MTFCA Forum

I have two shafts, one with a constant taper at the front, and one with a couple tapers. Is one preferred?

What year T do you have? I’m assuming your selecting one for yourself

1915 Speedster with a Ruckstell.

Your asking about the driveshaft tube, stepped down or tapered. One is as good as another.

Thank you, that's what I wanted to know.

That part is commonly referred to as a "torque tube" and it is rumored that the stepped one is later production as in '26 - '27 model.

The stepped driveshaft torque tube came out in 1924 and was used till 1927. I'm not sure if it was used in all production, the earlier smooth tapered torque tube may have also been used during that time period.

Is there written documentation stating the "stepped" torque tube was introduced in 1924 ?

Steve, sometime back a friend of mine had an original set of Ford service bulletins from 1924. They were from mid to late 1924 I don't remember the exact month. On the front page of one issue was a photo showing a Ford dealers front display window in which there were model T parts arranged in a artistic display, up front and standing vertical was a driveshaft stepped torque tube plain as day! That was good enough documentation for me.
I remember being very suprised at seeing one from 1924 as I too had always believed they were a 1926 - 1927 part.

Ford Service Bulletin Nov 1924. Good memory Philip.

Jeff, Thanks for showing the photo with the stepped torque tube. My memory isn't all that good I guess I remembered the photo different but that torque tube is in it for sure. I'm glad I haven't completely lost it. Thanks again.

I have known Phil L since he was still in high school,and I was going to college (I didn't do that for very long). He has been passionate about horseless carriages and model Ts for all that time. He is a lot like I am about some of this stuff. Reading, studying, and remembering a lot of details and minutia. Generally, when he thinks he knows something, he is usually right, even if he can't show the documentation himself.
I recall a discussion on this forum a couple years back. But 1924 is one year I remember reading, that someone (I do not recall who) did post some information from Ford records indicating that they were used at least that early.
Also,as I recall, there was some documentation posted indicating that the "stepped" torque tube could have been used exclusively the last two years. The general consensus of several of our regulars (including me) was that the tapered tube was found on WAY TOO many surviving '26s and '27s to believe that all of them could have been changed since the car was built. It would appear that a lot of the improved years model Ts had the tapered tube from the factory. In some cases, Ford records of changes and service announcements do not agree with empirical and photographic evidence.

I also recall someone (again I do not recall who), telling of a very original, supposedly untouched from new, 1921 or '22 T with the stepped torque tube. The general consensus was that ONE did not constitute a compelling sample. It was generally believed that in spite of the believed and known history, that car's torque tube had likely been changed when only a few years old. Then forgotten.

Hey there Phil L !! I got the turtle deck and lid mostly straightened up and most of the dents ironed to fairly close to where they need to be. I ran out of acetylene and had to stop working on it till I got more. And you know how this past week was around Califunny! Hopefully this coming week I can get more acetylene to braze the cracks so it will hold shape well enough to finish the metalwork.
Thank you again!

And thank you Jeff H for posting that picture!

In the early 1980's I collected a lot of Model T parts. My findings are that the Canadian production was using tapered torque tubes, not stepped, in the later years. Was this yet another cost saving decision? I would welcome any other perspectives as I may have learned a lot about Model T's but I have a lot more to learn. Ken

My mid year Canadian 1926 has a tapered torque tube.

Thanks for the Bulletin photo - although it is an artist's rendition - I'll have to go count the steps in an original.

That's an interesting torque tube. I also track Canadian features and haven't seen one like that on a Canadian car yet. I didn't even know that they existed either.

Well now another thing to check out on Ts when looking.

Jeff
Nova Scotia

My 26 canadian t is tapered.