26/27 Radiator Shell Question

[26Tguy]

I have been looking for a nice shell for a while now and found a decent one in Moultrie last weekend with a nice, crisp "Ford made in USA" stamp, but it has a bit of wear-through near the edge where the hood would sit. I figured "no big deal... I'll just weld it up and smooth 'er out".

Well, I started to clean the backside of it to prep for the weld and found that it is made of brass. ??? I tried stickin a magnet to it and that didn't work so it is definitely not steel... but I have never heard of a 26/27 shell that was made of brass. I do know the difference between the years of radiators so I am hoping someone can help me out with this.

Did Ford ever stamp them out of brass or is this a non-original shell? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks fellas.

Regards, Dave

 

[Jack Innes]

Dave,

The nickel plated rad shells offered in 25, 26 & 27 were stamped out of brass by Ford.

 

[Tinkerman]

Mr. Innes,

I would appreciate any possible reference material you may have available on this topic.

It has always been my understanding that from 1908 through 1916, Ford did not produce a radiator shell, the brass radiator itself was polished and exposed. In a major economy move in 1917, ornamental brass was no longer used anywhere on the Model T.

All formerly polished-brass parts were replaced instead by the much cheaper painted steel. That year, and through 1927, painted steel shells were used to cover the radiators, which no longer needed polishing.

In 1926 and 27 only, in an effort to "dress up" the closed cars, their steel shells were nickel plated, but the much cheaper roadster and touring cars were supplied only with the painted shell. The "official" Ford parts book lists the standard radiator shell at a cost of $1.50, and the nickel plated one at $3.50, an extravagance not offered to the "open" cars.

All that to say that in my experiences, and reference materials, I have never heard of any Ford factory-produced brass radiator shells. If you have seen any reference material stating otherwise, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it from you. Thank you sir.

 

[tmodelman]

The fact is real..the '26-'26 factory nickel plated shells were mfg from brass!

The plain black painted Ford shells for the period were made of steel and painted. Those steel shells all have 'slotted' or cut openings around the surround for the anti-rattle welting.....

The Nickel-plated brass Ford shells are distinct in that the openings for the cloth welting are round holes.....very easy to see the difference even if the old nickel shell had been painted over in the past. The round holes in the brass shell allow polishing the brass prior to the plating steps.....a raw cut opening would have snagged on the buffing wheel.

All Ford '26-'27 Nickel plated radiator shells are brass, never steel.

Hard to view, but the black painted shell lying on top of my hood is a factory Ford Nickel plated shell, you might can see the round hole for the welting on the side panel. This brass shell was poor shape, so I used brazing rod on the split brass busted portions to make it strong, then painted over the repairs.......having that one re-plated would have looked real bad with my brazing fixes

The one on the '27 touring is an original Nickel plated brass shell still with enough Ford Nickel plating to look shiny today.

 

[tmodelman]

As for reference in the brass shell for '26-'27, refer to Bruce McCalleys " Model T Ford The Car that Changed the World" big book, page 375, he states

"The nickel-plated shells were made of brass but otherwise interchangeable with the earlier type. (The black painted shells continued being made of steel.)"

 

[Brent]

My 26 shell has some wear on the inside/bottom and I noticed the discoloration. I tested with a magnet, too, and same thing.

 

[Jack Innes]

Mr. Innes,

All that to say that in my experiences, and reference materials, I have never heard of any Ford factory-produced brass radiator shells. If you have seen any reference material stating otherwise, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it from you. Thank you sir.[/QUOTE]


I think you will find all of the reference needed in "Tmodelman's" posts. I think you will find that while brass rads & trim had become obsolete & out of style by the late 20s, I am sure that Ford found it cheaper to use brass for the nickel plated rads in that it worked easier & he could eliminate the copper plating under the nickel that is needed to plate steel effectively.

Bruice McCalley's book is a great reference piece. His information is very well documented & well respected. It would be a good addition to your "reference materials".

Incidentally Mr. Innes was my father & he would have confirmed the same information!

Jack

 

[26Tguy]

Wow, thank you all for your replies. I just checked the welting holes and they are indeed round. I never noticed that before on any of the shells I have seen. Thanks you again gentlemen.

 

[Roadster62]

Thanks ModelTman! I've known about the round holes in the plated brass shells, but thought it was to prevent cracks in the brass, but your buffing snag prevention makes a lot more scence. Hope the photos add to the info. that is original factory plating as far as I know.

 

[Roadster62]

Mr. Tinkerman, Add this tidbit to your files, the 1926-27 T nickle plated headlamp rims were made of brass also, painted rims are steel. Shall I post photos to pove this to you?

 

[Layden B]

And a final note, tail lamp rims too!