Historical Question

[Flyingpiper59]

I’m finally getting around to pulling the Hogshead today…. I hadn’t noticed it before, but I have got two pieces of iron that go from the upper portion of the engine block, where they were bolted, to the frame…… on other pictures I’ve seen of that area….they do not exist…. does anyone recall what year they were added?
I remember several people have written that the Hogshead was heavy and cantilevered, and it caused some issues with the crank…. The only thing I can come up with as to why these irons were added, was to stabilize the drivetrain from torque….does anyone know why they were added, it certainly could not have been to address the weight and the cantilever of the Hogshead …..I can’t see it doing anything for that…just some stability in the P factor of the engine when accelerated…muse away chums! And great weekend!

[John Codman]

I'm not sure why they were added after 16 years of production, but I believe that they are '26 and '27 only.

[Kevin Pharis]

The relatively common “pan ear replacement” and “belly band” era accessories along with the somewhat common arm failures found on the survivor parts suggest that pan arm failure was a fairly common thing back in the day. The improved hogshead and pan rail gussets made up for the weaker 4 dip pan, and these straps help reinforce the arms. Seems to me these changes came about during the ‘25 model year along with many of the other “improved” features that are better known as ‘26-‘27

[Norman Kling]

With the weaker 4 dip pan, the ball joint is connected to the rear of the crankcase, while the earlier 3 dip pan it was connected under the fourth dip. Also the two bolts and the straps tend to relieve the torque on the crankcase caused by the driveshaft. Both the torque of the engine and the reverse torque from the improved brake put a sideways movement on the crankcase which is relieved by the two straps. It will however over time tend to bend the frame causing it to sag on the right side. If your hood doesn't fit, it could be caused by a sag on the right side of the frame.
Norm

[TrentB]

Some years ago I found the story on the straps that run from the back of the engine block to the top of the pan arms in the Walter Fishliegh files, accession 94 in the Benson Ford Research Center. When the “Improved Cars” were introduced in the summer of 1925 they did not have these metal straps. Ford had been working on trying to reduce crankcase arm breakage and discovered that because of the design of the running board brackets, when people stepped on the running boards it tended to torque the frame side rails outward. This put quite a bit of strain on the crankcase arms often times causing them to break. This was not so much of a problem on earlier cars where the running board brackets were braced by the 1/2 steel rod that ran at the bottom between the left and right side brackets.

While this was a problem on cars, it was not as much of a problem on TT trucks where a metal strap runs across the the top of the frame where the rear running board brackets are attached. Fishliegh and the other Ford realized that they could achieve the same result on cars by running two steel straps from the back of the engine block to the top of the pan arms. They found this solution worked so well that they actually put a stop sale order out to the dealers while they produce enough of the straps to retrofit the cars dealers already had in stock as well as equip new cars being produced.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trent Boggess

[Ed Fuller]

Thank you Trent for explaining the history behind the metal straps.

That is very interesting!

[DanTreace]

That new transmission cover for the Improved Car is shown in Nov. 1925 Service Bulletin, sans the straps. Gives info that the bolts and shims used are to secure the 4th main, to keep it true on the driving plate shaft.

As for when used, can only find ref. in the later Jan. 27 Parts and Price List, for these, #3117 Brace, Arm to Trans Cover Left, and #3116 Brace, Right.

Earlier 1926 Parts and Price List don't show the braces. Once restored a really original Nov. '25 Improved Car, the motor didn't have the braces, but I added a set. Perhaps the early '26 didn't have them? The braces were added for the later 1926-1927 model years.

Do know when working on a 'shimmed' hogshead, and then adding the braces, when the bolts have to be removed, takes some care to prevent the shims from falling down and away.

[Original Smith]

I once had a very late '25 block with the boss on the back for the bolts, but no bolt holes.

[Bill Robinson]

Good info, Dan. I've worked on quite a few both old and professionally rebuilt 26 & 27 engines, and I have never known to shim those bolts, if needed. I've never have seen a late block that had shims present, either.
Now I know!