MTFCA Forum

Can anyone tell about these perches on a 1927 roadster pickup. No marks to indicate left or right.

The shape looks odd also. Any sign of a "Ford "script" anywhere on it? I suspect it may be a not-a-Ford replacement.

There were some perches made by and/or for Ford around 1919 that did not have the centering boss just as the earlier over-axle perches didn't. I believe those were made for just a short time, and they had the proper shape and look to them as this one does not.

Some speculation on my part.

It might also be a part from an after-market shock absorber? It looks a bit tall, there were a few shock absorbers made for model Ts that used slightly taller perches for clearance.

The one on the driver side looks the same. Thought I had a picture of it too.

The important thing is do they cant the axle on both sides as originals do to spec.?
Any steering control issues?

All things considered - I'd be replacing those with genuine Ford parts !!!

Simply place a carpenters Square against the floor and the front of the axle to check for proper camber.

Oops! John, the perches are set for the caster of the axle.

Caster was adjusted to spects using a plum bob. Toe in was set to spects. The T drives great. The perches without the markings was a little strange to us. ?????

Phillip wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:31 am

Caster was adjusted to spects using a plum bob. Toe in was set to spects. The T drives great. The perches without the markings was a little strange to us. ?????

Per what Steve Tomaso said, only problem is good luck getting those things off! Looks like they're rusted on there for good!

Well you know the old saying! If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Looking at the perch and how it’s made is a little different than the majority most of us have seen. Maybe an aftermarket?

Indeed those perches seem to be non-Ford parts, Ford called them 'spurious' parts That is why in 1919 Ford began to really mark most all parts with the Ford script to keep these aftermarket companies out of the Ford part business, but competition is the name of the game, and lots of parts were made by outside parties for the Ford!

That’s a good point Dan and reminder from the parts book you’ve got. I have a feeling that we have non-Ford look alike parts on our cars and don’t realize it. I would think the disclaimer at the top of the page was put there for a reason.

I completely agree with Steve Tomaso.
I would immediately remove those (non Ford) perches and find some good originals and instal them.
Ford perches were forgings. If you look around you could probably easily find two NOS Ford parts and use them.
I cannot remember his name, the fellow who owned Townsend Model T Parts had aftermarket perches on his car.
One failed on a tour and he was killed in the ensueing accident.
I may be wrong but is it normal for the spring bsuhing oiler to be installed in a hole in the spring eye? looks fishy to me?
Ron Patterson

35+ years ago front Perches were being made in this country by a gentleman that worked for Ford. His were forged and marked just like the original. In fact it you had one of each you could not tell the difference. Only his were not worn out. Ford git after him do he ground Ford off his. That was a shame cause his were show quality. I don’t blame him, Ford didn’t help with the tooling cost. ( I was told firs cost 20k at the time)
Anyway, whose don’t look like his. Just wanted to let young guys know someone made good new reproduction part’s once.
I would worry about those cheap shackles before the perches.

If the aliment is correct, then they are on correctly. Does it matter if its an after market part after all the years that its been used?
If they are on backwards flip the axle and swap the spindles. The expense & effort to be Ford part correct: new axle, perches, and likely spindles updated to fit the new axle. I'd be more concerned with the spline shackles

Dear Sirs,
Enclosed is 48c for a dozen sets of ball and socket joints with nuts...

: ^ )

Dan
Thanks for your keen eye on the shackles. I will get forged ones ordered and installed.
Phillip

What hobbyist have always taken tongue in cheek or never wanted to admit...

Western Auto also had a catalog in the era where you could pretty much almost build a whole Ford chassis with ZERO Ford marked parts. I bought an old copy on line years ago and was amazed at what they sold 'mail order' or 'over the counter'.

Just a comment, I have no idea what these perches may be.

There are more than a few after market parts on T’s than we think. Western Auto had lots of them among others.

Phillip I believe Hank Lee has a decent pair of perches for sale at a fair price in the classifieds forum .
Good luck, Best John