Brass ring gear screws, change them or leave then alone?

[Paperman]

I have a 1920 engine torn down for some cleaning and a once over. Mag works fine and is in original condition. The flywheel magnets and retainers are all there and in fine shape. Does one change the brass screws for new as a precaution? I have 2 other engines with damaged mags due to a broken screw that let the retainer smack a coil or three.

[John.Zibell]

Since it is apart, I'd re-charge the magnets. You don't know how much longer they will hold a charge. That would require new screws. Be sure to get the correct ones for you ring gear. Even if you don't charge the magnets I would recommend replacement since it is apart.

[John kuehn]

You mentioned you have the engine torn down. Has the mag ring ever been replaced? If it looks like it has good insulation it may be OK. If the insulation is an oily black color it probably hasn’t. When everything is easy to get to in a tare down that’s the time to do it. After 100 years with original parts the internal parts really need an evaluation.

[NealW]

I have a 1920 engine torn down for some cleaning and a once over. Mag works fine and is in original condition. The flywheel magnets and retainers are all there and in fine shape. Does one change the brass screws for new as a precaution? I have 2 other engines with damaged mags due to a broken screw that let the retainer smack a coil or three.

A new set of brass screws is pretty cheap from the vendors. Those screws are 104 years old in that engine and could be brittle by now. I've replace the screws both times I've rebuilt a T engine, and the old ones seemed pretty brittle when I replace them, including at least one having the screw head easily break off.

By the time you're that deep into an engine, replacing the brass screws, valve springs and clutch spring is well worth it to me.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Does one change the brass screws for new as a precaution? I have 2 other engines with damaged mags due to a broken screw that let the retainer smack a coil or three.

I think you've answered your own question...


Any relation to Keith Kesling? He was a professor of mine when I attended Lawrence Tech, soooo many years ago.

[Paperman]

Any relation to Keith Kesling? He was a professor of mine when I attended Lawrence Tech, soooo many years ago.

Not that I am aware of. I have an "interesting" family history, an adoption soon before immigration tossed a wrench in the works. Spurred on by an illegitimate child of a nameless preacher in the old country marked the end to the beginning of my linage.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Any relation to Keith Kesling? He was a professor of mine when I attended Lawrence Tech, soooo many years ago.

Not that I am aware of. I have an "interesting" family history, an adoption soon before immigration tossed a wrench in the works. Spurred on by an illegitimate child of a nameless preacher in the old country marked the end to the beginning of my linage.

Wow. Yes, interesting indeed...

[Dan McEachern]

"A picture is worth a 1000 words........."

[RVA23T]

Chosen News Paper on Purpose?

[Dan McEachern]

Actually no, but when I went to snap the picture I just could not resist leaving the newspaper headline there! That was just the chunk of newspaper we grabbed when we took the shrapnel out of the pan. Perhaps there IS a higher power out there somewhere eh?

[1925 Touring]

Ive been rebuilding my transmission for my t with some help, and got a new ring gear. The new ring gear screws are different than the old oroginal ones. the brass screws also didnt want to stay tight, and the plates would wiggle. ended up habing to put locktite on both ends.

[RajoRacer]

The original screw was a #14-28 - repros for the repro ring gears are 1/4-28 - they don't "mix & match" !

[John kuehn]

Rajo is right. The information about the correct ring gear screws has been out there for several years. If I remember the vendors list that in their sales information.

[speedytinc]

The original screw was a #14-28 - repros for the repro ring gears are 1/4-28 - they don't "mix & match" !

The original screw was a #14-24 - repros for the repro ring gears are 1/4-24

[RajoRacer]

Thanks for the correction - still early !

[jab35]

For example:
https://www.modeltford.com/item/3278RE.aspx
https://www.modeltford.com/item/3278.aspx

[JTT3]

Austin I can’t imagine that having a positive long term result. I really hope I’m wrong. Best John

[Dan McEachern]

Austin- you said "the screws would not stay tight". Something is wrong or you simply have not torqued the screws tight enough. Those screws MUST be tight enough to firmly clamp the plate to the magnets. You should not be able to move the plate after the screw is torqued. Pleas get someone knowledgeable to help you with this. Loctite is not the solution!