MTFCA Forum

I have a Bergs low radiator in my 1917 Touring. Even on these 90+° days it has never come close to overheating. The only issue I had was that my radiator neck came off a couple of weeks back. Yeah, I had a motometer and winged cap which Bergs had advised against..... I took the radiator to an old-ti...

Is the victim known to anyone on the forum? It would take a knowledgeable person to drive it away.

Hank,
Do you remember what stain you used to get that color? It's a good match for original spokes.

You're in New Zealand so rules may be different than the US. The Hocken didn't create the images so it is doubtful they could force you to pay for their use. Also, in the US we have the "Fair Use"doctrine that allows for the publishing of even copyrighted images for non-commercial educational use. T...

Mark, I'm so sorry to hear of your mishap....I winced reading your post. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.

Does anyone have experience pro or con with the new production 12 volt geared starter that some vendors carry?

Mike Catlin of the Casual T's put together a modest progressive tour in mid-Michigan over June 25-27. Starting from the Vestaburg area, our nine Model T's visited some Amish Craftsmen on Thursday and then drove north on Friday about 80 miles to the city of Cadillac. The weather cooperated, raining o...

Happy Birthday Darel...keep on "T-ing" !

Personally I think one national tour a year is enough. That said, regional or state tours can offer a good substitute for those who like big gatherings. In Michigan we hold an annual "Jamboree" (MTFCI) which attracts 75-100 cars and has many of the features of a national but on a smaller scale. We a...

You need a thick piece of wood or the sandpaper can cut right though the sides of the New Day and you end up with two pieces in your hand. Ask me how I know that. Good point. The HF disc is rubber so I planned to cut the sandpaper so that it was like a mm short of the edge. That way only rubber con...

Greg,
The USB adapter is connected to a 12 volt battery as is the starter, LED lights and battery post on the coil box. I just assumed if we used the above charging circuit to charge said battery that the higher magneto voltages would be added to the mix, albeit as pulsing half-wave DC.

Anyone with a New Day timer knows the value of cleaning the interior contacts from time to time. Previous posters have described devices made from plywood and the like. I'd like to suggest an additional possibility. I purchased a 3 inch sanding disc holder from Harbor Freight. By cutting off a tiny ...

Let's see if I have this right. John's charger is essentially a half-wave rectifier so it will output pulsing DC at whatever voltage the magneto is putting out at the time. I have a USB adapter in my Model T that was originally designed to be installed in a boat. I assume it drops the input voltage ...

I bought the FP kit but never installed it. I run a 12 volt battery for starter and lights but also have a USB adapter that I use to power an old GPS that I use for a speedometer.

My question is, will this charger be safe to use with my USB adapter and GPS?

You could have given him my number.....

if you know the year he wants you might try checking google...

For sale, two chrome clamp-on rearview mirrors. I installed them in August 2019, removed them recently as I am going a different direction mirror-wise. New they are $50 each plus shipping from the vendors. You can have this pair for $80 with free shipping anywhere in the USA.

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Once you get the float level correct the G is a great carb up to 35 mph. The Holley G in my 1917 Touring performs well past 35 MPH - I have no problem holding 40 MPH+ and that's with a ten-tooth pinion. Don't get me wrong, I prefer driving at speeds below 35 anyway.... watching the world go slowly ...

Rich, The "Dent Guy" worked on six panels, doors, exterior body, seat backs and hood. All were dings except the hood which had a foot-long crease. All were removed and I swear you can't tell they were ever there. He even worked on a spot that someone in the distant past had tried to repair with lead...

Anybody have a good email address for Bill Bohlen? The one on his website gets rejected.

Email received. Thanks Bob and thanks MTFCA!

Steve, I've tried everything from a piece of old innertube to a section of heavy duty rubber hose. I've glued them in, I've wired them in, they always "migrate." The other problem is that the head only allows minimum up and down movement which makes them hard to adjust. Nonetheless, I appreciate the...

I'm re-doing my 1917 Touring's upholstery. Since I had the panels off the doors and driver's compartment I called my local "Paintless Dent Removal" guy and had him remove many of the dings that my car has accumulated over the last century. He even took a nasty crease out of my hood. The "guy" worked...

Does anyone make a nice mirror that mounts to the two bolts that hold the windshield frame to the body brackets? I'm not happy with the clamp on ones I have - The angles you can set them at are limited and even though I padded the clamps with rubber they tend to move on the window frame. This is wha...

Typical....it's the simple things that bite you. For such things the "dope slap" was invented....don't ask me how I know

I have a '17 with a new Bergs radiator and a high head. When I initially filled the radiator I had some coolant barf out but once it reached it's level I've lost no more fluid. The car runs cool, even on 90° days. The temperature indicated by the motometer rises after shutdown but again, it doesn't ...

I installed this in Aug 2019, removed it in March 2020 when I installed a disc brake kit which came with it's own brake light switch. It worked good for me. Sells new for $29.50 + shipping. I'll sell mine for $25, shipping included. PayPal or check. You can view the installation instructions at www....

Ford - Removed from car built in 9/1916 - $100 includes shipping anywhere in the USA. PayPal or check.

Thanks Ed. I hope we get to see you too. Brian Dowell and I are trying to keep on top of things. We are also very aware of people's Covid-19 concerns and are taking them into consideration. The primary motel is fully booked but we currently have only 33 paid registrations so people have to slow to s...

I have a New Day timer so I may be off base here but is it possible you put the brush on 180 degrees out of position? It's possible to do that with the New Day but I don't know about the one you're using.

Another question - the steel end caps on the armrests.... do you tuck a little of the seat vinyl under them before nailing them on or just run it up over them before putting on the trim welt?

Things in Michigan are starting to loosen up and planning for the Michigan Jamboree in early August is going ahead. Additional announcements from the governor are expected in advance of the July 4th weekend and a final decision will be made at that time. Registrations are being accepted and in the e...

Great idea! Looks like you're having fun. With so many formal tours cancelled, when it is legal and prudent to do so, I think it would be a wonderful idea to get the word out to a few friends or club members and put something impromptu together. We don't want to let summer go by without having some ...

OK - all good info, thanks.

I'm ready to put the panels on my doors and interior and have a question. I have the Classtique kit and the kick panels forward of the right front door and on the foward part of the driver's side panel have a sewn edging on them unlike the door panels. I know I'm supposed to finish the edges of the ...

I installed a Z head when I had the engine rebuilt. I looks great and I'm happy with the performance. Definitely better than a stock engine. This is the results of a dyno test done soon after assembly: Dyno Results RPM Torque HP 1200 96 21.93 1400 90 23.99 1600 87 24.98 1800 74 25.36 2000 68 25.89

Hal, I understand your frustration, but before you blame the scientists for not having all the answers, remember that this is a NEW virus. We're still learning how it spreads and what it does to the human body. Predictions are made on the best available evidence, but that evidence can and will chang...

Scott, under the circumstances I think your actions are responsible. Your area is at much lower risk than most other parts of the country. I live in a rural, farming county in Michigan that happens to be the largest in land area of the state's lower peninsula. We've had 41 cases and 5 deaths. The ne...

Bill, your decisions and actions don’t just affect you. They affect everyone you come in contact with. If it were otherwise I would agree with your viewpoint. When I go out I take precautions to protect myself, my friends and the strangers I encounter. It’s what responsible people do.

You're missing the point....the government didn't cancel Hershey. The folks who put it on made the decision. In a similar manner, the folks who put on the world's largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts at Oshkosh (attracting 750,000 people and 8000 aircraft) decided to cancel as well. They made t...

I'll drive my open touring in the mid-40's if it isn't too windy. What I won't do is drive it after they start salting the roads.

Welcome....if you've been reading the forum you know it's a wealth of information and great guys willing to help.

If the death toll is less than predicted it may be some of the actions taken are working. There have been a lot of missteps, but remember this is a New virus. We don't have all the answers and predictions are being made based on the data available and are subject to change as new data comes in.

I don't know ... consider the fate of the guy who drove into the back of a large tanker hauling liquified cow manure. The poor soul suffered serious injuries but suffocated from aspirating the tankers cargo. Give me a falling turtle any day....

It wasn't totally business as usual in 1918. My dad was traveling with his family from Michigan to Manitoba, stopped in London, Ontario to see his uncle and was caught in a quarantine that kept them there all winter. Theirs was the only house on his uncle's street that didn't see a death. As it is, ...

If you don't have a water pump your fan belt would most likely be a 23 inch but as you said, measuring it is best. You can also choose from leather or more modern material to replace it.

Good one Dick - I know our local pilots would be glad to help in such an endeavor. I suspect that would be true almost anywhere. You could also contact the local airport manager who could probably point you to a couple of guys that would love to do it. They'd be even happier if you offered to put so...

Geez, wish I had known. I just threw out a bunch. Are you talking about flat head tacks or the more decorative ones?

A lot of good suggestions. I like Russ's idea of putting the license number on the trailer roof. As chief pilot for our sheriff's volunteer aviation unit I can tell you that roof markings would really stand out. We mark the sheriff cars and boats that way so we can tell who's who from the air. Not a...

I wonder if they even knew there was a car inside.....sad. I would think the car would be really hard to sell so it is important that the police list it as stolen. I wish the family luck getting the car and trailer back.

Just don't eat the old paint flakes.

I came to the conclusion over the weekend that I should replace the rear seat springs in my '17 Touring. Based on advice received on this forum, I called Snyders Monday morning and ordered one. Lo and behold, two days later (Wednesday afternoon), FedEx dropped off a big box in my garage and I was in...

What an outstanding example of online engine diagnosis. It was fun and informative to read.

Huh... my 1917 has a nice metal lid with a neat metal storage compartment underneath. I guess Henry got cheaper as years went on.

The current rear spring is missing the top frame and is a mix of coils as it is. I think someone cobbled it together many years ago. Looking at it more closely I think the top frame is missing and the previous owner flipped it upside down and wired the top of the coils to a board. It worked but ther...

Thanks for the advice. I ordered a set from Snyders today.

I'm getting ready to install a Classtique upholstery kit in my 1917 Touring. I've removed the old interior and am making some repairs and just got around to taking the covers off the old seats. The bottom spring for the front seat is in great shape but the rear seat is another story. The bottom fram...

Scott, I have an external oil line and wonder if in your experience you've found the funnel to have collected so much detritus that the flow of oil to the front is restricted? Next time I have the tranny cover off I'm going to try to see if I can get a look at mine and see if there's anything in the...

Regarding concerns about a filter restricting oil over the bands and drums, remember that not all the flung oil is going into the screen unit. I suspect a large amount hits the bottom of the front of the screen and is deflected downwards upon the drums. One thing the filter may do is direct more oil...

For me, a few cancellations, staying home and wearing a mask in public is a small price to pay to protect my family and friends. I thank all those on the front lines who are risking themselves to help those unfortunate to be infected. Unfortunately, the age group that the typical Model T owner belon...

After a lot of thought I changed directions and ordered a set of steam-bent wood tack strips from Jonathan Anderson. I think the wood will have more strength than the PVC composite. The back of the front seat in particular definitely needs some stiffening. I may do something like Jerry did or ???

PVC is far more flexible than wood would be so I also question the level of support. I understand that tacks driven into it will loosen over time as the material expands and contracts with heat...more so than wood. Thus the reason for my question. I want to do this once and do it right so I apprecia...

I'm re-doing my upholstery right now. I have a 1917 so I probably won't be of much help. My rear seat has three metal strips with little bent clips (yellow arrows) that the springs drop into. I've added a photo showing the arrangement. The bottom of the springs sits above the area taken up by the bo...

I've bought some cellular PVC and am getting ready to try it. I've been advised that over time and heating/cooling cycles it doesn't hold staples or tacks as well as wood. Does anyone have any long-term experience using cellular PVC as a tack strip who can tell me whether the tacks and staples loose...

Lucky guy! I guess there is a reason Henry used all those cotter pins. I was on a tour last year where a fellow had the nut holding the pitman arm fall off, followed by the arm itself. The vehicle became unsteerable and went off the side of the road into a wide, deep ditch. Fortunately it landed upr...

I received notice that the MTFCI National Tour in Ohio has been cancelled. Just one of so many events that have suffered a similar fate. I was going to miss it anyway as I was planning to make my 47th consecutive visit to the big airshow at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, but now that's been cancelled too. Oshk...

My experience was with a recently rebuilt engine which may explain a little more debris than normal. I change oil frequently and clean the screen each time....indeed, I clean the screen any time I have the cover off. That said, I'm seriously considering adding some additional holes to make sure the ...

I have a small hole screen - I learned on last year's Covered Bridge tour that the small holes can be plugged with sludge resulting in less than optimal oil flow to the bands. While it might lose some filtering efficiency, some larger holes over the bands might be a good idea to insure continued oil...

I didn't think of belt webbing..... Anyway, I ordered a set from RV. Anybody got photos showing the correct placement? Also, when installing them how much do you want them to hold the door off the fender / sidelight? I assume over time they'll stretch.

BTW - thanks for all the info. It helps

Would a 1917 Touring have had door check straps? If one is not careful it is easy to smack the doors on either the edge of the fenders (rear) or sidelamp (front).

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Just to let you know that no decision has been made about whether to hold the Michigan Jamboree in early August. We'll probably make a decision sometime in June. A lot depends upon what the state of Michigan decides to do in the meantime. Barring a second wave of infections I suspect that less-affli...

Interesting observation about my tack strip. About half the brass screws that would have held a metal strip were still in place, minus their heads. I wonder how that happened? Right now I’m looking seriously at making my own strip from the composite material others have mentioned. I’m going to get a...

All very, very helpful. A lot to digest. Looking at the profile of the strip on my car, it appears to be square. I don't know if it is original. Does anyone know what the profile of the tack strip is supposed to be on a 1917 Touring? I know some cars have a tack strip with a rounded edge. I did acqu...

I'm re-upholstering my 1917 Touring. The tack strips that run around the top edge of the seats on the outside of the sheetmetal have seen better days. Fordwood advertises a synthetic, moldable replacement. Has anyone had any experience with them? Can you suggest an alternative?

I removed the upholstery from the rear seat of my 1917 Touring and found something I could use some input on. Wrapped around the wooden "armrest" and tacked to the bottom inner wood rail is a piece of heavy cardboard. Is this correct or did a previous owner come up with it on his own? IMG_1312.jpg

If your goal is to get it running, my suggestion would be to pull the rear end and go thru it carefully. Babbitt thrust washers should be replaced with bronze and the condition of the axles, driveshaft, gears, Hyatt bearings, bushings, universal and such should be be determined. I would also suggest...

Hmmm... If you're not going to drive it does that mean it does not run or you do not plan to start it? If so, some of Mark's advice (which is good) won't apply. If you don't plan to drive it I don't know if it is absolutely necessary to remove the old oil at this time. You can dip something in the f...

Have you ever noticed that in old photos and movies there seems to be little consistency in the way people park and drive? I remember viewing movies from NYC around 1912 and cars were everywhere, dodging in and out & shooting across intersections with wild abandon - driving pretty much anywhere they...

Way to go! The award is well deserved.... I took this pix at last year's reunion...a great guy and a beautiful Model T.

To answer one of your questions, after your last drive before winter lay-up, I recommend turning the fuel off and running the engine until it dies of fuel exhaustion. I also add my recommendation to using a fuel stabilizer. With a lot of small and old engines I've found that doing so usually results...

I've had my '17 Touring out for a few test runs since installing disc brakes, safety hubs and ten tooth pinion. It's cool here in the Thumb of Michigan but OK if you dress for it. Unfortunately, there is really nowhere to go but I did gas up ($1.24/gal) and get a few groceries with the T. I don't th...

I bought a parking brake lever extender from Tim Morsher recently and just wanted to tell the forum how satisfied I am with it. The device is a duplicate of one made "back in the day" so it is a good fit for a Model T. It makes it very easy to engage and disengage high gear as well as to apply the p...

They show up in the classifieds from time to time. That's where I got mine. I just installed it and appreciate the extra power.... you wouldn't think one tooth would make that much difference but it does. Driving down a state highway today I held 40 mph with the throttle in mid-position which is ple...

Welcome! You'll enjoy your car and meet some great people. 4 quarts is correct. Maintain the oil level between the two petcocks. There are various sight gauges, dipsticks and etc., available that make it a little easier. Model T's were built in the time of single grade mineral oil so any modern oil ...

The Fun Projects kit I bought went together beautifully.... great design and manufacture. I bought it last September from the new owners, Birdhaven.

Not long after installing it I got caught in a downpour in my open car while on the Covered Bridges tour. Nary a sputter so the electrics stayed dry.

Erik,
The grain on the flap is the same as is on the top material that I have. I don't know who made the kit but I plan to install it. It represents almost $500 I won't have to spend. It's not new but appears to be in great condition.

My '17 Touring has boards under each seat with the seat fabric wrapped around and stapled to the underside of the board. I assumed that was they way they were supposed to be but Mike at Classtique told me that for my car there was no board and the vinyl was just hog-ringed to the springs. I'm gettin...

Are the brake rods original to the car (ie. for the right year)? I found it easiest to adjust the emergency brake with both rear wheels lifted off the floor.

Erik - My kit pieces have "1917 Touring" scrawled on them in fabric chalk and that's what the box said. As to the car, I'm told the windshield frame is typical of a early 1917 model year (was built 9/23/16) photo 1 . It has a small hole in the top tube in front of the driver which I assumed was for ...

Dave, Yes - I did receive the drill for the three rear bows and the leatherette for the front. The front is one long piece and another piece that has a snap and strap over a hole I think is designed to accommodate a windshield wiper when one is installed. I'll try to remember to takes some pics tomo...

Scott, that's pretty much my take on it. The evidence I have is that other than the upholstery the car is pretty much original. True, they did install 30 x 3.5 demountables all around but that was probably early in it's life. The car spent the majority of it's life in storage and probably belonged t...

Erik,
Yes, you did send me a private message that contained a lot of useful info (thanks!) but you also said you hadn't seen such pieces before. I just thought I'd see if anyone else on the forum had come across them.

Scott, my question arose from a well-respected antique car restorer who while working on my car recently asked "are you sure this isn't a '16?" Apparently it has an abundance of 1916 parts which I took as being leftovers from the previous model year being used up. It's titled 1917 and the engine dat...

Tom solved one problem - now to another. The top kit I found boxed up in my car had some items I haven't been able to figure out. In the box were eight pieces of vinyl (see photo) that measure about 24 inches on the diagonal. The instructions that came with the kit (such as they were) make no mentio...

I know the "black" cars officially started with the 1917 Model year but I wonder, were any 1916 model year cars built with the '17 style radiator and hood instead of brass? I know that items from earlier production often appear on later cars (being used up) but did it ever go the other way?

To be clear, does the engine sound rough or simply lack power? If the latter, another place to look would be the carb, intakes, fuel lines, etc. All bets are off when you get a "new" model T. When I got mine in 2018 I went thru every system and every moving part on the car to make sure everything wa...

In 1971 I bought my first new car, a 1971 Camaro - I paid less than $3000. I was making $7500 a year as a first-year teacher at the time so it was a big expense! BTW - I'm new to the Model T hobby but I appreciate your saving and posting of the early film records. It is interesting to me that 50 yea...

Tom - I sent you an message

OK - since I have your attention, a few more questions :-) My car did not have a top on it when I bought it, only the bows, which needed replacement. The bows were wrapped in cloth which was sewn together and tacked in a few places. Is that how the cloth bow covers are supposed to be installed? When...

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Tom Carnegie is also associated with Tip Top Timers along with Mark Hutchinson. [(509) 220-0892]

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