MTFCA Forum

At what point did ford change from the brass oilers to the flip top oilers? 17 mid 17?

March 1, 1917

Doesn't seem to be as simple as a date line for a change, USA parts books have a few changes, especially for the spindles, the screw in 2715 changed in 1914 to 2715B and called oiler cap. Shackles 2715 until 14 then 2715B (oiler cap) for 15/16, and still show the 2715 for shackles well into late teens as well. 2715C 17/18 and 3176C for 19. My 1916, although Canadian, has oilers on the springs (tapered leaf) and perches for the shackles. My USA 16 still has oilers on the shackles.

Kerry wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 07, 2023 4:48 pm

Doesn't seem to be as simple as a date line for a change, USA parts books have a few changes, especially for the spindles, the screw in 2715 changed in 1914 to 2715B and called oiler cap. Shackles 2715 until 14 then 2715B (oiler cap) for 15/16, and still show the 2715 for shackles well into late teens as well. 2715C 17/18 and 3176C for 19. My 1916, although Canadian, has oilers on the springs (tapered leaf) and perches for the shackles. My USA 16 still has oilers on the shackles.

Pulled it off McCalley's encyclopedia of timeline changes from the factory. It's all it basically said. Sure there's room for all sorts of variances with all the assembly plants but this at least gives the OP some direction.

BarrettR wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 07, 2023 2:27 pm

At what point did ford change from the brass oilers to the flip top oilers? 17 mid 17?

Got curious....
There is appears to be some terminology conflict when referencing oilers as either "Spring" vs "Flip-Type". The parts manuals for years 1910-1920 only reference part part 2715 as a "Spindle Oiler". When a parts list references 2718 a "Spindle Oiler with Cap is that a Manhole style?
The description for the Winkley 1-G says "when you push the ball down it acts like a door" so is a "Ball Type" oiler?
I believe that "Pull" & "Ball" are the same type oiler
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From the Model T Encyclopedia --
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I couldn't find a picture identifying an oiler specifically as a Bowen 4-N or of a Winkley 1-G .
I tired to relate the oiler images to the descriptions from the Encyclopedia above to relate when used.

So "flip-top oilers" were specified in 1922 --
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Does anyone have some period pictures to verify these differences?

This is a bit chicken/egg timeline stuff. The flip top oilers were not needed until the brass oiler type shackles were deleted. The adoption of cheaper L shaped shackles would have been associated with the adoption of flip type oilers. Perhaps the change of shackles will indicate when the oilers were changed.
As far as I know, the manhole type oilers were only ever used on the tie rod ends and king pins, although I have seen a few timers with them also.

Allan from down under.

Just to confuse some more, Frank's list of time frame changes, shows that in 7-24-1914 that the spindle bolt re-designed to incorporate a built-in oiler. This spindle was in my 16, the spring and ball is built in the spindle as a one-piece unit.

While we're on the subject of shackle oilers, I have manhole oilers on my '26. I keep a small stash of them in the shop because they keep disappearing. I tap them in and they seem to be tight but they pop out during a drive. How do you guys keep them installed? Sealant of some kind? I apologize, Roger, for diverting your topic.

Mark Nunn wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 08, 2023 7:51 am

While we're on the subject of shackle oilers, I have manhole oilers on my '26. I keep a small stash of them in the shop because they keep disappearing. I tap them in and they seem to be tight but they pop out during a drive. How do you guys keep them installed? Sealant of some kind? I apologize, Roger, for diverting your topic.

Do you mean REAL manhole oilers? On a '26? 'Cause manholes were typically from the brass era. I'm wondering if you meant the "flip top" oilers that are spring loaded, yes they just press in and do pop out all the time! Yes, a bit of black RTV ought to do the trick altho I've never tried it yet.

None of my 1920's T's have flip top oilers in the springs, just oil the hole, if you check parts books there are 4 flip top oilers listed for the shackles and are required for the perches.