Radiator Apron

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ModelTWoods
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Radiator Apron

Post by ModelTWoods » Mon Jun 27, 2022 1:13 pm

I know the high radiator and shell first appeared in late 1923. What year or years used the narrow (thin) radiator apron below the high shell? I have a high shell that doesn't have tapered or flaired sides like the 26-27 shells have and it has the narrow apron rivited to the shell mounting flanges. Just wondering what year and car or truck or both?


speedytinc
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Re: Radiator Apron

Post by speedytinc » Mon Jun 27, 2022 1:32 pm

I dont believe the high shell came with other than a full diaper.
There is always the possibility of using the last of the low radiator trim on the high when found to use up old parts or a simple mistake.


Topic author
ModelTWoods
Posts: 1048
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:53 am
First Name: Terry
Last Name: Woods
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Model T coupe, 1926 4 door sedan
Location: Cibolo (San Antonio), TX
MTFCI Number: 20180

Re: Radiator Apron

Post by ModelTWoods » Mon Jun 27, 2022 3:41 pm

Oppps, looks like what I have is a low shell; not a high one. I don't have a high radiator at my disposal to try it on, but I swear it looks taller than other low shells that I've had in the past.


kmatt2
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Re: Radiator Apron

Post by kmatt2 » Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:11 pm

It is possible, but not likely, that the assembly line in late 1923 did not have enough 1924 type front fenders with the front lip. They then would have used any 1923 type front fenders with out the lip that they had on hand, mainly on the TT chassis. If the TT chassis had a high hood and radiator, the radiator shell could have been set up not to use the 1924 large apron but to use the small 1923 apron that you have. The TT truck frame being taller took a slightly taller 1924 tall apron and the 1923 calendar year has the highest production numbers of any year, over two million cars and trucks left the Ford factories.


Wayne Sheldon
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Re: Radiator Apron

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Mon Jun 27, 2022 7:17 pm

Ford did a lot of odd things from the various factories. Using up old stock, noting changes that never happened. Crossover times for some changes went on sometimes for more than six months!
Add in after-market and repairs? Some really odd things out there.

Generally speaking, the little ribbon size trim piece below the radiator shell was only used on the low shells 1917 model year through 1923 low radiator MODEL year. Early manufacture 1924 MODEL cars are often called 1923s, and there is legitimate reason to call them that, so I won't argue the issue (much?). They should have the larger apron (shield?) below the radiator shell. Despite the legitimate reasons, they ARE considered 1924 MODELs.
1924 and 1925 model cars had the slightly larger apron (shield?) without the mounting screw hole to connect to the spring clamp/engine mount.
1926 and 1927 model cars trimmed the corners a bit making the apron/shield a bit smaller, and added the screw hole to attach to the front spring/engine mount in order to eliminate a rattle. I don't know whether they all had them or not? However I see more of them of them without rather than with the "thimble" for the crank handle to pass through. The 1924 and 1925 aprons did not have that thimble (at least I have never seen one?).

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