Robertson head screws

Peter J

Peter J

Well-known member
I had to Google it up but I'm finding Robertson head screws all over my 29 Special Coupe. Starter rod gromett, window sills etc. Would this indicate my rig was Canadian mfg.?
Pete
 
as close to the Canadian border as you are ,its highly probable
did you check your engine number ?
does it start with an A or CA?
after 80 years it may be hard to pin down all the other canadian features ,as they most likely have been changed
 
I remember hearing a story that Henry wanted exclusive rights to use the Robinson drive and was denied so he refused to use it at all. Wonder if there is any truth in that?

The story is probably wrong, i'm sure others here will know for sure.
 
Heard the same story from an expert on Canadian Model A's (he has since passed). I also don't know how much of the story is true, but I will relay what I heard. Apparently, Henry took a trip across the Detroit river to visit the Ford assembly plant in Windsor, Canada. The production guys were very enthusiastic about the Robertson screws in that they were much faster to install and did not strip out as often given that they used a square driver. Henry was intrigued and made an appointment to see Mr. Robertson who had the patent on the screws. Henry made a ridiculously low offer for exclusive rights and Robertson refused. Apparently Mr. Robertson was too much like Henry in personality (i.e. hard head) and was offended that he was being treated so poorly. When he refused to grant rights, Henry offered to buy the company and Mr. Robertson told him basically to take a trip back across the river to the U.S. This incensed Henry, so he decreed that Fords made in the U.S. would never use Robertson screws. (Since Ford of Canada was a separate company, they could continue to use them without having to follow the order).
 
Peter J said:
I had to Google it up but I'm finding Robertson head screws all over my 29 Special Coupe. Starter rod gromett, window sills etc. Would this indicate my rig was Canadian mfg.?
Pete
Click to expand...

Its a safe bet she's a Canadian girl who's snuck across the border.
Is there a stamp on the front sill by your left heel?

Be interesting to see where she came from.
Oh how you liking the weather, rain/snow,rain, snow,
 
An early 29 might have a Canadian powerhouse generator if it was made in Canada. If your car has a powerhouse generator, Canadian powerhouse generator have a taper on the case toward the front and back, whereas a US powerhouse is straight. Why the there are two styles, I have no idea. I have a Canadian powerhouse generator. If you have a powerhouse and aren't sure what Canadian PH looks like send me a PM and I can send you a picture of one.
Rusty Nelson
 
Listen carefully for a regional accent as they groan while tightening or removing. I have a box-full that say "You want flied lice?" just before the heads snap off.
 
Farrell,
Their's a stamp (E 1046) on the floor right next to the seat riser. What does that mean? No powerhouse gen. though. Getting a little wet down here but it's the mid-west folks that are really bitching obout you guys eh?
Pete
 
Interestingly enough, when I had to disassemble the lower stanchions on a 31' Canadian Roadster, none of my Robertson drivers would fit the screws.

I searched all over for something larger than the standard sizes of # 0-1-2 and 3 without success, until I contacted the Roberstson Company directly to obtain the #4 bit required for these particular screws.

Still the only source I'm aware of for the #4 size.


picture.php
 
Not sure about the "E", might stand for Edmonton if there was and assembly plant thar........Hmmmmm I down loaded a chart from somebuddy about Canadian plants and put it in a file so I could know exactly where it was in case I needed it .......no where the.............
Oh! we just send you guy the cold air, its up to Y'all what you mix it with...LOL
 
Farrell,
I looked again and it's definately a seperate stamp (felt the indentation). I'm almost sure it's an "E" but it might be a "P" or an "F" but I don't think so. I don't think a photo would come out.
Pete
 
If your letter is an E, it was built in Edgewater,NewJersey,or if earlier than Nov 15/30 it would have been manufactured in Kearny NJ. The numbers after the letter,(s) have to do with body style. Hope this helps. Don
 
Thanks Don,
I wonder how it ended up with the Robertson screws? I looked at Canadian plants on Wikipedia which indicated that the only plant during Model A years was Windsor.
Pete
 
I have a E525 what does that mean? Definitely a Canadian ford.

I don't mean to hi-jack your thread peter.
 
Up here in Canada we almost exclusively have Roberson head screws. They are used in every application from wood, machine etc and are widely available everywhere. The screws hold on the tip of the driver and the screw shaft will typically break before the head strips. Do you guys have them in the US?
 
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