MTFCA Forum

Was given this by a friend. He said that the person who built it said it was for a Model T. The only thing I can think it would be for is the pan bolts. One end of the long tube is a 3/8" drive, the other, near the wrench, is a socket. What do you think?

That's configured similar to a Model T pan speed wrench.

However, I doubt it is actually for a Model T pan wrench. For one thing, the gap is too great between the socket and the box end. With the spring fully expanded, they should touch.

Also, I don't think the box-end can clear the lip on the bottom side of the pan in order to get a good grip on the bolt. Therefore, in order for it to work, the socket would need to be on the bolt and the box-end would need to be on the nut. That means the ratchet or crank handle would be operated from down below, not up above. That seems impractical to me.

Here is a link to the pan bolt speed wrench that you usually run across:

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/8 ... 1258132457

Eric makes some very good observations. The bulk around ring end would prevent its use on a T from either direction. Does it even have a 9/16" opening? That would be a decider.

Allan from down under.

No disrespect to the tool maker but it seems like it wouldn’t be easy to use. Kind of impractical as Eric J mentioned. It does have a name on the tool and maybe a use could be traced from that? Is the name on the tool the persons name?

It seems to me that you would only need it if you have engine pans fitted. And that's when you can't use it!

From the looks of it, you would use it to install a bolt and nut on the edge of an assembly. Put the bolt end in the socket through the edge of whatever you are fastening and then the wrench end holds the nut on the other side. As you tighten the bolt with the socket, the nut would follow it in because of the spring. Probably some sort of manufacturing special purpose tool.

Petrah,

Put all this speculation to rest and try it out! Let us know what you find.

There was a "back in the day" tool, made that was just for tightening pan bolts, and I have one of those tools. It didn't have a square place for a extension, ratchet, or break over bar. Instead it had a long handle incorporated in it so it was completely operable without any other tools. I don't have a picture of it handy.