engine pan bolts

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Art Ebeling
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engine pan bolts

Post by Art Ebeling » Fri Apr 12, 2019 9:56 am

Should there be cotter pins in the engine oil pan bolts? The bolts on my 11 are installed from the bottom with the castle nut on top but there are no cotter pins installed. Thanks, Art


Allan
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by Allan » Fri Apr 12, 2019 10:03 am

Art, as far as I know, your bolts are in correctly. They should be split pinned. I believe bit bits were bent the same way. Some time in the 20's, the split pins were deleted and spring washers were used. These were wider in cross section than most available today. Others will have more to say.

Allan from down under.

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Steve Jelf
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri Apr 12, 2019 10:13 am

If you're being true to the Ford method before the last years of production, it's nut on top with cotter pins. Some folks are less fastidious about being correct, omitting the pins and using lock washers instead.
The inevitable often happens.
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John kuehn
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by John kuehn » Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:31 am

I think it was in late 1924 that Ford stopped using cotter pins in the pan bolts. If I am wrong I stand corrected.
From a mechanics point of view using lock washers is easier and a lot less hassle especially in tight places. I have 3 black era T’s and I used lock washers in most places where I could.

If I had a brass era T I probably would try to use the cotter pins as much as I could.

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RajoRacer
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by RajoRacer » Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:37 am

Yes, all are nuts up EXCEPT the bolt under the commutator - it's reversed to avoid contact with a timer terminal.


Mark Osterman
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by Mark Osterman » Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:22 pm

My ‘23 came with all the castle nuts fitted with cotter pins. Every single bolt on the damned thing. Took me forever to take the car apart for rebuilding.

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Mark Gregush
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by Mark Gregush » Sat Apr 13, 2019 11:50 am

Guess a lot depends on what gaskets are used because I seem to find some nuts and bolts for the pan and hogs head that need snugging up after the engine was run awhile even with lock washers. I would hate to go to all that work only to have to pull the cotter pins to check.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

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Allan
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by Allan » Sun Apr 14, 2019 1:22 am

John may be correct with 1924 being the year the split pins were deleted for spring washers. My Canadian supplied 1925 barn fresh buckboard has spring washers on al the pan bolts. Even the hogshead still had all but one washer in place when I renewed the bands.

Allan from down under.

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kmatt
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by kmatt » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:33 am

Back around 1974 at my dad's place in Lemoore Ca., where I kept my 1926 T 2 dr, I was talking about old cars with the next door farmer who was in his late 70's. The farmer said that in the fall of 1918 he sold his 1915 Harley MC and took money he had saved up and bought a new Model T Ford touring. The one thing he remembered the most about getting that new T was after a few miles the engine pan to block was leaking oil and he had to tighten all the nuts and add the carter pins that weren't installed at the factory. A war time economy by Ford to save money on carter pins, something missed on the engine assembly line, or something the Ford dealer was to do at first service, who knows.


Original Smith
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by Original Smith » Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:45 pm

I used to work with a man who called cotter pins carter pins.

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kmatt
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by kmatt » Mon Apr 15, 2019 2:37 pm

Yes that is what the farmer called said pins, and he lived in Lemoore Ca. all his life. May be it was a Ca thing.


Original Smith
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by Original Smith » Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:15 pm

What about the small fine threaded bolts used on early cars to secure the engine and transmission pans to the frame? They have a 3/8's square head, and nut, and are fine thread. The also have a cotter pin hole.


D Stroud
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Re: engine pan bolts

Post by D Stroud » Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:58 am

Nope, it ain't a CA. thing. I have a friend here in NW MO.that calls them carter pins too, has done it for 55 + years that I know of. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.

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