MTFCA Forum

Sold. Thanks all.

Well, that sucks that you're selling your Model T, Scott. Good luck on the sale and I hope you keep Model T ownership in your future plans. No, not at all. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with this Model T, and I'd like to think I'm passing it on in better condition than when I got it. I had the ch...

If you've come this far and you have any questions I can be reached at 815-931-4617.

The "eyesore" top.

Even more pictures

More Pictures

1922-23 Model T Touring, titled as a 1926 (the engine is a wide band 1926, engine number 12521890, October 1925) A little over three years ago I bought this from the estate of a man who built and owned many, many Model T’s, but this was the only one he kept for himself. It starts, runs and drives ve...

For reasons I cannot understand my magneto is working fine again. I didn't do anything at all. Today I got around to checking the resistance at the post and it almost buried the needle. I thought I was doing something wrong until I looked harder at the meter (I haven't used an analog multi meter sin...

Yep, the post is grounded. Can't figure out why though. It shouldn't be, but it is. They're cheap so I'm just going to order a new one and see if that takes care of it. A thought has occurred to me as I write this. The post is grounded to the post housing when screwed into the hogshead, but the post...

What other ways could DC be getting to the magneto? None that's why Pat and I both are telling you to look at your mag post and verify good electrical isolation...as in: remove it and check it electrically for complete isolation to ground between the output post and the mounting flange Loss of mag ...

Nope> Next step is to find out why battery voltage got to the magnets, if the magnets are in fact discharged. A sudden failure and puny output is a classic battery-to-mag ring short. didn't you just go through this recently? I seem to recall you had a switch failure and went to fool-proof toggle sw...

Thank you all for the advice. Today I got around to going down to Menards to get an analog multimeter. I'm getting 2 VAC at the magneto post at high idle, slightly more with higher rpm. I guess it's the magnets, huh? I suppose the next step is an in-car recharge of the magnets. I really wish this ki...

I was driving my 22/23 Touring (26 engine) on magneto and everything was going swimmingly at 41 mph on smooth pavement when all of a sudden it just died. No clanging, no strange noises, no sputtering, just dead same as if I switched it off. I put the pedal in neutral and rolled to a stop. No looses ...

Scott in answer to your question: it is a matter of (what I view as) demand...which would be lacking. Putting together a test stand like I posted on another thread would cost ME around $250 in materials (quality meters, enclosure, motor, coupling, wiring, bar stock). After assembly time, welding ti...

Anyone within 100 miles of NJ with a functioning generator test stand I could buy or borrow? I have the VR circuit modeled and simulated but need to build a few and bench test Before making a production run. These would be just the circuit board and components only that would fit into the standard ...

I don't trust myself with these kinds of electrical projects, mostly because I don't have a firm grasp of what's going on.

So I just bought the Nurex semi-conductor cut out. A little spendy but it works great.

Discussion here: https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php? ... 95#p170795

I've got the same thing going on.

I rigged a temporary replacement to use while the switch is out for repair but I'm so pleased with the replacement that I haven't gotten around to sending the switch out for repair.

https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php? ... 01#p176001

Also on 1918-1927 Chevrolet 4 cyl.

I think Brassworks is going to start manufacturing them.

I read it on the internet somewhere so it must be true.

Thanks for all the replies On the gravity feed method, did it drain your 4 oz reservoir requiring a master cylinder bleed? Thanks all! Mike No, but I only left it alone for 5 or 6 hours. If you leave it like that all day and night it probably would. It just gets SOME fluid in the lines and makes th...

Rich Bingham wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:18 pm
Marvel Mystery Oil probably deserves to be the laughingstock of this forum from rather fantastic claims made years ago in their advertising. Nevertheless, it is a useful light oil as John points out, and it smells good !!.

Looks snazzy too!

The threads cut the tape or squeeze it so thin it can't effectively insulate the plugs. I tried touching the engine block and the spark plug bases with wet hands with the engine running and felt nothing. I tried that once. Didn't like it. :lol: Permatex thread sealer works well if the slight leakag...

There are as many opinions on brake bleeding methods as there are on oil . . . For some reason I had a tough time with the initial bleed on the Sure-Stop kit, and this was not my first rodeo with bleeding a new brake system from dry. Finally I just opened the lower bleeder screws with tubing attache...

If you are 1/2 way through the intersection in low, you've spent too much time in low Get rolling in low (no more than 5-6 MPH) and shift smoothly through neutral to high (takes about 1 long second) while simultaneously closing and then reopening the throttle. Everything will take up easily then. I...

Added an inverse oiler.

After getting it dialed in it I noticed what appeared to be a little more low end torque.

Or not. Might be imagining it.

Looks good though.

Bet u 10 to 1 they make the geared starters that Snyders sells at a mark up. So if that is the case, then you are supporting the hobby. Sure. Buy from a British vendor who's undercutting their own American Model T parts distributor, and who sells EXACTLY ONE part for the Model T and call it support...

Bet u 10 to 1 they make the geared starters that Snyders sells at a mark up. So if that is the case, then you are supporting the hobby. Sure. Buy from a British vendor who's undercutting their own American Model T parts distributor, and who sells EXACTLY ONE part for the Model T and call it support...

When I stop and shut it down you can hear the water boiling. I bought this 26 coupe in 1962 when I was 15, I drove it constantly till 1965. I don't ever remember it overheating, except when I was in a parade. I don't think adding a water pump would make much of a difference. This car is not intende...

Yes, https://woodbykevinallen.com/index.html

I got the whole wheel (with spider, because the keyway in my spider was worn) and a matching knob for my Ruckstell.

Worth every penny.

Budget-wise and time-wise your best bet is to take it to a radiator shop for them to boil it out and test it for leaks and such. They'll tell you if it's serviceable, something you will likely not know if you do it yourself. If it's serviceable, great! If not, you haven't wasted your time trying to ...

In the spirit of giving an opinion while not answering the question . . .

. . . I don't see the advantage to having them. Once my bands are bedded in and set correctly if something changes and they need adjustment I want to open the cover and have a peeky-boo anyway to see what's going on in there.

The question here is what caused the sudden change, not what generally causes overheating. What's changed from before? Also, before making adjustments and changing out parts I'd confirm that the motometer is not the problem. Get yourself a laser thermometer (which is also handy for grilling and smok...

Jonah D'Avella wrote: ↑
Mon Aug 23, 2021 11:21 am
. . . and the radiator started blowing out a lot of steam through the overflow tube.

When that happens to me I tell people that it's a steam hybrid.

I can only tell you about my experience. My T came to me with a water pump on it so I left it there. I overheated all the time. Well not ALL the time, but a lot. When I had to pull the head for other reasons I cleaned a truckload of crap out of it. Then I cleaned a truckload of crap out of the block...

FWIW it gets better after you're used to it. Ultimately I made the decision to put it there because I'm lazy and if I put it under the seat or floor somewhere I would never check it. This way, I check it every time I take the car out. And if you think about it, when you're showing off the car that's...

Mikey1968 wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 15, 2021 3:02 pm
well, won't fit under the seat. It looks like it might rub the hood on the firewall. Not too keen on the long bracket idea either. Thoughts?

Maybe try clamping it on to the firewall as low as you can get to dry fit. Throw the hood on and see if you've got clearance.

I just hold my left hand over the spider near the throttle and use a finger or two to control the throttle. No big deal and not uncomfortable.

Today I drove to work in my Touring (6 miles) and it worked great. Something strange though: ordinarily about 3 miles into this drive my water temp would reach the middle of the circle, and by the time I arrived it would be near the top of the circle (but not boiling). Today it reached the bottom of...

Should be pretty simple to follow the power. Is there 6V at the switch? If not there's an issue with your wiring. Do you have 6V at the coil box terminal when you flip the switch opposite to "Mag"? Have you checked the continuity of the switch. one way should connect the left terminal with the cent...

Very nicely done! Glad I could help. The purists won't like it, but if it works and lets you enjoy your T I'm all for it. Like you said, there's nothing stopping you from returning it to original, nothing has been modified or butchered that can't be put back. Improvise, adapt, overcome. Hey, I used...

For openers, thank you to Andre Valkenaers and James Doell for providing the idea and information for wiring up these switches. Automotive electric is something that always seems to screw me up, and they made the wiring clear. My ignition switch has been giving me problems (key stuck, won't turn, lo...

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:05 pm
Andre

I think you've started a trend...!

Got a nifty switch plate going too. Just gotta figure out how to get the battery to fire the coils.

toggle.png Yes, one SPDT switch for the ignition. Center terminal is the coil box, one side is mag and the other bat. The light switch is functionally the same except it has two sides, so there's a battery wire from the ammeter connection to the center terminal of one switch and and a jumper from t...

a SPDT center-off switch would replicate the ignition switch function perfectly There's more going on in the Model T ignition switch assembly than Dim-Off-Bright and Magneto-Off-Battery. For example, how does the cutout get wired through? Does it require a pigtail be made of the ammeter+ wire for t...

I think I'm winning. I took out the old switch and wired up two On-Off-On switches to replace the ignition and lights. Made a temporary dash plate to hold them and the ammeter. Went for a 3 mile ride and no mag issues. Started running on three cylinders, but that was a loose coil in the coil box. w...

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑
Fri Aug 06, 2021 9:17 am
Ah... the incomparable scent, the lambent lustre of fine Corinthian lather....!

RICH Corinthian leather.

Details here: https://youtu.be/8tLpCghRMMw?t=688

You can take the wheels off and bend the retaining tabs tighter. Or, you can stretch an o-ring around the cap, nesting it in the gap between the cap & the wheel hub, and stop the noise for good. I once had an aunt who was trimming her parakeet's nails. She finished the left foot and then the right ...

The hubcaps on my wire wheels are somewhat loose.

And by somewhat loose, I mean I sound like Santa's sleigh coming around the corner.

Is there any trick to tightening them up?

ewdysar wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 01, 2021 7:36 pm

RajoRacer wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:21 pm
What would be the benefit of the larger reservoir having only rear brakes ?
And the low duty cycle and operating temps, there isn’t much justification for DOT 5 fluid either.

The justification for DOT 5 is that it doesn't matter where you spill it.

I'd call one of the vendors and inquire.

Some info here: http://www.texastparts.com/mm5/manuals/Howdoiorder.pdf

As you can see I mounted it on the firewall outboard of the steering column.

I also used DOT 5 brake fluid and recommend it highly for this application.

Where does one buy this dipstick kit?

I've looked everywhere online and cannot find it.

Right now I have the one that goes into the lower petcock hole but has the modern handle that says ENGINE OIL and while it works well, looks ridiculous.

I'm expecting to climb steep hills with 4 gallons of gas rather than 9; to never run hot, lean or surge at high speeds due to fuel starvation, and absolutely eliminate the very rare occurence of a contaminated needle sticking shut and shutting the engine off. That seems like a very worthwhile impro...

What kind of performance enhancement are you expecting?

Now you know what folks are talking about when they talk about the charm of the clicking of the Model T when underway BTW, I had revised my previous post but not in time for you to see before you replied apparently. No offense was meant, but it sounds like it was taken. I am sorry. No, no offense t...

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:11 pm
nothing odd about it

they buzz on DC and click in AC

you never noticed this before?

Well, no.

Possibly because I only just removed the distributor and began running with coils and timer. And magneto.

So this is sort of new to me.

Okay then.

Thanks!

When I switch from battery to magneto there is a constant clicking coming from the coil box area.

Video here: https://youtu.be/v3PrFjznQcM

Any thoughts?

Chapter XIV, Page 147, Paragraphs 547-550 in the Service Manual are what you're looking for.

Paddy.….. how did you make out setting gap on your new plugs ... Engine start easier, better performance..? I was a little skittish about bending those electrodes. Out of the box they were gapped about .010. I didn't want to do too much bending back and forth, so anything between .025 and .030 I ca...

This is the kind of problem I'd like to have.

Obviously you're not going to hurt anything by soaking you're bands before installing, but it really isn't necessary. The moment you start the engine the bands get deluged with a massive and constant oil bath. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXimnKoDPSI And don't get scared off of Kevlar bands. The ...

I use one of these tools to gap my plugs, they are commonly available at most auto parts stores. I adjust the gap so that the 0.030 wire just slips through the gap with a light "snap". Never bend the center electrode. Use the notched arms on the sides of the tool to bend the side electrode as neede...

Driving a Model T on modern roads in traffic is a safety compromise; which is to say, not safe. There are things you can install to reduce the risk, like well functioning wheel brakes, turn signals and brake lights to effectively communicate your intentions, etc. I don't know about seatbelts in a T....

I had a pretty good week last week so I decided to throw a few bucks at some Champion X spark plugs. They came and they really look great, but right now looking great is all they're doing because I don't know how to gap them. Or how to measure the gap. Or where to measure the gap. Or how to adjust t...

Yesterday I took my <23 Touring out for an extended drive 6 miles out and then 6 miles back. It's the first real extended drive I've done. Some stop and go, but mostly in high gear. It took about 3 miles for the temp on the motometer to get into the circle, then it steadily climbed up to the top of ...

George Mills wrote: ↑
Wed Jul 14, 2021 10:39 am
(I rather like your carb mounting nuts, especially on the inside part of the flange! )

Yes. That is a helluva setup.

My title is clean and was issued in 2012 as a 3S. In NC in 2021 a 3S is not a valid Body Style but that's what I have on my title and it's been that way since at least 1984. I was told if I can get the DMV to list it as a 4S I should be good to go.......the problem is getting the DMV to do it lol. ...

I'm not familiar with the registration policies and procedures in North Carolina, or what an "in-state" vehicle is, but since it has an existing NC title couldn't you just transfer the title and register it as a regular vehicle? Like you would if you bought any other normal car? You're turning in a ...

I just had a similar problem.

Saw that I didn't have the hot air pipe on the carb intake. That fixed it.

I think. It runs better now anyway. Damned if I can figure it out.

Hey, thanks for all the help. Got it wired up right on the first try! Tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals make this much more drive-able around here. And I must say, I'm quite impressed with this VSM 900 unit. It's a substantial piece of equipment. Now I'll see if I can't do something about ...

Have you worked out what you're going to do about a top?

Honestly, that's the only thing keeping me from diving into this right now.

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑
Sat Jul 10, 2021 2:16 pm
Eric I have always made a small bracket off the bottom of the headlight mount bolts. Works well.

I believe you're right.

That's much better.

Henry K. Lee wrote: ↑
Sat Jul 10, 2021 2:16 pm
Eric I have always made a small bracket off the bottom of the headlight mount bolts. Works well.

That was the other place I was thinking of but I thought they might be too low.

Worked for you though, huh?

I'm putting turn signals on my touring and looking for advice on front placement. Eventually I want to lay my hands on a couple of cowl lamps, but that's not in this year's budget. In the meantime I'm going to make use of these bullet fixtures. I'd like to not drill into the fenders (especially sinc...

FUSE Calculation What kind of bulbs? Filament or LED? 6 or 12 volts - AMPS = watts/volts Do the math. If there LED, 20 amps is too high because you want the fuse to blow when the expected load on the circuit is exceeded. The chart is indicating wire size as well Thanks! I'll print and post this han...

I recently installed one of these. The fuse came with the kit. I don't recall the amperage but I can check for you if you didn't get a fuse. I had already installed a brake switch. I connected the output wire. The diagram for taillights is confusing by because the wire shown does not show a correct...

I picked up a VSM 900 turn signal switch and I'm preparing to wire it up. I'm using two tail lights, each converted to two filaments, and a brake pressure switch (I installed the hydraulic disc brake kit). My questions are these: 1. What amp fuse should I use for the wire from the battery into the X...

Since we're sharing, this spring when I rolled it out for the season I had some leftover 50/50 mix of 85w-140 and Lucas Oil Stabilizer that I used in my other diffs, so I tried that out in the oil cups.

Seems to be working. Probably want something a little thinner in the fall.

That's a super interesting project.

Did you do a thread on the removal of the rear part of the body? I'd love to see that!

With the head off anyway I would consider removing the manifolds for closer inspection of the mating surfaces, removing the valve springs and check the valve timing and valve seating by touch; making sure they don't spin in their seats when closed. I know you just put them in, but I'd check anyway i...

I'm a criminal lawyer and last year when the Covid shutdown happened I didn't have anything to do. Court was closed, bars and restaurants were closed so nobody was going out drinking and then exercising bad judgment so the police were not arresting anybody. I was very upset. :P Because my @1922/23 T...

As stated its been discussed many time. The simple solution is to use a dropping resistor. Many owners have used an old Bendix spring to drop the voltage. There are also electronic choices available - no one ever recommended one. Hopefully someone will weigh-in on using the one (or similar) that Sp...

What a coincidence!

I just took mine apart this morning. Sadly, the switch is beyond repair, so I'm going to have to figure something out.

Open to ideas . . .

I'm converting my 25 Touring back to trembler coils and timer. Going through everything I've noticed some questionable, missing, and just plain wrong wiring. So I'm replacing it all. When I'm done it might turn out that my magneto actually works! :lol: In any event, assuming my magneto doesn't work ...

A reverse pedal extension helps a lot to get a clean reverse! If your a big footed guy it’s almost a necessity to have one! And yes it does keep you from engaging the clutch and reverse at the same time. I wear size 13 and guys with bigger feet that that would have a tough time it seems to me. As a...

Good luck.

I was told they're out of stock a few weeks ago.

Not sure if they're out of production or what.

I'm not real clear on what the problem is here.

The MTFCA auctioned a couple items, and gave everyone an opportunity to bid.

Soooo . . . what?

Whatever conventional oil is cheapest.

5W-30, 10W-30, 15 W-40, whatever.

Costco had 3 gallons of 15W-40 on sale a few weeks ago for @ $22.00.

I drive less than 500 miles per year and put it away for winter, so I'm all set for a few years.

I sent you an email. Give me a call.

Have you used it successfully on Windows XP before and this is a new problem? Or did you load it in XP and this is what it always does?

What version of Windows are you running?

Cleaning up the garage today I came across this sitting in a pile of Model T flotsam on the workbench.

I can't remember if I took it off my Model T, something else, or if one of my pals is having some fun with me for keeping a messy workspace.

Any thoughts?

This past weekend I was tinkering with some battery problems on my 1983 Chevrolet C20 6.2 Detroit Diesel. I was experiencing some excessive corrosion on one of my batteries and while I was addressing that problem I observed that both batteries ground to the engine block. It then occurred to me that ...

After last summer's fiasco of pulling the engine on my 25 Touring because of a seized head bolt I've decided on what I hope will be a less involved project this year that won't keep me out of the driver's seat all summer. I've decided to restore the car to the original type ignition system. My car o...

Should RTV be used with a paper gasket?

Have you tried varying the spark advance/retard?

Just throwing ideas against the wall.

My Simmons Super Power carburetor has given me a great deal of grief and I gave up trying to rebuild it. When I bought my 1925 T Touring it came with the Simmons and it seemed okay, but I suspect that it has been the source of much of my problems over the past two years or so. I am not interested in...

Norman, I think that disk brakes are kind-of un-authentic and AC brakes do not fit my year. Rocky mountain brakes are good but are very expensive. Indeed they are. They are also incredibly effective and reliable in just about any situation. I installed the Sure-Stop hydraulic disc brake system ($1,...

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