I have a model T that was built out of a few different cars. I've slowly been putting it back to a 15 because the 15 parts all fell into place nicely. Right now I have it all 15 except the frame (1919), and the steering colomn, and the engine. I have a 15 pan, hogshead, and, cylinder head, but plan to leave the later motor because it runs well and has a starter. I also have a nice 15 frame. My question is, is it worth the time to swap the correct frame in? It doesn't bother me to use a later frame, but I'll sell the car at some point.
I vote swap it while you're thinking about it! Look at it this way: at some point you might wish you had swapped it. But if you do swap it you'll never look back and think that was a waste of time.
What is the frame difference? Four holes for later firewall brackets? Seems like lots of work for so little gain. You will probably find a steering column which wouldn't be that much work. Have fun.
If it ain't broke...
I'm with Warren and John. It sure seems like a lot of work for such little benefit.
There's so little difference I wouldn't bother either. If you plan on reselling it and the buyer is that worried about it just include the 15' frame in the sale. Steering Column change out is an easy fix.
For 3 months in early 16, the frame had the 4 firewall holes, so now all you have is the 3 holes that hold the battery carrier!
I would say, unless all the parts except the frame are 15, you might as well leave it as is. However, if you find a 15 frame, you might want to buy it and and keep it on hand so that if later you wish to make it a 15, or if you want to sell it, you can have the correct frame. To most people it wouldn't make a whit of difference and even the engine would not be noticeable unless you told them about it.
Norm
I think I'll just restore my 15 frame and keep it with my car so that the option is there. Thanks guys.
Mismatched parts doesn't add any premium to the value of a car--Unless you have an early 1909 engine in it. When it's time to sell, it could mean the difference between a $4K driver car and a $14K complete car to an educated buyer. Restoration aside.
There is another easily seen difference between a 1915 and a 1919 Model T frame. The front cross member of frames made after March 19,1919 have the name Ford in script stamped in large letters on the driver's side of the frame. Model T frames made before that do not have front cross members stamped with the name Ford in script.
Respectfully Submitted,
Trent Boggess
Should be more than '4 holes' difference in the 1915 vs 1919 frame, plus the other feature Trent posts.
Once had a real rust bad 1915 frame, used the hole locations to place early pieces on a later frame to mimic. The 1919 will have a bunch more holes in the rear cross member for the spare rim carrier too.
If you do replace the later with the proper 1915 frame, you will have the correct foundation for later restoration of an 'authentic' 1915, might not be one that is complete as made on the assembly line, but a correct T nonetheless.
Trent,
RATS!! I went to a bit of trouble to put a Ford script front cross member on my '15 frame. Oh bother, maybe I'll just fill the script, easier than changing it out.
Looks to me that from your T picture,you could swap it out in less than a day, so why not. You can make the other parts 1915 as you find them.
Can you title it as a 1915? If not then leave things as they are.
David,
I did the same thing on my 16 touring. Nice big, fat, Ford script out where everybody can see it. I did not know it at the time I was restoring the car that it wasn't the right cross member or frame. That was knowledge I acquired while doing general research on Model Ts a while later.
Sometimes research can be personally expensive!
Respectfully submitted,
Trent