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  •  » 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

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    9/11/2023 10:52 AM  #1

    Steve69
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    From: Madison Wisconsin
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Im helping my son put the body parts on his 68 Mustang.  We installed the torsion springs and it wouldn't hold the trunk lid up.  Is there a supplier for these springs?   Were not seeing anything out there for a coupe.   Any way to modify them to have more spring in the rods? 

     

    9/11/2023 11:22 AM  #2

    Ron68
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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Do you have the springs installed correctly? If so, there shouldn't be any issues with it holding the trunk lid open. My lid pops right open whenever the latch is opened.

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

    9/11/2023 2:13 PM  #3

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    And there are three positions of adjustment...at least there is on the 66.  When I first installed mine, they also would not hold the deck lid up.  Next adjustment works fine.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    9/12/2023 7:22 AM  #4

    Steve69
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    We tried all 3 positions with the same results.  I think we have them installed correctly.  With the trunk lid off there seems to be some pressure on the hinges. Ill take some pics tonight and post them.  
    Thanks Steve69

       •Thread Starter
     

    9/12/2023 9:13 AM  #5

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    A shop manual is great for theses how too’s.
    Here’s how my 68 is set up.
    The rod that is attached to each of the left and right trunk hinges cross over and locate to the opposite side adjustment slots.
    If you don’t have skinned fingers on both hands putting theses on you are not doing it right.
    I made a simple tool to twist these rods into place, I’ll post pictures later if I GATI.

    https://imgur.com/a/3DqiFbz
    https://imgur.com/a/uUv6I55

    Last edited by Rudi (9/12/2023 9:19 AM)

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    9/12/2023 1:50 PM  #6

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Can they be swapped left to right?
    Perhaps they were on opposite sides originally?
    WAG

     

    9/12/2023 3:59 PM  #7

    Rudi
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Nos681 wrote:

    Can they be swapped left to right?
    Perhaps they were on opposite sides originally?
    WAG

     
    I don’t think so.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    9/12/2023 7:31 PM  #8

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Rudi wrote:

    If you don’t have skinned fingers on both hands putting theses on you are not doing it right.
    I made a simple tool to twist these rods into place, I’ll post pictures later if I GATI.

    I also made a tool to install those torsion springs and you are welcome to borrow it if you want, Steve.  PM your address and I'll get it heading that way ASAP.  Or, I'll send pix if you'd rather.

    BB1

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    9/13/2023 9:16 AM  #9

    Steve69
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    Rudi wrote:

    If you don’t have skinned fingers on both hands putting theses on you are not doing it right.
    I made a simple tool to twist these rods into place, I’ll post pictures later if I GATI.

    I also made a tool to install those torsion springs and you are welcome to borrow it if you want, Steve.  PM your address and I'll get it heading that way ASAP.  Or, I'll send pix if you'd rather.

    BB1

       Thanks BB!.  My son and find out quickly that what we had wasn't going to do it.  My son watched a couple of Youtube videos and welded himself that tool to make it easier to install the bar. 
     

       •Thread Starter
     

    9/13/2023 7:13 PM  #10

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    I love tools that nobody else will ever be able to identify.  Got a drawer full of 'em.  I even found one the other day that I ain't sure what I made it for, butt (TS&T) I'm sure it was handy at the time.  One of my favorites is my early Mustang door hinge spring installation tool.  Works like a champ...no flying springs or bloody fingers. 

    Last edited by Bullet Bob (9/13/2023 7:15 PM)

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    9/14/2023 6:50 AM  #11

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    I love tools that nobody else will ever be able to identify.  Got a drawer full of 'em.  I even found one the other day that I ain't sure what I made it for, butt (TS&T) I'm sure it was handy at the time.  One of my favorites is my early Mustang door hinge spring installation tool.  Works like a champ...no flying springs or bloody fingers. 

    Hey BB, can't you post a picture of the door spring tool?  Just interested in what it looks like.at
     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    9/14/2023 8:32 AM  #12

    Steve69
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    From: Madison Wisconsin
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    I love tools that nobody else will ever be able to identify.  Got a drawer full of 'em.  I even found one the other day that I ain't sure what I made it for, butt (TS&T) I'm sure it was handy at the time.  One of my favorites is my early Mustang door hinge spring installation tool.  Works like a champ...no flying springs or bloody fingers. 

    I have to crawl under my 69 Mustang and take off the clutch pedal spring above.  Im deciding the best way to go about that without taking my head off....LOL  
     

       •Thread Starter
     

    9/14/2023 8:13 PM  #13

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    BobE wrote:

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    I love tools that nobody else will ever be able to identify.  Got a drawer full of 'em.  I even found one the other day that I ain't sure what I made it for, butt (TS&T) I'm sure it was handy at the time.  One of my favorites is my early Mustang door hinge spring installation tool.  Works like a champ...no flying springs or bloody fingers. 

    Hey BB, can't you post a picture of the door spring tool?  Just interested in what it looks like.at
     

    I will take pix but I gotta tell ya, Bob, I am having zero success posting pix here...notice no avitar.
    However, I'll be happy to send a couple be email or text if you want to PM that info to me...may already have but......

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    9/15/2023 9:29 PM  #14

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,213

    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Steve69 wrote:

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    I love tools that nobody else will ever be able to identify.  Got a drawer full of 'em.  I even found one the other day that I ain't sure what I made it for, butt (TS&T) I'm sure it was handy at the time.  One of my favorites is my early Mustang door hinge spring installation tool.  Works like a champ...no flying springs or bloody fingers. 

    I have to crawl under my 69 Mustang and take off the clutch pedal spring above.  Im deciding the best way to go about that without taking my head off....LOL  
     

    Easiest way is to remove the entire pedal assembly.  Then push the clutch pedal down past where the floorboard would have previously limited its downward travel. The spring will simply fall out. To reinstall, reverse the procedure.  Any other attempt is usually futile and always dangerous.

    Converting to the new design MustangSteve 69-70  cable clutch system eliminates that spring and results with pedal pressure similar to a new Mustang has.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    9/16/2023 10:56 AM  #15

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
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    Re: 1968 trunk lid torsion spring

    Steve69 wrote:

    I have to crawl under my 69 Mustang and take off the clutch pedal spring above.  Im deciding the best way to go about that without taking my head off....LOL  
     

    Is this the spring between the Z-bar and the clutch fork that holds the lower clutch rod in place?  If so, try using vise-grips to remove the spring. 
     

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

     

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