67 GT350 radiator support seal

[KShane]

Should a GT350 have a radiator support seal?  I have no evidence of one being stapled on my original support.  If it's a changing thing over time, my car is a completion SJ 5/1 and SA  5/12
Thanks
Shane

[JD]

Only (some?) of the very early cars didn't (seem) to get one, I think by Jan., '67 all cars were getting them.

Most were stapled, some got a clip attachment and therefore may not have evidence of having has one.

[2112]

Most were stapled, some got a clip attachment and therefore may not have evidence of having has one.

ah, well that explains a lot

[greekz]

My car is a 5/3 SJ completion and has the staples.  Figure that.

[J_Speegle]

If you question your findings (not a bad thing to do just to be sure) or want to confirm -  check the stamping date of your radiator support and compare the "Cougar holes" to others built around your cars build period. Has surprised a few owners that thought thiers had not been replaced over the years

[roddster]

  JD is correct.  I bought #0036 in 1971, no seal and no evidence of one being there.

[Richstang]

I believe Ford SJ may have added the core support seal between 12/1/66 and 12/15/66. (This is based on the following PR/Media photos)

#0100 Ford SJ built 11/7/66 - NO Seal - (Seal appears added in 12/9/66 SCG photo)
#0050 Ford SJ built 11/9/66 –NO Seal
#0147 Ford SJ built 11/25/66 – NO seal
#0173 Ford SJ built 12/1/66 – NO seal

#0231 Ford SJ built 12/15/66 – with Seal
#0489 Ford SJ built 1/9/67 – with Seal
#0490 Ford SJ built 1/9/67 – with Seal

[68krrrr]

What was the purpose of the seal was it a cooling  thing ?

[T-Bone68]

Should a GT350 have a radiator support seal?  I have no evidence of one being stapled on my original support.  If it's a changing thing over time, my car is a completion SJ 5/1 and SA  5/12
Thanks
Shane

Just a data point... My car has very similar dates, 5/1 SJ and 5/15 SA.  No seal when I bought it.  Inspecting the top side of my radiator support I couldn't find any evidence of the seal staples.  When I ran my finger along the underside, I found several spots with either a straight staple point remnant sticking out or in some case a complete staple leg curled up underneath.  I'm using those for position guidance re-installing the seal.

[Bob Gaines]

What was the purpose of the seal was it a cooling  thing ?

Yes,a cooling thing . It sealed up against the hood and forced more through the radiator opening.

[JD]

Just a data point... My car has very similar dates, 5/1 SJ and 5/15 SA.  No seal when I bought it.  Inspecting the top side of my radiator support I couldn't find any evidence of the seal staples.  When I ran my finger along the underside, I found several spots with either a straight staple point remnant sticking out or in some case a complete staple leg curled up underneath.  I'm using those for position guidance re-installing the seal.

Good to know...

[Bossbill]

It appears a good repop has not been made, either.
Some have the ribs on the bottom, but none have the striations visible on the top.
NOS are hard to find and the price is ugly.

[KShane]

Thanks for all the information.  I went back and felt underneath and found evidence of a couple of filled staple holes.  I also enlarged the the pre-restoration pics and could see one pair of staple holes. I'm glad I asked the question.
thanks,
Shane