Need Info from the Archives

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Need Info from the Archives
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Monday, October 08, 2012 - 09:32 am:

I was at the Benson Research Center a couple of months ago, looking for 1915 Coupelet information. I found a drawing or factory letter (don't remember which) which gave the date the carbide generator holes in the running boards were discontinued. It seems to me that it was in April of 1915, but I didn't make a copy of it. Does anyone have a copy of that documentation? Thanks.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Thursday, October 11, 2012 - 06:47 am:

Mike contacted me off line before he posted this, but I do not have any details from the archives on when the carbide generator running board holes were discontinued. It probably would be noted on the change card for the running board if it was not noted on the drawing.

Bruce (RIP) has a small paragraph that includes the 1914-1915 running boards (from a quick review it appears to be the same information in the on-line as well as the CD version of his encyclopedia – ref: http://mtfca.com/encyclo/P-R.htm#rb ) that states:

1913-1921
1913 to 1925 running boards were steel, similar to 1912
but script now ran across the width. Earlier boards had
much sharper diamonds that later, apparently due to wear
on the dies that pressed them. There were minor
variations in the “Ford” script, the placement of holes,
etc. during the years but the basic boards were identical.
Painted black after 1912.
4812 5418 R/H & L/H
”Ford” script now ran across the board. that states:

From: http://mtfca.com/encyclo/doc14.htm

FEB 14, 1914 Acc.575, Ford Archives
T5418. Running board. “Changed length from 44-13/16 to 44-3/4; 44-15/16 to 45 inches.” (According to another note, these dimensions were the tolerances in the dimensions.)

There would have been some type of change recorded and sent to the folks producing the running boards. If not, they would have continued to make them the way they were originally directed i.e. with the holes for the carbide generator.

For Mike and others that in the future will restore an early 1915 it would be nice if we could better document this area. Realizing that the date the change is proposed is not the date the actual change occurs when parts are being produced. And that based on Ford’s history of using up the older parts – Ford would most likely have installed all of the remaining supply of the previous running boards with the holes for the generator. [Items already shipped to dealers for parts stock probably would not have been impacted but the old parts at the factory would most likely have been used on the assembly line.]

And if anyone has some “fossil evidence” or paragraphs from articles or books that would help with this, please let us know. I believe this has been mentioned before in some of the aritcles on early 1915s.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Thursday, October 11, 2012 - 06:57 am:

My 15 touring was made in March 1915. The running boards - both of them - were punched for the carbide generator. The LH splash apron is punched for the carbide gas hose.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Thursday, October 11, 2012 - 06:58 am:

Should have added the serial number 733122.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Thursday, October 11, 2012 - 11:55 am:

My March of '15 Touring also had the holes for the generator, but no hole in the splash shield. Its engine number is 725,xxx.


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