1919 Ford Model T

 
 

Back to Year-by-Year 1908-1927 Ford Model T Reference Guide

 

ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERS: 2,831,427 to 3,659,971 calendar year. 2,756,252 to 3,277,851 fiscal year (August 1, 1918 to July 31, 1919).

MODEL YEAR DATES: January 1919 to August 1919.

BODY TYPES: Touring, Runabout, Sedan, Coupelet, Chassis and Truck.

MAJOR MODEL YEAR FEATURES:Note: Starter was an option on the open cars at $75. (Weight 95 lbs.) Demountable rims were an additional $25. (Weight 55 lbs.) The ?1919? model year began in January 1919 with the introduction of the electrical equipment as standard in the closed cars. Until this time, there was little change in style since the 1917 models, due to the war effort.
   The Coupe was similar to the 1917-18 style but the window posts were no longer removable.
   Instrument panel appeared on the starter cars only for the first time as a factory installed item. Non-electric cars had no instrument panel.
   Rear axle assembly modified in several areas; now used a gasket between the halves, different (Slightly larger) wheel oil seal cups, and the filler plug was located lower on the housing than before to help prevent overfilling.
   Front axle assembly modified; used new radius rod assembly that now fastened below the spring perches.

 

COLORS: All cars were painted black, with black fenders.

UPHOLSTERY: Imitation leather in the open cars. The pattern was a stitched vertical pleat design on both seat bottoms and backs. Closed car upholstery was the same as 1918 except that the cowl area was no longer enclosed with leatherette. Quarter panel upholstery in the closed cars was now cloth.

FENDERS: Front: Curved and crowned as in 1918.

SPLASH APRON: Unchanged from 1918.

RUNNING BOARDS: Unchanged from previous year.

HOOD: Steel. Hold-down clamps had two ?ears? and were of forged steel. Handles were pressed steel.

DASHBOARD (Firewall): Wood, fitted outside the front cowl, hidden by the metal cowl trim strip. This trim strip was redesigned to include a rain gutter to direct water to the sides, away from the coil box.

CHASSIS: Same as 1918 Except for the battery-bracket mounting holes. Painted black.

STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY: Pressed steel, black painted, quadrant, Zinc-plated spark and throttle levers, with flattened metal ends. Gear case was brass but zinc plated, one-piece assembly. Wheel is 15? outside diameter, made of ?Fordite? (synthetic material), and painted black. The wheel spider was iron and painted black. Horn/light switch same as 1918 except for starter-equipped cars where the light switch was located on the instrument panel.

FRONT AXLE: Same axle as the 1918 cars. The radius rod now connected below the axle, at the spring perches, making a stronger assembly. Roller bearings in front wheels except in the non-starter, non-demountable open cars.

REAR AXLE: Similar to 1918. The oil filler hole was moved down to a point about 1-3/4? below the centerline. Center section was now machined for a paper gasket between the halves. The oil-retaining cups at the wheels are slightly larger but of the same design as the earlier types.

DRIVESHAFT HOUSING: Pinion bearing spool was a casting and was held by studs and nuts, the studs being enclosed (not visible) in the housing. Integral front housing for universal joint assembly.

REAR RADIUS AND BRAKE RODS: Brake rods had forged ends. Brake rod support brackets rattlers were of the type which go out and wrap down around the rods and are of a reinforced (stronger) design, which continued until the end of Model T production in 1927. Radius rods were of pressed steel with split ends (no forged rear fork).

WHEELS: Used 30 by 3 tires in front; 30 by 3-1/2 in the rear. Front wheels now use taper-roller (Timken) bearings except in the non-starter, non-demountable open cars. Hub caps have ?Ford? in script letters. ?Made in USA? on all caps. Demountable-rim wheels were standard on closed cars, and optional on the open models; used 30 by 3-1/2 tires all around.

SPRINGS: Non-tapered, front and rear. ?L? shaped shackles of the forged type. Oilers were now pressed into the springs and none were used on the shackles as in previous cars.

RADIATOR: Same as previous year but had larger mounting holes to fit new spring-mounted arrangement, first introduced on the trucks, then on all cars, which replaced the older bolt and pad method.

ENGINE: Modified to accept starter and generator, now standard on closed cars, and optional on the open models after about June 1919. Non-starter engines were discontinued after May 1919.

ENGINE PAN: ?Three-dip? with wider front ?snout? which will accommodate the larger fan pulley that didn?t appear until 1920.

OIL FILLER CAP: The mushroom-shaped cap, made of steel, three flutes.

ENGINE CRANK: The plain steel sleeve type as used since 1914. The crank ratchet was held with a pin and cotter beginning about April, instead of the rivet used previously.

ENGINE FAN: Driven by a leather belt from a pulley at the front of the engine. The fan hub was cast iron, with the blades riveted in place. Adjustment was by means of a bolt/nut arrangement located on the right side of the front plate and bearing against a boss on the mounting end of the fan bracket.

MANIFOLDS: Exhaust pipe flared at the manifold and was held in place with the brass nut but with no packing. Intake was cast iron.

CARBURETORS: Kingston Model L2, or Holley Model G. Choke arm had additional lever arm for dash-mounted choke pull rod.

CARBURETOR STOVE: Several designs, all of which rose vertically at the rear of the carburetor and mated with the exhaust manifold at the rear area.

MUFFLER: Cast iron ends, same as 1918. In June 1918 the outlet in the rear head was moved ten degrees away from the bottom to direct the exhaust away from the spare tire.

FUEL TANK: Cylindrical, under the front seat. Mounting brackets clamped to the tank. Outlet was between the center and the right side, between the frame rails. Sedan and coupe used the square tank, under the driver?s seat in the sedan, and in the turtle deck in the coupe.

TRANSMISSION: Three pedal standard-design. Pedals were of the plain type. Transmission cover was cast iron, and modified to accept the starter. Tapered inspection door, held with six screws. The door was now of pressed steel with an embossed pattern. The ?Ford? script was added to the cover after march

COIL BOX ASSEMBLY: Ford. Same as used in 1917. Starter cars no longer had the ignition switch on the box; it was moved to the dashboard. The switch on the coil box was of the fully enclosed pressed steel design. Coils were all wood cased; the composition construction had not proved satisfactory.

LAMPS: Magneto powered electric type on the non-starter cars, and six volt electric on the starter models. Black steel rims, and clear lens. Side and tail lamps were similar to 1917 on the non-starter cars. Starter cars had a small electric tail light and did not have side lights.

HORN: Magneto powered electric on all cars.

WINDSHIELD: Upright, with top section that folded to the rear. Frame was bolted to the brackets. Painted black.

TOP: (Open cars). Top color was black on all open cars. Unchanged from 1918.

SPEEDOMETER: No longer standard equipment.

TURTLE DECK (on Runabout): Similar in style to the 1915. Handles are painted black.

 

1919 Changes

 

JAN

Acc. 575, Box 11, Ford Archivesv

T-8793 starter switch plunger for coupe only.
T-8794 starter switch plunger for sedan.

 

JAN 1

Acc. 575, #331, Ford Archives

Experimental Holley vapor manifold noted. 25 were purchased for trials.

 

JAN 4

Acc. 575, Box 11, Ford Archives

T-4481A timer with roller. T-4481B timer with brush instead of roller (new design).

 

JAN 7

Acc. 575, Box 11, #720, Ford Archives

Water outlet hose made 4 inches long (from 3-1/2 inches) for a better joint. (P/N T-448.)

 

JAN 13

Acc. 575, Box 11, #723, Ford Archives

T-5418A & B running boards for coupe and sedan (L & R). T-7987A & B splash shields for same.

 

JAN 15

Acc. 575, Box 11, #720, Ford Archives

T-4483 exhaust manifold. Flange added at bottom to hold glands in place during assembly.

 

JAN 18

Acc. 575, Box 11, Ford Archives

T-555 float chamber gasket, new, and used on all cars.
T-7660 instrument panel for 1919 coupe.
T-7661 instrument panel for 1919 sedan.
T-7610 right rear axle housing. Oil hole relocated to a point 1-3/4'' below the centerline.

 

JAN 25

Acc. 575, Box 11, #719, Ford Archives

Bendix cover zinc plated. T-7994 rear fender bracket (to running board) made from scrap of clutch disks instead of 20 ga. steel.

 

JAN 31

Acc. 575, Box 11, #720, Ford Archives

T-8793 and T-8794 starter switch plungers obsoleted.

 

FEB

Acc. 575, Box 11, #721, Ford Archives

Choke bell crank arm "raven finished." New spindle arm (T-270B) after the first 56,000 1919 cars. T-270A obsoleted, to be replaced with the new arm.
T-8795 priming rod (long) for sedans; T-8796 rod for coupes.

 

FEB 5

Acc. 575, Box 11, #719, Ford Archives

"We have specified the following parts to be used on all models of 1919 cars, including trucks, and changed the symbol numbers as listed below:
T-350 dust cap (was TT-202)
T-351 bearing, R/H (was TT-250)
T-352 bearing, L/H (was TT-251)
T-354 felt retainer (was TT-201)
T-355 spindle cone (was TT-205)
T-356 inner bearing (was TT-252)
T-357 inner bearing cup (was TT-235)
T-358 outer bearing cup (was TT-234)
T-359 cone, right (was TT-207)
T-360 cone, left (was TT-206)"
These are the roller bearing front wheel parts, first used on the truck chassis. According to the Parts Lists, the ball bearings were still used on the open cars without demountables and starters, but this note says "all models."

 

FEB 10

Acc. 575, Box 11, #723, Ford Archives

"Ford Motor Company" specified on ammeter face.

 

FEB 12

Acc. 575, Box 11, #725, Ford Archives

T-7675A ignition switch on first 200 cars.
T-7675B ignition switch on next 2000 cars.
T-7675C ignition switch on next 3000 cars.
T-7675D ignition switch after first 5200 cars.

 

FEB 17

Acc. 575, Box 11, #724, Ford Archives

Choke bell crank made from crankcase scrap.

 

FORD FACTORY LETTER

FROM: Ford Motor Company, Detroit Office
February 20, 1919
General Letter No. 347
 

CLOSED BODY PAINTING

Kindly note general information and changes to date:
As closed bodies are now being painted black, instead of green as heretofore, also carmine striped, it becomes imperative that the branches prepare to repair bodies when needed according to the new color. It is necessary that someone in your paint shop, accustomed to the method of striping, be assigned to this work, as this section of body painting is something new for branches to contend with. Striping pencils and carmine paint for striping will be furnished to you for this purpose upon receipt of request for same.
 

NEW PAINT SPECIFICATIONS


These are being sent you at this time and comprise the change in sedan, coupe, touring car and torpedo body painting, according to the latest information. You will note the change in the Symbol number of paint used in painting closed bodies, as well as that for touring car and torpedo bodies, and wheel paint, as called to your attention in our general letters of the 11th and 12th. F-165 and F-166 will be held for repairs only on closed bodies which were formerly painted green.
 

CHANGES IN BRUSH LIST

Attached is the new brush list comprising changes to date of February 20th. Have added the number required per thousand cars, and it is decided that branches should order material on this basis. No material should be ordered locally as the main plant can supply your needs at any time.
 

INSTRUMENT BOARD

One length of board is being furnished for sedans, both Wadsworth and Fisher made, and as the Wadsworth body is somewhat wider between pillars at instrument board section than the Fisher body, it becomes necessary for various reasons that one length be furnished for both jobs and when branch receives same it will be in order to cut off ends of the board to fit Fisher body if Fisher bodies are being received. After cutting the boards to size, see that the imitation leather is again placed over ends of boards in a workmanlike manner. Instruments will be shipped to branch from main plant with instrument boards until the body manufacturers can bring the instrument boards through to fit their respective bodies, after which they will ship bodies with the instruments and wiring fastened thereto so that same can be fastened to dash assembly in accordance with diagrams which you have at this time. Coupe bodies are now going forward with the instrument board in position.
 

F-196 CARMINE STRIPING PAINT

This material is intended for striping closed bodies when making repairs and can be ordered from main plant upon requisition.

 

FEB 21

Acc. 575, Box 11, #720, 723, Ford Archives

Following parts are zinc plated:
T8793 starter switch plunger.
T-1311 hood clip spring.
TT-67 hub brake shoe spring (truck).
T-8734 hood clip sprint.
T-841B transmission band spring.
T-935 throttle lever rod spring.
T-292 spring (misc. uses).

 

FEB 21

Acc. 575, Box 11, #724, Ford Archives

T-701C starter-type flywheel used on all cars.

 

FEB 26

Acc. 575, Box 11, #724, Ford Archives

T-8778 spare-tire carrier, sedan and coupe only.

 

MAR 3

Acc. 575, Box 1, #357, Ford Archives

Demountable rims not painted, nor are the bolts. Finished in a galvanized (zinc, or ternplate) coating.

 

MAR 4

Acc. 575, Box 11, #726, Ford Archives

"Ford" added to the transmission covers. Instrument panel "leather covered" on early production (closed cars). "Ford" script added to many parts in an effort to stop accessory manufacturers from selling bogus parts as genuine Ford.

 

MAR 15

Acc. 575, Box 11, #726, Ford Archives

Starter-type transmission cover used on all cars.

 

MAR 19

Acc. 575, Box 11, #726, Ford Archives

Hub caps. Steel type discontinued. All to be brass (nickel-plated) in the future.

 

MAR 21

Acc. 575, Box 11, #726, Ford Archives

T-1773 timing gear cover plate, T-1761 transmission cover plate, made from two pieces from center of clutch plate stock spot welded together. T-1758 transmission cover front plate made from two pieces 20 ga. fender stock, spot welded together. (These are the cover plates used to blank the holes when there is no starter or generator.)

 

MAR 25

Acc. 575, Box 1, #367, Ford Archives

"Sufficient demountables for all closed cars to have them. Price increased $25."

 

MAR 28

Acc. 575, Box 11, #726, Ford Archives

T-4491 starter crank pin changed to a rivet rather than the pin which had been riveted in place. (The riveting process caused oil leaks.)

 

APR 2

Engine production records, Ford Archives

Engine 3,000,000 built 8:15 A.M.

 

APR 10

Acc. 575, Box 11, #727, Ford Archives

T-8837 spare tire carrier redesigned.

 

APR 14

Acc. 235, Box 39, #385, Ford Archives

"From this date two distinct designs of front radius rods, together with front spring perches, right and left, one on the Model T and the other on Model TT.
"The Model TT design will be assembled beneath the axle, instead of above the axle through the spring perch as heretofore.
"Although it would be possible to use the Model T design on the Model TT, we request this be resorted to only in case of a shortage serious enough to threaten loss of production."

 

APR 14

Acc. 78, #385, Ford Archives

New radius rod used at first on the TT chassis. Roller bearings at first on the TT and on the closed cars.

 

APR 17

Acc. 575, Box 11, #727, Ford Archives

One-piece Bendix cover reinstated, replacing the three-piece assembly of December 24, 1918.

 

APR 18

Acc. 575, Box 11, #729, Ford Archives

T-400D (starter type) cylinder specified for all cars.

 

APR 30

Acc. 575, Box 11, #732, Ford Archives

T-6604 wood instrument panel for touring and torpedo specified in a letter to the branches.
T-7845, 7846 windshield bracket with integral side lamp bracket used on open cars without starter only. T-7845B and T-7846B bracket used with starter cars (has no oil lamp bracket).

 

APR 30

Acc. 78, #405, Ford Archives

"Coupelet" is coupe with the removable pillars. "Coupe" has solid pillars. First 10,000 has spare tire carriers with forged brackets.

 

APR 30

Acc. 235, Box 39, #405, Ford Archives

"The spare rim carrier and method of mounting have been redesigned. On the first 10,000, a forging bracket fastened to rear spring clips, is used. After first 10,000 a steel stamping design of carrier will be made and attached to the frame with three bolts and nuts on each side of brackets. It will be necessary for branches to drill holes for attaching brackets until such time as the manufacturers are in a position to incorporate this change in production. This revision is essential in order to mount brackets without removing the body. All frames are to be drilled if not equipped with a carrier, according to attached print, so that the car can be supplied with same when stock arrives."

 

MAY 1

Acc. 575, Box 11, #732, Ford Archives

T-6606 instrument board (new).
Oil lamps discontinued on truck chassis.

 

MAY 3

Acc. 575, Box 11, #733, Ford Archives

Ammeter to now read "Ford" instead of "Ford Motor Company."

 

MAY 5

Acc. 575, Box 11, #733, Ford Archives

Throttle levers to be zinc-plated and buffed instead of brass and nickel-plated.
Gear case: regular and worm steering gears indicated.
In the Acc. 1701 collection of blueprint changes, the steering gear case is also now zinc plated and polished instead of nickel plated.

 

MAY 7

Acc. 78, #413, Ford Archives

Demountable rims supplied on some open cars.

 

MAY 15

Rear axle hub design made to eliminate machining. New grease retainer cups needed. T-7687 generator to cutout wire changed to read "for repairs only" indicating that the cutout was now located on the generator.

 

MAY 19

Acc. 78, #420, Ford Archives

Starters on some open cars (appeared prior to this date). New windshield brackets on electric cars; the old type with the integral lamp brackets to be continued on the non-electric cars. (Oil lamps were not supplied on the starter-equipped open or closed cars.)

 

MAY 27

Acc. 235, Box 39, #431, Ford Archives

T4491 (Crank ratchet rivet) "Changed from a straight pin to a rivet, designed for cotter pin."

 

MAY 28

Engine production records, Ford Archives

Last non-starter engine block made on this date.

 

JUN 5

Acc. 78, #436, Ford Archives

All cars to have starter-type engines; trucks to get whatever non-starter engines are left.
Valve cover plates now to be held in place with a screw instead of a stud and nut.

 

JUN 5

Acc. 235, Box 39, #636, Ford Archives

T654 Cylinder door screw
"Branches are receiving motor assemblies equipped with the above door screw instead of a stud, as heretofore. The screw is the same as TT479 crankcase arm bolt, side (with cotter key hole omitted). This design will supersede that of the stud in making repairs. You will, therefore, exhaust the supply of studs which is on hand before supplying screw design in repair work."
T431 Intake and exhaust valve spring. "This spring will go forward to branches zinc plated instead of black enameled."

 

JUN 7

Acc. 575, Box 11, #743, Ford Archives

Muffler rear end, T-1201, redesigned with outlet 10 degrees above horizontal centerline to deflect exhaust away from the spare tire. Former design had the outlet at the bottom of the end plate.

 

JUN 9

Acc. 78, #441, Ford Archives

Price list shows TT (truck) with starter at $75. extra.

 

JUN 16

Acc. 575, Box 11, #745, Ford Archives

T-519B. Changed diameter for the hole for the starting crank spring from 1/16" to #50 drill (.070"). This change was made in order to use up 12,000 #50 drills which were on hand, and was to take effect as soon as the change could be made without holding up production.

 

JUN 19

Acc. 575, Box 11, #746, Ford Archives

Differential gasket announced (T-139). .015" original material reduced to .009" in letter of June 20, 1919.

 

JUN 23

Acc. 575, Box 11, #748, Ford Archives

Steering gear cover again specified to have nickel plate.

 

JUL 2

Acc. 575, Box 11, #749, 750, Ford Archives

4:1 rear axle gears indicated. T-16 12-tooth pinion; T-12 48-tooth ring gear. T-418C piston lighter by 5 oz. (Was 2 lbs, 7 oz.)

 

JUL 14

Acc. 575, Box 11, #752, Ford Archives

T-246B (front) and T91-1/2 (rear) spring hangers of butt-welded design noted.

 

JUL 19

Acc. 575, Box 11, #751, Ford Archives

Valve cover doors changed from 20 ga. steel to 16 ga. steel. 1920 model cars now specified.

 

JUL 22

Acc. 575, Box 11, #754, Ford Archives

New timing gear cover, T-1754, to be replaced by T-1769 when replacing T-400C (non-starter cylinder block) with T-400D (starter type) in repairs.

 

JUL 30

Acc. 575, Box 12, #784, Ford Archives

T-1520 universal ball cap shim, two required, new.

 

AUG

Acc. 575, Box 11, #761, Ford Archives

Leather covered instrument panels are indicated on open cars and closed cars in early production. Of wood, they were superseded by metal panels by mid-1919.

 

AUG 19

Acc. 575, Box 11, #758, Ford Archives

T-7320 resistor made by Ward Leonard to be used at branches for headlight dimming, enabling the use of old magneto-type headlamps on cars with starters. Used until new design headlamps could be supplied to the branches.
Horns made by K-W, Heinze, Garford, Connecticut.
Upholstery for 1918-1920 seems to be the same.
Body parts are the same from 1916 to 1920.

 

AUG 27

Acc. 575, Box 11, #758, Ford Archives

Spring type radiator mounting, specified for trucks earlier now used for all cars.

 

SEP

Acc. 575, Box 12, #766, Ford Archives

Tail light and license brackets for Roadster, Touring, with and without demountable rims, redesigned. T-8767, 8768, 8771 are the new part numbers.

 

SEP 20

Acc.235, Box 39, #527, Ford Archives

"The plunger type commutator is now obsolete and replaced by the roller design. The change will take place as soon as it can be made without holding up production. Repairs will not be furnished on the plunger type."

 

OCT 17

Ford Archives

Steering planet gears. The original design of these three gears called for 14-pitch, straight cut teeth. On this date the drawings called for 14-pitch but with a 20-degree pressure angle. Apparently the old design was discontinued and the new design was to be used for repairs. They wrote, "Owing to the wear on these parts when in use it will not be necessary to hold to the present design, that is parts having straight 14-pitch tooth for repairs."

 

OCT 21

Acc. 575, Box 12, #767, Ford Archives

Holes punched in radiator fins for better cooling. 72 5/16" diameter holes between regular tube holes.

 

NOV

Acc. 575, Box 12, #769, Ford Archives

Side lamps by Brown, E&J and Victor were supplied on open cars without starter (only).

 

NOV 3

Acc. 575, Box 12, #769, Ford Archives

Round and elliptical gas tanks mentioned.

 

NOV 3

Acc. 1701. Model T Releases, Ford Archives

T246C "U" spring hangers first drawn.

 

NOV 3

Acc. 235, Box 39, #576, Ford Archives

"T4358 felt (short) is obsolete and replaced by T872B felt (long) which has its thickness and length increased to eliminate oil leaks between cylinder and transmission cover. All stock on had of the present design is to be used up."

 

NOV 5

Acc. 575, Box 12, #769, Ford Archives

Wooden instrument panels reinstated due to shortage of the steel type. These were leather covered as before.

 

NOV 14

Acc. 575, Box 12, #770, Ford Archives

Elliptical tank part numbers shown with note that they cannot be used in open cars until the seat frames are changed....about four months.

 

NOV 21

Acc. 78, #591, Ford Archives

"Account of difficulty in obtaining the present style of solid molding for torpedo bodies, arrangements have been completed to produce a new style of stamped molding on the deck side panels. This will eliminate about three fifths of the solid molding. The Beaudette Company has an OK from our Engineering Department on this new construction and will start shipments about the 24th inst. A blue print of sketch is attached, showing method of assembling torpedo deck side panels, which gives a general idea of the new construction."

 

DEC 4

Acc. 575, Box 12, #774, Ford Archives

Brackets which hold the gas tank redesigned to move the tank 7/16" towards the rear for better clearance at heel board. (Tank T-4018 bracket)

 

DEC 5

Acc. 575, Box 12, #775, Ford Archives

New fan pulley, T-608, 602, 615. T-608 drive pulley made from crankcase stock.

 

DEC 8

Acc. 575, Box 12, #774, Ford Archives

Hole in seat frame cover (bottom) enlarged from 2-3/4" to 4".

 

DEC 10

Acc. 575, Box 12, #775, Ford Archives

Commutator brush discontinued. Returned to roller type.

 

DEC 13

Acc. 575, Box 12, #776, Ford Archives

T-901B steering wheel rim made of wood, covered with "Fordite" or of solid "Fordite."

 

DEC 17

Acc. 575, Box 12, #776, Ford Archives

T-826E transmission cover. Holes for mounting Bendix cover rotated 30 degrees for ease in assembly. (On April 6, 1920, the holes were changed back to the original position.)