MTFCA Forum

thom

My handicap makes it difficult to access the timer on our T.

I believe I could service it much easier when necessary if it was relocated higher.

thom

A friend has a timer relocater, I guess. He was calling it a distributor but says you reuse the four original coils with it, so I'm guessing it must be a relocater(or?). I'm thinking about going to have a look at it. Anybody running one? You like it? Seems like a good idea to me.

thom

Good for you Allan. I hate to see them converted if they can't be "unconverted".

thom

I had actually thought about something like that. I might hit Harbor Fright tomorrow and see what I can find. I have some small(ish) needle nose vice grips but there might be something smaller and/or better.

thom

I just ordered all new valves for our '21 Touring after the #1 exhaust valve failed. The engine is a fresh, complete rebuild but the previous owner/rebuilder chose to recondition and reuse old valves. I am replacing them with new, one piece valves, after I had my local machine shop cut .050 off the ...

thom

I had seen only a few seconds and still shots of this video before. I love seeing more of it. Seeing all the Ts and T era cars is great and I love Henry's Quadracycle. I have studied pictures and videos of it for years and would love to build/own a good replica of it. The one "modern" addition I wo...

thom

I can't help thinking "what a shame". I'd like to have that body they took off!

thom

Good for you! Let's see more of the plane.

thom

Nice find. You might pay more for the headlights (and other things you need), than I paid for our complete '21 Touring!

thom

Here is a small transmission. A4F98B4B-1B77-433F-8229-9FCCABBD239D.jpeg Is it worth finding a home for these? 1FB2AA34-49B4-41ED-8D29-63E731A45985.jpeg Thanks! Matt You ask "Is it worth finding..." Well if you mean will it put money in your pocket, probably not so much, but it would be a shame to s...

thom

Yeah, he knows how to work on Model T & Model A generators and starters for the locals and even stocks parts for them.

thom

The generator has not worked on our '21 Touring in the 3 years since we've had the car. I've just been charging the battery monthly and putting off getting it fixed. Now the generator on our '28 A Sport Coupe has quit working too. I suppose I'll take them both to the local starter/alternator/generat...

thom

I just rewatched Mike Bender's video on installing valves and he said the norm is to have .100 taken off of new valve stems. Maybe I should call my machine shop guy in the morning and tell him to go .100?

thom

I got all eight new , replacement valves and found that, I believe, the stem to guide fit is good, but as-is with the lifters adjusted all the way "down" I had little or no clearance on some. Today I took all eight new valves to the machine shop and left them with him to get .025 ground off each ste...

thom

Problem is- remove more later means remove valves, replace gaskets, and another trip to the machine shop.

thom

The other seven valves came and I removed a few more of the old ones. I find that some valves have as little as .006 clearance with the adjustable lifters "run all the way down". Not knowing how much adjustment is available in the lifters but knowing that the valves will "sink" some as they seat in,...

thom

I get notification that I have a message from you, but no message content.

thom

I looked again and found "my other" valve spring compressor that will work on a T, then went to the local flea market and bought a Sunnen brand one that works even better, for $3.00.

thom

Anybody got a homemade valve spring compressor that works well on Ts? 'Specially one that will work on an engine with the manifolds still on. Let' see it, please.
Or, recommend a good "store bought" one. I've had an old one for years that , as it turns out, is obviously not for a Model T.

thom

1919 or not, if it runs and and has no serious mechanical problems, and has clean paperwork, and if the price is reasonable I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. It looks great!

Matter of fact- I have a nice '28 Model A coupe that I'd trade for it!

thom

20190929_131017.jpg 20190921_164347.jpg 20190921_163808.jpg The A runs and drives well. I would probably never find another as good as it if I trade it. It is an older restoration. I don't know exactly how old. I bought it from a friend that had owned it for three years and only driven it five or s...

thom

Recently we bought a '28 A Sport Coupe. I've already had thoughts about trading it for, or selling it and buying another Model T. We already have a '21 Touring so I'd like to have a different body style, maybe a closed car. I've found a '27 Tudor that is a pretty good looking, restored car. I really...

thom

My new (one) valve finally arrived today. It fits the guide fine. I believe the tappet will take up enough so I won't have to grind the stem.

thom

My new valve has not arrived yet but I found my micrometer and the stem "mikes" .312 so I should be able to use seven more like the one I have ordered. I have misplaced the keeper/pin that came out of the damaged valve and I don't really want to use the available replacements after what I've heard a...

thom

I will grind the stems if necessary but I don't have a liquid cooled grinder. I will buy a new stone for my bench grinder if that will get the job done. What kind of stone do I need to buy? :?: Meantime, can someone show me a good pic of valve seats, without any valves in them. I want to see if mine...

thom

I have heard/read that the pin style keepers (as original) that are offered by suppliers now are not hard enough and prone to fail so old ones should be reused. Can anyone confirm this info? Or, will replacement valves with split keepers directly replace my old valves? If I replace all the valves, a...

thom

There is no way I can "go back" on the rebuilder. I bought the car as-is about three years ago. The price was right enough and I did not get receipts for the engine rebuild on any of the other parts that were obviously new on the car. The seller was selling the car for the widow of the late owner wh...

thom

I guess I'm gonna need a bigger bottle of MMO. Here is the #1 exhaust valve out of our T. I'm ordering a new valve from Lang's today.

thom

Fordwright, you are certainly not alone. I too prefer 'em like they came. I DISLIKE rat-rods and T street rods, even T street rods when fiberglass bodies are used. I'm not real crazy about speedsters either. Seems like a waste not to build a whole car. I can appreciate Ts that are left "as found" bu...

thom

I found the reason for #1 not working. I removed the front side cover and turned the engine thru a few revolutions, with the hand crank, and found that the #1 exhaust valve is not closing. The engine is a fresh rebuild with 50 hours or less on it and has never given any hint of such trouble, until n...

thom

I took time to move a couple of coils around today. No change still strong spark on all cylinders but grounding out # 1 makes no difference. More checking tomorrow.

thom

I drove our '21 Touring yesterday for the first time in about six weeks. It ran good for about a mile on the way to the local store but not so good on the way home. I found, by grounding the plugs with a screwdriver, one at a time, that # 1 was not up to par with the rest. The spark looks strong and...

thom

We're thinking about buying this '28 A Sport Coupe.

It has a little more pinstriping than I would have put on but I can probably live with it. It runs, drives, and stops great.

thom

People don't realize that the problem with in car videos is like being a sled dog.. the scenery doesn't change unless you're the lead dog.

thom

The best word on graphics on a T is DON'T, but it's your car so do what you want.

thom

Good decision to leave it alone, Mike. Stick to your decision. You'll be happier in the long run.

thom

I'm planning to build a horseless carriage, like might have been done by a shadetree mechanic/builder around the turn of the century, from an Amish built buggy I have. The major modification, of course will be the front axle and steering, and the addition of a motor and transmission. The center pivo...

thom

I've been told that our '21 Touring is the only one with a drivers side airbag. Reckon what they mean?

thom

Thanks Rob.

thom

OK, I've seen one so far. Pretty good, the camera work was pretty shaky but a decent video.

thom

Why????

thom

Nice video, better if you mute the first four minutes though.

thom

Our little community just built a park/play ground a couple of miles from our house. This evening my wife and I picked up some chicken on the way and tried out the new fancy aluminum tables. They're great! We didn't play on the play ground though. Maybe next time dear , she said.

thom

I never did see any good, long videos of the OCF from 2018, at least not as good as years past. I hope there will be some good videos this year, not taken from in car, please. We would love to attend the event but it's a little too far from North Carolina. I love watching the videos on Youtube.

thom

I've only had our T for three years. I use the electric starter a lot, but when I do hand crank it I use my left hand, holding the front fender with my right. The only time I use my right hand on the crank handle is when I'm holding the choke ring out with my left. And I know not to put my thumb on ...

thom

Steve, be safe. I wish I were there with my '21 Touring to follow along.

thom

A reminder/tip to T owners and drivers... it shouldn't be so, but when you park your T in public, like at a show or a cruise-in, etc, even if you, like me, always retard the timing when you shut it off, check to make sure a spectator has not moved that lever! Twice I have seen people, one a good fri...

thom

Good for him. I hope he can drive it for many more years to come.

thom

If my T required some many pulls to wear blisters I believe I would fix the problem. Or wear a glove.

thom

Don't be too offended when somebody tells you that you were cranking with the wrong hand.

thom

We found our '21 Touring, on a trailer, for sale, in the parking lot of a steak house in Pigeon Forge TN in Sept 2017. My wife and I, along with family and friends, have attended the event for 40+ years. A few years ago we decided it was time to buy and drive an older original car. The T seemed like...

thom

Our '21 Touring steers quick enough for me as is. Too quick if I back up too fast!

thom

I gave my son and his two oldest boys their first Model T driving lessons. My son is ready for the road now. Th oldest boy,age 11, says he will practice some more and take his driver's test in the T when he goes to the DMV to get his license! The youngest one, at 9 is amazed that he drove a car almo...

thom

I would never change a head gasket and not retorque it. Matter of fact, I think I'll go out and check mine again now. I'll clean my plugs and wipe out the New Day timer while I'm at it. Thanks for the reminder.

thom

Yeah, I want our curtains to have more clear and less black than the originals did, just enough black to fasten them on with. And of course the little flaps to open and stick your hand thru to open the door from outside. I want GOOD visibility. Our top will not have the roll-up rear window. We don't...

thom

We have been driving our '21 Touring without a top for almost two years now. A new top came with the car but no bows and sockets. I found and bought the needed bows and sockets (Thanks Ed in California) but have not gotten up the courage to install the top myself. I have now found a man nearby that ...

thom

My '21 Touring has neither, but I like the look of Hasslers On Ts but I don't like bumpers on Ts, even on Improved cars. Just my 1 1/2 cents worth.

thom

I've watched the videos of past OCFs several times and one shows somebody with a T tow-truck towing a T around. That makes me wonder. How is the correct way to tow a T with the rear wheels on the ground? Remove the driveshaft?

thom

We, my wife and I, will probably be making a trip to London and to Ireland in the future. What should a Model T nut plan to see and do there?

thom

Good find! I shop Goodwill often, especially the outlets where everything is sold by the pound.

thom

I can't help thinking " what a waste of an Indian motorcycle" . But then that's what I think every time I see a cut down T, or tractor conversion, or speedster.

thom

I just hope you're not saying the guy in the back seat is wearing a funny hat 'cause that looks like what I wear every day!

thom

Some good pics, specially the ones that are right side up!

thom

I had a scare this morning on a drive. Suddenly I began hearing a terrible screeching noise, coming from underneath, sounding like the rear of the car. I began thinking axle bearing. I was almost to my intended stop, a NAPA parts store, and when I stopped I found that the bolts holding the right rea...

thom

This afternoon we took our '21 Touring to a church parking lot near our house and my son, age 35 and his two oldest boys, ages 12 and 9 drove it. His 2 year old loves riding in it too. My daughter in law wouldn't try it. Maybe next time. The boys loved it everybody did great. The 9 year old had a li...

thom

I'm just glad your whistle is on the opposite end of the country. I hate them things almost as bad as I hate bagpipes.

thom

Steve, sorry you had trouble. I wish I had been there to lend a hand. It would be an honor, sir.

thom

We found our '21 Touring in a motel parking lot in Pigeon Forge TN way back in September 2016. I drove it for the first time the day before the 1st anniversary of bringing it home, or actually getting it delivered home. Most of the expensive work had already been done, engine & trans rebuilt, interi...

thom

I just bought and gave to a friend, who is also a T owner, a die cast 1923 T firetruck that was 4wd. If I find another I will buy one to keep. The one I gave to him was a birthday present.

thom

Thanks, I have been unable to work on the T for a few days. I had a heart cath Friday last, but am doing much better now. Cooler temps are in the forecast for our area for the next several days and I hope to get caught up on a few things.

thom

Right after I posted this I saw that the junk was gone. Good on you Mr Administrator. Thanks.

thom

This morning a new junk topic popped up, selling discount meds, at 5:50 AM. By 7:50 AM 7 people had viewed the d**m thing. If we will agree to ignore the stupid things until the administrator here has time to delete them they will not be a problem. We know they are crap so let's leave them alone,ple...

thom

The drawing looks just like our '21 but we have a starter.
We finally got our shirts. Here are a couple of pics, front and back.

I think they turned out great.

thom

Something has gotten out of adjustment on our '21 Touring. To keep it from slipping in high gear I now find that I must hold pressure forward on the lever with my left foot. It didn't use to be that way. I will have to look into that!

thom

Weather permitting we, the wife and I, will ride our '21 Touring over to her sister and brother-in-law's for a cook out. If it rains I'll just watch one of
Steve Jelf's ride along videos like I have many times before. Thanks again Steve.

thom

CLR labels now say not recommended for radiators. Must be a reason.

thom

One of our other non-T vehicles is a '52 Studebaker Commander four-door sedan with the factory 232 V8 and Borg Warner automatic transmission. It has just over 99,000 miles on it, and runs great. We've only had it a few months now, after it had been in a barn in eastern NC since 1994. I replaced the ...

thom

I wish we weren't so far apart, I'd be after it.

thom

Don't be confused by the headlight bezels on the orange, street-rodded car in ChrisB's first pic. Those are aftermarket bezels commonly used back in the day, still seen regularly on late 30s and early 40s cars and at swapmeets. I've had a few sets over the years, but can't remember who the manufactu...

thom

I wonder what Henry would think of the automatic, power running boards on my brother in law's new Ford F350 that lower and raise when the doors are opened and closed!

thom

I have a grandson that could do that. He can nap anywhere, I think. I've done the running board thing myself.

I barely had enough running board then. I'm 30+ lbs lighter now so I fit the running board a little better.

thom

RR, I can't help but wonder, how did you know the lens was in one piece 'till your rear tire hit it? Just asking?

thom

I knew the day would come. The wife and I took our '21 touring somewhere and people were looking it over and asking questions about it. We were both busy talking to them when someone noticed the oil burning lamps. When we went to check out the tail-light the font was missing. I watched the sides of ...

thom

I think it was Will Rogers that said the difference in death and taxes is death doesn't get worse every time congress is in session, or something like that, perhaps not a direct quote.

thom

Seems like our lawmakers would have more important things to do...

thom

Not in my wheels.

thom

I've got a good looking lady and a '21 Touring, but I'd like to have a four door like that.

thom

I finally found the picture/drawing I was looking for. I'm going to have my wife and myself some t-shirts made.

thom

Amen Steve, my thoughts exactly. When I think that my oldest grandfather knew well Civil War vets, that were still young enough to remember and tell about the war, I think about all that he could have told me, had I taken the time to listen. :( Papa's grandfather built guns, muzzleloaders of course,...

thom

I love the photo. When my kids, now 31 and 34, were small we sat in the living room floor and played 45 rpm records a lot. "Our House" by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young was a regular. It goes well with the picture.

Thanks.

thom

Fotos of the day should be right side up!

thom

I've thought about it and decided that odds are I won't live long enough to put enough miles on our '21 Touring to wear out the newly rebuilt engine. It lasted 95+ years the first time so next time it needs an overhaul my grandson will be in charge.

thom

I already had a "genuine" Ford one, or two, but I'll pick up more when I find them for a buck. Never can tell I might want to give one to a friend sometime.

thom

I think it would be interesting to see how many different aftermarket T wrenches one could find.

thom

I bought this wrench for $1 at a swap meet a couple of weeks ago. I suppose it is an aftermarket, it has a S stamped into it. Wonder who the manufacturer was?

s?

thom

Hal, let's make sure and mention those who don't know the difference between breaks and brakes. That drive me nuts.

thom

Guys (and or gals) two things that are really annoying, pictures posted sideways and upside down and videos with wind noise. Let's all try harder.

thom

Our '21 Touring is 98 years old today!

thom

A Porsche owner should be able to afford to buy you a new top without any trouble, shame though to see an old one destroyed. In my opinion I would leave a Porsche outside and park a T inside, but some people think more highly of Porsches than I do, I suppose.

thom

With hot weather here now (temps in the upper 90s this week), I'm reminded that I need to do all I can to drive our '21 Touring more efficiently. I realize that I have developed the habit of not adjusting the carb, but just leaving it where it cranks best and driving. I know that the "proper, by the...

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