The Ford Model T Radiator; an evolution in design
Early Model T Radiators were produced by Paris and Briscoe (0-2,500), McCord (2,500-8,500, and Detroit Radiator (~8,500) and there are considerable variations in construction. Brass era Ts from 1910 to 1916 also have many common dimensions. The stamped script, the neck design, use of rivets, decorative brass supports, integrated support bars, location of gas tubes and even the advent of electric light were changes that occurred along the way. Please refer to the chart to understand the evolution of the brass era Model T. Thanks to Trent Boggess and many others for his efforts in collecting and documenting the history on the Model T.
| 1909-1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913-1914 | 1915-1916 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiator mounted on Brass support bracket beneath the horizontal part of the sidewall and wrapped under the tank. Ford drawings indicate a brass support bar was “added” to the core on June 30, 1910. | Brass support bar in the core fin area. | Brass support bar in the core fin area. | Brass support bar in the core fin area. | |
| In December of 1910 Ford Model Ts used a priming rods routed between the fins of the radiator. | Ford drilled a choke rod hole in the lower part of the front trim. Added January 1911. | Choke rod hole in the lower part of the front trim. | Choke rod hole in the lower part of the front trim. | Choke rod hole in the lower part of the front trim. |
| Brass tube for carbide gas powered lights is soldered to the lower tank | Brass tube for carbide gas powered lights is soldered to the lower tank | July 1912, 5 piece gas lamp tube assembly placed along the frame rail | Brass tube for carbide gas powered lights is soldered to the brass bar in the core | Brass tube for electric powered lights is soldered to the brass bar in the core |
| No rivets on 2 3/8" radiator neck | No rivets on 2 3/8" radiator neck | 3 rivets on 2 1/2" radiator neck | 3 rivets on 2 1/2" radiator neck | 3 rivets on 2 1/2" radiator neck |
|
Earlier Ford Script No "Made in USA" stamped in top tank under the Ford logo |
No "Made in USA" stamped in top tank under the Ford logo | "Made in USA" stamped in top tank under the Ford logo added April 1912 | "Made in USA" stamped in top tank under the Ford logo | "Made in USA" stamped in top tank under the Ford logo |
| Solid polished brass sidewall without hole for gas line. | Solid polished brass sidewall without hole for gas line. | Holes punched and flared in sidewall for the gas lights added in June 1912 | Holes punched and flared in sidewall for the gas lights | Holes drilled in sidewall for the electric lights |
| Drawings of the rear panel of the top tank indicate that the Ford Motor Company plate soldered to the tank | Drawings of the rear panel of the top tank indicate that the Ford Motor Company plate soldered to the tank | Drawings of the rear panel of the top tank indicate that the Ford Motor Company plate soldered to the tank | During 1914 Ford began embossing of the design of the plate in the rear wall of the tank itself. | Ford Motor Company embossing of the design of the plate in the rear wall of the tank itself. |