By 1921, Model T Fords accounted for nearly 57 percent of the world's auto production.
On October 1, 1908, the infant Ford Motor Company, which had been established a brief five years before, announced its newest entry into the growing automobile market. It was named the Model T. Equipped with a 20-horsepower, four-cylinder engine, the Ford Model T, at just 1200 pounds, could reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour.
Mounted at the front of the car, the one-piece casting engine block with a removable cylinder head was not only innovative for its time, but remains the design for most engines today. The engine was interchangeable with all 9 models, setting an industry standard for building different car models on the same chassis. Other innovations were to follow during the Model T Ford's 19-year production. Electric lights were introduced in 1915, and an electric starter and generator were made available as options in 1919.
Henry Ford's goal to create a "universal car" was not limited to the car's design. Aiming for a vehicle that would be reliable, easily maintained, and affordable, the Model T Ford was introduced in 1908 at a price of $850. Ford's implementation of assembly line manufacturing in 1913 would drastically reduce build time, as well as production costs. As a result, the price of the car dropped, selling as for as little as $260 in 1925.
The efficiency of the assembly line allowed Ford to price the Model T within reach of the average American, fueling sales for the car. Despite the famous quote, "You could have any color you want - so long as it was black," the early Model T Fords were available in green, red, blue and gray. It was only after the introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913 that Ford switched to all black Model Ts. Ford missed no opportunity to reduce the cost of production, and black paint was a logical choice at the time. Cheap and durable, over 30 different varieties of black paint were used on various components, each chosen to meet specific production needs. Colors other than black would not be offered again until 1926, one year before the end of the Ford Model T's run.
By 1924, sales of the Model T Ford began to decline. Model T trucks were made available from the factory in 1925. The Runabout truck marked the first time Ford had offered a factory installed a pickup bed. Responding to increased competition, Ford launched the 1926-1927 Model T Fords as a "New Ford," but in effect, under the surface, it was the same old Model T. This attempt at image rejuvenation was a failure and sales continued to fall. The decision was made to halt production.
When the 19-year production run came to an end on May 26, 1927, a virtually unbroken line of over 15 million Model T Fords had been produced. An era had come to an end. It is generally accepted that never before, and not likely ever again, will any product made by any manufacturer have the impact on our way of living as did the wonderful Model T Ford.
The Ford Model T, the foundation of the Ford Motor Company, had set a new standard for both automobiles and manufacturing. Ford moved forward, entering a new era with a true "New Ford," the Model A. Released in 1928, the Model A was an instant success.
Model T Identification
Model T Vehicle Identification
MAC's DISCLAIMER:
The content MAC's presents on its "Vehicle Identification & Specification" pages & in its catalogs is for information use only and is intended to be used as a guide. While MAC's makes every effort to ensure accurate content, occasionally errors may occur. MAC's does not take responsibility & will not be held liable for any automotive parts purchases, repairs or restoration decisions made as a result of information presented here or anywhere in its catalogs.
Roadster (Runabout) - Open Car - folding top, no side windows, front seat only.
Coupe - Closed Car - two doors, enclosed interior with front seats only, side glass windows.
Tudor Sedan - Closed Car - two doors, enclosed interior with front and rear seats, side glass windows.
Fordor Sedan - Closed Car - four doors, enclosed interior with front and rear seats, side glass windows.
Touring - Open Car - folding top, no side windows, front and rear seats.
Centerdoor Sedan - Closed Car - enclosed interior with front and rear seats, side glass windows, door positioned in the center of the body.
TT Truck - enclosed interior, adaptable chassis/rear cargo area, worm drive rear axle )
Roadster Pickup - Open Car - no side windows, front seat only, rear bed for cargo.
"C" Cab Truck - distinctive C shape of side windows.
Year
Serial Number
1908
1-309
34,901-88,900
Year
Serial Number
Prior to 5/20/13, Canadian cars used US production engines, they did not say "MADE IN USA".
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Recommended Tire Pressures
Under-inflation can result in rim cuts, even on the best of rims. Recommended tire pressures are:
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Piston Specifications
Cylinder Bores: 3.750" Diameter 6.752" Long
Diameter: Skirt 3.748" 3.749" 2nd Ring 3.743" 3.745"
Top 3.738" 3.740"
Ring Grooves 1/4" x 13/64" Deep
Pin Bushing Diameter .740" .741"
Wrist Pin Diameter .740" .741"
Wrist Pin Length 3-1/2"
Ring Gaps (original rings) 3.750" Top .003" Center .005" Bottom .008"
When installing any type of piston, the split in the skirt
faces away from the camshaft.
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Magneto Coil Assembly Identification Table
Spool Pole
Magnet Thickness
Part Number
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Fan Belt Specifications
The following are the most common fan belt lengths for T3900WP & T3900WPL. However, modified upper & lower pulleys can affect which belt is needed. Check your belt with a measured string before ordering.
MAC's offers three kinds of fan belts: plain rubber, plain rubber with “Ford� script & plain leather.
Rubber Fan Belts: Close to the original, with heavy-duty 5-ply
reddish-tan rubber material. All are 1-1/8" wide with a glued, overlapping lamination joint.
Leather Fan Belts: Not original, but they are very durable. They might stretch, so are made slightly undersize. They are stitched at the joint & around the circumference.
Fan Specifications
Drive pulley ID: 1.83"-1.84"
Drive pulley OD: 3"
Prior to 1920.
Hub ID: .499"-.500"
Prior to 1920.
Engine Specifications
22.50 horsepower
Spark plug firing order: 1-2-4-3. 1 is on the radiator side
of the engine.
Spark Plug Gap: .030"
Crankshaft Specifications
Overall length 22-5/32"
Connecting rod bearing diameters (all) 1.248"
Bearing lengths Front 2" Center 2-3/16"
Rear 3-1/8" Rods 1.505"
Main Bearings 1.248-1.249"
Camshaft Specifications
Overall length: 22-23/32" Bearing diameters (all) .748"
Bearing lengths:Front 1.967" Center 2-7/16" Rear 1.750"
Width of cams: 7/8"
Heel cam diameter: 13/16"
Greatest diameter of cam: 1-1/16"
Flange diameter: 1-3/4"
Flange width: 1/4"
Dowel holes: .3120-.3125"
Thread: Large 13/16 x 16 USF Small 9/16 x 18 SAE
Camshaft Bearing Holes Front 1.374-1.375" Center 1.372-1.373" Rear .9985-1.000"
Cam Specifications
Bearing (center) ID: .7496"-.7500"
Bearing (center) OD: 1.369"-1.370"
Bearing (front) ID: .7496"-.7500"
Bearing (front) OD: 1.372"-1.373"
Shaft journal OD: .7488"-.7491"
Cylinder Specifications
Cylinder Bores: 3.750" diameter 6.752" long
Cylinder Head Bolt Holes: 7/16" x 14
Oil Usage Specifications
Engine: (4-5 quart capacity) 30 non-detergent
Rear end: (1 to 1-1/2 quart capacity) 600W
Push Rod Specifications
Length: 2-11/32"
Diameter: .4355"-.4365"
Head diameter: 1"
Guide holes: .437"
Valve Specifications
Diameter of head & upper edge of seat: 1-17/64"-1-9/32"
Diameter of lower edge: 3/32"
Angle of valve seat: 45°
Thickness of head: 3/16"
Stem diameter: .3105"-.312"
Overall length: 4.974"+
Retainer pin hole: .110"-.113"
4-19/32" from valve seat line
Lift: 7/32"
Tappet to stem clearance: .022"-.032"
Valve ports: 1-5/16"
Stem guide holes: .3125"
Rear Spring Specifications
Main leaf length: 45-1/4"
Main leaf height: 10-1/2"
2nd leaf length: 43-3/8"
3rd leaf length: 36-9/16"
4th leaf length: 30-3/8"
5th leaf length 24-7/8"
6th leaf length 19-3/4"
7th leaf length 15-1/16"
8th leaf length 12-3/9"
Leaves 3-8 are clip type.
Front Spring Specifications
Fully assembled length (tapered style): 31-1/4" to 31-3/8"
Height: 3-3/8 to 3-1/2"
For early type perch, shackle bore & wishbone bore are parallel to each other, 1-7/16" apart.
Perch center line distance: 1-7/16"
Perch camber: 4° 30'
Changed to 5° 30' during the 1920s.
Shackle Bushings Specifications
Front, OD: .686"-.687"
Front, ID:.563"-.565"
Rear, OD .748"-.750"
Rear, ID .587"
Steering Specifications
Steering arm ball diameter: 1-1/8"
Steering arm length: 4-1/4" overall
Steering gear cover opening: .937"-.938"
Steering cover retaining bolt: #6 x 32 (ASME) 5/16" deep
Steering ball arm to frame support clearance: 1/8"
Steering main shaft to frame support angle: 41° 26'
Steering column flange to center shaft angle: 39°45'
Steering tube opening at dash: .752"-.756"
Steering gear housing shaft opening: .780"-.781"
Throttle Specifications
Lever to throttle arm angle: 45°
Locates throttle on arm shaft.
Arm length: 1-3/8"
Spark Specifications
Lever to spark arm angle: 111°
Locates spark arm on shaft.
Arm bend angle: 46°
Bent towards front of car.
Brake Specifications
The brake rod has 2 bends; one 1-7/16" from clevis end & the other 2-3/4" from the threaded end (excluding bends for clearance of radius rod).
Rod pin OD: .316"
Pull rod pin hole diameter: .316"
Rod length: 54-1/4" Center of clevis to end of rod.
Drum lug width: 1/2"
Triple Gear Pin Specifications
At gear: .6770"-.6775"
In flywheel: .6790"-.6800"
At end: .6860"-.6870"
Flywheel Hole for Triple Gear Pin: .6750"
Transmission Specifications
Drive plate clutch finger screw holes: 13/32"
Changed in the 1920s.
Clutch drum shaft mounting hole ID: .9980"-.9985"
Clutch drum shaft lug opening: 1/2"
Band with lining ID: 7-1/2"
Transmission driven gear ID: 1-15/32-1-1/2"
Push ring thickness: 9/16"
Main shaft diameter: 1-5/32"
Clutch Specifications
Release fork (hole for collar) size: .373"-.375"
Lever shaft OD: .624"-.626"
Fork push ring width at fork area: .403"-.409"
Finger mounting pin hole diameter: .346"-.348"
Holes in drive plate: 3.
Muffler Specifications
Inlet ID: 1-33/64"
Cast iron muffler.
Tailpipe length: 10-3/4"
Exposed length, cast iron muffler.
Starter Crank Specifications
Sleeve ID: .755"-.757"
Sleeve OD: .992"-.966"
Ratchet ID: .749"-.751"
Ratchet pin hole: .310"
Crank Case Trunnion with Cap ID
Front spring hanger:1.498"-1.500"
Oil Pan & Tube Specifications
Pan arm upper mounting hole distance: 21.5" to center
Pan rear flange to center of pan arm: 12-9/32"
Pan arm width at frame opening: 9-7/8" (x2)
from center line of pan to edge of pan arm at lower bolt holes
Pan front (trunnion) bearing:
OD: 1.494"-1.496"
ID: .999"-1.000"
Width: 1.000"-1.002"
Oil tube ID: 9/32"
Universal Joint Shank Specifications
Universal Joint Shank: .873"-.875"
Outer Diameter Universal Joint Ring Inner Diameter: .999"-1.000"
Crossmember Specifications
Front Crossmember Overall Length: 22-3/4"
Length: 21.5" to center of fender iron mounting holes
Front & Rear Hub Specifications
Front hub ID for small bearing race: 1.9335"-1.9365"
Front hub ID for large bearing race: 2.715"-2.716"
Rear hub opening at wide end: 1-1/16"
Taper angle: 1-1/2" per foot
Rear hub brake drum ID: 8"
Drag Link & Tie Rod Specifications
Drag link ball socket radius: 19/32"
Tie rod yoke ID: (upper end) .562"-.563"
Tie rod ball OD: 1-3/32"
Front Axle Specifications
Yoke opening for spindle body: 4.748"-4.752"
Bore for spindle bolt (kingpin): 5.045"-.505"
for first 5/16" of lower yoke, then 1/2" x 20 SAE threads to end
Spindle body length: 4.748"-4.750" (end size)
Width of yoke (upper): .685"-.690"
Width of yoke (lower): .685"-.690"
MAC's DISCLAIMER:
The content MAC's presents on its "Vehicle Identification & Specification" pages & in its catalogs is for information use only and is intended to be used as a guide. While MAC's makes every effort to ensure accurate content, occasionally errors may occur. MAC's does not take responsibility & will not be held liable for any automotive parts purchases, repairs or restoration decisions made as a result of information presented here or anywhere in its catalogs.