1926 27 Improved models, a study of... input wanted

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: 1926 27 Improved models, a study of... input wanted
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 02:18 pm:

Since I have bought my rust bucket, very early, non starter, loss leader, touring, I have been compiling a lot of Improved Model 1926- 1927 features and dates of changes. I hope by doing a complete study of the improved model as a part by part forum discussion, that we can lay to rest a lot of the confusion of the features and changes. I have already had a couple threads on 26 early features where a lot of comments and some new features (to me) were discovered. I am mostly going to concentrate on the open models (at first) but any input of closed cars is welcomed also. I think this study may take as mush as a year to complete. With a part by part study of dates of issue and also the "fossil" evidence of some of the items compiled into one list, I think it would serve the hobby well. What is everyone's thoughts.??? Does everyone want to have a forum thread that "beats to death" each part till we are in somewhat agreement on that particular part, Ill then compile the info to the list, and then Ill start another thread on another part in question and beat it to death. I also plan on using the words " Improved Models a study of" and the name of the part, in each title. I believe that would make forum "searches easier. Ok let me know what everyone thinks ..........


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Henrichs on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 07:01 pm:

Donnie,

I think that is a great idea. I hope we have enough knowledgeable posters (and cars) to make it happen. I've "beat to death" some parts that just didn't fit in my time (I use a smaller hammer now). Guess that's not what we are talking about! :-) I've avidly followed the postings on your 26 "loss leader" car. Fascinating. We can always learn something new about T history & construction no matter now much we have seen before.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Val Soupios on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 07:36 pm:

I have a very late '27 touring and would like to participate but my car is only accessible from June until the end of September so if you need something looked at let me know before it goes into mothballs for the winter. It is a starter car with wire wheels. It has the accessory stop light, rear view mirror and gypsy curtains but other than that it is a plain Jane.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 07:52 pm:

Donnie,

I think that is a great idea (I guess that didn't surprise anyone did it).

Hopefully some folks will be able to add some information from the Benson Ford Archives from their collection of Factory Drawings and Change Cards to help better estimate the time range different parts were introduced and others phased out. And that folks will understand that just because it was introduced at the main factory in Dearborn during a certain month or in some cases we even know the day [ i.e. first engine number stamped on the frame rail occurred Dec 12, 1925 ref: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/doc25.htm ] but that doesn't necessarily mean it was introduced at all the Branch Assembly Factories that same month or day. In most cases that would be unlikely to be the same day. And in many cases the Factory Drawing would change and be dated and then sometime later the new part or modified part would be in production.

And as folks share -- if they have a good indication where their car likely came from (i.e. where it was first sold) it can help us figure out which Branch Assembly Plant likely constructed the car and possibly even to see trends on when items were introduced at various plants.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By arnie johansen on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 09:56 pm:

Great idea Donnie.

Perhaps the panel behind the front seat backrest with the stiffener can be included. At first Bruce thought the inverted "U" was used on roadsters and the panel without the embossing was used on pick-up trucks. But many members have pick-up trucks with the panel behind the seat backrest with the embossing!

Perhaps Ford used the panel with the embossing for both pick-up and roadsters to reduce parts as the embossing helped strengthen the part and the cost was already built into the tool to stamp the part! I know this is not used on a touring but perhaps this is a difference in early to late cars. Also if we get a definitive answer on this panel it might help clarify Bruce's great hardcover book which mentions this panel.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Spencer Vibert on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 10:49 pm:

I like the idea Donnie, we should put pictures up as well so we can see what part we are beating to death, this will be interesting since I have a late 26 roadster with wires and the aftermarket taillight.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 10:38 am:

Ok, I guess that's enough yes, and no do not try its. Ill start with the rear axle housings, seems like a good place to start. I am no professional writer or annalist by no means, so when I make a mistake, please tell me. You will not hurt my feelings. I plan on posting photos of the parts. If I do not have a part to photo, maybe someone else will have one. I feel like the best we can get as a date of changes timeline, may just be to say, early, mid or late (model year). There are some parts that we know the dates of changes on but not all. Maybe this study can add to what we know. I also hope to get a good study of all the body styles. In my opinion there are the open cars (roadster and touring) closed cars (coupe, tudor, and fordor) TT trucks (they are not Improved models but there will be some related items), and then the Non starter loss leader. From what I have already found out about the non starters they almost need to be considered their own model. I also hope to keep thread drift to a minimum, and try to stay item specific as much as possible. I may be able to address the posts at least once a day, Ill try to start the "rear axle housing study" this evening.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 11:05 am:

The seven major changes aside from the more modern appearance are these:

Change in location of gas tank which allowed the seat to be set lower on the chassis. The change in gas tank location also gave better fuel pressure to the carburetor making hill climbing easier when the tank is low.

The change in gas tank location also necessitated a change in location of the coil box from under the cowl to top of engine.

The other changes were wider transmission brake band. Larger parking brake drum and wider pedals.
Balloon tires. Door on driver's side of open cars.

All other changes were cosmetic.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown North Central Arkansas on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 12:35 pm:

The purpose of my starting this is to identify all the running changes made, It will be item specific, and Improved model specific. The major changes from the earlier 25 and before models to the Improved Models are fairly well understood. Its all the "running changes" made to the individual parts that are not understood. The first thread Im starting on the rear axle housing, for example. There are 2 different known backing plates. One flat plate with small rivets and one die stamped plate with large rivets. The small rivet flat plate is only "correct" on a very early improved car. probably only cars from calendar 1925. To use it on a later 27 model is "incorrect". That is not a big deal unless you are wanting to be as "correct" as possible. It is amazing how many different changes were made in 26-27. Most are unknown to the general T population. I look at the changes as the same as the changes on the earlier more studied cars. There is nothing wrong with using a "bolt style" windshield frame on a 1915 model T touring or roadster. But the "rivet style windshield frame" is the known and "correct" one to use. I hope that we can achieve a better understanding of all the "Improved" changes in the same way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 01:03 pm:

Donnie - I think this is an excellent idea and I'm willing to help to the best of my ability.

I have a mostly original & unmolested '27 Fordor Sedan built in Oct., 1926. The body (if not the whole car) was built In Highland Park as shown by the stamp in the far left floor just inside of the left front door. My car still has the original engine and the number matches the frame number.

I'm also interested in TT truck changes. My TT is an early '25, but I'm very interested in '26 & '27's also.

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike peterson on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 01:36 pm:

just wait till u get to the doors on coupes an tudors, the different inside door stamp designs, the hinges, the latches, the garnish, oh and the windshields and garnishes and headers


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By G.R.Cheshire on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 01:55 pm:

I'll help if I can but my 27 roadster has so many "incorrect" Items I get confused as to what belongs and what doesn’t! I have parts that are supposed to be riveted but are bolted and a whole bunch of things that just don't fit quite right so it will be helpful to determine what's right To give you an idea what I'm talking about the bolts that hold on the oil pan on the right side they have the heads on top on the left side they have the nuts on top.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 04:17 pm:

Add two more major change to the seven. The two bolts at the top of the hogs head and the straps between them and the frame on each side.

The 4 dip crankcase.

Norm


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