Ford Script Stamped into bronze connector

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IMG_0663.jpg

IMG_0662.jpg

Recently I was cleaning up the engine on my June 1930 Coupe and found this bronze spark plug connector that has always been used on it to my knowledge. It has the Ford Script stamped into it. I never noticed it before as it was mostly covered with tarnish and grease and it is just this one out of the four connectors.

I don't see anything mentioned on this feature in my copy of the JS. Is this a common OEM connector from the factory? I don't recall seeing this bronze connector with the Ford Script stamping ever before on the Model A's I have looked at over the years but I guess I wasn't looking for it either...

Anyone out there in FB land that has the rest of the story on this?

[Fred]

That is a Very Early one...

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've never seen Ford script on them either.

Probably worth a fortune on ebay!

[Richard Wilson]

That is cool! 2011 edition of the Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards page 2-12 does not mention Ford script on the connectors.

[FL&WVMIKE]

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I have never seen one like that. You just might have a real treasure there.
It could be from a foriegn country.
MIKE

[msmaron]

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I've never seen Ford script on them either.

Probably worth a fortune on ebay!

OH yea.,.your kids are going to college on that one!!!

[msmaron]

actually very cool

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

What is the length of it from end to end?

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84 mm end to end. 6 mm width in middle section. I didn't want to flatten it out so I used some masking tape to follow it and then measured the tape.

I notice now as well, that since I cleaned it up it looks to be a more "golden" color then the others used on this car.

Hmmm, Sell on EBay for big $$$$$. I am starting to feel like I won the golden ticket at Willie Wonkas.

As far as this part being from another country, it is doubtful as this Model A has leaked oil only in Illinois since day one... I restored this Model A back in 1985 and I bought it from a pig farmer that had it on their farm from the day it made it out of Dearborn. Maybe over the years a few occassion trips into Wisconsin for Beer and Cheddar.

I never changed the connector strips but they are all of the JS 1928 style and not the later off set 1930 versions. Maybe a bronze connector had to be replaced during some engine tuneup service and the dealer used a NRS connector that had the Ford Script on it????????????? Maybe this was aftermarket bling or speed equipment sold by Rick's or Western Auto???

[Tom Wesenberg]

The "gold" or "yellow" colored ones are soft brass and not as springy as the correct bronze connectors.

I's sure Bert's and Bratton's sell the correct bronze connectors.

[Gary Karr]

Here is a set, I think unused, of the Ford script connectors. I bought these several years ago. Also pictured is a bronze connector fro A&L showing that they are the same size. Doc Kalinka mentioned these with a picture in one of his articles in the Model A News several years ago, suggesting that they might be very early '28 but I have seen nothing to prove that. They are indeed brass, not bronze. The script is well defined on them suggesting that they are made by Ford. Whatever they are, they are a cool conversation item.

[Fred]

Gary, You beat me to it about Doc`s articles, I was just trying to find which one.. Its been a while back.. I think the set he had is on Fred Goodings V.eary Roadster ??? I Also have two only..

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

The "gold" or "yellow" colored ones are soft brass and not as springy as the correct bronze connectors.

I's sure Bert's and Bratton's sell the correct bronze connectors.

Tom,
I agree with you on this as the Ford Script one I have is not as springy as the others, but it is a lot more springy then most repops.

So did the early 28's all have the Script connectors? So someone years ago wanted this one on put on my 1930. It was his Christmas present to a future generation owner (me).

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by Fred

Gary, You beat me to it about Doc`s articles, I was just trying to find which one.. Its been a while back.. I think the set he had is on Fred Goodings V.eary Roadster ??? I Also have two only..

Those articles were in either one of the following in Model A News:

A-12275: Distributor to spark plug connector
“On the Road”: MAN/33/5/29 (1986) **6
“Authentically Speaking”: MAN/35/3/8 (1988)**7


Pluck

[d.j. moordigian]

Fred & Gary,

I've seen them also! What spooks me about them not being VE-28 is the "F".
I believe it's a later font. Look at some other VE parts...what do you think?

btw....you guys look at any clutch and brake pedals for me?

Thanks, Dudley

[Fred]

D.J. Ok look how many different "Fs" you see on the 28/29 hubcaps ??... Diff MFG !!... Ans. to your ?? No To much rain & cold right now.. Fred..

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Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

Those articles were in either one of the following in Model A News:

A-12275: Distributor to spark plug connector
“On the Road”: MAN/33/5/29 (1986) **6
“Authentically Speaking”: MAN/35/3/8 (1988)**7


Pluck

I found those two "Model A News" volumes you mentioned and reviewed them. Both are really great articles and it reminded me again to go back and review some the "MAN" volumes from years back. They really are treasure troves of good Model A info and tips.

The spark connector article in the 1988 volume was co-written by Ed Francis and George DeAngelis. It discussed the drawings of the spark connectors obtained from the Ford Engineering Department that they had on microfilm. They obtained these just before they were scheduled to be destroyed. Discussion of the design and design changes made in June 1930 and the October 1931 change to the longer Model B connector. Also the material was a bronze made up of ~ 93.5% Copper, ~ 5.0% Tin, and Phoosphorous ~ .40%. No mention here in this article on the connectors having the Ford Script. But it did mention that after the engineering change of June 1930 that old stocks were used up until August 1930. That may explain why my June 1930 coupe had one on it..

The second article On The Road by Hans Kalinka is mostly on the original 3X plugs. Lots of good info on the Champion 3X construction and markings. He pictured a Ford Script connector and then mentions the Ford Script spark plug connectors as being very rare back then. He was also still looking for some of them trying to make up a complete set.

Anyway, I still do not have the complete story on these Ford Script Connectors but I definitely know that they must be pretty rare from the lack of Judging Standards info, Ford Barn feedback, etc. Maybe I will start a Special Interest Group for the owners of Ford Script spark plug connectors.

[Tudortomnz]

The script connectors look to be original type, either early issue or dealer part supplied. I have never seen or heard of them & NZ often received early & oddball parts. There are differences between the Ford script of Ford Canada & Ford Britain parts but those connectors look US script.
They can become brittle & break, so replacement would have been common years ago . One of my original '29 connectors broke but I saved it as a spare by binding & crimping it with copper wire.

[Garage Dog]

Interesting to learn about that it is early

[glenn in camino]

Someone is probably making a stamp as we type.