MTFCA Forum

I'm putting my car back together after removing the steering wheel, firewall and etc. in anticipation of some engine work that has been postponed until winter.

I went to connect the commutator rod and when I tried to connect the swivel end, I couldn't find the nut. No big deal, right? I went thru my entire collection of nuts, both SAE and AN (aircraft)...spent maybe an hour and a half but no luck.

Can somebody tell me what size nut the swivel takes? I'm going to check the hardware store tomorrow but I'm not real hopeful.... they are not known for stocking weird sizes.

Can anybody help me out here???? I'd really like to get my Model T back on the road before the summer ends

I've attached a photo of the swivel end I'm talking about. I have a September '16 built 1917 Touring.

You might want to obtain a better swivel. Yours is pretty worn and it might not be good situation if the ball pops out.

Before SAE standards..., probably 10-26 or 10-28 threads. Modern SAE are 10-24 or 10-32.

7/32-32

a common fractional thread in the teens...obsoleted by Unified Thread Standard (UTS) in 1949

it is VERY close to 12-32 but is absolutely NOT the same thread

Ron Patterson to the rescue!

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=40938&p=314395&hili ... el#p314395

Good point Erik. Thanks all for the info.

It is the same wire gauge thread as many laced wire wheel spokes. I have in the past made do with a modified spoke nipple as a nut. I have no idea of the actual size is. Spoke threads, and those on the timer control rods, are rolled threads rather than cut threads. These are stronger than a cut thread, that being an important consideration on wheel spokes.

Allan from down under.

I believe I have a couple NOS swivels, Tim - I'll check tomorrow between grandkids duty !

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 11, 2025 7:22 pm

7/32-32

Like Scott said above 7/32 - 32 listed in the original parts manuals, T-3536 and T-3537 (swivel and jamb nut). Close to a 12-.32, but it's not.

It's a miracle! My wife was doing the laundry today and came to me with a little nut in her hand. "Is this important? I found it in the lint filter of the dryer." I feel pretty dumb but pretty lucky too. I must have put it in my pants pocket at some point and forgotten it.

Taking Eric's comments to heart, I gave the swivel a good looking over and in the end decide to try peening over the socket to better capture the ball. It was successful and I believe the swivel has many more miles on it.
All's well that ends well.......

You better go get a lottery ticket right now!

Tim,

I kind of pride myself on having a great assortment of taps & dies for unusual thread sizes. After reading your posting, I checked my "inventory" and came up short for a 7/32-32 tap. Not being able to bear that shame , I quickly ordered a few. So, the next time you lose that nut I'll be able to make you a new one.

Any excuse to buy a new tool is a good day.

I'm surprised you can still get one. I wonder what else uses that size?