The past two months, as I've been working on the T oil cap screen and starter, I also was working on my dad's 1917 85-6 Overland. The first project was the steering column. Dad had purchased an extra one, which I discovered based on part numbers is the correct one for the car. The one currently on the car belongs to a model 83. I cleaned up the correct steering column and got it working again (it wouldn't turn at all).
The next project was to price how much it would cost to have the radiator rebuilt. The bottom steel neck had broken off, so at the very least, I knew that had to be fixed. I took it down to our local radiator shop and for $15.00 I could have it assessed. I was told that if I was lucky, the cost would be minimal and that the brass radiator would take the solder when putting the steel outlet on. If I was unlucky, I could look at replacing the core, which would have cost $1000.00+ and that the brass would not take soldering for the neck. A week later, I called down to see how much the estimate was. The owner already had to put $75.00 of work into it just to test it; however, for an additional $125.00, he could have it working again. A couple of weeks passed and the radiator was fixed. There were a few leaks that were soldered up and the neck went on quite easily. The owner said that it couldn't have gone smoother!
i'm using a 17-18 ish overland front axle on a speedster project. the drop is lower than 26-7 spindles, and it has steering paralell to the frame, like a model a, but period correct. got the idea from some old sprint car plans.
Overlands are great cars. Is your engine a mono-block or separately cast cylinders? Seems like they were using both types about that time.
Rich
I have had two Model T radiators recored and both went well. I wouldn't hesitate to have another one done. I really like what T.Goad, now deceased, told me about 20 years ago, when I took my 1943 M Farmall radiator in to repair: "I am sure I can fix it" and he did, and for way less than $50, the exact amount I don't remember. Ten years later, I replaced it with a $200 new radiator. Turned out it was made in China and was excellent quality. I keep hoping some enterprising entrepreneur will start getting Model T black radiators made in China.