Is Anyone Still Using the Riveted ‘Ears’ 1 Piece Tranny Bands?

[George House]

Just curious...Back ‘in the day’ the Scandinavian Band lining was a little better than the belt I wore in the army. Now we have Kevlar and wood that most T owners seem to use. I researched a Forum post of September 2014 where Trent Boggess advises against the detachable ‘ear’ bands with aluminum tranny covers. With better band material nowadays coupled with better roads and less annual mileage put in our cars (with few hobbiest exceptions) I can see that the earlier metal bands have real utility value. What say ya’ll ?

[Scott_Conger]

I've never seen Trent's article/advice, but have come to the exact same conclusion. My '13 retained it's original bands with long low pedal shaft. When changing from rotting cotton to Kevlar, I noted the relatively mild wear in the hog's head. This was my first car and only 2nd car I ever worked on, the first being a '19.

Since that day, I have seen what having an unsupported low shaft does to an aluminum hog's head. Wear is very severe in nearly all cases that I have seen. Given that Kevlar is a nearly permanent band, the necessity of frequent band removals is greatly diminished, has led me in ALL cases of aluminum hog's heads, to revert back to the long, supported low shaft configuration as part of it's restoration. I don't recall if I have ever stated thusly on the forum, but know that I have PM'd a number of people with early cars, offering my opinion on this.

[Rich Bingham]

I'll raise my hand, George. My '13 runabout came with "quick change" bands that had been lined with wood. The linings were pretty much worn out, but by all accounts, they had given the previous owner very good service. The bands were mis-matched and did not seem to "nick" well with the pedal shafts in that aluminum trans cover. By "mis-matched" I mean that each one bore different forging marks than the other two, and the differences between them all made for quite a difference in how they each fit up with the shafts and adjusting nuts. I don't suppose that's a big deal, as everything had been working for many, many miles. No doubt from having been tortured in and out through the inspection opening more than a few times, they weren't very round, and had notable kinks. Curiously, they had been installed with the removable "ears" on the wrong side, making any advantage they may have offered pretty much void.

I replaced them with "old fashioned" bands, both "ears" permanently riveted to the steel bands, and re-lined them with Scandinavia. I have always had reasonably good results with Scandinavia lining, and I prefer how they "feel". With three nicely round, matched bands without kinks, the fit up to the pedal shaft adjustment was much improved. Using "solid ear" bands works fine for me, the aluminum hogshead is much lighter than the later cast-iron ones. I don't have a starter to deal with, to make pulling the cover more laborious, and the roadster body offers ample working room when changing the bands. I can well understand how others would prefer not having to pull the entire trans cover to reline bands.

[Original Smith]

Since I can't replace band lining with an aluminum hogshead, I still use the original one piece bands.

[George Andreasen]

Well, my comment doesn't really apply but I have the old style bands in my 1918 engine (Iron hog's head). After test fitting them a few times, I understand why Henry went to the detachable ears..........when it comes time to change my new wood linings, I'll find some.

[Allan]

7 T's and 21 non-detachable bands in my fleet.

Allan from down under.

[Adam]

Many demountable bands don’t fit properly in transmission covers that weren’t manufactured during the demountable-ear band years. The fit issue generally pushes part of the band into the drum. With Kevlar, the dragging area usually cracks the drum. Aluminum transmission covers should never have the low pedal shaft shortened for quick-change bands. The shaft requires support on both ends.

Old style bands with Kevlar linings are fine in later engines. Especially if they are all you have. If you ever have to change them thru the inspection cover, you can cut them with a tin-snips, and install quick-change bands in their place.

[Mark Gregush]

Good information here about the unsupported low shaft in aluminum cover when installing quick change bands, something that would not have crossed my mind.

[SurfCityGene]

I have 3 and all are One Piece with wood and lots of miles in my Alum H/H.

[Steve Jelf]

I don't think I need to worry about changing the one-piece bands. I expect the Kevlar linings will long outlast me.

[Alan Long]

Yes, sure do! Couldn’t get the detachable ear type into my 1910. I’ve decided that in the event I ever have to change
bands in my 1910 or 1926 again, it’s Engine out! Less frustrating....
Alan

[Nv Bob]

My 18T I run 15 hogs head and non demountable bands with kevlar linings
Why what I had rebuilt or ready to run on the shelf

[George House]

Interesting responses. Thanks guys. That’s what I was hoping for....

[Gen3AntiqueAuto]

ok so another old thread but I'm bringing it back to life! I'm looking for information on this. Doesn't say Ford on it...

[RajoRacer]

SFCO was an early parts supplier to Ford - I have curved fan arms, rear brake levers, slo-speed connection arms & some others to start.

[Gen3AntiqueAuto]

SFCO was an early parts supplier to Ford - I have curved fan arms, rear brake levers, slo-speed connection arms & some others to start.

Thanks! Looks like I have an "unmolested" engine here to film!

[ModelT46]

I have found Scandinaviann linings very satisfactory. I have several boxes of 50 year old nos sets. They are the old thick ones and I prefer them to Kevlar! Theses sets will go with my 1910 after my passing to my designated person.

[ModelT46]

As to using a army belt as band lining, my army belt from 70 years ago is very usable as a band lining.

[George House]

Way to go Darel !! I was in the army beginning just 50 years ago and today I’m not very usable

[MWalker]

I still use the solid bands with kevlar linings. I figure that by the time the linings need replacing, the engine will need to come out anyway.