King Pin "K"

[Hunter]

A few months ago I picked up a set of NOS Kingpins. What does the letter K designate (see photo) ?

Sorry for blurry picture.

Thanks - Hunter

[wrndln]

Hunter,
I have two or three sets of Ford NOS model A kingpins. I also have some 32-34 and 35-36 NOS kingpins. When I bought the later kingpins, I didn't know what I was buying. They are not interchangeable, as I learned the hard way! I have also wondered what the K stood for. I do know that the 32-34 and 35-36 Ford kingpins also have a K stamped on them. The key marking is the A for model A kingpins. 32-34 kingpins have B and later 35-36 kingpins have a 48 stamped on them. Checkout the link below for all 3 Ford kingpins together.
Rusty Nelson

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55566

[31Tudor]

I believe it is the manufacturers stamping. I know other parts like brake shoes have a K on them, and it looks the same.

[Dave in MD]

Hunter,
Very interesting, I am helping a fellow club member do some brake work and the front shoes have a capital K on each side of the front brake shoe web. I also noted the heads of the hub studs have a capital K stamped into them on both hubs.
I had written this off as someone doing some repair work and putting the customers name on them.
Regards,
Dave

[wrndln]

I should note that I have seen a K stamped on a number of backing plates. The K looks close to the K on the kingpins. I am starting to believe the K is a manufacturers stamp and means nothing more than that.
Rusty Nelson

[d.j. moordigian]

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I would think it stood for Kelsey-Hayes.....

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3406400489.html

[Tiny]

OK guys I just read an article about this. I am unsure of the details though. The K is the makers mark of a company that made parts for Ford. If I remember correctly Company K started with making tire air pumps for Ford and eventually ended up making all kinds of stuff for Ford. I have also seen it on backing plates. It wasn't Kelsey-Hayes though.

The problem is I just inherited a collection of Model A News and Restorers that go back to the 70's it was in one I've looked at recently, it could have been a SOSS or FAST magazine also. I'll try to look into it this weekend if I have a chance

After a bit of internet sleuthing I believe the name of the company I was searching for is Noblitt-Sparks. The K was their makers mark

[Hunter]

Rusty, Dave, 31Tudor, D.J. and Tiny,

Thanks so much for responding to my post. I am always learning.

In particular from the responses to this post, I learned how to quickly look at a set of kingpins and make use it is model A era and it appears the K marking was not unique to just the kingpins.

Tiny may be unable to unlock the mystery if he stumbles across the magazine article again.

Thanks - Hunter

[Dave in MD]

The Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards note in the Tool Section on page 17-1 Revised 1997 that Keystone forging identified with the letter "K" as making some tools during the Model "A" era. Also, in the Tool Section is listed Noblitt-Sparks as a manufacturer of the A17080C-3 jack.
There might not be a relation between the letter K seen on tools and the parts in this thread, but maybe there is.
Dave

[jrapose]

Interesting discussion.... years ago I tried to talk Moog into producing proper king pin pinch bolts....they agreed with me that the design is improper but would not manufacture proper pins.... both pins are right handed thread...and on the left side push the kingpin up when tightened...but on the right side they pinch the kingpin down and tighten it against the axle bearing causing excessive pressure...(hard steering)

[Dave in MD]

Vince,
Thanks for the information. Keystone Forging according to their web site was founded in 1893 and still is in business. They are located in Northumberland, PA and their logo is very similar to what you found only the K has been replaced with the word KEYSTONE.
Dave