66 override fix

[tblackgt350]

 I really want to fix the exhaust leak in the rear floor of my car where the traction bars come through; what works best, a big shift boot? Any particular one? Also does this take any special tools? It looks like pretty straightforward-just remove the folding rear seat and trim panels that hold the interior lights to get to the bars. I am a little afraid of how hard it might be to remove the big bolts that run through proximal end of the traction bars/brackets since they haven't been touched in almost 58 years. Any advice?
Thanks,

    Tim

[Bill Collins]

Having sold numerous Shelbys over the years, I have seen various solutions to sealing the override traction bar openings on 65-66 cars.

One that I recall was very effective was, I believe, the rubber boot for the four wheel drive lever on a '70's era Ford pickup. It was rectangular and more narrow than a shift boot where it attached to the floor and fit the opening very well. It tapered down to a circular snout at the other end where the handle would pass through it, making for a good fit around the traction bar.

The rectangular end had a thin metal bezel that provided rigidity so the assembly could be pop riveted to the floor. Additional sealing was provided by some 3M strip caulk.  The overall boot length was adequate to work well for the traction bar application - when I first saw it, I thought it may have been original equipment on the Shelby.

The boot is probably long obsolete from Ford but Dorman manufactures many replacements for items like this. You may want to go online and browse their catalog to see what may work best.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Pretty sure the original was an E brake boot from the Ford big truck series - yes obsolete.
Someone was making the fiberglass covers that SA tried for awhile. https://store.cobranda.com/19shovtrbarc.html

[mlplunkett]

Saw this on ebay. Looks similar to photos I've seen of originals. No luck finding currently available reproductions but maybe someone else will have better luck. Hope anyone who finds a suitable cover will post the source and part numbers.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234385839941?campid=5338967980&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=10050&customid=&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338967980&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=10050&customid=9a2acecd33c1187a31c0aa2f5d4504b4&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0

[Bob Gaines]

Saw this on ebay. Looks similar to photos I've seen of originals. No luck finding currently available reproductions but maybe someone else will have better luck. Hope anyone who finds a suitable cover will post the source and part numbers.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234385839941?campid=5338967980&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=10050&customid=&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338967980&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&toolid=10050&customid=9a2acecd33c1187a31c0aa2f5d4504b4&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0

Yes that is the one everyone uses. Once installed it is virtually indistinguishable.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

The originals were quite different. Hard rubber and square corners. 843 had these....
The shop made aluminum trim was pop riveted.

[tesgt350]

NPD has them......

https://www.npdlink.com/product/boot-transfer-case-shifter/135155?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3DShifter%252Bboot%26top_parent%3D50000%26year%3D

[Bob Gaines]

NPD has them......

https://www.npdlink.com/product/boot-transfer-case-shifter/135155?backurl=search%2Fproducts%3Fsearch_terms%3DShifter%252Bboot%26top_parent%3D50000%26year%3D

The shifter boot base is the wrong size and will not form the opening like the original or alternative boot already presented. It will defeat the purpose if you can't get it to seal the opening.

[Bob Gaines]

The originals were quite different. Hard rubber and square corners. 843 had these....
The shop made aluminum trim was pop riveted.

Yes different looking at them each from the inside of the car but the original and the alternative will look the same when observed from under the car where they are visible once installed  .

[Prototype]

hopefully the truck boot gets reproduced someday.