MTFCA Forum

The only place you want 600 wt oil in a stock T is the rear axle. Some vendors carry it, Snyder's has it at https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/ProductDetail/M-533_600-W-OIL-QUART-BOTTLES?fromCategory=Products/model-a/transmission-3-speed Engine oil is a totally different issue with many opinions. I ...

Very Nice!

Kevin - The Gerber Special put together by Santiago/Reichlin and engine from Scott Hills has an offset chassis and is one pretty special car. https://images.app.goo.gl/xMtpCEjYAkJ3bG4NA

You've likely seen it.

Kevin - I think a bunch of us in the peanut gallery would be glad to see you take it on. It's fun to live vicariously looking at your projects with the obvious skills and equipment to do great things. Go Kevin!

A bit of heresy but I put a Weber 32/36 carb on my Fronty speedster and love it. Not correct for sure and needed to make up a simple manifold but performs very nicely and better than my previous "can't adjust it" Zenith HP5A. I swapped jets on the Zenith a few times and got it to run clean and get 2...

Auxiliary transmissions can be real handy. Particularly for real slow driving in parades, climbing super steep hills, or lower rpm at high speeds on flat to moderate terrain. That said, I highly recommend getting the T running well and fully sorted out with a stock drivetrain and build your driving ...

Let me see, no accidents but over the last 35 years I've had a few flat tires, 3 crankshaft failures, one instance of oil petcock opening and losing babbitt, and 2 pinion gear failures. Also had a hydraulic wheel cylinder fail and a brake line cracked. Some timer and coil issues, and one modern coil...

Not much like the '58 Goliath I worked on back in the 60's. It was a horizontally opposed water cooled 4 cylinder. Had a 4 speed on the column and front wheel drive. It was really a pretty neat little car. About the size of a VW bug for interior space but a more stylish little car (as late 50s small...

Joys of the midwest. Talked to my brother-in-law in central Kansas - High today was 82 but they project it will be in the low 20's by tomorrow morning. Another Kansas "hold my beer" kind of day. He really likes the small town and the weather and chiggers just give him something to complain about.

In the early 60's, I pumped gas at a local station In North Seattle and there was an elderly lady that drove an early 20's T Coupe. According to the fellow who owned the station, she was a spinster and that was her only car. Even then it was best to pick you routes carefully driving a T in Seattle t...

I used a single stack all the way around but while the internal funnel is installed I also run pressurize oil to the mains which gets plenty of oil up front. The spools are there mainly to ensure enough oil gets splashed around for the transmission. Doubled spools might well be better if using a spl...

Sounds like an interesting experiment. Would also be nice to compare running either by itself as well as combined.

Stock configuration pistons let you easily select any high compression head that suits your fancy. And of course, if you want to return to a stock motor, change the head and you're done. Lot's of flexibility for a flathead. Domed pistons limit you to running a stock head and while the compression ra...

On my speedster, I left out the mag ring and magnets but kept the spools on the flywheel to help fling the oil. Not sure about long term but it's worked for me since '94. On a stock T I would keep the mag ring and magnets. The momentum from the flywheel is good for the heavier car and you or the nex...

Joe,

None of those look like the gears for the distributor I have. Steve sent me a photo to confirm it was what I needed. This is an original for this setup.

I agree with Steve about this being an older 009. Going to Napa and asking for a cap and rotor will get you the wrong thing. The Napa cap and rotor are lower and the shaft for their rotor is smaller. I did some searching and found the Bosch 03010 cap and Bosch 04033 rotor fit this distributor. I thi...

Hank,
I've gotten lucky and Steve Tomaso found a new gear in his stash so I'm covered. Good to have one for the box you are getting and maybe a spare if/when someone else needs it. The search feature on this forum is a really good thing.

Thanks Steve. I was hoping that there might have been some parts in the stuff you got from Rudy Saarela or somewhere else. I don't know if you ever used one of those Rader conversion distributors that Rudy sold.

This is the same setup that I have that I lost the gear for. You should check out the solution for a gear that Hank provided as a response to my message "Wanted - Distributer Drive Gear" at https://mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16064

Hank,
Interesting solution. If I'm seeing this correctly, you take one of the B08 gears and add an insert to fit to the cam that is partially a smooth sleeve for a ways and then threaded for the end of the cam? I'm no machinist but might be able to pull that off.
Walt

Yes, there were apparently a few different setups for holding the gears. I was talking with Dave at Chaffins and he had seen the style I have and said the Texas T distributor is also a screw on style but the reverse pitch on the gears.

I have a perfectly good 009 Distributor conversion done by Mr Rader back in the late 80's / early 90's but can not find the matching drive gear that goes on the end of the camshaft. The gear screws on the end of the camshaft and according to Dave at Chaffins it is the reverse pitch of the gear used ...

I have a perfectly good 009 Distributor conversion done by Mr Rader back in the late 80's / early 90's but can not find the matching drive gear that goes on the end of the camshaft. The gear screws on the end of the camshaft and according to Dave at Chaffins it is the reverse pitch of the gear used ...

Well Kevin, won't you need another challenge down the road a bit? It could be really interesting.

I don't know who owned the car but remember a T with a Pinto OHC head. Only saw it once and found it interesting. OHC would be a lot easier to adapt with no concern about valve guide spacing etc. General alignment of cylinder bores could be off slightly but I'm sure there would be a lot of fun issue...

Well that one should be interesting. Might be a bit more oomph

I don't know of anyone in Oregon but Bill Bender in Burien and Steve Tomaso in Longbranch both have pan jigs. A bit of a drive north but if arranged in advance could likely be a one day up and back trip. Let me know if you need email addresses or phone numbers.

Handles for pulling a Model A head?

How is oil supposed to get to the mains?

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Great inspiration. Properly prepared and maintained you can go most anywhere.

I haven't found one easier than the other but there was a steeper learning curve required for the T. The T was my first pre'50's car so I had a bunch to learn. Not hard to learn, just a lot. OK, I'll confess that after a few years I grew frustrated with T coils and switched to a distributor. All the...

I've used a Zenith HP5A and liked it for general performance as well as being correct. The only challenge is jets are fixed and not readily available. Stan Howe has some solutions for that. Late last summer I tried a Weber 32/34 downdraft. Friend had been using one on his Prus head speedster and it'...

AC could be added to either an A or a T. Would take some mods that require some skills and knowledge (or $$). Expecting cruising at 45 in a T or 65 in an A would require significant upgrades in any case. Both would need modifications to power, gearing and brakes to be anything near reliable and conf...

In the midst of pulling the engine out of my speedster. It broke during the Labor Day 200 mile endurance run in Omak. 99% sure the rear flange is no longer properly connected to the rest of the crank. It's a shortened A crank that came in an engine I bought a while back that had been built up but ne...

Not a T but reminds me of 1Lt Fred. Back in the 70's he invited my wife and I and a friend over for dinner and a bridge game. His Harley frame was in his kitchen, the engine all apart and spread over his kitchen table. We had dinner in his living room at his family heirloom antique table, with china...

NAPA usually has them, I've also seen them at Batteries+Bulbs.

At Kit Carson Pass

It was an excellent tour and a great day!

I rather expected the MTFCA supported webinar would be turned down as it would include using tool(s) sold by Mike and would be considered advertising. A distinction between that and Ron or Brent demonstrating coil rebuild or tuning would be that they sell a service (which they are telling you how to...

Nash Metro brakes have been adapted to small drum rear ends, I don't know that anyone ever sold a kit for the conversion. I had a set on the front and rear of my speedster for quite a while and they worked well. Mid 50's Mercury brake drums have the same bolt pattern as a T wire wheel and can be use...

Suzanne - 40 to 1's, Chicago (under, direct, over) and a Fronty.

A little slack is not very worrisome in my view. Consider that a lit bit of slack in the gear fit, a little wear in the u-joint and where it fits the shaft or transmission, and a little wear in the bearings could add up even if all of the wear/looseness was in an acceptable range for the individual ...

In addition to checking for slop in the rear axle and the tightness of the nut on the pinion gear, check the u-joint for wear as well as the fit of the u-joint on the driveshaft and the fit where it enters the driven plate/output shaft of the transmission.

4 to 1 ratio is based on the standard 40 tooth ring gear and a 10 tooth pinion. All you need is the pinion gear, the top catalog on my desk is from Snyders and shows it as part T-2597-C for $179.95. Pick your favorite vendor, the prices and availability are probably similar. If you are certain every...

This was a fine demo of a tool that could be a great way to share information to the membership. Lots of potential there for tips, tricks, seminars and updates for what is happening in the community. The Puget Sound Chapter has used the vanilla version of Zoom for casual Thursday morning coffee gath...

I have a No621 bracket that came with a bunch of T junk stuff. Is this the type you are looking for Larry?

High Chris, I didn't remember if you used coils or the D word. Many speedster folks lose the magnets but must admit they have a real charm when tuned right. Those Montana 500 folks prove T coils are up for the task. I'm with you in hoping we can get together again over Labor Day weekend. Quality tim...

Any reduction in strength would depend entirely on where the material was removed. Then factor in what is expected of the flywheel - I doubt the user expects to install the normal Model T magnets, with no magnets, the flywheel needs to support the ring gear and forces from the starter as well as pro...

Not sure if this helps but if Dan is out of stock on the studs, and if the deck height is the same as on a Fronty, the long studs for a Model A engine work just fine. I used them with my Fronty so I could ensure full use of the threads in the block without needing to do any grinding or modifying of ...

Looks good Chris, Thank You

I would immediately be removing the inspection plate on the top of the hogshead and be looking for anything untoward. I wouldn't expect to be finding fluff from the bands if everything is right. Hope it's OK but I'd be checking.

I've used them on my speedster for 26 years and love them. In that time, I've replaced low 3 times, reverse and brake twice (I have aux brakes). Considering that I haven't always been kind to them, I think they have held up remarkably well. Oh, and all of that time has been on original drums that we...

I'm signed up and really looking forward to it. Beautiful area.

Also through the side of the pan near the center main.

Looks one cap looks good to me but the rest of this seems rather sad. If it was mine, it would be coming apart and getting freshened up. Time to mic the crank to ensure the journals as straight and round. If the crank is good and if there were shims, it might be possible to use TimeSaver to clean up...

A little searching on the web shows the EBP rockers coming from a 223 cube Ford 6.

Sure would be nice to know what those rods are and thus where to find them.

The B210 oil pump is the cat's meow as far as I'm concerned for a performance motor. I've had one on my speedster for over 10 years of some good and occasionally rather strenuous usage. Priming can be an issue but a check valve in the pickup line can resolve that. Even without a check valve, it only...

Jerry, RIght you are, sending the coils to a pro for rebuild would be much easier, doing it yourself with a HCCT or ECCT would be easier as well but some of the T folks also have an interest in building tech tools. While I doubt that I would build one (I'm a heretic with a distributor on my speedste...

Speedster values can be all over the place depending on what has been done to the car and of course the current condition. If you don't know what it's worth and are looking for the most money for the car - put it on EBay but only after getting some good detailed pictures and any information you can ...

I think John's idea of the plans going to the MTFCA Museum is terrific. The two challenges being funding that would be fair to Mrs Parker and a resource to organize the plans and related documents. I could be willing to contribute a few $ but don't have any expertise in the sorting and organizing.

Thank You to Erik & Mark. This forum is a great resource.

What I thought a bit interesting is that this one has two mounting brackets, one on each side. I haven't seen that on a T but I'm not real familiar with lamps on the earlier cars.

Posting for an acquaintance who would like to know if this is or could have been used on a WW I ambulance. Any feedback you could provide on the age and usages for the lamp would be appreciated. The owner (Steve Blackbourn) isn't a T guy and not a member of the forum so please contact him directly i...

Nothing so rare or exciting that I would bother taking it apart. If mine, and I had a place to use it, I would put it back in service as a trailer. It's a good example of what you do when you need something and have some parts laying around. Lot's of tired Model T parts were turned into trailers, tr...

If you are happy with moderate speeds (typically 35 or lower) and like a full car, the 10 tooth pinion should be a good fit. Possibly a little hit on MPG but not a big one as the motor will be under less strain for the same performance level. Moderate speeds are great when the roads and traffic perm...

I would relieve the contact areas on the Ricardo head. Take he head gasket off, use some Prussia blue on the piston head to mark the head, set the head on with 4 bolts loosely in place and turn the engine over with the crank. Remove the head and check for the contact areas. Grind the areas for clear...

A friend passed along this link to an article about an extra heavy Ford truck. Do any of you have any other history of the vehicle or where I might be able to look? https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/classic-cars/1926-fordson-prototype-is-fords-first-heavy-duty-truck/ar-AAIT4n5?ocid=spartandhp#image=AA...

Thank You for bringing some light and smiles today. It's a good thing.

Any blown gasket is a message to you to check the mating surfaces to ensure they are flat. In the case of head bolts, also time to verify the bolts don't bottom out in the block before getting fully tight. I check bolt/hole individually by laying the head on the block with no gasket and making sure ...

Jason,

Just curious, why glue them in?

Walt

Concern about clearance of the head vs. firewall is real. I've only used bolts on stock T's but with the Fronty on my speedster I went with studs. No issues and sadly have had to remove the head a couple times over the years. I put anti-seize on the studs when they are installed and when I need to p...

Check the head and block to ensure they are flat. A warped head (or less likely block) is not terribly uncommon, especially if the engine has recently been overheated.

John I. - My comments above reflect what I would do if this transmission were mine. It was not intended as a reflection on you as the seller. The photo doesn't do the unit proud and just as a general rule for myself - when I get used parts I always take them apart, clean, check for fitness, and then...

That transmission and cover look nasty. The bolts are the least of the problems. You (or owner) need to get some books - start with the black Service Manual and the Transmission booklet, both available from the regular vendors. If mine, I'd be taking that assembly apart, cleaning and inspecting, and...

I don't know the person driving or the owner of the car but that touring accident was the result of two critical failures that I would put on the owner/driver. He/they may be some of the finest people in the world but - Failure 1 - In my mind it is criminal to drive a T with an auxialary transmissio...

I'd never do it with stock brakes but then I've always had auxiliary brakes on my cars. If I were able to attend your tour I would hate to miss this. Would it be practical to have two choices for that section of the tour so folks with good brakes and confidence could enjoy that road and those who pr...

Last weekend my speedster was the only T but a bunch of us did the "North Cascade Loop" scenic route. Round trip, including some optional forest service road adventures, I put 497 miles on the car and only ran out of gas once. Fortunately I had old car buddies to the rescue with a can of gas. With t...

Mike, The serial number on the head will tell you the version number like T1234T. Replace the T with S or R for the higher compression. These all have a single intake port. The SR has 2 intake ports and a variety of other differences. My desire was to have a strong touring speedster, not necessarily...

Excuse my ignorance but what is a PDC?

I'd like to see more. Fairly certain this vehicle will ruffle a few feathers but there is room in this world for variety and it's not like the body was destined for a full restoration back to what Henry did. Very interesting project even if it isn't standard T. I expect the HAMB folks would really e...

My first car (in '65) was a '61 Skoda Octavia. Kind of cute in a late 50's small car kind of way. The major challenge was that while a few were imported to Canada none were imported to the USA. Well that and the one guy in Seattle that had a few parts had John Birch Society posters on the walls and ...

No difference from driving a modern car. You will need the passport or enhanced drivers license but otherwise it is a piece of cake. You might want to do a quick check with your insurance agent (or read your policy - who really does that?) to see if they provide coverage in Canada or need an tempora...

This sounds terrific! I really wish my wife and I could attend but we have a prior commitment for that time frame. We lived in San Rafael in '67-69 when I was first in the service and stationed at Fort Barry (now long gone). Loved the area and while we've been back a few times you will be including ...

An electrical test lead with clips on each end works great as a hat catcher too. Used to get a package of them at Radio Shack for cheap. I got my first one as a gift on a tour many years ago when the gentleman passing them out called them "roach clips". His last name was Roach. That was many moons a...

Do you have a ground wire between the body of the distributor and the engine block? I found that even though the distributor housing is seated in a metal adapter plate that is fastened to the block, ignition was still somewhat less than optimum until a hooked up a separate ground wire. I didn't thin...

I expect it stands for high compression but can't tell by these photos. On stock pistons the outer edge for about 5/'8" has an upward bevel and then the rest of the top is flat. Most high compression pistons have an even curved top surface, kind of a low dome.

Hey guys, the Montana 500 cars are "stock" Model T's - standard ratio rear axle, T cranks with no counterweights, standard heads (with some milling permitted), an NH carb, coils and timer, no modern bearings and no overdrives. The only modern accessories I've seen are shock absorbers and gauges. How...

The digital file for the web or email would be trivial to produce as it could be a lower resolution of the primary file sent to print. The lower resolution would require less storage space and data transfer time while still being a perfectly fine resolution for screen viewing or printing on a typica...

I would like the option - the paper copy needs to remain as an option for those who prefer it. For myself, I'd rather the club save some money and let me have the newsletter online in a format that I can save and/or access online. Somewhat reduced dues would be nice but I'd be willing to let the dif...

Hard to go wrong with the vendors mentioned above. I've ordered from all of them and had real good service and the all seem to know their products. I'm fairly new to the A world and needed a lot more over the last year than I expected. Not unhappy, just gaining more experience faster than I'd hoped....

I found a foot pedal like that for my speedster. Mounted the bracket on the firewall and cut a slot in the floorboard for the arm to go through and connect to home made linkage to the carb. The pedal hangs down and I added a carriage bolt (head up) next to it as a foot rest so I can roll my foot sid...

On second observation, the distributor on your photo might actually be early enough to qualify. My first look had me thinking it was a Nissan part like Steve and others have.

Tony, You would need to check with the event organizer or the posted rules for any of the speedster events. Some have been strict about no post '27 equipment in the past but may be more flexible now. Rules do vary some between the various groups as is their privilege. At one time in at least one gro...

My dad always called it a foot feed on older cars and trucks. Maybe regional? He grew up in Northeast Montana.

Consider retarding the spark a bit as well as backing off the throttle some when shifting and then ease back into the throttle and timing.

It is wonderful and only occasionally a little scary touring Yellowstone in an open car. My wife and I and a few friends have done it a couple of times in the last several years. It can approach tense in my speedster (no top or fenders), I would be my eyeballs even with the nose of the average adult...

There were several discussions ab out this in the past on the forum, if you get real bored Google MTFCA Valve Adjustment. One of the key tips I gathered from that in the past was from Frank Harris: "The adjustable lifter has a 1/4 28 thread and that gives you a thousandth of an inch travel for every...

A fun little car. Showing some signs of use and abuse now but all well earned.

No help for Stan, sorry you have such poor service from your provider but I have found the new forum to be much faster to load and browse than the prior version. That is both on my computer (Comcast) and phone (Verizon).

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