MTFCA Forum

I am offering to make Manhole-cover Kinpins and Tie Rod bolts for '15-'16 cars, for a limited time, on a case by case basis as they are ordered.

I know that demand will be limited, due to the limited number of cars needing these parts, so I will not be stocking these items, but will custom make as required. If you think you want some, please do not wait until the last second or you will be disappointed.

If your car still has all of the lids, but the parts are shot, I can fit YOUR lids to new hardware if you would like.

I don't plan to pimp this ad, so if you have a friend that has a car that may need these, tell them, because when this ad disappears, it is gone. I have never seen such products offered for sale in the 40+ years that I have been in the hobby, and they will not be offered through suppliers.

Please contact me directly via email (not PM), for details. Thank you.

Deal me in for a set. Prices?

A fellow up in the Seattle-Tacoma area who was a master machinist by the name of Otis Clinton did reproduce these spindle bolt & tie rod bolt sets back in the 60's - 70's - I recently sold my last couple sets. He wound his own springs & the oil caps were exact copies made of brass.

You are providing a rare part for the purist group, for sure - nice work.

Price and availability great product

Please contact me via email (not PM) for details.

thank you

Scott, your efforts in re-creating these for those who need them are commendable. Nice work indeed.

Having sold both my 1915 cars, I have no interest in purchasing some, but am interested in their manufacture. On our Canadian sourced cars, there were some manhole type oilers on early cars, that replaced the screw in brass oilers used up to that time. These Canadian parts were fitted to the pins in the same way as the later flip top oilers. They were simply driven into the non threaded relief in the head of the pins. The oilers were made of pressed steel just like the flip top type. The manhole cover was also pressed steel. Did US production differ? Finding enough old originals to fit out a complete front end is a real challenge, one I have never completed.

Allan from down under.

Allan...thank you

According to Trent Boggess, the oilers were an integral part of the bolt in the beginning, and then were similar to the cheap spring-cap oilers in that they were self-contained and were driven into a recess in the kingpin/tierod bolt. This design went into early calendar year 1917. I know that both steel and brass were used for the lids. I suppose that depended on the supplier. I have never seen a drawing for this part.

I am really not a student of this. Just having fun in the shop.

Thanks Scott.
Allan