what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
TBones12
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 2:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Poane
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Hack, 1910 Touring, 1914 Touring, currently a Touring 1912, 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Baltimore
MTFCA Number: 17004
MTFCI Number: 17004
Contact:

what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Post by TBones12 » Sun Jun 07, 2020 5:55 pm

bought a 1912 Torpedo roadster that was in parts. The gentlemen I bought it from collected 1912 parts over the years so it is not an original per se'.

I bought brass plated 1911 - 1912 timing and gas rods from a vendor but the rods are too short. (So is the steering shaft because I think the column is too long, as evident by the drag ling being raised too high and cannot be attached.)

The length of the steering column is 25 1/2 long in the torpedo and 23 1/2 long in my other T, a 1912 Touring.

Question: does anyone know the correct length of the 1912 Torpedo steering column?

I wonder if I have a 1911 torpedo column which I suspect is longer just by looking at the side of a 1911 body.

Thank you in advanced!

Bob

User avatar

DanTreace
Posts: 3299
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Treace
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
Location: North Central FL
MTFCA Number: 4838
MTFCI Number: 115
Board Member Since: 2000
Contact:

Re: what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Post by DanTreace » Sun Jun 07, 2020 6:07 pm

1911
3500C (T5005). Now 56” long but similar to 1910.
3500B (T900B). For Town Cars, 51” length.
3500D (T979). For Torpedo Runabouts, 60” length.
1912-1914
3500C (T5005). 56” long, on all cars. A new design, the column was mounted 3/4” lower at the firewall than in 1911, requiring a new steering bracket and a change in the angle of the column mounting flange. Retained was the brass quadrant and riveted gear case. 1912 was the last year for the hard-rubber spark and throttle knobs. These were eliminated during 1912 and the ends of the brass-plated control rods were flattened for “handles.” Around 1913 the lower mounting flange was changed from a forging to pressed metal.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford


Topic author
TBones12
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 2:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Poane
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Hack, 1910 Touring, 1914 Touring, currently a Touring 1912, 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Baltimore
MTFCA Number: 17004
MTFCI Number: 17004
Contact:

Re: what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Post by TBones12 » Sun Jun 07, 2020 6:30 pm

thanks Dan, but now I am more perplexed. The steering shaft length that you shared is 54 1/4" long and not 56".

The part I am referring to is in the picture. Of course now I wonder why my shaft is so short? (remember this is a family forum! No comments. lol) Deal with that next.

The column is 25 1/2" in the attached picture of the torpedo.Again the rods are too short making me think the column is too long? The gas rod touches the steering bracket but doe not go through.
Attachments
length.jpg
lever.jpg
column.jpg

User avatar

Walter Higgins
Posts: 273
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Walter
Last Name: Higgins
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Open Runabout
Location: Realville, PA
MTFCA Number: 396
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 153

Re: what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Post by Walter Higgins » Sun Jun 07, 2020 6:53 pm

Using the same standard to measure that you are there, my '11 Torpedo column tube is 29-1/2" and my 1912 column is 25-1/2". It seems that you have the correct column in your '12 Torpedo and an incorrect column in your '12 Touring.


Topic author
TBones12
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 2:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Poane
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Hack, 1910 Touring, 1914 Touring, currently a Touring 1912, 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Baltimore
MTFCA Number: 17004
MTFCI Number: 17004
Contact:

Re: what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Post by TBones12 » Sun Jun 07, 2020 8:38 pm

Thank you Walter.

This is perplexing because the 12 touring column tube is 23 1/2 and if it was 25 1/2 like the 12 torpedo, the steering wheel would be pressing against my lap. As it is now the steering wheel is so close I have to spread my legs to advance the timing.

Maybe I will have to sell these levers and buy longer ones or look for a shorter column.

User avatar

Walter Higgins
Posts: 273
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Walter
Last Name: Higgins
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Open Runabout
Location: Realville, PA
MTFCA Number: 396
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 153

Re: what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Post by Walter Higgins » Sun Jun 07, 2020 8:50 pm

TBones12 wrote:
Sun Jun 07, 2020 8:38 pm
This is perplexing because the 12 touring column tube is 23 1/2 and if it was 25 1/2 like the 12 torpedo, the steering wheel would be pressing against my lap. As it is now the steering wheel is so close I have to spread my legs to advance the timing.
As the column gets longer, would that not raise the height of the steering wheel above your legs while at the same time moving it toward your chest? Based on what you describe it sounds like a longer column would solve the interference issue with your touring.


Topic author
TBones12
Posts: 182
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 2:20 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Poane
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 Hack, 1910 Touring, 1914 Touring, currently a Touring 1912, 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Baltimore
MTFCA Number: 17004
MTFCI Number: 17004
Contact:

Re: what is the length of a 1912 Torpedo roadster steering column vs a 1911 steering column?

Post by TBones12 » Sun Jun 07, 2020 9:01 pm

That makes sense. Although ironically that problem is in the T that is painted and restored and I can live with the shorter column.

Now on to the 12 torpedo conundrum. Thank you Walter!

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic