old ford tools

[mbshop]

Just curious what I have. Found at second hand store.
one is a short open end wrench and has the ford emblem and usa on it. No sizes on the ends though they seem to be 9/16 and 5/8.
the other one is rather job specific. It has curve to it and has an odd shaped open end and the other side is a box end of about 9/16. It has the ford emblem, usa and then m 40 17017. Any idea what thats for ? Thanks,

 

[jeeper46]

The 17017 is for spark plugs and head bolts. They were included with Model A cars, 9N and 8N tractors, and likely many other ford vehicles.

 

[Shootinok]

I have a couple that came with my tractor - no idea when the wrenches were made, but my 8N came off the line in 1948

 

[woody 73]

Funny because I have posted this before on the GJ and that was some back, the very same cl post...Seems that poor guy will never give up sigh.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/5935636129.html

OP don't forget we do have a vintage tool section for tools made before 1967.

 

[Gmonkee]

Your curved wrench was issued in 1933 or 1934. The 40 prefix gives that information.

 

[Warped5]

I've got a wrench here and a pair of pliers, too.

Don't know if they are from my dad's days working a Ford Aircraft or not.

 

[Gmonkee]

With old Ford tools pictures help a lot. They recycled part numbers onto new forms of the tool without shame.

Of the stuff from the car kits it is the pliers and screwdriver most frequently used up and tossed decades ago.
The odder non generic tools usually went out of use when the car did.

 

[abachman]

Both are relatively common finds. The Model T wrenches, Model A wrenches and into the Model B Fords were included with each new car. Remember, about 17 million Model T's were sold, 4.5 million Model A's and close to that on Model B's. Lots of wrenches out there. Their value, when trying to buy or sell them is anywhere from $2-3 to a high of $7-10. each

 

[jeeper46]

My Dad's toolbox still had a bunch of old Ford tools in it. He was always telling me I ought to get a Model A, and I did-a year after he died, unfortunately. I gathered up all the Ford tools, and now they are back on a Model A, where they belong. I got a Model T last year, and my brother pointed out a transmission band wrench that was still hanging on a nail in his garage.
As far as rarity, I see tubs full of these Ford-marked tools at every swap meet I got to.

 

[Gmonkee]

There are variants of some of them that are less common. But it takes a guy with a concours grade car to even desire that one special part number.

On top of that each country that had Ford factories also had tools made there, a Canadian car carried Canadian tools, British cars had British tools.

For a purist that one wrench may carry more value but to the average collector just getting close for cheap is ok. I have some others have called 'rare' but I kind of doubt it as I have two of each now. What I do not find is the adjustables or pliers. Not the correct ones at least.

 

[mbshop]

Thanks guys for all the info. I just wondered about their history. Just like to find them and give them a home. Stuff like that is just fun to have hangin around the shop for some atmoshere.

 

[jrockford]

I saw a Ford Model T at a car show last summer with it's tool kit on display. Maybe it was similar to these?

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

40-17017 was in Ford toolkits from 1933-1938 with the normal V8. Ford supplied similar tools with variations for different spark plug and head nut sizes from the late iron age through 1948.
The 9/16-5/8 open end was also supplied throughout this period, and can be roughly dated by its size...the older the wrench, the fatter the handles and head sides are, just as with most elderly wrenches. The '40-48 ones look about like normal modernish wrenches.
The same tools were supplied for a few years after '48 in tractors and trucks and for over the counter purchase.

 

[JameyE]

I make/sell Model A/AA tool display boxes

 

[JameyE]

I make/sell Model A tool display boxes