MTFCA Forum

I shimmed-up the hand- crank bracket located on top of the Ft. spring/frame on my `29 model A. The two 1/2 " X 20 hold down U-bolts are now too short for the cotter pin holes to secure the nuts, when tight. Guess i could grind down each of the 4 nuts but I`m concerned about losing the integrity for a secure "fit". Also thought of drilling new holes about a quarter inch lower but that would seriously weaken the hold down bolts. --The nuts are on tight but no cotter pins to keep them that way....I`d appreciate any suggestions for a better "fix"----Thanks, Paul

It is perfectly acceptable to use lock washers. The lock washers are allowed in Model T touring safety inspections. I don't know about Model A's but suspect they would be allowed there too. Use the split type lock washers not the star type.

Drilling new holes will not weaken the bolts to any significant degree. The nut below the castellations does the holding, the castellations are there solely to give the cotter pin something to lock against.

Why did you shim up the bracket? Does the hand crank line up? Or are you moving it up because the hand crank does not line up? Moving it up, you may run into interference with the bottom of the radiator. If you raise the radiator up, then you put the hood out of alignment etc. Could it be that the frame is sagging and you are trying to compensate because the engine is sitting at a higher angle at the front?

Thanks for the input, guys----I think I`ll go with the lockwashers and no cotter pins.. Good observation, Mark--Longstanding problem with the hand crank alignment---the 1/4 inch shim brings it into alignment. The rad " shell" seems to have enough "wiggle room" to keep the crank aligned. This car suffered a LF wheel collision years ago so there probably is a "sag" in the crank holder location. We realigned the FT axle and parts and its been perfect for thousands of miles. Easiest "fix" was to shim up the crankholder and keep the rad and shell in existing location. Thanks to all for your comments! paul

Have you tried to hand crank your Model A now, and does the hand crank engage the special crank pulley nut OK plus fit in the shell ? The split lock washers will not show so much unlike on a pre 1924 T and be fine.
.