Brake rods: What years?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
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
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Brake rods: What years?

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:24 am

I haven't found a reference explaining the different lengths of the bends, but I assume they're for different years.

IMG_0587 copy.JPG

IMG_0588 copy.JPG
Both rods have the later forged ends. References disagree about the year those began. Both rods are 54¼" long.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Brake rods: What years?

Post by Original Smith » Tue Jun 28, 2022 12:57 pm

Have you ever tried reading the latest Judging Guidelines?

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Brake rods: What years?

Post by TRDxB2 » Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:02 pm

All I could find. and then there are user adjustments , different suppliers maybe.
There is a notable difference mentioned in the encyclopedic for the clevis of 1909-10 and 1911-20. However Lang's is suggesting some other differences
Attachments
rods.png
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Brake rods: What years?

Post by Mark Gregush » Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:26 pm

Great guide. Thanks for post the image.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

User avatar

Topic author
Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
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
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Brake rods: What years?

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed Jun 29, 2022 3:11 am

Have you ever tried reading the latest Judging Guidelines?

Many times. I have the Seventh Edition, which does not specify the length of the bent sections, which is what I asked about (see photo). Updates on the MTFCI website do not give that information either.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Sheldon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Brake rods: What years?

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:30 am

I do not know of any reason why any standard model T would need or want the longer offset? There could be reasons surrounding some sort of auxiliary braking or transmission shifting system, or other special requirement needing a longer offset. Maybe to clear a power take-off shaft? Someone may have altered a standard one? Or a factory mistake on a replacement?
The improved (1926 and 1927) brake rods had no offsets, and were almost two inches shorter.
I have never seen one like that, and if it were mine? I would re-bend it to match the regular one.

User avatar

Topic author
Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
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
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Brake rods: What years?

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed Jun 29, 2022 12:35 pm

I have never seen one like that, and if it were mine? I would re-bend it to match the regular one.

The long-offset rod was one of two on my 1915. I never noticed that the offset was longer than normal, and when I did notice I thought it must be a difference in years. I suspect it may be what broke my left rod support. I've installed a rod with the shorter offset, and a new rod support. Now that I know that the long offset is wrong, I'll put a short-offset rod on the right side too. Interestingly, one of the rods in my parts room has no offset at all. It's early, not 26-27, as it's the same length as the others and has a cast fork. I'd tell you what years it's for, but the Judging Guidelines don't mention what year the offset began. Maybe not Ford?
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 5407
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedster (1919 w 1926)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Brake rods: What years?

Post by TRDxB2 » Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:17 pm

While there is a lot of documentation on suppliers, blueprints etc... I doubt if every variation of some parts were documented and if they were if that information has been found. If there is no specification for the length or angle of a bend then relying on physical examples might be an alternative. But how many examples would be needed and how many of them would be known to be unaltered. If two more long variations are found, then what?
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic