MTFCA Forum

Erik Johnson

I have the 5-Z-196 tool for inserting the universal joint into the tail shaft.

It's a thin profile, open end wrench.

Regardless of what method you use, to avoid injury, keep your hands outside of the ball joint when inserting the u-joint into the tail shaft.

Erik Johnson

Paul Iverson has a really nice, unrestored 1916 touring. If you look at the photos he posted a while back, you can see bits and pieces of the wiring. Note that it looks like the loom is tucked under the edge of the hood former. His car also has the bell wire staples for the headlamp wire. http://www...

Erik Johnson

I'll have to run the wires under the choke wire. Also - Here are photos of the 1917 "Rip Van Winkle" Ford (June 1917 serial number). Note the two staples on the firewall for the light switch wire. We have also installed those on our 1917 touring since I took the photos. My unrestored 1917 roadster i...

Erik Johnson

1917 is the same as 1915 and 1916.

I posted some nice photos a while back that you might find helpful - click on this link:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1309378046

Erik Johnson

Dunlop closed its remaining UK plant about four years ago and subsequently no longer manufactures tires for early automobiles. However, the Dunlop chevron tread tires are now branded "Ensign Chevron Cord" but I have no idea who manufactures them or whether or not 30 x 3 and 30 x 3.5 tires are availa...

Erik Johnson

I had mentioned in the other thread that my dad had a 1927 Hupmobile with the same but Hall tail light. I should have also mentioned that, six years ago, I had a Dodge Hall light but sold it on eBay. Note that the reflector was missing but the interior was painted white. White paint can be a tempora...

Erik Johnson

Even though you bought the tires direct from Blockley, couldn't you have saved some money by purchasing the tubes from Coker, Universal or Lucas?

Erik Johnson

The "HUPP" on the Hupmobile light was etched on the surface of the lens. My dad had a 1927 Hupmobile Model A (six cylinder) sedan (first photo) so I am very familiar with the tail light. I have seen a few of the Hupp lights at swap meets in various condition and they occasionally show up on eBay. Th...

Erik Johnson

I'm amazed at the amount of perfectly good things that people throw out instead of dropping it off at the Goodwill or giving it away on Craigsilst. Even broken items are worth trying to give away on Craigslist first before relegating them to the trash. Last fall, a neighbor a few doors down from me ...

Erik Johnson

Here are some photos of 1915-17 roadster top sockets and bows for you. This is one of two sets that I have and the construction of both sets is the same. One set is the original from my unrestored 1917 roadster but they are in rough shape so the set shown is what I currently have on my car. Each bow...

Erik Johnson

Harold Schwendeman: If you are referring to Zerk fittings, see this video why you shouldn't need to hold the coupler tightly against the Zerk while pumping the gun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq9MNUHwUFY Video showing the same process - note how the coupler can be tightened and loosened on the ...

Erik Johnson

That's a 1923 through 1925 one-man top.

Erik Johnson

Note the difference in tire sizes front vs rear.

Fronts look like balloon tires while rears look like 30 x 3 or 30 x 3.5 clinchers.

Erik Johnson

Shimmie stopper and groove maker......

Erik Johnson

If you decide to buy the Model A wheels, don't pay much because they aren't worth much.

Erik Johnson

Bill Elliot shows an original short strap with serrated buckle from his '14 Ford along with new ones from Classtique in the link below: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/599638/606536.html?1455820509 I believe Classtique puts a snap on one end so you can run a nail or screw through it hen you fas...

Erik Johnson

Keith: The original short top boot cotton webbing straps that are fastened to the bottom of the seatback in my '17 roadster and my dad's '17 touring have serrated buckles. That allows you to have the long straps on the top boot as loose or as tight as you want them. When you tighten up the center st...

Erik Johnson

More photos of the prototype on Royce's great website:

https://modeltfordfix.com/the-1915-model-t-ford-part-2/

Erik Johnson

Here's another set I also happen to have - English & Mersick - which are probably the most common brand of tear-drop electric coach lamps.

Erik Johnson

No Ford sedan sold retail came from the factory with those. I consider the well-known factory photo of the sedan posted above with those lights to be a prototype. Note that it has crowned or after-market fenders and husky, fork-mounted headlights. That type of light was used as sidelights on electri...

Erik Johnson

Not velvet.

Mohair, which was very common.

The original mohair upholstery in my dad's unrestored 1927 Hupmobile below.

Erik Johnson

If all you are doing is sanding the rims and leaving them bare, you are going to have a rust problem. Paint the inside and outside of the rim with Rustoleum oil-based brush paint. Use a China bristle (natural bristle) brush. Prime the entire rim - inside and outside - with rusty metal primer. Follow...

Erik Johnson

For U.S. assembled Fords: 1909 model year = headlamps were an option 1910 model year forward, with the exception of 1910-1912 (and 1913?) model year closed cars, headlamps were standard equipment. They were not an option. 1915 model = first model year for electric headlights on U.S. assembled cars.

Erik Johnson

To clarify my previous post. The 1915/16 "reproduction" firewalls sold by the vendors do not have hole drilled for the headlight switch when they SHOULD have those holes if the person reproducing them is going by the factory drawings. Same goes for the 1917 and early 1918 firewalls - they too SHOULD...

Erik Johnson

I looked at the wood Snyder's firewalls online. The black radiator firewalls pictured on the website look different that what my dad purchased from Lang's approximately ten years ago. They are missing a number of details that were mentioned in the link that I posted earlier. For example, no notches ...

Erik Johnson

Most likely Electric Vehicle Company hansom cabs, although there were other makes of electric hansom cabs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Vehicle_Company Google is your friend so I'm tossing you the bones below so you can do your own research: https://www.google.com/search?q=electric+hansom+...

Erik Johnson

I have to disagree about distortion being common in period photos. Copies of period photos that appear distorted are posted on the forum on a regular basis. The reason is not because the original photo is distorted. The reason is due to taking a photo of the original photo and not having the camera ...

Erik Johnson

Yes, it is a Model T Ford. The Belle Isle conservatory which is in the background of the photo, is located in Detroit, MI. Model T Ford were introduced to the market on October 1, 1908 so it is possible the photo was taken in 1908 and not mis-dated. If it was taken in 1908, it probably was taken in ...

Erik Johnson

Locks with the round bottom like the one on the toolbox on eBay are usually Yale locks. If the lock has a squared-off bottom, they are typically Corbin or Eagle. The above take flat keys. I've had toolboxes with keys. If a key from one box fits other boxes that I own, I've use that key profile or th...

Erik Johnson

That's not a Minnesota certificate of title. It's a carbon copy of the Minnesota application for title and registration or for transfer of an existing title and registration. If it were in better focus, I could determine if it is a new application or transfer. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. ...

Erik Johnson

Flat tires, flat tires, flat tires...

Erik Johnson

Unless things have changed, the wood firewalls sold by the vendors are generic, for lack of a better term. They work but they are not accurate reproductions of the originals in that they are lacking in a number of details. Refer to the third paragraph of my 1:55 pm timestamped post in the thread bel...

Erik Johnson

Singer 29 series cobbler/leather machines are not rare, at least up here in Minnesota. I occasionally see them at estate sales and they do show up on Craigslist. Right now, there is a Singer 29K71 on Minneapolis Craigslist: https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/hsh/d/maiden-rock-singer-29k71-sewing...

Erik Johnson

If you are building a "put-together" by gathering parts, you can simply exclude the starter and the generator in your build even if you are utilizing 1919 or later block and hogshead.

The starter and generator are bolt-on items. If you delete them, there are plates that cover the openings.

Erik Johnson

I would do the opposite of what you are doing regarding where the straps are fastened to the boot. I would have only the center strap attached to the bottom of the top boot and pass through the rear curtain and through the top of the boot. This pulls up the bottom of the center of the boot which als...

Erik Johnson

On the 1915 through 1922 roadster and touring windshields, in the up position, the upper half of the windshield sits forward of the lower half. Also, the bottom of the upper half slightly overlaps the top of the lower half when the windshield is in the up position. Therefore, by design, there is no ...

Erik Johnson

Your dad may have used a clock cleaning solution which is a mixture of the following: - Water - Household amoninia - Oleic acid (Murphy's Oil Soap) - Acetone (optional) The ratios of the above ingredients vary depending on who you talk to. The reason why the float may not be getting clean in ammonia...

Erik Johnson

Brewster, Minnesota. The vehicles have Minnesota 1918 - 1919 - 1920 license plates. (Three year plate, white over black.). Also - the building survives: https://www.minnpost.com/economic-vitality-in-greater-minnesota/2019/07/a-tale-of-two-school-districts-how-open-enrollment-is-playing-out-in-greate...

Erik Johnson

If you don't have cutting oil, you can use water pump lubricant aka "anti-rust" which is also water soluble oil. The drawback is that it can effect rubber hoses over time. Water pump lubricant is getting harder to find these days at the auto parts store but NAPA does carry it: https://www.napaonline...

Erik Johnson

I'm not a member of the MTFCI so I did not get the magazine so I apologize if the following was covered in your article. The June 1917 "Rip Van Winkle" touring and my father's July 1917 touring had the dust cover and solid hex nut shown in the thread below. The solid nuts are hard to find. http://ww...

Erik Johnson

Steve Jelf:

Dunlop quit making antique car tires around 2015.

When I mentioned locating a set of NOS Dunlops, my presumption is that they too would be fairly new, not 30 or 40 years old.

Also, Dunlops were made in England and extremely high quality (and very expensive).

Erik Johnson

Dunlop Cord chevron tread 30 x 3.5 tires are true, thirty inch tires. If you've ever seen them on a Model T, they look great. Unfortunately, Dunlop quit producing antique car tires a few years ago but the molds were purchased by another company who produces tires under the Ensign brand name. I don't...

Erik Johnson

Pierce Arrow

Erik Johnson

I agree with Tim. It's a Covert. Here is a photo referenced as a 1904 Covert which appears to have been taken at the Henry Ford Museum (note the floor). They may have disposed of it during the "big purge" a while back. It does have different side lamps, the rear fender irons are gone but it does hav...

Erik Johnson

If you polish a 104 year old brass radiator, it will still be a 104 year old brass radiator when you are finished. I don't understand the attraction to dirt, grease, oil and tarnish. People did wash their cars. I would have no problem detailing an unrestored antique car including polishing the brass...

Erik Johnson

Erik Johnson

Benjamin: Also worth mentioning. You posted that if you had straight side rims, you could install 32 x 4.5 straight side tires. https://www.cokertire.com/32x4-1-2-firestone-non-skid-all-black.html https://www.cokertire.com/bf-goodrich-cord-32-x-4-1-2.html Be aware that It is possible to utilize stra...

Erik Johnson

Benjamin Perfitt: I believe that all 30 x 3.5 clincher tires manufactured today are oversize and at least 31 inches in outer diameter so they are 31 x 4 tires. I believe the only exception was Dunlop which made true 30 inch, 30 x 3.5 tires until they shut down production of early car tires about fou...

Erik Johnson

Here is the link:

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/ ... 76368.html

I have seen that previously listed on Minneapolis Craigslist over the past year. It's not moving very quickly.

Erik Johnson

New leather gauntlets are readily available. Just do some googling until you find something you like: -driving gauntlets -riding gauntlets -automobile gauntlets -horse gauntlets -military gauntlets -leather gauntlets -vintage gauntlets -aviator gauntlets -pilot gauntlets -etc. For example, this was ...

Erik Johnson

Gauntlets......

My father picked these up approximately 70 years ago. They are well over 100 years old.

They don't have any tags. The cuffs have a black linen backing. The gloves are felt lined.

To the naked eye, they look black. The flash of my camera brings out the brown and the shine.

Erik Johnson

Here is his forum profile:

https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/memberlist.php ... file&u=795

If the above doesn't work, click on his user name in this thread - his post is toward the end:

https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php? ... 651#p69651

Erik Johnson

For 1917:

The front and rear straps are webbing.

For 1917, the "keys" for the pivots are nickel plated, not brass.

You can buy correctly reproduced front and rear straps including the hardware as well as the "keys" and corresponding leather straps including the special screws from R.V. Anderson.

Erik Johnson

For many years, my dad had a stack of NOS alloy thrust washers on the shelf but I believe he threw them out ten or twenty years ago. I'll have to ask him.

I'm sure others probably have some NOS specimens in their parts collections.

Erik Johnson

Now all the guy needs is the $500 handle to go with it.......

Erik Johnson

Dunlop closed its remaining UK plant about four years ago and subsequently no longer manufactures tires for early automobiles. However, the Dunlop chevron tread tires are now branded "Ensign Chevron Cord" but I have no idea who manufactures them or whether or not 30 x 3 and 30 x 3.5 tires are availa...

Erik Johnson

This is a project my father is working on.

He'd like to have eight clips made.

Four clips at .093" or 13 gauge.

Four clips at .050" or 18 gauge.

I'm basing the above on measurements of the two corroded examples that are in our possession. Originally, they may have been thicker.

Erik Johnson

More photos of the clips:

Erik Johnson

I am looking for an individual or company that can fabricate the spring steel clips shown in the photos below. Any referrals or any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated. These spring clips are for a Troy windshield and allow the windshield to be positioned in the fully upright position or the...

Erik Johnson

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but if you know the name and city of the owner you can most likely track him down dead or alive via the internet. I posted the website https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/ in a prior post. You should be able to track him or his relatives down. If he is alive ...

Erik Johnson

To add what I posted way back when: be extremely careful when using a vacuum on old wool upholstery, especially a shop vac. You don't want to scar or tear the upholstery. You may be dealing with some rotten material or rotten thread. As Dan posted above, use a minimal amount of suction and "vent" th...

Erik Johnson

Patched water jacket.

If the body number isn't embossed or on a metal tag on the passenger side floor riser, then remove the seat cushion and see if is along the front of the seat riser - either stamped in the wood or a metal tag.

Erik Johnson

The "half and half" rear axle where the backing plate on one housing has no ribs (1915-16 "style") and the other housing backing plate does have ribs (introduced in 1917) is not unheard of on 1917 Fords. I have seen a handful 1917 Fords with known histories that have this quirk, including my own unr...

Erik Johnson

Saw that touring advertised on Minneapolis Craigslist. If you have the name on the title, I would track down that person and talk to him. If you find out he is deceased, then you can talk to relatives. This is one of the best websites for tracking down people: https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/ Doing...

Erik Johnson

I learn something new every day. Because long shackle padlocks were used for locking bicycles as you posted earlier, whenever I run across one at an estate sale, I just pass it over. Going forward, if I see one I'll be sure to determine if it is a Fraim or similar spare tire lock and worth picking up.

Erik Johnson

If you get a Stewart speedometer and are fussy, the letter (date code) on the face should correspond with the model year of your car. Stewart made both metal and wooden instrument panel as an alternative to mounting the speedometer on the firewall. The original owner of my 1917 roadster purchased an...

Erik Johnson

Publicity still from the film "The Garage," 1920.

However, in the actual film, the car falls apart while driven by a customer who is renting it.

Erik Johnson

I would never put neats foot oil on upholstery unless you never plan on sitting on it. The reason is that the neats foot oil it will do nothing but get on your clothing every time you sit in the car.

Erik Johnson

The seat back is obviously leather but the bottom seat cushion appears to me to be leatherette and from a later car. I wouldn't get so hung up on whether or not a person should sit in that seat. Regardless of condition, the best thing to do is simply clean it. After cleaning, the a person can decide...

Erik Johnson

Read my post regarding later coil boxes on early cars that is in Bob Peterson's thread on his newly acquired 1911 Ford:

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8605

Erik Johnson

RE: later coil boxes on early Model Ts My dad has been in the antique car hobby since the late 1940s. He said there was a Ford dealership in Blue Earth, Minnesota that still had a substantial inventory of NOS Model T parts. He also said there were dozens of used wooden 1913 and earlier Model T coil ...

Erik Johnson

That is either a 1912-13-14 or 1915-16-17 Minnesota license plate. (Minnesota had three year plates.) I have a public Minnesota motor vehicle registration directory for 1912-13-14. Also, the original registration ledgers are at the Minnesota Historical Society. If it is a 1912-13-14 Minnesota plate,...

Erik Johnson

Click on this link to access Dietz "Cold Blast" truck lamp trade journal advertisements including the "Champion" lamp which is the subject of this thread. https://www.google.com/search?q=dietz+cold+blast+truck+lamps&tbm=bks&source=lnt&tbs=bkv:p&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi_7ofQj_jlAhUSvFkKHYi5BUIQpwUIIA&biw=12...

Erik Johnson

Another "non-compliant" Nebraska license plate but not a fake. 18142 corresponds to 1911. The 1911 statute revised the minimum height of the numbers from three to four inches. The "NEB" is not compliant with the 1911 statute as the letters would need to be three inches minimum height. I have to be h...

Erik Johnson

With a poorly stored car, it's by far more common for rust to simply bloom through original factory paint than the paint to delaminate or peel regardless if the original factory paint is baked (fenders, splash shields, running boards, hood and radiator shell) or non-baked body paint.

Erik Johnson

The original poster did eventually post that he had an "expert" say the plate was genuine. Apparently the expert is not very knowledgeable. Or, is he? If you click on this link, you will see that Steve Hammatt has a period photo with a non-compliant Nebraska license plate: http://theoldmotor.com/?p=...

Erik Johnson

Steve Hammatt: Just like it happens today, over 100 years ago license plates were damaged, lost or stolen. At the time that number was assigned, the registration was required to be displayed on the front and the rear of the car. It is certainly plausible that both plates are 100% authentic even thou...

Erik Johnson

Don't believe everything you read in the online article.

Here is the Craigslist ad:

https://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/d/torri ... 84748.html

Erik Johnson

Here is extensive information on early Nebraska motor vehicle registration: http://allaboutlicenseplates.com/prestatestate.asp?State=Nebraska The law was changed in 1911 to require display of the registration number on both the front and the rear of the vehicle. A white on black color scheme was als...

Erik Johnson

The 1905 statute that I posted above says the registration number must be displayed only on the rear of the car.

You would have to research the Nebraska statutes to see if and when the above statute was revised to require display on both front and rear.

Erik Johnson

Nebraska didn't issue license plates until 1915. From June 1905 through 1914, a Nebraska car owner had to display the registration number assigned to him by the Secretary of State on the back of the vehicle. The numbers had to be at least three inches in height and each "stroke" of the number at lea...

Erik Johnson

It looks like the genuine article to me. My father is collector of early Minnesota license plates including Minnesota pre-state leather plates. Original leather license plates can vary in condition from minty fresh to horrible. Age really doesn't matter. It depends on what type of environment or any...

Erik Johnson

Dick:

No problem.

The Model F has a one piece hood that includes a cast aluminum front with a criss-cross steel grill.

HOWEVER, the Model K has a water cooled version of the same motor and a radiator (second and third photos).

Erik Johnson

What's anti-freeze?

Erik Johnson

Steve Jelf:

I posted dimensions here:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1306604319

Erik Johnson

Geeze Louise...... Since you are transporting the beverage to your house, just pour the tea into a container that has a cap and throw the cup away at the restaurant. If you want to be "authentic," pour it in to a mason jar and then screw on a lid. Or, use a Thermos (Thermoses pre-date the Model T Fo...

Erik Johnson

Bump to the top.

I plan on being there. Will have some items to sell, mainly running board tool boxes.

Erik Johnson

I disagree.

It's always a good idea to take a look.

First of all, there might be something on that wreck that is actually worth something.

Also, the seller may have other items of interest that he may be willing to sell.

You don't know until you get there.

Erik Johnson

Watch this video of the same car on the same ramp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXhvwkFIv0o

Erik Johnson

Note the Essex front wheels and the non-Ford front springs.

The hood in relation to the front axle has incorrect geometry.

It's not even a Ford. Probably an Essex running gear and engine, etc.

Very crude vehicle.

Erik Johnson

You can't trust anything these days. Before installing a brand new tube, test it for leaks in a bucket of water, laundry tube or bath tub.

Leaks at the base of the brass stem where it meets the rubber casing is a common problem.

Erik Johnson

Simichrome does leave a "protective film" like car wax which helps alleviate tarnishing over time, that's why I mentioned it. I occasionally use Simichrome but it is by far my dad's favorite brass, nickel and aluminum polish. There are probably other polishes out there that also leave a protective f...

Erik Johnson

Any quality metal polish that leaves a thin protective film (Simichrome, for example) should more than suffice.

Erik Johnson

Duey: Mike from Classtique plans on being at the November 9 Cameron swap meet in Owatonna, MN. If you attend, you can talk to him. He's very flexible and will sell you anything and everything he carries in his inventory from material, components, partial kits, complete kits, etc. Yesterday, my fathe...

Erik Johnson

At the factory, the leatherette, batting and burlap were originally installed on the springs as one pre-assembled unit. Note that on the original upholstery, the split metal prongs of the buttons go through the cotton batting, burlap and round metal retainer/washer before they are bent over. The abo...

Erik Johnson

Mainly for riveting leather as Mark Gregush says but can be used with some other applications. Rex Riveters are very common - I see them on a regular basis at estate sales, antique shops and swap meets. You can still purchase brand new Rex Riveters. Google Rex Riveter to learn more: https://www.goog...

Erik Johnson

If the clutch is locked-up and you need to push the car up the driveway, instead of removing the axle keys, remove the spark plugs, squirt some oil in the cylinders and push the car. With the transmission in high and zero compression, it should be easy to push. The bearing surfaces in the motor or t...

Erik Johnson

Nearly 70 years ago, my dad helped the late Royce D. Peterson flat tow a low mileage, unrestored 1917 Model T roadster from Hastings, Minnesota to south Minneapolis which is a good 40 miles. (Royce D. Peterson was Royce N. Peterson's father. Royce N. currently owns the roadster.) They removed the sp...

Erik Johnson

If someone is going to produce new rotors, why not machine them out of brass or aluminum? How many magnets are there? One, two or four? If there are only one or two magnets, the rotor wouldn't need to be circular. For example, if there are two magnets, it could be a "bow-tie" rotor. Just thinking ou...

Erik Johnson

The shorter axle is for a smaller tent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q59zblSoCwQ

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