Alemite Grease Gun

[ModelTWoods]

What type of Alemite grease gun was and is correct for the black T era? Want to buy one for my tool kit.

[Mark Gregush]

The type that would be common to T era would have the screw type plunger and non flexible tube. While some have updated some of their grease fittings to Alemite, they would not be correct for Model T's.
https://www.google.com/search?newwindow ... s5uhcNwosY

[DanTreace]

Those Alemite types were common only in later '20's as std. on some cars.


The Model T stayed with spring lid oilers and dope cups for grease, all hand loaded, the T didn't come with a grease gun.

In 1924 Alemite® was purchased by Stewart Warner®, and within a couple of years, passenger cars were equipped with an Alemite® brand held grease gun and hose assembly as standard equipment. In the same year, Stewart Warner® also purchased the Allyne-ZerkTM Company of Cleveland, Ohio. The Zerk line of lubrication fittings and hand grease guns were added to the Alemite® line. Grease guns became increasingly familiar to the general public, and most automobile lubrication was performed by car owners.

The Model A used the earlier Zerk type (no little ball bearing to keep the snout clean) and was supplied with a grease gun in the tool kit.

Some T's were retro fitted with Alemite pin type, during the period of hand grease guns, example is this fan pulley hub!

IMG_3820 (500x375).jpg (86.92 KiB) Viewed 5423 times

Then today the more modern style Zerk can serve this spot as well.

Igh0706.jpg (125.08 KiB) Viewed 5423 times

[ModelTWoods]

Thanks, Dan, Almost every T tool kit that I see has a grease gun, so I thought they were standard, or at least, optional equipment. I knew Ford used flip up oil cups on everything, so I should have realized that they was no need for a grease gun.

[DanTreace]

Terry

The A kits came with the grease gun, this kit is appropriate for an 1928 Model A

[Jim Eubanks]

Dan, What is that wrench that is to the right of the sparkplug wrench? I have a early 29 and want to complete the tool kit.

[DanTreace]

Jim

Don't think that piece is part of official tool kit. Was just noting what would be appropriate for Model A. Sourced that photo online.

https://mafca.com/tqa_tools.html

[Mark Gregush]

The wrench being asked about looks to have square opening so would be for adjusting the brakes on a Model A and was bought later to add to kit. Re "I knew Ford used flip up oil cups on everything" After about 1917, only the shackles, tie rod ends and kingpins had flip top, (1908-1927)the rest were screw down cup type. The earlier cars used the twist to open type oilers on the shackles, tie rod ends and kingpins like what was used on the generator. In between the early and later cars, the manhole type was used on the tie rod ends and kingpins.

[George Mills]

As an example....my ‘19 hack came to me with Alemite aluminum aftermarket hub caps on fronts.

While I’d agree that the screw type squirt gun is maybe more period correct, my choice is the screw type with braided feed line...to me it’s just way cool!

[Rich Eagle]

I have seen the Alemite pin fittings installed on old Model T rear axles and other places many times. My 1923 White had them originally. I was pleased to find this gun with a scoop for filling it with grease. Also the data sheet it came with. The sheet is for 1/4 turn fittings rather that the pin type.

This is from a search on the web:
The Carr Fastener Company introduced a grease gun for automobiles and heavy equipment that featured an acme thread with a 1/4 turn engagement. The company was primarily known for its fasteners for such things as tops and side curtains.
These grease fittings were used on late model Stanley Steam Cars, including the Model 740, Model 750, and the 1925 and 1926 SV or Steam Vehicle Corporation cars.

As for Alemite, this implies they were introduced when the company started in 1918:
https://www.skf.com/alemite/about/alemi ... index.html

[2nighthawks]

Slightly off topic, but maybe worth considering:

I commonly see something that I think is a mistake with grease guns. A type of grease gun that must be pumped with both hands should never be fitted with a flexible hose. A flexible hose is fine on a grease gun that can be operated (pumped) by merely squeezing a short lever with your fingers like you do when you release a Model T emergency brake lever. But when you have to hold the "fat part" of the grease gun with one hand, and pull a lever back with the other hand to operate the grease gun, you don't have a third hand to hold the metal fitting at the end of the hose tightly against the grease fitting. I guess there are some grease fittings whereby the business end of the hose locks onto the grease fitting, but I don't think this is always quite possible 100% of the time either! FWIW,.....harold

[Scott_Conger]

Harold

if you study the Alemite fittings and hose/tube ends, you will see that the gun/hose twists onto the fitting and is tightly retained by the pips on the fitting on the vehicle. There is no third hand necessary.

[namdc3]

Slightly OT and not Ford, but in case anyone wondered about greasing in white cuffs...

[Erik Johnson]

Harold Schwendeman:

If you are referring to Zerk fittings, see this video why you shouldn't need to hold the coupler tightly against the Zerk while pumping the gun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9MNUHwUFY

Video showing the same process - note how the coupler can be tightened and loosened on the Zerk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seEQ06-UKdA

There are also quick release couplers for Zerk fittings. I've never used this style of coupler but I assume it's easier than trying to twist the traditional style with greasy fingers:

https://locknlube.com/products/locknlub ... gKx3vD_BwE

[2nighthawks]

Well,....thanks to you guys and this great forum, I've learned a lot about grease guns and fittings that I never knew. I know about Alemite and Zerk fittings, and besides some great videos that some of you have posted, know I know even more. However, there is a cone-shaped fitting that I have experienced on a couple of these old Fords that just look like a cone shaped pimple (don't know how else to describe them) and they do not have the knob shaped protrusion to lock onto,....they are just smooth. This thread has prompted me to do a lot of "internet exploration", however, I have not found anything on this smooth, cone shaped type of grease fitting that I've tried to describe. I just know that in the past, I've found it difficult to force grease into this type of smooth fitting that you can't lock onto like normal Zerks that have the bulb-shaped little knob that we're used to. Strange that I can't find anything on the internet about this smooth cone-shaped fitting, and for all I know (or don't know) maybe this isn't a grease fitting at all, just some sort of oil point. I have however, learned a lot more about loading the cartridge type grease gun, and now see a couple reasons why it's always a messy struggle for me. Thanks guys for the response,......harold

[2nighthawks]

Oops! There's an extra "know" in the third line which should just read,......and NOW I know more.

[Scott_Conger]

Harold

those cone shaped fittings have a curved frustrum and are not typical cones. They were used on model A's (that much I know) and do require a special adapter tip to charge the volume of grease. Said adapter is pictured here: https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_mode ... tings.html

and the fittings it mates with: https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A353000OR.html

[2nighthawks]

Scott - WOW! That's it Scott! Thanks so much for the MAC'S links to the grease fittings and especially for the adaptor! And you have certainly cleared up a mystery for me! I have a '29 Model A Briggs Town Sedan, and four Model T's, and now that you mentioned it, it is indeed the Model A where I have encountered those little cone shaped grease fittings. (....even with the link to MAC's, I still don't know what they're called :lol) And I certainly did not know about the adaptor, but I'm for sure gonna' order one.

Again, now that you mentioned it Scott, I not only remember that it's my Model A where I've encountered those weird little cone shaped grease fittings, but now I also remember that it is in Les Andrews Model A manual where the author makes a point of showing a drawing of the 5 (yes, FIVE) different types of grease fittings used on the Model A Ford! (.....why on earth did Ford do that???)

Anyway Scott, thanks for the very welcomed "education" and I hope this thread, and your information, helps somebody else as much as it has me!

[Scott_Conger]

You're welcome Harold

funny what we can learn on this forum, huh?

[2nighthawks]

YUP! At least half of what little I know about old Fords, I learned on this forum,.....now,.....if I could just remember some of it!