early T-1917 wrench?

Post by **NealW** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:08 pm

I was going through my various Model T wrenches today, and noticed that one of the Ford ones appears to be an early version of a T-1917 transmission band wrench. It is shown in the photo next to a later more typical looking one. The opening widths match the other 1917 wrench shown

It does not have a number on it, but does anyone know if it is an early version of a 1917 wrench, and if so, any idea what year it may be? It came from the assorted tools that came with our 1911 touring car that we got a couple of years ago.

Thanks,

Neal

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:39 pm

It's earlier for sure, but I don't know the year. I'm also not sure it's a 1917. The ¹¹⁄₁₆" end seems rather big to fit into the space around those transmission nuts. There are some Z tools that I like a lot better for the job.

Post by **BigAl** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 3:13 pm

The bottom wrench is definitely for a 1911, and some have suggested early 1912. The top one is later and I am not sure of the years. See my previous post “WTB 1911 Model T Tools”. If you have the T 1903 pliers and/or the T 1387 adjustable wrench as per my pictures, I would be interested in purchasing. AL

Post by **DanTreace** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 3:39 pm

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑
Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:39 pm
It's earlier for sure, but I don't know the year. I'm also not sure it's a 1917. The ¹¹⁄₁₆" end seems rather big to fit into the space around those transmission nuts. There are some Z tools that I like a lot better for the job.

Steve

The opening marked '1' on the T-1917 Gas Pack Nut / Transmission Band Nut wrench is for the band nut and that opening is done on a 15 degree angle, so that the wrench won't stick, at the angle of approach when the band nut is rotated, the opening provides this needed spacing. Across the opening the print calls out for 45/64" at the wide point.

That is why these wrenches seem to be bent or worn open, but that is the design. The other end, '2' is for the gas pack nut. Across it's opening, the print calls out for 37/64" at the wide part.

The Revision on the Print is June 6 1913, so the smaller 4 1/4" length T-1917 is what is the common one.

That big long thick T-1917 , shown in the lower part of the photo is 1913 model year and earlier.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Sat Jul 29, 2023 8:34 pm

Dang me Dan. I have re-set quite a few of the lightweight T1917 spanners which had been stretched. With red heat they can be put back into shape. However, I have never known of the wider opening you have mentioned, and closed them down to parallel. Live and learn.

That early wrench is really early. Between that one and the later lightweight T1917 branded ones, there was another plain one, but is was not as chunky as the one in the photo. I have no idea when that change was made.

Allan from down under.

Post by **Steve Jelf** » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:22 am

With red heat they can be put back into shape.

I have squeezed them cold in a vise with no obvious ill effect. I assume they were spread by being used for other things than band adjustment, as they were more than a negligible ¹⁄₆₄" "too big".

Post by **NealW** » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:47 am

Thanks for the responses to my question about the wrench. It is always good to learn something new about Model T's, and in this case why the various 1917 wrenches that I have all seemed to need straightening! I too have tried to "fix" them by squeezing them in a vise to have a constant opening width. Fortunately I was never very successful in removing the on purpose tapered opening. I imagine that many of us have unknowingly done the same thing. Thanks Dan for providing this useful piece of history.

I have used both the 1917 wrench, and later 3Z and 5Z ratcheted wrenches, to adjust my transmission bands. I also prefer using the later ratcheting tool, although the 1917 is really not that bad to use for the job.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Sun Jul 30, 2023 7:34 pm

Steve, I have found a few T 1917 wrenches already broken. When I broke another trying to re-set a bend cold, I have used heat since.

Allan from down under.

Post by **Original Smith** » Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:47 pm

I have an early wrench, and the Ford script isn't as nice as the one pictured.

Post by **John kuehn** » Mon Jul 31, 2023 12:58 pm

That’s good to know Dan about the seemly wider opening !
I’ve always thought they were spread out from using on a hard to turn nut.

Considering their intended use for the band nut the thinking was that’s all they would be used for I guess because the band nuts aren’t that hard to turn and loosen.

BUT I do have to say that over time those wrenches were used for other things over the years
and did get opened up wider than they were supposed to be. Undoubtedly Ford wrenches wound up in a farmers tool bucket and used for whatever.

Post by **NealW** » Wed Aug 09, 2023 11:27 am

Allan wrote: ↑
Sat Jul 29, 2023 8:34 pm
That early wrench is really early. Between that one and the later lightweight T1917 branded ones, there was another plain one, but is was not as chunky as the one in the photo. I have no idea when that change was made.
Allan from down under.

Allan,

I was going through my T wrenches again today and found what appears to be the "not as chunky" T-1917 wrench that you mentioned. I added it to the picture below showing the transition of the wrench design over the years. All three have the tapered opening for the transmission band nut!

Neal

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