MTFCA Forum

david_dewey

It's been a while since I messed with T headlights, and I searched but haven't found anything on this--I must have missed something! Helping a friend put his headlights together, new sockets, new bulbs. But we ended up with the filaments in a side-by-side orientation (vertical) instead of Hi-Low (ho...

david_dewey

This is GREAT news! Have been wondering how he's doing--I don't get to the forum often now, maybe when I get a better internet connection!
T'ake care,
David Dewey

david_dewey

Wow, we think of Steve almost every day. Why Boise ID? Is there family there? It seems so far from his "old home." OTOH, it's lot closer to me, and I have friends in the area, so maybe I can visit sometime (after winter is over!!).
T'ake care,
David Dewey out in Callifunny.

david_dewey

Charge of the Model Ts (I think that's the title)

david_dewey

Right after my kidney stone surgery I had to use those all the time, and yes, I did think about wearing them for the film, but wasn't certain how "dependable" they would be.
David

david_dewey

My problem is I usually can't sit for 3 hours without a "necessary room" break! Even if I go just before going in, and avoid liquids before. This happened to me watching "Elvis" so. . . I'd rather see it on the big screen, but I might have to wait for the DVD. Getting older is not always the best th...

david_dewey

Thank you for the update. More prayers going out!
David D.

david_dewey

Lately we have seen a lot of "barn finds" postings that are actually about cars that have been restored, decades ago and have been left in a garage or even a barn, but here's the REAL thing! This September 1915 touring when found had 1929 CA license plates on it. it was (may still be) in a Barn of a...

david_dewey

Fabulous news!! THE BEST EVER!!!
Hope he got our card.
David Dewey

david_dewey

That would be blasphemy! Not to say bordering on criminal!!

david_dewey

We are headed out on a cross-country tour, and will be going to the Age of Steam Roundhouse, which apparently IS 18 minutes away from Stutzman's wheel shop. Doe he allow visitors to "drop in" just to see it?
Thanks!
David Dewey

david_dewey

Rich, A similar situation with Cave Springs, the new young people have remodeled the modern motel units, including painting over one wall of natural Hemlock (12 feet at the peak, beam ceilings with a dark grey, painted the natural redwood outside a dark green. Then they kicked out all the long term ...

david_dewey

Yeah Rich, it is a bit of a dissapointment for us too, but you are really only two day's drive away, so we can do another trip sometime--Pennsylvania is many many days away (as is the Henry Ford and the Piquette Plant, both still on our list) so need to have days to spend there! Looking forward to p...

david_dewey

But not just one T, apparently 7 nice, restored Ts were destroyed--and this is how he became a millionaire???
Surely there is restitution in the next life. . . . .
T'ake care,
David D.
PS, He may be a millionaire, but he's still an asshole!!

david_dewey

Rich, we were hoping to go through your town on our trip around the USA, but there is so much to see back east (Pennsylvania) that we have deleted our Idaho side trip. Maybe another time, as I still want to see Yellowstone!
T'ake care,
David Dewey

david_dewey

You are probably right. sad

david_dewey

this guy needs to be in captive rehabilitation, apparently he is only happy destroying stuff. I know, in this country you are allowed to express yourself, but if I had been around when he was filming, it is a good thing I don't own a gun! Wanton destruction of property, even if it is his own.

david_dewey

Yep, no stain, just black paint--but the firewall is an oddball thickness to fit into the metal cover over it (hood former), so check that the firewall will fit inside the former (as opposed to the latter. . :D ) Check your hood hinge hole in the former, they are usually egged out--why Henry used su...

david_dewey

I had a package shipped from "back east" (everything is "back east" to a Californian) by DHL, then it was supposed to be handed off to the U S Postal Service when it got to Union City, CA (about a 4 to 5 hour drive from here) at that point tracking stops, DHL says it was given to USPS, USPS says the...

david_dewey

I am so sad to hear of Pat's demise. While I get the Gazette, I missed the obit, now I have to find my issue.
Yes His Blue Roadster was/is an amazing car, so reliable. I believe he had a 30 horse boiler in it, accounting for its great performance.
He will be missed!!

david_dewey

I just spotted Milt's passing on the CA Auto Museum email, and was going to post it here, but it's already been done. "Uncle Milt" was an institution out here, and he will be sorely missed.
David D.

david_dewey

It is a '16, I have a Dec 10, 1915 and it is a '16, although one of the first million Ts! (probably a few hours before #1,000,000). At that point it can have an aluminum hogs head, but more likely the early cast iron one (there are differences from the later ones, the early ones basically look like ...

david_dewey

A couple of companies made replacement blocks in the T time period. Don't know if their pattern mold lines/marks would be the same as the factory's. And I don't know if any of them included any "improvements" to the Ford cast blocks (more robust bracing, etc.).

david_dewey

I would mix a small batch and paint something (unimportant something) with it to see if it dries and sprays well. If it passes that test, then ON WITH THE PAINTING!

david_dewey

Hey Rich, you have probably heard this one; How do you spot a streetwalking potato?
Easy, it's the one marked "I-da-ho"

I think we'd have a great time once we get together.
Sometimes working from a photograph is easier than still life! I still think you do an incredibly amazing job!

david_dewey

Sometimes takes me a while to read posts here, the disadvantage of not having reliable internet at home. The Caswell kit I use is the "plug n' plate Brush electroplating system" and my box is marked "Nickel/copper" I have purchased parts and more solution a few time from them as I use it for many di...

david_dewey

Rich, that is an amazing painting; it really shows your talent, the reflections are incredible! I hope we get to meet someday soon! No, no travel plans yet, but gee whiz. . .
T'ake care,
David Dewey

david_dewey

that's good to hear. I have the last (so far) BA in Industrial Arts conferred by CSU, Chico. I went back to college much later in life, and graduated in 1990. Long story, but the simple explanation is that the college has to honor the degree programs in the catalog in use when a student starts at th...

david_dewey

I remember leafing through the "modern cars" section of the catalog once and notice on one page they had a "hidden" cell phone antenna that mounted under the car, and the next page they had "Get the cell phone look with our fake cell phone antenna, fits any car!" Hmmm. . . .

david_dewey

I don't like to have silicone anywhere near my shop--it causes all sorts of painting problems!

david_dewey

You call that "surface rust"??? Looks like deep pitting to me, maybe out here in Callifunny we have a different description of Surface Rust.

david_dewey

I was going to say that it depends on what kind of a fence is around the ball park. . . But seriously, we just had a car accident that damaged the hood and the front plastic bumper cover and the painting cost in the estimate is $2,060 alone! Paint costs are astronomical now, and labor isn't far behi...

david_dewey

Well, that last one is not "fair" as they (AFAIK) have never been reproduced. The frustrating thing is when one supplier sells his business to someone else, and then they don't put it into production, or drop the quality. Can't fault the original producer, I am certain that he/she tried to find a re...

david_dewey

Some years back (MANY) when we lived in town and I was driving a 79 Toyota with a camper shell, the truck was stolen out of our driveway ;this actually happened three times over a two-year period, but this time the shell was full of T parts, including the back half of my '15 touring body. My truck w...

david_dewey

Actually, the authentic 1925 bed strips are not available, they are different than the 26 & on strips. The center recessed area on them is not flat, but convex, and Henry soon realized that put the carriage bolt heads higher than the ribs on either side, making it difficult to slide things in and ou...

david_dewey

Careful Erik, the dump may try to take your truck too!!

Is the snow gone yet>

david_dewey

I have the remains of a Perry wood truck bed. Front bottom corrner was an oval brass tag, "Perry" (no Martin) I put that tab in a safe place, so safe, I can't even find it!! Still have the two tiny holes and oval shadow on the wood though. It's amazing that that tag survived this long, as the bed is...

david_dewey

Sounds like that inspector either doesn't know the regulations, or he needs to be reported to his superiors, you may not be his only victim.

david_dewey

Scott, I agree, RE brazing or even Silver Soldering. Took me a bit to figure out what you were describing--I think you forgot to mention about putting the aluminum rod into a flat piece of aluminum, then slide the tube over the aluminum and then the former, face down onto the aluminum so it sits "sq...

david_dewey

Steve, first, not that I know of; second, yours shows the typical problem with these, and the one (at least) design flaw of these formers; the hood hinge rod hole. Since it's just a thin piece of metal, the hole is usually worn badly. I plan on adding a short piece of tubing to the hole to give the ...

david_dewey

So which was louder; the buzzing of the coils, or the chattering of you teeth?
Happy New Years!

david_dewey

Steve,
I am surprised that no one mentioned you using the "wrong" hand for the torch. I'm a lefty too. When I'm using a 000 tip, I use wire welding wire as it's smaller than a coat hanger and any other wire I have laying around!

david_dewey

The aluminum rivet will react with both the steel and the wood, I would not recommend going that way!

david_dewey

I would suggest you get a sharp, thin putty knife and "slip" it under the leather (between hood metal and leather) to free it from the paint and likely rust under the leather. Then slip it under the retaining metal to free it from it and the rust that is likely under there. It won't be easy, but you...

david_dewey

Lots of good information here--I should emphasize that you do NOT want Bright Nickel plating. It is designed to be under chrome, and was developed to reduce the plating steps--it comes out of the tank bright and doesn't need to be polished before the chrome layer goes on. It is also much thinner tha...

david_dewey

It was proposed to be made by Hawk model company, but AFAIK, it has yet to be produced. RATS!

david_dewey

Well, I can't make out the state in that pic, but two of the plates (at least) are 1924 plates, if that helps any!

david_dewey

But what if it isn't sh*t falling off, but good parts? Still honk, or just retrieve??

david_dewey

That's an interesting set of instructions. From reading them NO Model T can pass, First the brake requirement: 20.2Brakes. Every passenger car, truck, bus, school bus, and motorcycle shall be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels except: (the exceptions do not include antique cars, the model T i...

david_dewey

When I was in high school, I couldn't afford a good battery for my A, so I hand cranked it whenever I couldn't find a hill to park on. They are easy to start with the crank--if you turn the gas and the ignition on! (I don't need to explain how I know that). When I drove it to the Long Beach Queen Ma...

david_dewey

Getting back to the question on Phillips head screws on a T. Nope! They weren't commercially available until 1934. Robertson (square head) screws were available in the 1920s and at one time they tried to get US Ford to use them, the Canadians already were. The thinking was to speed up production, th...

david_dewey

Yes a Merry Christmas from our Garage to yours!
Linda & David Dewey

david_dewey

Well, your starting bid is more than the current price for one from "the usual suspects" BUT they do require a core first, so. . .

david_dewey

Jeff, One of my long-term projects is a M-P like yours. Mine was a complete car left out to rot. It was on a '26 chassis and there are M-P pieces to mate to the later hood. The guy I got it from wanted to keep the chassis, so I finally found a late chassis (with the bowed front axle even) for it. Bu...

david_dewey

The lock is in a pot metal unit, which often swells a bit, and the wood does too (assuming it is a wood-framed door), so it's really a tight fit in there. Add a couple of layers of paint run behind and aaaaugh! It looks like you have taken out the lock retainer screw, so that's done. You could try t...

david_dewey

When I registered my '15 touring we called it a 3 door car, because it is! There was no photo to go by. It is a shame you have started this proceedure, as the title was perfectly good before! Unless the car is stolen, the body style question would not ever come up. You could try for a "Body style ch...

david_dewey

Just to the rear of that serial number pad is USUALLY a motor casting date, that can tell you a lot.

david_dewey

But Jim's question is about a '27 ROADSTER--completely different animal than a coupe. I haven't looked at an "improved" body, but the earlier ones fastened the upholstery and the light spring back unit to the belt molding wood that the top also attaches to. A much simpler arrangement.

david_dewey

Steve's suggestion is very similar to James' suggestion except Steve suggests doing something so the hose isn't "glued" to the sealant. If you do Jame's suggestion you will have to follow Steve's system of unbolting the inlet & outlet fittings to remove the radiator! Jerry has a very good point to, ...

david_dewey

My '16 Touring qualifies for HCCA because it was made in December of 1915! So there are a few '16 year models that qualify!

david_dewey

My brothers (and sister) recently turned me into American Pickers "Because of my Hoarding." Now I thought they were concerned about ME, but my oldest brother recently admitted to me that they are worried that if I croak, they will have to help my wife clean out my garages, and they don't want that j...

david_dewey

the hood rod hole in the '15-16 hood former is, IMHO, a mistake by Ford, as the thin sheet metal is easily worn by the hood--and it wears into the hood rod. Adding a short piece of tubing to the former stops that wear, and if done right, the repair is not easily seen, if seen at all. My '15 ('16 yea...

david_dewey

Hmm, what I notice is the glass-cased electric meter on the building behind the car, and the modern sidewalk joints. There's probably more stuff, but that's what jumps out at me.

david_dewey

I've used Quik-Poly on such a situation before with great results. I just don't know if you can still get it.

david_dewey

I hadn't thought about the corrosion factor, but I did once salvage a grand piano that had been in a fire, but only had smoke damage, not even heat damage. When I first looked at the piano a week after the fire, it looked pretty good, but very sooty. The insurance company dragged their feet for 6 mo...

david_dewey

"Farm Equipment" Hmm, wonder how they define that--if I drive my T on a farm, isn't it "Farm Equipment?" Seems strange to limit a slow vehicle sign to anything, other than a slow vehicle! OH, and if an Amish family has a buggy that they only use to "go into town," how can it be termed a "Farm Vehicl...

david_dewey

If you can borrow an Ozone generator (Ozonator) from someone (know anyone with a motel, they are commonly (since covid) used to sanitize a motel room), set it inside your car and let it run for a few hours, should get the smoke smell out. If it's an open car, put a tarp over it to keep the high Ozon...

david_dewey

It looks like there might be some very faint numbers before the ones you list. Typically those show the year of production.

david_dewey

There are lots of Model A bodies around looking for a chassis, so I wouldn't worry about a body. There are minor diffefrences in chassis, but mostly in body mounts and rear bumper mounts.

david_dewey

Mine say I've been here since 1999-- Wayne's is a few years newer, but I think he was here back then too. As for dial-up-- I'm STILL on it!! Where my house is there is no cable, no cell coverage, just copper wires to the substation. From there, I don't know--but they did run a fiber optic cable acro...

david_dewey

I built a box using an American Flyer train transformer for the power supply, as it puts out 7 to 14 VAC. yes I know there are much better systems out there to texst coil, but this was simple to build with stuff on hand and it will get a coil to work--maybe not optimally but it will work!

david_dewey

there's even video of the theft! With so much "evidence" I am surprised they haven't been found yet.

david_dewey

and helped along with the undercut for the bearing. I'd say you were very lucky, as if it had broken on the other side of the bearing the gear would have made a mess in the engine!

david_dewey

With that wide flat flange, I would think the best option would be to slice the crimped over section off, and use bolts & nuts to put the flange back together, this would also facilitate servicing later.

david_dewey

Yes, Lithia motors is still around (bought my pickup from them through an Auburn, CA dealer (long story, not important here), BUT in this case, I believe the Lithia is in reference to the Lithia water that was and is prominent in the center of the photo/square. It's a naturally carbonated mineral wa...

david_dewey

Wabbit Season!!
Duck Season!!
Wabbit Season!!
Duck Season!!
Wabbit Season!!
Eh, what's up, Doc??

david_dewey

Ron, If your car has the column mounted button that is held on with two screws and is on a top side of the column, with only one wire going to the button, then YES, the photo is wrong! The horn button provides the ground circuit and the hot side comes from the magneto.

david_dewey

I can't seem to find my copies of wiring diagrams, but I am 90% certain the early magneto horns required both post to be insulated, as the horn was wired "hot" with the steering column mounted horn button providing the ground. The wire tube on the early units was a small tube that held one wire. Lat...

david_dewey

Shawn, No matter what paint you use, I would strongly recommend you protect yourself--it's not expensive (initially and definitely in the long run) by purchasing a disposable Tye-vech (spelling???) coverall suit, a head sock, and I use "Playtex" rubber gloves, heavy duty. Then, while an air-supplied...

david_dewey

While that might be places to go to find the answer, some of us don't have a fast enough internet connection to go there--a simple answer would be more useful! Glad that he's doing well again, after whatever befell him.

david_dewey

Since a few of you were not happy with my using Model A lugs in my example photo, I dug out some model T lugs, although I don't have any modern versions to photo, so here are genuine Ford lugs showing the same recessed threading.

: T lug nut threads forum.JPG (12.08 KiB) Viewed 4254 times

david_dewey

The other day I was driving through one of the roundabouts here in town when a big double-tanker truck just pulled into the roundabout right in front of me--fortunately I was able to stop in time, and I noticed the driver was not looking at me at all but fiddling with his or her hair. I go through t...

david_dewey

WHAT??!! LATE again!!! This kind of tardiness must NOT be tolerated! Quick, grab that pot of pasta and deliver 20 lashes with a wet noodle! Actually, been so busy here, had not noticed its absence. Thanks for the heads up, and reminding me I can look forward to something in the mailbox besides bills...

david_dewey

Allen, My bad, I should have noted that those are Model A lug nuts, I didn't have T ones to photograph, BUT the T ones have the exact same thread features, because the T lugs are made the same as the A ones. And, as I've said, I don't know if the current repros have the same error, but it is worth c...

david_dewey

Here's a photo of two "new" lugs, however they are more than a few years old, but are two slightly different styles, and an original lug, showing the recessed threading.

: Lug nut threads 2 forum.JPG (17.18 KiB) Viewed 4517 times

david_dewey

If we are talking about the late Ford wire wheels, there may be a problem with your lug nuts. If you look at an original lug nut, the threaded portion doesn't start for about 1/4" in from the end of the lug. This is because the stud is not fully threaded to the very bottom. Reproduction lug nuts wer...

david_dewey

sometimes you can get lucky and have your car near a famous steam engine.

This was, however, quite a few years ago! (and my Model A, not one of my Model Ts)

david_dewey

Martynn,
It DID come out to Callifunny, back in the fall of 2019, before the Pandemic. Ran some excursions for the museum that "donated" it back.

: Signals Web.JPG (21.39 KiB) Viewed 7676 times

david_dewey

Steve, your "new" transformer looks suspiciously like an old doorbell transformer!!

david_dewey

Steve, your "new" transformer looks suspiciously like an old doorbell transformer!!

david_dewey

Matt, Yes, those are good lights, I have a few of them myself. but 200' of extension cord over the creek and through the woods (and poison oak) does not sound like a good idea to me!! :) pole and break forum.JPG You can see the broken guy wire (and neutral wire) just to the right of the tree top beh...

david_dewey

This response is not about the value of the car, but of the VALVE problem. Removing the head doesn't usually require any hoist, but having a second person there is a plus. That the valve head broke off really is a sign of the original two-piece valves. They do that!! Modern one piece valves seldom d...

david_dewey

Sold it all for $200, guy is happy, I have one less project on my list! Yes!! Win-Win. I still have the very nice 20' rear wheels to sell, but they will have to wait as they are buried in the currently unlit shop--still working on getting the overhead power line repaired.

david_dewey

BTT
I could really use some value opinions!!!

david_dewey

You gave a good description. Now since this is an estate settlement, the value is as it was before you started working on it. From your description, I would say it was likely around $5,000, OR LESS depending on the body damage your grandpa did. All the work you did on it, thinking it was your car, i...

david_dewey

Yes, sides, back w/window frame. Really nice shape--if one were doing a "survivor" truck, could be just bolted on and used. I will also throw in my lower half cab parts, which are the usual rust buckets (cowl & door w/ "rot" on bottom).

david_dewey

At one point I was gathering parts to build a C cab, about 1926 vintage. I have too many projects and an acquaintance has just picked up a C cab intact, except it's been "chopped" to fit in a standard garage. He wants to restore it back. I have the top metal in very good condition that I was going t...

david_dewey

ALL RIGHT!!!!! good show Erik!

david_dewey

I have an American Beauty 300W soldering iron, almost too big for this job (a 150W unit would probably work). Found mine at a yard sale, just a suggestion! I would cut two circles an inch larger in diameter than your holes out of a matching thickness tin. If it's bare steel, I would use the iron and...

david_dewey

Yep, a great meet! Had a long visit with Wayne S. and, yes, I was carrying around another '15 hood former, and when I showed it to Lloyd the next day, he agreed that it was in much better shape than the ones I already had. Yes, Erik has retired, and to celebrate, he was "re-tiring" a front wheel on ...

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