Determine age of t frame

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: Determine age of t frame
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Daniel Kraft on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 11:16 am:

How do I tell what year a model at frame is? Thanks


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 11:23 am:

Is the Ford logo stamped in the front cross member? How many rivets in the hand brake quadrant? Is there a battery carrier riveted in the frame (or holes where there was one)? Report back on those and we can narrow it down to within a few years. Others may have hints to pin it down even closer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 11:23 am:

http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/C-D.htm#Chassis1
If you have a frame you are trying to figure out what year it is, post photos or a good description would be helpful. If you are looking for a frame what year do you need it for? Try doing a Google search "mtfca; frame".
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/356544.html?1366444998


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 11:26 am:

Only the last 17 months or so of production had a frame number for exact dating but there are other differences that makes it possible to pinpoint when a frame was made down to one up to a few years or so, depending on when during the almost 19 years of production.

Here is a start: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/C-D.htm#Chassis1


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Daniel Kraft on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 12:18 pm:

There is no ford script on the front cross member. There are holes where a battery carrier could go. And the brake quadrant has four bolts attaching it to the frame rail.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 12:38 pm:

If it is a '19 or newer, there holes on the rear for the spare tire carrier, three on each frame rail. Two of those holes are vertical and in a staggered position to one another and one is horizontal facing towards the back.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 12:54 pm:

If there's no Ford logo hidden by paint and/or rust, and the frame rails have battery carrier holes, that narrows it down to early 1919. But the cross member could be a replacement. The four hole quadrant is before 1925. Battery, starter, and generator were introduced with the 1919 models. The logo began about the middle of March, 1919. Frame info in Roger's link should help.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Daniel Kraft on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 01:07 pm:

Is it possible that someone drilled holes into an old frame for a battery carrier? Where should the battery carrier holes be located if they were factory?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 01:24 pm:

Yes, it's quite possible. The factory holes for the battery carrier are in the side of the frame rails. On the driver's side there are two, 5.75" apart (centers). The rear one is a little over 17" from the back end of the frame. On the passenger (right) side there's one hole, about 22" from the back end.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Daniel Kraft on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 01:56 pm:

It looks like it is a 1919. So, looking at the link, the only difference between a 1919 and a 1916 that matches my motor, wheels and radiator is the addition of the battery carier holes. Is that a correct assumption? Did the driveline and rear axel change between 1916 and 1919? Thank you for your help!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 02:09 pm:

Good detail here on the features of a 1916 T.

http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1916.htm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 02:19 pm:

There are other differences on a 1917 and later frame from a 1916. The 1917 frame began the new punch holes for the new style fenders, but still kept in place the additional holes for the firewall brackets (1917) and then 1919 had holes punched for the battery brackets, but holes for the older style on top of frame firewall brackets were still there.

1920 then also had both the holes for the early forged bracket (3 holes) and the punched holes for the pressed steel strap type running board brackets.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 04:22 pm:

Frame rails were punched for both earlier and later style running board brackets for quite some time. Probably just me defying the odds, but nearly half of all the frames I have ever had were punched for both. They were also about split on which type brackets they had originally. I have had at least four frames that were drilled for both types, but originally had the earlier forged type brackets. I figure those could be anywhere from 1919 to 1921 with the usual Ford crossover. The ones drilled for both, but having the later style riveted on originally could go later. Maybe as late as 1923?
Another thing I have doubts about, is the logo on the front cross member. While I have had a few with the logo (three I think, though I have not checked the coupe). I have had a couple frames I would have thought to be somewhat later than 1921 that had no logo I could find. Again, they could have bee replacements.
Just me with more confusing observations.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 05:07 pm:

I've always heard about the crossmember logo. Can someone tell me exactly where it is? Any pics? Do you have to remove parts to see it?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Treace, North FL on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 10:10 pm:

The script is usually on the drivers side of the front crossmember.




Think they are on the earlier frames, the one below is a coupe frame, 1920 version.

A bit faint, had to scrub it with a piece of chalk.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 01:40 am:

Here's the NOS cross member I bought to install in my roadster.




The only things you might have to remove to see the script would be paint, dirt, and/or rust.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Friday, September 26, 2014 - 08:17 am:

Thanks Dan an Steve. I've never seen that. I'll take a look at mine.


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