MTFCA Forum

I know that model As used both copper and zinc plated covers on cutouts up through about February 1929. Late model Ts use the same cutout, but where their covers copper or zinc plated also?

I rebuild generators and refurbish original cutouts. I'll use copper cutouts on some early model A generators, but would like to know if I can use them on late T generators also.

This is an example of what I do.

Thanks,
Steve

This info found on the forum by John Regan:

When the cutout moved to the generator it basically was round and they all appeared to have been plated but by different platings. Some were even copper plated on the covers and the Ford script size seemed to vary and was not specified. The more or less "standard" cutout for most of production was in fact terne coated steel on its cover. Depending on who you talk to, this coating was just that - a coating while others called it "terne plated" and considered it a plating process, but that process contains lead. The more modern replacements use zinc coating.

Dan - thanks for the reply. I had seen another comment by John mentioning copper covers, but not that one. I've refurbished a lot of cutouts. But only a few were copper plated.

Here is a nice original one which was serviced and adjusted, then used on a early model A patina restoration generator. I made this one specifically for a survivor car. Also shown are two refurbished cutouts.

Steve