MTFCA Forum

Found this at bottom of bucket of parts I got a couple years ago. It is NOS, but who on here know what it is? I know it is nos because , they usually are torn up when removing.
This is one of a very few I have seen. Dan

Where your headlight wires go through the hood shelf.

No, guess again.

Starter armateur bushing on the brush holder end I think.

Yes that is it. Thought you guys would like to see. Do not remember see any others. I do not use bushings any more, I replace them with ball bearings.
It goes into the parts bin. Dan

Does it have the flats on it to limit rotation?

No it is round. Dan

Is it brass? The last brush end bushing I took out was made of some sort of pot metal or hard aluminum. Maybe Ford started using brass as a replacement material in their later parts to be used in production.

No, not bronze. It is some heavy white metal, probably Babbitt. Not pot metal, too heavy.

I got a box of them, perhaps a 100 or more. No value, the replacements are much better.

That Babbitt bushing is factory number T-1759 and was used in the Model T starter brush cap.
It was a common starter problem for several reasons. After factory installation where something very similar to Lubriplate was added there is no provision for further periodic lubrication. You commonly see starter brush caps modified for periodic oiling. When servicing the starter using this NOS part is difficult if you do not have the proper tools. The Allen Electric starter repair kit included a special driver and align reaming tool.
It is not clear why Ford used a Babbitt bushing in this application. Babbitt is great for radial loads, but not axial wear from the starter armature wearing into the face of the Babbitt eventually causing excessive armature end play.
The brass bushing sold today by Model T parts suppliers is a problem for the same reason; needs special tools for installation and no provision for periodic lubrication.
The best repair solution to all these problems is the one Dan Hatch commented upon and is a pre-lubed sealed ball bearing and spacer to entirely replace T-1759. Because of the low duty cycle of the starter that adapted modern solution will last another 100 years.

Good write up Ron. I always enjoy your comments.