left of mine.
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: J_Speegle on January 12, 2019, 08:04:21 PM
Don't think they are available from anywhere except a lucky find on a donor car. Though one or two pictures of these were posted before but will look through and repost if I can't find the old thread
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 12, 2019, 08:22:26 PM
Don't think they are available from anywhere except a lucky find on a donor car. Though one or two pictures of these were posted before but will look through and repost if I can't find the old thread

Thanks Jeff I search the chassis & body manuals as well hoping to find some info, but so far no luck. My understanding it that it is not that common to find one and that they we re installed when the convenience group was ordered or a low fuel warning light was ordered. Just curious if anyone has improvised one. I would be game to do it if I can find out what they look like. All I have to go on so far are the remnants on my car which is not very much unfortunately.
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 12, 2019, 08:28:02 PM
Don't think they are available from anywhere except a lucky find on a donor car. Though one or two pictures of these were posted before but will look through and repost if I can't find the old thread

Once again you can see all the blue paint residue in that area which I find odd. Who would think that someone would paint a black car baby blue. Anyway I may end up repainting the car and if that is the case perhaps I can confirm if there was a full color change and at what point. Sanding down should show all the layers of paint since new and tell the whole story once and for all. Not sure where to post this info, but it keeps coming up in so many areas as I strip the car down. FYI the car was re painted and allegedly restored before I bought it, but I almost want to repaint it just to find out the story!
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: J_Speegle on January 12, 2019, 10:32:30 PM
Once again you can see all the blue paint residue in that area which I find odd. ............................Not sure where to post this info, but it keeps coming up in so many areas as I strip the car down. ................

Suggest that you put a single thread together to cover your car in the Member Restorations/Builds section
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 13, 2019, 01:28:08 AM
Suggest that you put a single thread together to cover your car in the Member Restorations/Builds section

Thanks will do
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: J_Speegle on January 13, 2019, 05:48:29 PM
Knew I had found and posted a picture of the unusual (rarely seen) full length fuel sender wire retainer. Sorry wish I had taken a number of them or removed it and taken pictures but at the moment can't even place the time and location of this example.

(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/11/6-130119164404.jpeg)

Easy to see why they didn't hold up well and we see so few today but at the same time it appears that they were not used very often and the application so random over the two year period
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 13, 2019, 06:25:58 PM
Knew I had found and posted a picture of the unusual (rarely seen) full length fuel sender wire retainer. Sorry wish I had taken a number of them or removed it and taken pictures but at the moment can't even place the time and location of this example.

(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/11/6-130119164404.jpeg)

Easy to see why they didn't hold up well and we see so few today but at the same time it appears that they were not used very often and the application so random over the two year period

Wow! Thanks Jeff. That is great. Now the 25,000 question is how to get another one! Does anyone ever bother with it. Interesting is that I have the protector as well as wire clips on the other side. So do they use the clips and the protector or are they for separate wires. Unfortunately the body shop removed my tank, so I didn't get to see how the wiring was connected or get any photos. I need to go out to the body shop and pick up my tank so that I can review the wiring.

There are 2 types of clips also. The small plastic ones for a single wire and the metal clip. I will try to find a photo that shows how the wires were run. FYI my car has the convenience group so does that mean that I also have a low fuel warning wire as well as the wire from the sender for the fuel level
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: J_Speegle on January 13, 2019, 09:05:10 PM
Haven't seen an example (now yours) with both the plastic strip and the rubber covered metal wire retainers. Typical application at San Jose in 68 was three of the metal style between the sending unit and the passenger end of the opening then the one metal fuel line retainer on the other side that mounts through the hole in the edge of the gas tank opening
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: ruppstang on January 13, 2019, 10:23:37 PM
Most likely the plastic broke long ago and someone added the more common metal clips.
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 14, 2019, 03:57:05 AM
Most likely the plastic broke long ago and someone added the more common metal clips.

Good point makes sense. Now I need to figure out how to re create the plastic protector
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: RoyceP on January 15, 2019, 10:56:46 AM
The plastic one is used on '68 Mercury Cougars. I suspect someone at San Jose was accidentally installing them on Mustangs. Fortunately you can buy a good used one from West Coast Classic Cougar.
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: preaction on January 15, 2019, 11:07:38 AM
This is whats left from a Dearborn built 68.
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: J_Speegle on January 15, 2019, 02:34:43 PM
The plastic one is used on '68 Mercury Cougars. I suspect someone at San Jose was accidentally installing them on Mustangs. Fortunately you can buy a good used one from West Coast Classic Cougar.

Thanks Royce

I was wondering about that possibility and had not asked and I didn't have allot of pictures to identify any in my pictures
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: 67gtasanjose on January 15, 2019, 05:31:41 PM
Thanks Royce

I was wondering about that possibility and had not asked and I didn't have allot of pictures to identify any in my pictures


I wonder if the "Convenience Group" plays into the use of the plastic protector in 68 cars. Just as a possibility of why some have and others do not. ALL 68 XR7's have Convenience group so this may explain seeing them on Cougars.
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: Coralsnake on January 15, 2019, 06:16:21 PM
Some 1968 Shelbys have the strip, while most do not. None had the convienence group.
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: ruppstang on January 15, 2019, 09:28:52 PM
I built a J code HCS a couple of years ago that did not have the convenience light but had the plastic protector. It did however have the sound deadner on the tunnel like a cougar. It makes me think the Mustangs that got them by virtue of random mistakes. 
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 15, 2019, 11:44:10 PM
Some 1968 Shelbys have the strip, while most do not. None had the convienence group.

Very interesting indeed
Title: Re: 1968 GT 390 (San Jose) June 5, 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on January 15, 2019, 11:45:13 PM
I built a J code HCS a couple of years ago that did not have the convenience light but had the plastic protector. It did however have the sound deadner on the tunnel like a cougar. It makes me think the Mustangs that got them by virtue of random mistakes.

Good to know. Makes sense
Title: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: Beeler422 on October 17, 2023, 04:57:20 PM
Admin Note: This reply and the following one were separated from a different thread on another subject and move to this one.



Thanks guys.  That the info I needed.  Rather than start another topic, here's another question.

When I removed my gas tank, there was a piece of plastic that was like a chase that the sender wire ran inside of.  This plastic was held in place by screws on the flanged that hangs down under the gas tank opening.  I can't find this piece anywhere. 

Thanks again.
Title: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: J_Speegle on October 17, 2023, 05:19:49 PM
Thanks guys.  That the info I needed.  Rather than start another topic, here's another question.

When I removed my gas tank, there was a piece of plastic that was like a chase that the sender wire ran inside of.  This plastic was held in place by screws on the flanged that hangs down under the gas tank opening.  I can't find this piece anywhere. 

Thanks again.

Don't really have to start a new thread and bu putting it into this thread it makes it a little more difficult for the next guy with the same question to find your question and the responses. There is a whole thread on the subject but as a quick direct response to "I can't find this piece anywhere.  " if you referring to a source for these that you can just find on a web page or catalog you won't. Don't think they have ever been reproduced nor given the limited usage of them likely ever will be. Got to find a good original


Will find the main thread and merge your question over there

Title: Re: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: Keith Stem on October 17, 2023, 07:06:53 PM
I have one on my 5/1/68 Dearborn CJ, it does not have the convenience group option.   
Title: Re: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on October 31, 2023, 04:16:13 AM

I wonder if the "Convenience Group" plays into the use of the plastic protector in 68 cars. Just as a possibility of why some have and others do not. ALL 68 XR7's have Convenience group so this may explain seeing them on Cougars.

Yes that is a good point. I am going to see if I can track one down at WCCC
Title: Re: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on October 31, 2023, 08:46:38 PM
I found this on the WCCC website, but they don'y have any in stock. Now I know what I am looking for. Hopefully one turns up eventually

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/19/4775-311023194611-19689280.png)
Title: Re: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: Bob Gaines on October 31, 2023, 09:21:53 PM
Don't be surprised to find most are deformed and distorted. They are mounted 1/4 to 1/2 from mufflers  on most applications. Given the close proximity to the muffler they are victims of the heat.
Title: Re: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on October 31, 2023, 10:53:52 PM
Don't be surprised to find most are deformed and distorted. They are mounted 1/4 to 1/2 from mufflers  on most applications. Given the close proximity to the muffler they are victims of the heat.

Well that explains why you never see one other than the remnants left behind. Hopefully I find one, but I am not holding my breath
Title: Re: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: krelboyne on October 31, 2023, 11:36:15 PM
On a 1968 Cougar there is a better chance at finding one that is not so melty. No transverse mufflers on 1968 and newer Cougars.
We don't find them very often either.
Title: Re: 1968 Fuel Tank Sending Wire Protector
Post by: bullitt68 on October 31, 2023, 11:54:08 PM
On a 1968 Cougar there is a better chance at finding one that is not so melty. No transverse mufflers on 1968 and newer Cougars.
We don't find them very often either.

I didn't think so. But I will keep looking