ConcoursMustang Forums
1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: wll17057 on June 30, 2024, 11:13:42 PM
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Hi everyone.
Any question is a good question...even this one. I am stumped. Here are our car specifics:
8T01T225520 (1968 Metuchen 200 CID 6-cyl / Coupe 3:20 rear axle three-speed manual) - literally a no option car with only wheel covers and white walls. No AC, No power anything, No automatic transmission.
My question - what is a Thermactor, more importantly, how do I tell if our car is equipped with Thermactor parts? Pictures would be extremely helpful.
I keep seeing "for cars with Thermactors...." but I am lost.
Sorry for this overly simple question. Any input will be appreciated.
Bill Leonard
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This would have helped. The engine / compartment for our 1968 Coupe. I am "thinking" we do not have a Thermactor??
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It is a smog system. Basically an exhaust air injection via a belt driven smog pump.
Manual transmission Ford / Mercury cars and light trucks, normally had the Thermactor smog system in 1968.
I am sure that google would have a better explanation.
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Your pic does not show a Thermactor system; e.g., no belt driven air pump, valves, hoses or air injection fittings. What state was the car originally purchased?
You may be able to find more specific info about 68 Mustang 200 I6 in this forum.
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I just posted a document that should help as well. https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=29844.new#new
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I think it unusual for the 200 cylinder cars to get Thermactor. There were some.
Do you have a build sheet for the car?
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(https://www.vintage-mustang.com/attachments/05c77169-e776-4e10-a623-a3d1db811c61-jpg.587498/)
It would look similar to this 1967
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I think it unusual for the 200 cylinder cars to get Thermactor. There were some.
Pete - I agree with your comment. I was surprised to learn that some 6-cyl cars got the Thermactor.
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As far as I remember, ALL US destined cars in 1968 required SMOG equipment. That being said, what is the DSO of your Mustang? It's on the door data plate.
Pictures of Mustangs are wonderful. They are in "color". They are without Ford part numbers. Go to this forums library and locate "Ford Car Parts" (aka the MPC). Several links are available. It is a copy of the service document used by dealerships in 1975 for our Mustangs. If you go to the illustrations section 94.1 page 20, it will show you a drawing of what your car should be equipped with for smog stuff.
Jim
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Your pic does not show a Thermactor system; e.g., no belt driven air pump, valves, hoses or air injection fittings. What state was the car originally purchased?
Would not matter what state the car was delivered in. By 68 emission requirements were Federal not state like in the 3 prior years. Later in 70 plus there were differences, due to additional - over Federal - requirements for California and some other regions.
Have about two dozen books (Ford and servicing ones) on the subject Have field a fair number of questions from California BAR - Bureau of Auto Repairs in reference to Emission systems on Fords from the 60's a speaker in front of the State Senate related to standards and annual/biannual state inspections in the state
In 68 the requirement for small blocks and 6 cylinders on what transmission was ordered
In allot of locations annual and biannual inspections did not include a check of these systems so removing them was over looked. There is often differences in other parts of the engine and attachments between the Thermactor and non-Thermactor cars. Recall my first MCA show on the east coast and I was instructed to take it "easy" on anything related to Thermactor systems. Did have a discussion with one non- AC 289 68 car owner where I went through a list of things that identified the engine and parts. He eventually admitted that the engine he had in the car came from a Thermactor AC car.
Many parts have been replaced on the engine below but the "big" parts are there. Hard to find a 6 cylinder Thermactor equipped engine and especially out of a car.
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-010724182322-204121096.jpeg)
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-010724182321-204111726.jpeg)
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-010724182316-204091182.jpeg)
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-010724182316-204092095.jpeg)
Other pictures on a nice unrestored example are available for viewing in the Unrestored Picture Section of the site.
Look for 1968 section then
- 68 T code Dearborn - Unrestored Picture Thread Thermactor
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/8/6-270817193728-85301359.jpeg)
- Early 68 T code San Jose Coupe - Unrestored Picture Thread non-Thermactor original California car just for comparison. There are some additional T code 68 there also
(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/13/6-261219212610.jpeg)
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Here's the drawing from Ford Car Parts. Ford base numbers are present. A LOT (yes it is TWO words) more detail is included.
Jim
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In the document I uploaded to the library, on page 3 there is a table that indicates that for all six cylinder engines, the IMCO (IMproved COmbustion) system was used for the automatic transmission equipped models, where as the Thermactor system was used for all standard (manual) transmission equipped vehicles. This includes passenger cars and trucks.
Multiple pages of descriptions, with diagrams are included starting on page 8.
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Correct not all 1968 cars were required to have smog.
The 302 automatics used the IMCO system which does not use an air pump
A build sheet will have the engine code that will identify the specific configuration of the engine
That is why we know all 1968 Cobra Jet cars received smog
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Correct not all 1968 cars were required to have smog.
The 302 automatics used the IMCO system which does not use an air pump
A build sheet will have the engine code that will identify the specific configuration of the engine
That is why we know all 1968 Cobra Jet cars received smog
Technically none of the 1968 cars "have smog", but they produced emissions that contributed to it. All of the 1968 cars had some form of exhaust emission control - either of the IMCO or Thermactor design - based on requirements. To use the vernacular, all 1968 cars were required to comply with new exhaust emissions regulations, and they all "have smog" controlling systems of varying solutions.
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Interesting photos Jeff. I thought all the 6-cylinder smog pumps used the straight nipple on the back but the one in your photo has the elbow...?? Note that the posted illustration shows a straight nipple.
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Ford engine assembly must have had parts listings for each specific engine assembly (relayed to the specific coding) That would be handy to have.
I know there is at least one engine assembly manual for 1968s floating around
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Hi everyone.
All of your responses, photographs, manual references, links, etc. are immensely appreciated. Time for me to go through everything and determine what's right for our coupe.
Have a great week...summer...and thank you very much.
Bill
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Interesting photos Jeff. I thought all the 6-cylinder smog pumps used the straight nipple on the back but the one in your photo has the elbow...?? Note that the posted illustration shows a straight nipple.
Looks like the one did and the other example did not. IMHO not really unusual for the engine plant to make due on Thermactor parts, within limits, to make things fit especially for the pumps. Have seen many with three ports on cars that required two and altered by simply adding a cap and clamp to the unused port. Another thing I've found a couple of times for 67 in small blocks is the 24 6 cylinder filters with the elbow/nipple in the cap (like used on 67 K code Shelby's) that was simply crimped off or squeezed and folded over. Thought that might be a owner modification till I saw a second one and really thought about how unlikely some later owner would care to find and modify the filter can when the vast majority were just removing the whole systems at that time
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Good morning everyone.
Once again, thanks for all the comments, links and references for "SMOG" ventilation systems for our '68 T-code coupe.
After looking at the Thermactor pictures and references, our engine does NOT have a Thermactor system...even though it is a 3-speed standard / manual transmission car. I am not venturing into the IMCO side of the house. HOWEVER, with your help in narrowing my search, in Section 8-38 of the 1968 COUGAR FAIRLANE FALCON MONTEGO MUSTANG SHOP MANUAL...there is information about the CLOSED CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM. The photos on this page for Group 8 170 and 200 Six, show the components, connections and relevant parts for the Closed Crankcase Ventilation System. The figures in the manual and our engine match 100%.
That's where I am so far. Research continues. I'll post more information as I find referenced, factual material.
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Is there any evidence at all of having thermactor at some point in time, such as a bracket or anything related to thermactor?
Is there any evidence that the engine is original to the vehicle (date stamps)?
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.........That's where I am so far. Research continues. I'll post more information as I find referenced, factual material.
What would you consider "factual material"? Ford or Federal documents? Emission documents from states for inspection purposes from the era. Let us not forget that the car in question is a pretty late built car.
Agree with John the engine and other details need to be explored since as is currently understood your car built as you represent if appears to represent a Federal fine at least. Yes would like details and numbers from especially things like the head since I think that would be the only part on the engine that would look different even with the system removed
Fun discussion