Metric on a Model T?

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tommyleea
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Metric on a Model T?

Post by tommyleea » Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:09 pm

I ordered the fuel shut off valve that goes on the carb. 23T...I go to tighten the valve up with a wrench. What the heck size is this thing? Come to find out the nut to tighten is a 15mm..Is this legal? Will it still run? Disappointed..Tommy


Norman Kling
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Norman Kling » Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:34 pm

If the threads fit the fitting on the carburetor and packing fits the fits the fuel line, there shouldn't be any problem except that you should carry a wrench to fit in your tool kit when driving, just in case.
Norm

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Mark Gregush
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Mark Gregush » Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:40 pm

There is a metric wrench in the tool kit already! LOL Think about it :lol:
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Dallas Landers » Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:44 pm

Mark, I call it my 9/16 adjustable.

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by DLodge » Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:46 pm

When I lived in Holland, I had an English Austin. Because it had been in Holland since just after WWII, the nuts on the car were a mishmash of metric and Whitworth. I had lots of different wrenches.... (although I suppose you could also say I had both wenches and spanners.) :D


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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Kerry » Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:04 pm

Dick, now your confusing the USA forum readers, metric would be bad enough, but Whitworth! Oh my!! :o

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by A Whiteman » Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:17 pm

My 1924 Morris has metric threads on all bolts and nuts with Whitworth heads on all bolts and nuts !!

It was actually quite logical; - due to a quirk of history (and a major world war) the Morris factory had been bought from the French and was tooled for metric threads but English mechanics were largely equipped with Whitworth tools and as the car was made primarily for the English market - so - easy fix!

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by TRDxB2 » Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:04 pm

There are only 3 countries that haven't adopted the "International System of Units" SI system (aka metric system) the other two are Myanmar(Burma) and Liberia. The 15mm size has been popular for ever, almost 5/8 inch. Having owned several German cars, 10,11,13,15 and 17 were the most popular sizes. If you buy something Today you shouldn't expect to be made to US sizes. The population of the US is only 4.25% of the World's population. In other words there are more metric wrenches than SAE
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Kerry » Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:32 pm

Australia went metric some 50 years ago No 15mm spanners was not a common size for us, although it would fit 1/4 whitworth. the most common one was 14mm which would fit 9/16" SAE and the 13mm would fit 1/2" SAE.


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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Scott_Conger » Thu Apr 22, 2021 6:38 pm

Considering the US GDP is presently the largest in the world, changing over at this time would be unnecessarily costly. That said, after we're done Making China Great Again, in about 5 years the last 1/2 dozen or so functioning factories in the US will be in no position to NOT convert over.

If that nut is in fact 15mm, look at it this way: someone went to a lot of trouble and expense to provide this part to you. It is not a particularly common stocked size.
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Allan » Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:05 pm

I collect and sell spanners, and come across some interesting examples. From the chart above you can see that some metric/imperial sizes do roughly equate. However, in my gathering I have found some beautiful quality German Stahwille brand metric spanners stamped with both metric and imperial sizes. Try fitting a 12mm end on a 1/2" nut!
There is a blessing in metric conversion for model T's. Both 8mm and 10mm are oversize to imperial equivalents of 5/16" and 3/8", so these can be used to make clevis/hinge pins to take out wear in components.

Allan from down under.


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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by tommyleea » Thu Apr 22, 2021 9:30 pm

OK..big deal over nothing..just seems like everyone is concerned about original, so it struck me odd. New valve works great. I guess it didn't come with this valve anyway, so it really doesn't matter.

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by George Mills » Fri Apr 23, 2021 8:59 am

May want to recheck ...

I’m too old to remember the why, but something mid 60s or so, Chevy, 327/300 horse, Corvette, took a 19/32” open end. I’m going to guess carb/head area. My tool kits thus have 19/32 wrenches ( but not my T kits.) I think you’ll find a 19/32 spins that valve fitting just fine?

The US had a mandate to phase in metric during the bicentennial year. Many large industrial company were already in a first and goal situation and then poof, just like that, somebody in early ‘75 said...never mind. (And by 78 or so we were getting cars that needed 2 tool kits)

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Corey Walker » Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:13 am

I’ve got a 1988 GMC pickup and most of the bolts are SAE but there are several 13 and 15 mm ones for some reason mixed in. I wear bib overalls so I take with me everywhere a small assortment of tools. I don’t know how people make it with only keys in there pocket because I’m pulling out one or the other for something all the time.
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Been Here Before » Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:58 am

The most important tool in the kit is an engineer hammer. It is designed to be used on all bolt and fitting sizes. One wack and the piece works. I find it best for carburetor adjustment ad float realignment.
0247487-23hammer.jpg
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by speedytinc » Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:38 am

How dare you complain or mention a vendors part aint right? I call for the CCC (cancel culture council) Its unreasonable to expect a vendor to provide a part that fits your model T. It is not their responsibility. Heck, they lose &1.80 on every unit they sell & can only break even on volume. You should have paid more for it. It is your responsibility, as buyer, to make it work. Man up. You have options: make your own nut, grind that nut to fit your wrench, grind a wrench to fit the nut, plus a dozen other work arounds & excuses. We must be thankful to anyone who supplies us with parts that dont fit. I have already lost too much sleep over this post, i"m going to take a nap.
And, get off my lawn!


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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by tommyleea » Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:44 am

speedytinc wrote:
Fri Apr 23, 2021 10:38 am
How dare you complain or mention a vendors part aint right? I call for the CCC (cancel culture council) Its unreasonable to expect a vendor to provide a part that fits your model T. It is not their responsibility. Heck, they lose &1.80 on every unit they sell & can only break even on volume. You should have paid more for it. It is your responsibility, as buyer, to make it work. Man up. You have options: make your own nut, grind that nut to fit your wrench, grind a wrench to fit the nut, plus a dozen other work arounds & excuses. We must be thankful to anyone who supplies us with parts that dont fit. I have already lost too much sleep over this post, i"m going to take a nap.
And, get off my lawn!
And there's your dinner!

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by TRDxB2 » Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:00 am

or more emphatically!
din1.png
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Norman Kling » Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:06 am

For those who also have Model A's the original connecting rod nuts are 21/32 inch! Try finding a wrench that size.
Norm


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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by speedytinc » Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:11 am

Plomb offered sockets in 1/32" incriments.

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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:38 am

I'll take this in a different direction.

You can use the original Ford shutoff valve. No metric. :D
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG106.html
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tommyleea
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by tommyleea » Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:57 am

Steve Jelf wrote:
Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:38 am
I'll take this in a different direction.

You can use the original Ford shutoff valve. No metric. :D
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG106.html
SWEET! And there's your dinner..


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tommyleea
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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by tommyleea » Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:58 am

TRDxB2 wrote:
Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:00 am
or more emphatically!
din1.png
Gotta love Taryl..


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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Norman Kling » Fri Apr 23, 2021 1:10 pm

That's right Steve, and you can be wearing your dress up clothes and crawl under too!
Norm


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Re: Metric on a Model T?

Post by Allan » Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:13 pm

Corey, you can eliminate the screwdriver, needle nosed pliers and pen knife and add a pair of scissors, phillips driver, reamer and saw by carrying a Victorianox stainless steel multi tool. I feel lost without mine. my shifter is a 4" Sidchrome unit which opens to 9/16".

Allan from down under.

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