Ford service bulletin
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
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
-
Topic author - Posts: 46
- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:36 pm
- First Name: Cameron
- Last Name: Smythe
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Duncan and Fraser 1/2 ton pickup and a 1922 Sydney built steenbhoms tourer
- Location: Warragul Victoria AU
Ford service bulletin
Hi just a question
Not 100% sure but these are the original ford dealer service bulletins that was gifted to myself a few years ago
These are special to me but would like to know was there many of these or did many of these survive?
Not 100% sure but these are the original ford dealer service bulletins that was gifted to myself a few years ago
These are special to me but would like to know was there many of these or did many of these survive?
-
- Posts: 6464
- 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: Ford service bulletin
Considering how many Ford dealers there were, I would think there must be hundreds of surviving copies. For those who want to read the service bulletins, all of them are included with Bruce McCalley's Model T Encyclopedia on disk.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
-
- Posts: 3299
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Treace
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
- Location: North Central FL
- MTFCA Number: 4838
- MTFCI Number: 115
- Board Member Since: 2000
- Contact:
Re: Ford service bulletin
Cameron
Those are rather rare today, sure there were lots of the USA printed bulletins, but as yours are Ford of Canada, they are likely rather rare to have full sets of issues as you have.
Today we have the "Essentials" in a reprint of most of the 'practical' sections of USA Service Bulletins, and it fills a real need.
Back when Dan Post did this publication, in 1966, stated in the Foreword, that many collectors had to be sourced to find individual bulletins as full sets were rare then. Untold thousands must have been published from the start in April 1919 to 1927 originally as bi-monthly issues, 24 the first year , then 24 for the next year and a half, then going monthly for each of the next six years. Several months and dates were skipped without explanation by Ford. So finding a complete set in binders is rare.
Those are rather rare today, sure there were lots of the USA printed bulletins, but as yours are Ford of Canada, they are likely rather rare to have full sets of issues as you have.
Today we have the "Essentials" in a reprint of most of the 'practical' sections of USA Service Bulletins, and it fills a real need.
Back when Dan Post did this publication, in 1966, stated in the Foreword, that many collectors had to be sourced to find individual bulletins as full sets were rare then. Untold thousands must have been published from the start in April 1919 to 1927 originally as bi-monthly issues, 24 the first year , then 24 for the next year and a half, then going monthly for each of the next six years. Several months and dates were skipped without explanation by Ford. So finding a complete set in binders is rare.
Last edited by DanTreace on Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
-
- Posts: 1011
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:18 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Osterman
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 runabout
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Contact:
Re: Ford service bulletin
I love those things but they don’t come up on eBay that often except in single issues taken from bound editions. Would love to have a stack to look through these winter evenings.
-
- Posts: 6464
- 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: Ford service bulletin
Would love to have a stack to look through these winter evenings.
You can do it, but most likely it will have to be on a computer screen.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
-
- Posts: 3299
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:56 am
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Treace
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '23 cutoff, '25 touring, '27 touring
- Location: North Central FL
- MTFCA Number: 4838
- MTFCI Number: 115
- Board Member Since: 2000
- Contact:
Re: Ford service bulletin
Service Bulletins were first sent to any requesting dealer, or agent. They were mailed out from the Ford headquarters.
Later in May of 1919 the company offered binders, so that the pages of bulletins, that each have 3-hole margins, could be stored for resource. Finding some of those binders, full of bulletins, would be fun
Later in May of 1919 the company offered binders, so that the pages of bulletins, that each have 3-hole margins, could be stored for resource. Finding some of those binders, full of bulletins, would be fun
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
-
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:27 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Page
- Location: Queensland, Australia
- MTFCA Number: 28488
- Board Member Since: 2010
Re: Ford service bulletin
Hello Cameron,
You are a lucky fellow. !!! I know of only one almost complete set of these Canadian Service Bulletins here in Australia. ( Model T Era. )
Your copies look to be in excellent condition.
Our local Antique Car Club was donated two volumes in their binders. These cover the years 1928 ---- 1939. Not a lot of T related information.
I was fortunate to have been given permission to scan both volumes.( Over 1,000 pages.) I very carefully took each one out of the binders, and made sure each page stayed in order. Reassembling them once the scanning was complete. I scanned them and saved to a usb flash drive, so the club now has a digital copy.
The months from January through to July 1928 came from Canada, after that they had the Ford Motor Company Australia letter head.
I am envious.
Best regards, John Page, Australia.
You are a lucky fellow. !!! I know of only one almost complete set of these Canadian Service Bulletins here in Australia. ( Model T Era. )
Your copies look to be in excellent condition.
Our local Antique Car Club was donated two volumes in their binders. These cover the years 1928 ---- 1939. Not a lot of T related information.
I was fortunate to have been given permission to scan both volumes.( Over 1,000 pages.) I very carefully took each one out of the binders, and made sure each page stayed in order. Reassembling them once the scanning was complete. I scanned them and saved to a usb flash drive, so the club now has a digital copy.
The months from January through to July 1928 came from Canada, after that they had the Ford Motor Company Australia letter head.
I am envious.
Best regards, John Page, Australia.
-
- Posts: 4112
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
- Location: Alabama
- MTFCA Number: 49974
Re: Ford service bulletin
Many moons ago the other T club was reproducing them. Looks like good thing to do again. Dan
-
- Posts: 1028
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:32 am
- First Name: Leo
- Last Name: van Stirum
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
- Location: Netherlands
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: Ford service bulletin
Hi Cameron, like most posters above indicate; I think complete sets with the binders especially from Ford Canada are rare as hens teeth !
Take good care of them !
Take good care of them !
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer !
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
-
- Posts: 1028
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:32 am
- First Name: Leo
- Last Name: van Stirum
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
- Location: Netherlands
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: Ford service bulletin
This is one I have, the binder is great in relief print, but the innards are all in french, not my best language
That cr*# ipad of mine keeps turning pictures sideways or even upside down ?
That cr*# ipad of mine keeps turning pictures sideways or even upside down ?
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer !
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
-
- Posts: 2461
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:30 pm
- First Name: Dave
- Last Name: Hjortnaes
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Speedster, 20 touring
- Location: Men Falls, WI
- MTFCA Number: 28762
- MTFCI Number: 22402
Re: Ford service bulletin
I looked at Bruce's Encyclopedia, but I do not see them. Where are they located? Thank you.
-
- Posts: 6464
- 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: Ford service bulletin
Dave, I may have misremembered my source. I have the service bulletins filed with the encyclopedia on my computer, but I may have got them from the Cimorelli website.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
-
- 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: Ford service bulletin
I have a complete set in an original binder. It took me several years to complete the set. I still have a few extras.
-
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:27 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Page
- Location: Queensland, Australia
- MTFCA Number: 28488
- Board Member Since: 2010
Re: Ford service bulletin
The Cimorelli Site definately has some Canadian Service Bulletins. I have found that the scans are of poor quality. ( The illustrations in particular. )
I think that they have scanned in a low resolution format.
( Link ) http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/default.htm
Best regards, John Page, Australia.
I think that they have scanned in a low resolution format.
( Link ) http://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/default.htm
Best regards, John Page, Australia.
-
- Posts: 1011
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:18 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Osterman
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 runabout
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Contact:
Re: Ford service bulletin
They look like poor quality xerographic copies.
-
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2019 6:30 pm
- First Name: Peter
- Last Name: Kable
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Town Car 1913 Speedster 1915 kampcar
- Location: Australia
- MTFCA Number: 4
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Ford service bulletin
I have a complete set of the Canadian Bulletins also, as well as the reprints of the USA ones done by the MTFCI.
My set is contained in one large folder and continues into the Model A period about 18 months.
The Canadian ones start 2 months after the American ones on June 1st where as the USA ones began April 1st 1919
Although the Canadian ones contain what was in the American bulletins ( though not exactly 2 months behind or the same format) they on occasions added their own content, such as the instructions for installing the detachable eared bands for RHD.
Two of the most informative pages for Canadian owners of a T is the wall chart showing all the specifications for all Ford from 1903 till 1919 which provided proof the Fords after 1912 were blue up until 1919 not black which had been argued for many years.
Another chart showing the different sized spanners for the bolts and nut on the chassis was also in the Canadian Bulletins. Whether it was included in the American Bulletins I don't know but at the time (1980's) Bruce McCalley had not seen them and they were then published in the Vintage Ford.
From a historical point of view the Canadian Bulletins never mentioned the Canadian Belt drive generator version they produced (unless that is missing from my Bulletins)
My set is contained in one large folder and continues into the Model A period about 18 months.
The Canadian ones start 2 months after the American ones on June 1st where as the USA ones began April 1st 1919
Although the Canadian ones contain what was in the American bulletins ( though not exactly 2 months behind or the same format) they on occasions added their own content, such as the instructions for installing the detachable eared bands for RHD.
Two of the most informative pages for Canadian owners of a T is the wall chart showing all the specifications for all Ford from 1903 till 1919 which provided proof the Fords after 1912 were blue up until 1919 not black which had been argued for many years.
Another chart showing the different sized spanners for the bolts and nut on the chassis was also in the Canadian Bulletins. Whether it was included in the American Bulletins I don't know but at the time (1980's) Bruce McCalley had not seen them and they were then published in the Vintage Ford.
From a historical point of view the Canadian Bulletins never mentioned the Canadian Belt drive generator version they produced (unless that is missing from my Bulletins)
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Re: Ford service bulletin
Someone did a high quality reproduction of the model A era service sheets, and I’m glad to have a copy. I’d pay good for a new set of T of the same quality.
-
- Posts: 381
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 2:33 am
- First Name: Alan
- Last Name: Long
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 Canadian Touring Car and 1926 Australian built Utility
- Location: Western Australia
Re: Ford service bulletin
I had the same experience as John Page (another Aussie) where a ex Ford Dealership Mechanic had one of those
Books and allowed me to photocopy every page relevant to my 1926 Pick up. Lucky find and willing owner to allow
me to do that.
Alan
Books and allowed me to photocopy every page relevant to my 1926 Pick up. Lucky find and willing owner to allow
me to do that.
Alan
-
- 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: Ford service bulletin
The MTFCI did all of the bulletins a few years back. For reference it is great, but I disliked the fact they didn't reproduce them exactly like the original bulletins. The should have used the glossy paper, and punched the holes in the same location, and used the orange lines on bulletin #1, and blue lines on the later ones. Yes, I know I'm picky, but when reproducing them, they should be as original in my opinion.
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Ford service bulletin
I agree, Larry. If you are doing them, do them right. The model A binder is really, really nice.
-
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:48 pm
- First Name: Eric
- Last Name: Dysart
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1916 Touring, 1927 Runabout
- Location: PNW
Re: Ford service bulletin
On the other hand, making exact copies does tend to encourage reproductions to be passed off as originals. It may not be much of a problem now, but 30 years from now? One should also consider whether the reproductions were created as a new delivery of the content, as a reference manual (which you acknowledged as a success), as an objet d’art, or as a replica.Original Smith wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 11:36 amThe MTFCI did all of the bulletins a few years back. For reference it is great, but I disliked the fact they didn't reproduce them exactly like the original bulletins. The should have used the glossy paper, and punched the holes in the same location, and used the orange lines on bulletin #1, and blue lines on the later ones. Yes, I know I'm picky, but when reproducing them, they should be as original in my opinion.
Keep crankin’
Eric
-
- Posts: 730
- Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:43 pm
- First Name: Danny
- Last Name: Deaton
- Location: Ohio
Re: Ford service bulletin
After reading this thread I downloaded the bulletins and ordered this book. Print is small but I love it. It has some great reading. The pdf files are nice but I cannot read from the screen for long periods
-
- 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: Ford service bulletin
I don't know why, but the 1926-7 issues are way more difficult to find than the earlier versions.
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Reprint ! Ford service bulletin
Here is a reprint model A set, just posted on fordbarn. Glad I bought a set several years ago, and no, they cannot be passed off as originals. CAVEAT EMPTOR , of course. Again, wish someone would do a quality reprint of the T bulletins.
-
- 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: Ford service bulletin
A note on an above post. Most all of the original bulletins were folded in two places. I doubt if anyone reproducing them would be willing to do that! I have a friend that has a few bulletins that actually came out of Henry Fords office, and are not folded.
-
- Posts: 3384
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Morsher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925TT, 1926 Martin-Parry bodied wagon, 1927 mercury bodied speedster
- Location: Norwalk Ohio
Folded ? Ford service bulletin
Is that because the pages were mailed to people, Larry?
-
- 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: Ford service bulletin
I would assume the bulletins were mailed to the dealers. In one of the last posts, is an example of the late bulletin binder design. I'm not willing to take apart my binder to measure the length of the shoe string, but I would assume they might be available still.
-
- Posts: 4112
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
- Location: Alabama
- MTFCA Number: 49974
Re: Ford service bulletin
A couple of years ago I was talking with the powers to be with the International about another run of the reprints. They don’t know what happened to the masters of the Service Bulletins reproductions.
Any of you guys got them ?
Any of you guys got them ?
-
- Posts: 1459
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:35 pm
- First Name: Darel
- Last Name: Leipold
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1910 touring
- Location: Excelsior MN
- MTFCA Number: 823
- MTFCI Number: 953
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Ford service bulletin
The originals were nice and clear. I have a full set of both the T and A and some of the early ones for 1932 and up, all in original covers. I have a few for the Lincoln in the 20s. I also have the news letters sent out to the Ford dealers each month ( a run of them for 3 or 4 years in the mid 1920s.)
-
- Posts: 4112
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Dan
- Last Name: Hatch
- Location: Alabama
- MTFCA Number: 49974
Re: Ford service bulletin
The MTFCI reproduction ones were very good. They were almost identical to the original. I got most of a set.
Got a bunch on originals. Including a cover. Dan
Got a bunch on originals. Including a cover. Dan
-
- 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: Ford service bulletin
I see the cover for the Canadian set has silver lettering. I've not seen that. I guess that is Canada only?