The Ford Barn

Karl Wescott · 03-17-2025, 11:13 AM

I AM NOT SURE of the usage for those clips. I think they may be for early 1930 cowl sides and fuel tanks.

The earliest 1930 I am aware of used 4 bolts on the cowl side to attach the cowl band, and had small locating lobes on the fuel tank. The next change I am aware of was the introduction of locating ribs between the punched holes in the cowl side. (The 4-door phaeton we took molds from had the two above variations, dont remember which side had which). Next the angled tensioning bolt was added to near the bottom of the cowl band with a slot punched in the cowl side with an internal brace (still keeping the bolt holes). Then the bolt holes disappeared. Then the three short ribs became one continuous rib. Also at some point the locating lobes on the fuel tank became a continuous rib.

Your 1931 likely does not use the clip, just relying on the tension bolt with the ribs to keep alignment.

03-17-2025, 11:13 AM	#1
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,538	Re: Cowl band clips I AM NOT SURE of the usage for those clips. I think they may be for early 1930 cowl sides and fuel tanks. The earliest 1930 I am aware of used 4 bolts on the cowl side to attach the cowl band, and had small locating lobes on the fuel tank. The next change I am aware of was the introduction of locating ribs between the punched holes in the cowl side. (The 4-door phaeton we took molds from had the two above variations, dont remember which side had which). Next the angled tensioning bolt was added to near the bottom of the cowl band with a slot punched in the cowl side with an internal brace (still keeping the bolt holes). Then the bolt holes disappeared. Then the three short ribs became one continuous rib. Also at some point the locating lobes on the fuel tank became a continuous rib. Your 1931 likely does not use the clip, just relying on the tension bolt with the ribs to keep alignment.