Steering column support color?

[pgerhardt]

I have taken off both the doors from my 29 tudor to start their refinishing this winter. I was a standing by the car planning my attack on re-restoring the front half. I'l will be repainting the gas tank and noticed the steering column support. Is it supposed to be body color, black, or half body color half black? I did an image search on Google and found all three! (see pictures below) Which is correct?
Thanks in advance for your help.

[2manycars]

I searched the judging standards, and did not find the answer. Logic would suggest that the upper part of the clamp would be body color, as it is part of the gas tank. Logic would also suggest that since the clamp was added when the body was dropped, it would make sense for all the bottom half of the clamps to be black, unless the clamp was together when the tank was painted. Since the standards say the slotted head bolts that hold the clamp together could be painted, or cadmium plated, I guess it could go either way.
In other words, I dont know, except in my car, which is all black.

[Mitch//pa]

the whole support was painted with the gas tank using the same color

[ctlikon0712]

the whole support was painted with the gas tank using the same color

What about the late 31's that that had the column mount to the dash, not the tank?

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by ctlikon0712

What about the late 31's that that had the column mount to the dash, not the tank?

those were dipped in black enamel except the convertible sedan which was lower body color

[Sunnybrook Farm]

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There is a film by Ford that must have been made in late 27 and it shows the entire support as tank color on the assembly line.

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

the whole support was painted with the gas tank using the same color

That would mean that the lower support half would have to have been removed and then reinstalled once the body was dropped. Two extra steps doesn't sound like Henry's way. Mine (although I have no idea if it is original) has a black lower half with body color upper. Dipping the lowers all black and having a big bin of completed lowers ready for assembly would be more efficient.

However an original Ford assembly line film showing both halves body color is strong evidence. I would love to hear from a Ford Barn member who has, or has access to an original unrestored model A.

[Mitch//pa]

here is a pic from the JS page 12-15 showing the lower steering collumn support painted tank color. i would also like to know how the assembly / painting process was on this particular part.

[wrndln]

Below is a picture I took of Dave Lopes Henry award winning 28 phaeton at French Lick in 2010. Lower clamp painted body color. I think he knew what he was doing.
Rusty Nelson

[SeaSlugs]

instead of being painted on the car, since there was a finite amount of colors the cars were painted could they have been painted before hand and whoever did the body install matched the correct color?

[Mitch//pa]

Remember the leather insulator needed to be installed around the steering collumn tube

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Vermin came with a cast iron steering drop block UNDER the column & it & the clamp was mounted with longer slot head screws. I ordered the proper screws & removed it. They were painted tank color. I "guess" someone decided NOT to put it above the tube & use it for a drop block. I've "heard" that if you loosen the steering gear mounting bolts, & tug down on the upper column, the DROP BLOCK goes in easily. Since it is hollowed out on the back, it would be a trick place to mount a couple of small toggle switches. The block would "probably" fetch $417.00 on E-Bay!
Bill W.

[2manycars]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Remember the leather insulator needed to be installed around the steering collumn tube

According to the judging standards the insulator was a "cloth reenforced rubber strap with chamfered ends".

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

According to the judging standards the insulator was a "cloth reenforced rubber strap with chamfered ends".

In a "pinch", just fill the space with Black RTV & smooth it nicely, works GOOD.
Bill W.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by wrndln

Below is a picture I took of Dave Lopes Henry award winning 28 phaeton at French Lick in 2010. Lower clamp painted body color. I think he knew what he was doing.
Rusty Nelson

You are indeed correct. If Dave did it, it is correct! Wayne

[pgerhardt]

More evidence for both halves being body color. That is the way I am going to go unless evidence to the contrary surfaces.

[ctlikon0712]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ctlikon0712
What about the late 31's that that had the column mount to the dash, not the tank?

those were dipped in black enamel except the convertible sedan which was lower body color

Thanks Mitch

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

According to the judging standards the insulator was a "cloth reenforced rubber strap with chamfered ends".

yea my mistake. i would have looked in the book to reference the exact composition but it was not with me,.. thanks Joe

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I would have thought the lower half was black (out of the bin) and the upper was body color. I had a NOS lower and it had thick black paint like it had been dipped.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

I would have thought the lower half was black (out of the bin) and the upper was body color. I had a NOS lower and it had thick black paint like it had been dipped.

maybe it was to be mated with a black gas tank

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

I would have thought the lower half was black (out of the bin) and the upper was body color. I had a NOS lower and it had thick black paint like it had been dipped.

NOS - black? Confused again! What is needed is at least one certified unrestored model A that one can go to in order to answer questions like these.

[Doug Clayton]

The gas tank mounted bracket and the separate lower clamp were machined together (matched) at the factory and stayed together throughout the painting and assembly process. Parts sold as replacements by Ford were dipped Black Enamel. When you see a lower clamp assembled with the matched upper bracket, there are no steps between the two pieces at the parting line.

[Mitch//pa]

Thanks Don

so during the painting and assy process was the lower bracket held to the tank using screws before final assy to the collumn tube? if so then the screws would have been painted tank color? the JS says cadium or tank color for the screws if i am reading it right

[duke36]

Checked The Ford Model A ,as Henry Built it book, (1972 Edition). Page 84, 28 Roadster appears to be tank color top and bottom. Page 121,'29 Cabrio, appears to be tank color.; page 148, 30 sport coupe, most clear photo showing top and bottom pieces tank color.
another interesting photo, pg 152, of 31 slant Cabrio with both clamp pieces , possibly suggesting they were painted with the tank as a unit.?

[C26Pinelake]

Why not send Brent a private message! Wayne

[brito36]

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I am the third owner of a 9,000 mile AA Stake Bed Truck. The lower column support is painted the same color as the tank...

[2manycars]

Well all this has been a good lesson. I always thought the bottom half was black. At least I don;t have to change mine, the whole car is black!

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

Well all this has been a good lesson. I always thought the bottom half was black. At least I don;t have to change mine, the whole car is black!

lucky for you,, otherwise you would have to paint the lower body over and gas tank to match the lower clamp

[pgerhardt]

Interesting discussion. I am convinced. Both top and bottom body color. IMHO this kind of question is where the Barn excels!

Thanks everyone.

[Arcieri]

Took the support off of my mostly unmolested late 1931 Tudor yesterday.

First picture shows the anti-squeak material still on.
Second one with it off.
Third shows a thin spray of the original Kewanee green color.

Ray

[Mitch//pa]

the support we were talking about was the earlier style bracket... The later style you show was black

[Gold Digger]

Seems to me if the holes were already tapped in the upper bracket they had to be plugged or the bottom clamp was already in place and painted with the tank which makes more sense to me.

[Arcieri]

I bought the car in 1978. the previous owner said he did a "cosmetic" restoration. He said he had the exterior repainted and seat covers placed over the original mohair.

The painter might have touched up the interior paint while he was at it.

Thanks
Ray