1965 Caliente Convertible

[tomb22]

Very nice looking car
tom

[SASSY]

BTW, got the hood open. THANKS!!!

Cool Ray!
Looks like the shock towers got the cut to sneak in the headers.
The shock tower to firewall bracing has been removed. as well.

JT

Hey I missed the braceing being gone. Might want to replace that with something, I think there is a bolt in Cyclone brace you might want to look at.
Fred

[Joe Travers]

Hey I missed the braceing being gone. Might want to replace that with something, I think there is a bolt in Cyclone brace you might want to look at.

I've seen a lot of people go to the aluminum rods with heim joints, especially with the master cylinder upgrade.
Probably hacked for access to drop the engine but weren't replaced.
Stock bracing is a PITA, especially for old grey-haired guys like me.
Does anyone here run a Monte Carlo bar? I was thinking about one, if it will fit.

JT

[poboyjo65]

Joe I run one & the export brace that Fred mentioned too. The monte carlo bar fit good but I had to chop cut rebuild to lower it about an inch to clear my hood snorkel. both of them must be for a falcon or comet,,,mustang wont fit.


got my export brace off ebay,a dynacorn piece. about the cheapest one you can get & IMO just as strong as any of them, & more rigid since it has no joints.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-1965-Come ... 1438.l2649

[A/FX]

BTW, got the hood open. THANKS!!!

Cool Ray!
Looks like the shock towers got the cut to sneak in the headers.
The shock tower to firewall bracing has been removed. as well.

JT

Actually I am surprised that the car has not broke in half from the braces not being in place. There is a reason for them being there. The aftermarket brace that is available works well and allows more room compared to the welded in factory brace. I know that if you have the car on the ground and remove the bolt in brace then jack the front wheels of the floor the brace will not fit because the shock towers actually flex outward. The brace triangulates the cowl to the shock towers, a Monti Carlo bar would also be a benefit if you have clearance for one.
When I installed the bolt in brace I reinforced the area on the cowl where the four bolts attach, this is exactly how it was done in the early GT350’s.
This is just my opinion, you can make your own decision.
Jim

[Joe Travers]

Joe I run one & the export brace that Fred mentioned too. The monte carlo bar fit good but I had to chop cut rebuild to lower it about an inch to clear my hood snorkel. both of them must be for a falcon or comet,,,mustang wont fit.

Thanks, buddy!
Stock hood here, should fit but never know with the older cars. They aren't as wide as the '64-'65.
I'll call before purchase, make darned sure I don't have to fab anything. Don't have a metal shop, here.

JT

[Joe Travers]

Actually I am surprised that the car has not broke in half from the braces not being in place.

When the doors stop closing, you know you're in trouble.

JT

[A/FX]

Actually I am surprised that the car has not broke in half from the braces not being in place.

When the doors stop closing, you know you're in trouble.

JT

I would think the back of the hood would bind first. Either way a brace is mandatory.
Jim

[Joe Travers]

I would think the back of the hood would bind first. Either way a brace is mandatory.

I most certainly concur.

JT

[Jims65cyclone]

Might want to consider installing an export brace or Monte Carlo bar since the original shock tower braces have been removed.

Jim

[poboyjo65]

Might want to consider installing an export brace or Monte Carlo bar since the original shock tower braces have been removed.

Jim

[popscomet]

Might want to consider installing an export brace or Monte Carlo bar since the original shock tower braces have been removed.

Jim

that's good advice,JIM ....pop

[Jims65cyclone]

Well.........if nothing else, I'm good at repeating the obvious. I think what I did was reply from the first page without seeing the string of comments on the second, and it tacked my comment to the end of page two. Oh well, I think we're all agreed.

Jim

[popscomet]

10-4 good buddy !! pop

[BenJack9903]

Anyone have a pic of the brace you're speaking of? I have no idea.