Valuation of old tools
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Topic author - Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2020 11:35 pm
- First Name: Ira
- Last Name: Giddens
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
- Location: Hondo, Tx
Valuation of old tools
I have acquired a 1924 Model T and with it came a collection of old Ford scripted tools. I have no idea the value and have no idea where to find any info on this. Does anyone know where I can find info? Some say that they are the tools used by a Ford dealer.
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- Posts: 457
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:19 pm
- First Name: Jack
- Last Name: Putnam
- Location: Bluffton, Ohio
Re: Valuation of old tools
Even the simplest open end wrench was used by Ford dealers. A bit more information would help answer your question. A picture is worth a thousand words.
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- Posts: 217
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:04 pm
- First Name: Jim
- Last Name: Eubanks
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 touring, 1927 cpe
- Location: Powell, TN
Re: Valuation of old tools
A listing of the part numbers would be a help. If the tools are not Z tools, they are not special.
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- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Valuation of old tools
A #2335 spark plug and head bolt wrench came with every car, and so did the #1917 band wrench. $5 for either is a high price. I don't know individual values, but I do know that some Model T tools are more scarce and bring real money on eBay. Z tools (marked with 3Z or 5Z) were not issued with every car. They were shop tools used by Ford dealerships. As such, they are much less plentiful.
Not all Ford script tools are Model T tools. Many are from the Model A and V-8 eras.
Bruce McCalley's Model T Encyclopedia has an extensive list of Model T tools, and parts book drawings of many of them.
Yes and no. Jacks and wrenches, yes. But the Model T screwdriver is very scarce and usually costly.
Not all Ford script tools are Model T tools. Many are from the Model A and V-8 eras.
Bruce McCalley's Model T Encyclopedia has an extensive list of Model T tools, and parts book drawings of many of them.
If the tools are not Z tools, they are not special.
Yes and no. Jacks and wrenches, yes. But the Model T screwdriver is very scarce and usually costly.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Posts: 2531
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Strange
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
- Location: Hillsboro, MO
- Board Member Since: 2013
Re: Valuation of old tools
Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the group!
There is an extensive discussion of tools in the MTFCA Encyclopedia, follow this link and scroll down to the tools section.
https://www.mtfca.com/model_t_encyclopedia/s-t/
In 1924, the tire pump would have been a single tube with "Ford" cast into the two ears of the base. Many people polish the brass tube, but it likely came painted black from Ford.
The jack is as shown in the pictures. It is compact and actually works quite well.
The oil can should be copper plated steel and have "Ford" embossing. No holder was provided, the holders you find are all aftermarket or homemade. The cap should have a bayonet mount to the base, not threaded.
The 1924 tool roll was a rather tall (18 inches) bag with no flap and a cinch strap near the top.
No screwdriver was included, one of the handles of the pliers was ground to a point to act as a screwdriver.
The monkey wrench would have a round end on the handle. If yours has a square extension at the bottom of the handle, it is a Model A wrench, not Model T.
The spark plug wrench should have an open hex, the earlier ones were closed on the end.
There should be a pair of rather short, flat ended tire irons. They are pretty useless (too short) for changing a tire unless you have Steve Garvey forearms.
See the pictures for the other tools. If you are missing any, you will likely have to pick them up piecemeal on Ebay or at swap meets. Good luck!
There is an extensive discussion of tools in the MTFCA Encyclopedia, follow this link and scroll down to the tools section.
https://www.mtfca.com/model_t_encyclopedia/s-t/
In 1924, the tire pump would have been a single tube with "Ford" cast into the two ears of the base. Many people polish the brass tube, but it likely came painted black from Ford.
The jack is as shown in the pictures. It is compact and actually works quite well.
The oil can should be copper plated steel and have "Ford" embossing. No holder was provided, the holders you find are all aftermarket or homemade. The cap should have a bayonet mount to the base, not threaded.
The 1924 tool roll was a rather tall (18 inches) bag with no flap and a cinch strap near the top.
No screwdriver was included, one of the handles of the pliers was ground to a point to act as a screwdriver.
The monkey wrench would have a round end on the handle. If yours has a square extension at the bottom of the handle, it is a Model A wrench, not Model T.
The spark plug wrench should have an open hex, the earlier ones were closed on the end.
There should be a pair of rather short, flat ended tire irons. They are pretty useless (too short) for changing a tire unless you have Steve Garvey forearms.
See the pictures for the other tools. If you are missing any, you will likely have to pick them up piecemeal on Ebay or at swap meets. Good luck!

Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)
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- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Valuation of old tools
The #1917 band adjusting wrench (the little one dead center in Marks' photos) is ubiquitous, cheap, and gets the job done — laboriously.
The 5Z-829 and similar non-Ford ratchets are more convenient, not having to be continually turned over at every turn. These often turn up at swap meets and are usually inexpensive. If I remember correctly, I paid $2 for this one at Hershey.
The 5Z-829 and similar non-Ford ratchets are more convenient, not having to be continually turned over at every turn. These often turn up at swap meets and are usually inexpensive. If I remember correctly, I paid $2 for this one at Hershey.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring