I am trying to "fine tune" the restoration of my 1913 touring. At Hershey I picked up what I thought were the correct control rods for the commutator and throttle. However, when I removed the rods that were on the car and compared them to the ones I purchased I noted a major length differential between the throttle rods. I believe the commutator rod can be re-bent to fit. But am wondering what the throttle rod I purchased is actually for. The rod is at its' shortest adjustment spot.
And, is the commutator rod the correct one for 1913?
Ford used the swivel end fittings in 1913 on both rods. I suspect both of the ones in your pictures are reproductions. It's up to you to make them fit right.
Those two swivel fittings are different. One has the ball on the rod, the other on the fitting end. Is there a any data on which is which and when they were used?
A fellow in Victoria was reproducing them but I have no idea what type is correct and for what year.
Allan from down under.
Allen, you're right, the ends are different. I posted this hoping to find out if the rods are actually correct for the car. Maybe the so-called throttle rod is for some other car? I thought the throttle rod distance would be the virtually the same for all years.
Top is commutator, bottom is throttle
The throttle end does NOT have a swivel, but does adjust. I'll take a picture if absolutely necessary, but I hate doing that. It is pictured on page 30 of the 1913 parts book, although not as clear as the photos you posted!
I decided to be nice and post a photo. One is NOS, and the other is used. I don't know which is earlier, but I suspect the top one is.
I have heard it from a couple of different sources that the swivel for the throttle rod should be on the steering column und of the rod, not the carburetor end.
That being said, with the adjuster at the carburetor end, it is easier to adjust, and that is where they are on my cars.
: ^ )
Keith
Being from Maine, is it possible one was a rt hand drive Canadian car and the other lest hand US production? That would explain the near mirror image bends and the length differences.
Larry is correct on throttle rod end. No Swivel
These were purchased at Hershey, they are not Maine natives.
Yes. I meant to say adjuster on the carburetor rod, not the swivel, although I like to say, "swivel."
: ^ )
After Larry Smith' posting above, I dug out my old Parts Books and found some interesting information,
I have two 1913 Parts Books (one effective Jan. 1st, the other October 1st) both of which show the same photo on page 30. Shown in the photo is the 3538 Carburetor pull rod adjustment (same as one in Larry's photo) and list the number required per car as one. Also shown is the 3536 Ball and socket joint (looks to be like the lower one shown in my photos above) and lists the number required per car as TWO.
I also have a Feb. 1, 1915 Parts book which shows, in photo on page 32, the same two end pieces, HOWEVER, it lists the number required per car as ONE for both parts.
The obvious question that this raises to me is: Why were two ball and socket joints needed at one time, and then the requirement decreased to one?
Any thoughts?
One possible reason could be possibly due to any throttle arm differences (lengths) in carburetor manufacturers.
Larry, yesterday you decided to be nice and post a photo. Does that mean your normal state is not nice?
Couldn't help myself! I have never seen a threaded end like the one you show without any swivel. Perhaps it's a Canadian thing. I have seen both types of swivels, the rod end being female to receive the ball, and the rod end being male having the ball.
Allan from down under.
My 13 has the same rod end as in Larry's picture.
These are NOS spark & throttle rods that I received from Otis Clinton's estate - Larry knew Otis rather well.
Otis probably made the one you pictured from the sample I posted. He made a bunch of them back in the 80's, because he didn't have one. I have an interesting accessory for this part too. It is the locking nut, but has a short lever attached to it, so you don't need a wrench to loosen it. It is not a home made item, and I've had it for years. It's on my '13 touring now.