Not mechanical here…..

[Ronstar]

When camping last week at what was an old logging camp (which was a railway based camp) I dug this up from about 6/7”. I cant find any info on this but I’m thinking its railcar/engine related.

3.5” length
3/8” wide (I have no idea thread pitch)
3/4” head width, no apparent wrench flat.
Bottom 1/2” of bolt tapers down and reduces to 3/8”
Small section on bolt flat.
Not sure if redness is original color or oxidation.
Center of bolt head is a small round shallow hole, no idea how one would tighten or install this into something.
Any ideas?

 

[Steve(Can)]

Offhand Ronstar, a fastener for a ledger, like a modern day binder but instead of ringes, with 3 of these bolts to go through the hard covers and the stack of 3 holed papers held between.

 

[HuntinDog]

Truck tire Valve stem

 

[Ronstar]

Well thats two completely different possible answers.
Last year I dug up what looked like a screwdriver handle (insertable blade type). Turned in for recycle and THEN found out it was a valve cap for a Model T.

HD, but how would someone tighten/loosen it? Simple finger pressure? If became stuck then you’re kinda screwed.

Steve, I can see that!! Just a small nut on the lower section, but then why is the whole bolt threaded???

 

[Odanscoils]

Offhand Ronstar, a fastener for a ledger, like a modern day binder but instead of ringes, with 3 of these bolts to go through the hard covers and the stack of 3 holed papers held between.

You must have some heavy ledgers.

 

[Odanscoils]

Well thats two completely different possible answers.
Last year I dug up what looked like a screwdriver handle (insertable blade type). Turned in for recycle and THEN found out it was a valve cap for a Model T.

HD, but how would someone tighten/loosen it? Simple finger pressure? If became stuck then you’re kinda screwed.

Steve, I can see that!! Just a small nut on the lower section, but then why is the whole bolt threaded???

It doesn't appear to be hollow. At least a 1/16" hole all the way thru. Air can't get thru it.
I've seen something like that. Behind a wheel or gear. Where head was tight behind something rotating. Smaller thread being a locking mechanism. Like holding a flange.

 

[Picketwire]

HD, but how would someone tighten/loosen it?

The rubber seal will normally hold it in place. It also looks like you could hold it in position with a crescent wrench on the flat part. A cap would fit on the small threads. The larger has a nut to squeeze the rubber seal. This all goes out the window if the hole doesn't go all the way through though.

 

[Steve(Can)]

You must have some heavy ledgers.

Yep. What it put me in mind of were fasteners for book binding, called screw posts or Chicago screws. Remember those 9" thick dictionaries in the library, that's how they're put together, also used in heavy ledgers...

 

[Odanscoils]

Yep. What it put me in mind of were fasteners for book binding, called screw posts or Chicago screws. Remember those 9" thick dictionaries in the library, that's how they're put together, also used in heavy ledgers...

Yes
But not full thread with a flat full length.

 

[Ronstar]

The small hole on top does not go all the way through, I cannot get a depth gauge into it but best guess is less than 1/8”. The small flat is only on one side so doubt a wrench would be used as it would mash the opposite side threads.
Could it possibly be designed to only use finger pressure to thread and then smaller nut on bottom to “suck it down”?Could the flat line up inside the raceway to allow oil to pass to a certain point? Im in no way mechanical but pretty good at thinking outside the box…..

 

[Dave~UT]

Ford Model T and others.

 

[Ronstar]

Bingo!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Im betting now that “screwdriver” handle I had would screw onto the narrow end, it was identified as a Model T valve stem cap.

 

[Ronstar]

Damn, you made my day Dave! Went out to my shop and lightly started brushing the flat as the diagram shows manufacturer info in the space. Its pretty roached but I can kinda make a couple letters. I pushed a wire into the hole and I did break thru a dirt plug. Now soaking but betting the wire will go through shortly.
I wish I had the valve cap, dang it…….
1929 plate could have well been on a Model T too

 

[Odanscoils]

View attachment 29382
Ford Model T and others.

WoW.
Great work.

 

[Dave~UT]

You're Welcome, folks. Just giving back for stuff others have identified for me.

 

[fwcrawford]

Damn, you made my day Dave! Went out to my shop and lightly started brushing the flat as the diagram shows manufacturer info in the space. Its pretty roached but I can kinda make a couple letters. I pushed a wire into the hole and I did break thru a dirt plug. Now soaking but betting the wire will go through shortly.
I wish I had the valve cap, dang it…….
1929 plate could have well been on a Model T too

Ron, Do these resemble what you found before (the screw driver handle)?
When I found the first one, I too thought it was a screwdriver handle, and later found out it was a valve cap.
As you can see, I have found several of them over the years, but never the stem like you found.
It appears there were several different designs over the years or between manufacturers.
I believe this would have screwed onto the larger threads instead of the small threaded section at the tip to protect and cover the entire valve stem.

 

[fwcrawford]

View attachment 29382
Ford Model T and others.

Nice job on the ID.... Now I know what it is too if I happen to find one!!

 

[Odanscoils]

Ron, Do these resemble what you found before (the screw driver handle)?
When I found the first one, I too thought it was a screwdriver handle, and later found out it was a valve cap.
As you can see, I have found several of them over the years, but never the stem like you found.
It appears there were several different designs over the years or between manufacturers.
I believe this would have screwed onto the larger threads instead of the small threaded section at the tip to protect and cover the entire valve stem.
View attachment 29467

The three on the left I'm pretty certain. Ford Valve Cap's. Do this search.
model t valve stem cover

 

[Ronstar]

Fwcrawford, Yes!! The two on the left are nearly identical to what I had. If I can keep this up I may still put Johnny Cash’s car together yet!!!
Back to never ever throwing anything away!!! Next time we go camping out there that will be me out there looking for more parts!

 

[Picketwire]

Some of the model T radiator caps would be a great find too. I found one similar to this one before I ever started metal detecting.

https://flic.kr/p/MYAWZy

The tube in the middle of the small glass circle is a thermometer.