My touring appears to be a very early 1915 model, perhaps even built in 1914. (I understand that Ford's model year started in the Fall of the previous year).
The engine number however has a serial that shows it was made in October, 1913.
So here's the question. Could this be the original motor for the car? Is it possible that a 1913 engine could have been made and in storage for a year before being put in an early 1915 ?
Thanks
schuh
For tourings and roadsters, the 1915 model year started in January 1915 and lasted through July 1915 - only seven months.
There are a lot of 1916 and later Fords masquerading as 1915s.
Engine aside, have you done a assessment of your car to determine if it is a true 1915 or a "put together"? Do you know the history of your car, i.e. can you trace it back to the original owner?
A 1915 Ford would not have come from the assembly plant with a 1913 motor.
Guess not, production increased fast, engines were in high demand during 1913/1914 so it's unlikely a 1913 engine was installed new in a 1915 style car. Besides they weren't making 1915 style open cars until january 1915 (and low numbers initially) - production problems with the new cowl, I think? http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1915-16H.htm
I know some of the cars history as it belonged to a farming family just down the road. The family owned it since it was new and I have spoken to the grandaughter of the original owner.
Reading over the encyclopedia for 1915 touring cars, all indications are that it is a early 1915.
Rogers statement that production was high during this period makes me suspect that sometime early in the the cars life there was a motor problem and the motor was replaced with a used motor.
Thanks
schuh
A 1913 engine should generally be more valuable than a 1915 engine
If your 15 is early it should have had a patent plate with a car # on the firewall. These numbers were phased out during 1915 production and didn't match the engine # - should be several thousands lower than the number your original engine had, since Ford sold complete numbered engines as spares, so every engine # didn't become a new car. If you find that plate # and compare with several other early 15 owners who has their original engines, you should be able to pinpoint the production date of your car quite good.
There is a slim possibility only the motor block was changed, so the trans may still be the original.. if so, it may have a stamped date on the flange thet bolts to the crank shaft. (unsure when that practice stopped - perhaps at about the same time as the dash plate numbers?)
Thanks Roger, I will check for the flange date tomorrow. I don't think there was a number stamped on the plate plate.
schuh