MTFCA Forum

Was Ford still using the early style body mounting bolts in 1915, or did they go to the later style by then? If so, were they still using a castle nut and a cotter pin? The early style had an 11/16 head and nut, whereas the later style uses a 5/8 head and nut. I know this is trivia guys, but some of us like this stuff!

Larry, check my 16 Touring. It's a real early 16 and real original, I'm pretty sure the body has never been off.

Yeah Larry S, there are some of us that love these little details. I can't help with this question, my '15 runabout is not a good example for empirical data. And I am not trying to get that level of detail correct on it either (although I would like to!). I am trying to make it as real 1915 as I can get it, but it is too impractical to go that far as I have neither the time nor the dollars needed to go to that extent. If I was smart, I probably wouldn't even be trying to restore it at all. As it is, it has taken nearly six years to get what should have been done in two.

I do, however, look forward to a definitive answer!

As far as body and frame bolts and fasteners go I think there was no definitive time change when Ford changed from one to another. When Ford notified the assembly lines of the change the older style that was left was used up and the new style was started.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find the two different styles of body mounting bolts and nuts used on the same car! In other words Ford wouldn’t discard the older style and then start using the new style exclusively at a certain time.
Ford was a frugal guy and I have a feeling there wasn’t many loose nuts, bolts, screws and etc. left on the assembly line floors. Nothing would have been wasted if possible.
Just my very humble opinion which isn’t worth much!