TCP rack&pinion on FE mustang

[rcodecj]

TCP got back with me, so I thought I would pass along the info. They said:

"As far as we know the Ford Power header work, I am not sure about the Hooker. OEM manifold are normally Ok also."

http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/rack.html

Since the Borgeson p/s swap doesn't look like it will work I am thinking about doing a TCP swap this winter. They don't sound to confident it will work. I guess I'll have to get under the car and see if it looks like it would work. I've got cj exhaust manifolds but I wouldn't mind too much if I had to install headers I guess. I'd rather not have to though.
Anyone have a TCP rack on an FE mustang?
Thanks.
 

[427Fastback]

I have done the TCP front end and rack on a 69SCJ Auto Mach I.I also used FPA headers.You have to use a stock oil pan for clearance.The FPA's touch the block on the left side a tad but it is in a place where a little block grinding solves the problem..The FPA's are a good fit and I installed the engine with the headers on..Pay attention to the shimming on the rack (mounts)

My only negative comment about the TCP is it has way to many adjustment points.
I do have photos..

Cory

[rcodecj]

I have done the TCP front end and rack on a 69SCJ Auto Mach I.I also used FPA headers.You have to use a stock oil pan for clearance.The FPA's touch the block on the left side a tad but it is in a place where a little block grinding solves the problem..The FPA's are a good fit and I installed the engine with the headers on..Pay attention to the shimming on the rack (mounts)

My only negative comment about the TCP is it has way to many adjustment points.
I do have photos..

Cory

I would love to see the pictures. I don't understand where the oil pan would be a problem. I run a Moroso 20608 and it does seem a bit deeper after the sump.
I had to drop my factory cross brace a bit because of interference.

Do you think the TCP rack would fit with cj exhaust manifolds?
When you say too many adjustment points do you mean to mount the rack or to adjust the steering of the rack after it is mounted?


Thanks.

[427Fastback]

I will dig the pictures out later today..
The rack bolts on where the factory cross brace goes.Car had a Cobra T-sump pan on it and it just didnt have enough room for rack..
Everything is adjustable on the upper and lower a-arms.You have no base line to start from.

Cory

[rcodecj]

I know what you mean about the double adjustable upper control arms. I prefer uca's like opentracker racing products make.
I would think that if I had a problem clearing the Moroso 20608 steel pan that I could modify the pan hopefully.
Or maybe the Moroso pan is shorter in that area than the Cobra T-pan.
Good to hear the FPA's clear the TCP rack. I may have to go FPA's instead of Hooker 6114's.
It would be nice if the TCP rack would clear the cj manifolds so I would not have to mess with the exhaust.
Maybe I'll get lucky and it will. Your pictures will help a lot. Thanks again.

[427Fastback]

The headers made a huge improvement in the performance and were well worth the trouble.The only reason I went with the TCP is that this is pretty much a one owner SCJ that has all its original parts and body panels.I didnt want to do anything that i couldnt easily undo.The TCP require very little mods to the car..The owner is very happy with it and It wont be much work for me to return it to stock..I will dig the pictures out later today....Cory

[rcodecj]

The headers made a huge improvement in the performance and were well worth the trouble.The only reason I went with the TCP is that this is pretty much a one owner SCJ that has all its original parts and body panels.I didnt want to do anything that i couldnt easily undo.The TCP require very little mods to the car..The owner is very happy with it and It wont be much work for me to return it to stock..I will dig the pictures out later today....Cory

Curious, did you change the rest of the exhaust when you changed to headers. The 69 mustang 428cj stock muffler is very restrictive.

[427Fastback]

The car had a muffler shop built 3" X pipe with dumps.

[427Fastback]

most of my pics are to large...I will post what I can

[427Fastback]

after looking at the pics I realize that the lower a-arms are not adjustable..I thought they were...Cory

I can send the rest of the pics to your e-mail if you like.

[rcodecj]

after looking at the pics I realize that the lower a-arms are not adjustable..I thought they were...Cory

I can send the rest of the pics to your e-mail if you like.

Yes, please do send the rest, especially anything that shows the pan area, and the area by the steering column where the header primary tubes would be
 to my e-mail. Thank you.

[427Fastback]

I cant extract your e-mail address from here.Send me a e-mail and I will send you what pics I have....
coryellwyn   at   hot    mail   dotcom

Cory

[rcodecj]

I cant extract your e-mail address from here.Send me a e-mail and I will send you what pics I have....
coryellwyn   at   hot    mail   dotcom

Cory

e-mail sent, thanks

[rcodecj]

Thanks for the pics Cory.

It looks to me like the inner tie-rods would be a problem with my Moroso pan.
The Moroso 20608 pan doesn't have the indentions on the sides for clearance. I don't know why I couldn't modify the pan though.

When you said you installed your motor with the FPA headers on, did you also have the transmission on?

Did you have to grind on the lip along the lower control arm mounts to allow the rack mounting brackets to properly seat?
I read that on some cars that was necessary.

[427Fastback]

I installed the trans after.I did the job at my old house in the driveway and didnt want to risk hanging all that mass over the car..I didnt have to grind anything for the rack.I did have to shim it slightly tho.
I believe the alignment shop may have moved the tie rods down on the rack for bump steer..
I had to grind the block a bit on the left side for the headers and dress the alluminum mount on the Powermaster starter for the headers as well..

Cory

[rcodecj]

Looks like the Canton 13820A oil pan might do the trick:
https://www.cantonracingproducts.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=13-820A

Much better fit at the back of the sump than the Moroso 20608
http://www.moroso.com/catalog/categorydisplay.asp?catcode=11685

Stock pan (Cory's picture:

[MustangGT]

I have just finished(yesterday) installing a TCP power rack on my FE powered '67 Mustang Fastback.
No problems whatsoever. I am running stock exhaust manifolds and the clearance between the exhaust flange and valve body on the driver side is tight but should be ok. Stock pan with plenty of clearance also when using both the thick and the thin incluced shims.
I still have some other stuff to finish like putting in the windshield and bleed the hydraulic clutch so no driving experience yet.

Regards
Morten