Late 63 muffler ground strap - star washer?

[Erik H.]

Hi - I'd appreciate some input on late 63 braided muffler ground straps. Should there be a large star washer on the braided ground strap on the upper muffler mounting bracket that bolts to the frame? If so, is the sequence bolt, lock washer, braided strap, star washer, bracket? The 63 judging manual p.144 shows a part #9 that I believe is this washer but would like to make sure. Thanks!

[Michael H.]

Re: Late 63 muffler ground strap - star washer?

Hi - I'd appreciate some input on late 63 braided muffler ground straps. Should there be a large star washer on the braided ground strap on the upper muffler mounting bracket that bolts to the frame? If so, is the sequence bolt, lock washer, braided strap, star washer, bracket? The 63 judging manual p.144 shows a part #9 that I believe is this washer but would like to make sure. Thanks!

Erik,

I have to wonder if any 63 ever used the individual ground straps on the muffler hangers as shown in the 63 assembly manual. I've never seen an original that had anything other than the brass sheet.

Decades ago, I inspected several 63 of various build months that still had their complete original exhaust system from front to back and none had the individual braded straps. I owned 19,746 years ago and it too had it's complete original system with the brass sheet style muffler hangers.

I wonder if the reproduction folks are making the strap style hangers just because the AIM shows this style?

Also, two factory "no radio" cars that I looked at decades ago had the brass sheet style hangers even though the sheet wasn't supposed to be included without radio.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Late 63 muffler ground strap - star washer?

My 19,447 also had the brass sheet type grounds on the rear hangers, and I even bought and used the same replacement types as recent as 1992. But, I could not stand the noise/vibration they transmitted through the chassis, so I replaced them with the braided straps (cut off the brass sheets) which eliminated the problem. No matter what, I would not put them back on.

Stu Fox

[Erik H.]

Re: Late 63 muffler ground strap - star washer?

Thanks for the replies Mike and Stu. I did read on the Forum a few discussions on whether these were really ever installed by the factory, and it is an interesting point relative to true originality. I'm preparing my car for judging, so my current issue is what the judges will accept. Based on Stu's response that the straps are a better way to go, I'd like to keep them. Now the question is whether the judges will want to see the star washer on the upper bracket. Anyone been through judging with the straps?

[Alan D.]

Re: Late 63 muffler ground strap - star washer?

Erik, assembly order is Bolt, braided strap, Star washer (large), frame.
These are shown in the AIM under the radio & shop service manuals. The 64AIM has a note that on 8-23-63 a view was removed (that may be the solid strap of 63's?) If judges look for star washer they will expect one (star)
Note the accelerator lever ground strap does NOT have any star washer, sometimes judges expect to see one there so make copy of AIM to show them. Another area which could be checked is the Antenna Area, note only Star Washer used is at the frame - NOT on bracket holding the antenna, another mistaken area, again have copy to show.