I have a 84 gsl and trying to install struts per FSM It says there is a mark on tower plate there is none. My plate has three identical curved ends and the forth has notch How do I install properly? Thanks

 

Look in 1st Generation specific page for
Strut Rod thread by ATC529R.
I cover the strut mount install and the how,why and what it will do for your handling. Couple pics there so you can visualize what i’m saying.

This is one of those times you can forgo what it says in FSM to add a tick better handling for your car.
If you’re confused,post back and i’ll answer your questions.

 

Found page but it says install facing engine towards fire wall . What do I use as reference point I have no mark on tower cap.

 

There is no mark on strut tower cap or body
Strut mount itself is offset and can be installed in the car 4 different ways. It may appear to look centered but each side of the 4 sides changes camber/caster depending on how strut is installed in car.

Look closely at the black “cap” cover of large nut and notice how “it”is not centered in hole of body of car.
The position it’s installed is facing “in” toward engine and “back” toward firewall/windshield.
If you have strut mount separated from strut,you can easily move/install it in the four different positions to see how each installed position biases the center hole differently. It can be done with the strut fully assembled,just more cumbersome.

Overhead pic,this is drivers side. You can see hood prop clip in pic for orientation. You can see the opening in the body where strut mount comes through. Look at the cap that covers hole where large nut that holds strut comes thru,look at the top metal ring of strut mount. They are both oriented to lower right in this pic. I took it with my phone. The second pic is oriented as facing drivers front fender.
Look at how much of the shoulder of mount is showing in this pic,upper left 3/4 of the opening in body where strut mount comes through.
Pay no attention to yellow mark on mount,i put that there to orient mount while inserting strut assembly into body to match up with prop rod clip,sometimes while handling the assembly on install,the mount will turn and is not noticed til all is in place,i can see the mark while i'm wrestling with bottom part of strut. I usually spin a couple of mounting nuts hand tight to hold top of strut while i work on lower mountings.

When you look at the orientation of what you see in pic and apply it to your car,the bias of cap,the ring around it will be closest to mounting nut that is closest to master cylinder.
Hope this helps.

 

If you look closely inside where the top mount where the strut nut gous you will see a tiny arrow. I have mine pointed to the forward bolt on the fender side of the car.