Phaeton top prop knob question

[wrndln]

I have a question about how the top prop knob stays on the top iron pivot stud. I am attaching a picture of the stud and knob. The concern I have is that the top irons need to pivot, so the knob can't be tight or it would be hard to move the top irons up and down. If the knob is not tight, it seems like it could loosen and fall off. Would some Fordbarner(s) that have a finished phaeton please explain how the knob is held in place without falling off and still allow the top irons to move easily.
Rusty Nelson

[pat in Santa Cruz]

there is a metal clip set behind the knob that locks it in place with a bent tab. You'll find it in any suppliers inventory

[Tom Wesenberg]

The knob is tight against the folding top iron. My knobs have never come loose.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

there is a metal clip set behind the knob that locks it in place with a bent tab. You'll find it in any suppliers inventory

Wasn't that only on 30-1 or delux?

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

The knob is tight, but not tight against the folding top iron, which pivots on the smooth portion. My knobs have never come loose.

Tom, are you saying that it bottoms out on the thread?

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Originally Posted by d.j. moordigian

Tom, are you saying that it bottoms out on the thread?

The knob fits against the folding top iron, which fits up to the larger diameter smooth part of the shaft.

I would like to hear from someone about the locking tabs, but I thought I was told a few years ago they weren't used in 28-9.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

there is a metal clip set behind the knob that locks it in place with a bent tab. You'll find it in any suppliers inventory

The only place those locking clips were ever used was on Cabriolet landau irons (all years). Ford's engineering department specified them for the Deluxe Roadster and rescinded that less than a week later, before it even went into production.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Correction.........I just looked at my 1928 Phaeton knobs and they DO tighten against the top iron, which butts up to the large smooth part of the shaft. I was going to loosen one to see how tight it is, but I need a thin wrench to fit the square part of the knob.

[Great Lakes Greg]

I have the clips on my phaeton. They are hardly noticable and give me piece of mind. Seems like a top iron scraping down the side of the car at speed would be pretty ugly.

[Phil]

I also have the thin sheetmetal clips on my 28. Never had any problem with the prop coming loose.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Anyone ever hear if the cars coming with a tool kit under the seat which included simple open end wrenches for such tasks?

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Correction.........I just looked at my 1928 Phaeton knobs and they DO tighten against the top iron, which butts up to the large smooth part of the shaft. I was going to loosen one to see how tight it is, but I need a thin wrench to fit the square part of the knob.

Thanks Tom,...that's a load off my mind.....I was worried! I'm sure Rusty
and I feel better...

[wrndln]

I still don't know what keeps the top prop from loosing and falling off if the sheetmetal clip isn't used. If the top props was tightened tight against the top iron eyelets, it would seem it would be hard to move the top up and down. I know a little blue Locktite would do it, but I am sure Ford didn't use something like Locktite.
Rusty Nelson

[Arlen]

I tighten my knobs all the way tight when driving. When I want to put the top down, I turn them loose a half turn or so. I just make a point of checking them every so often to see that they are still tight but its never a problem. I tighten them as tight as they go and it's never a problem.

[Dick Carne]

We tightened the knobs down on our '29 touring car when the car was first restored back in the late sixty's - the car underwent a cosmetic re-restoration in 1990, but the knobs were not removed (the top is still on from the sixty's restoration), and we've never encounted any problems with loose knobs or excessive resistance to raising and lowering the top. For what its worth, we don't have the "locking tabs or clips" either. Hope this helps.

Dick

[peters180a/170b]

So what you are saying Marco , the folding tabs do not belong on the Deluxe Phaetons???

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by peters180a/170b

So what you are saying Marco , the folding tabs do not belong on the Deluxe Phaetons???

I knew that would wake you up! Yes, the same clip was used on the 180-A. For those not already familiar, the 180-A also used the same knobs as the Cabriolets. All other models used smaller knobs.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

I knew that would wake you up! Yes, the same clip was used on the 180-A. For those not already familiar, the 180-A also used the same knobs as the Cabriolets. All other models used smaller knobs.

How do you remember all this stuff, Marco?? Bet your DOG helps you!! Bill W.

[swo4rd]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

The

locking clips were ever used was on Cabriolet landau irons (all years). Ford's engineering department specified them for the Deluxe Roadster and rescinded that less than a week later, before it even went into production.

Marco, I think you confused us in the quote above: "The only place" or was that a trick answer? D Incidentally, I will be looking for some of those knobs soon...

[FL&WVMIKE]

I'm not in competition, so I like those locking tabs on my '29 roadster.
MIKE