MTFCA Forum

Decorated the camping car and drove it in a 4th of July parade. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Project/i-Wd9Tnvq/0/be19545e/X2/IMG_6724-X2.jpg Bought four rough front 1926-27 front fenders and cut them up to make rear fenders for the truck. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Pr...

I'm still looking. I'll take ratty and rusty.

Looking for two sets of 1926 or 1927 front fenders. Preferably something in rough condition. I can deal with splits, dents, torn bolt holes and rust.
Prefer close to Dallas, Texas, but willing to ship if the price is right.

I received the two keys I ordered in a timely fashion. Thanks.

First drive of the semi-complete camping car was TODAY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkkPKM10Exg

Took it on a 16 mile loop for lunch and some errands in east Dallas. In traffic.

Installed a working switch panel with illumination into the camping car.

Finished up the engine and wiring on the Camping Car.

Finished the custom engine build and installation. Finished the custom wiring. And have started to dial in the tune. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Project/i-bTwcPCQ/0/e68d7b39/XL/IMG_7722-XL.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Project/i-2vD3xH4/0/581bf7d6/XL/IMG_7725-XL.jpg

Making progress with our custom engine for the '27 Camping Car. Used head studs since we have a flat firewall. These grab ALL the available threads in the block, and use a fine thread nut. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Project/i-fmX4ZsM/0/e06bde9d/L/IMG_6842-L.jpg True high compression...

Mine custom bodied drop-side truck has the reservoir mounted on the wooden firewall. I didn't want to see the plastic reservoir so I opted to use a metal reservoir. While not completely period correct, it's closer than the plastic part. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Body/i-v4BPZ4J/0/e2...

A local postal worker said that Indianpolis distribution center is backed up to the walls, because they are making Amazon the priority and everyone else can wait. Around here, UPS also hauls its packages close, and then turns them over to to the post office too! More backlog! Many shippers use a UP...

Tom D - it is in low gear. Seldom do we run in high gear - it's just too fast for the roads we travel. And we like crawling along enjoying the scenery. The engine sounds good and runs smooth....So... welcome to WV. We really are just that steep. And again, that's fully loaded with all of us. Take t...

This is where we were at the end of October. Lower body mainly finished except the floorboards over the transmission. Getting started on the roof for November. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Project/i-KG45xZ7/0/4804e0b1/L/IMG_5703-L.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Projec...

Finally got my custom high compression pistons for my camping car in from Wiseco. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Project/i-NT9FPzf/0/7d818012/L/121579357_10223802809288760_8303326115192839289_o-L.jpg Finished the drop gate bed for the same truck and started painting it, then started wor...

With some work you can use a Ford 292 Y-Block piston. But, it will be very low compression unless you are also doing an OHV conversion. I sent a Pruss head to Wisco. They make custom pistons for the engine building side of our shop all the time. They scanned the head and designed an ultra high compr...

I've used slip sheets between spring leafs twice. Both were on Model A springs on hot rods. Once I used a material with a "H" shaped cross section. Despite the lips it still crept out of the spring fairly quickly. The other used a flat material with a bump that went into a hole in the end of the lea...

I've been ordering parts from them about every other week without issue.
I use their site to order.

Original Ruckstell hand shifters were reversed on the TT chassis - the shift rod didn't cross over the torque tube. We would have done exactly that, but we're using the Birdhaven rear disc kit and I mounted the master cylinder on the back of the Warford, which prevents the shift rod from going thro...

My pal and I have been building an extended wheelbase Express specifically for a long trip on dirt roads. It's got a vintage Warford in it, so instead of shortening the torque tube we lengthened the frame. This car originally had a left shift Ruckstell in it. That didn't work with the Warford, so we...

I will have to disagree about the term overpriced. Start listed all those parts and you will see there are at least $60,000 in that build... I have to agree with Hank. If the pictured car is what you really want to end up with, I think you'd be better off just buying it outright. That's not an outr...

I don't know who owns it, but here are two other photos.

While I haven't got mine together yet, I've got the proper tooling to machine the recesses to add seals to the pedal shafts and starter bushing. Here's an example of adding seals to the pedals using the National 340849 seal. https://modeltfordfix.com/how-to-keep-your-model-t-ford-from-marking-its-te...

Another, it's his risk, his choice.

If you feel so strong about risking transmission, then YOU can stay home.

You can zoom in more on the photo at https://cdm16855.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/LBFiremen/id/2222 Caption says: Crane lifts car onto enormous pile of wrecked cars, mostly Model T vintage. Tires and parts missing from some cars, but most look whole and intact. Crane is run by Smith Brothe...

Been making headway on the Express we are building up for a camping trip. Cut down the axle housing noses for eventual installation of full floating safety hubs. https://photos.smugmug.com/Projects/Veteran/Project/i-pZsZDh3/0/6db9be69/L/IMG_5172-L.jpg Fully rebuilt the differential and Ruckstell. Lo...

That is a pair of Texas '26 plates I bought for the Express camper I'm building.
Photo was just minutes after the purchase to show my pal that I got what I wanted from a friend at the swapmeet.

Might also be a T8 missing it's upper light and stem.
Here's one on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/153840569255

I believe it's a Gilbert & Barker Type 88.

According to a history of Waterford, Virginia: The handsome Cadillac motoring past admirers at the Corner Store above is a 1912 model belonging to Robert Walker, the wealthy Quaker businessman who lived at Huntley on High Street. Mrs. Walker is chaperoning her daughter who is driving. The man sittin...

Used to use Kendall, but after it became difficult to find (local distributor closed down), I switched to Permatex Ultra Slick. No issues even with engines that sit for ages.

Replaced the front spring, repaired the egged out holes in the Hassler frames, replaced all the shackle bushings, steering bushings, and swapped to wire wheel hubs with new bearings.

I've sent a Prus head to Weisco to have it scanned so they can make custom pistons trying to get the compression up. Also getting a lighter piston with a modern ring package.

While the mule engine rebuild is stalled waiting on custom pistons, we've been working on the chassis. Took apart the front springs and found serious wear in the front springs. The leaf springs will be replaced with a reproduction. The pivot point in the Hassler frame has worn, so it will be drilled...

Built up a pair of McEachern safety hubs in preparation for the disc brake conversion on our mountain camping car.

This is one of the reasons the Scat cranks are so popular. New, full diameter journals, and counterbalanced cheeks.

I have seen many bad outcomes of needle bearings in British sports car transmission layshafts (cluster gears) over the last 40 years. And I've rebuilt and modified many VW and Hewland racing gearboxes and rarely (never?) saw a needle bearing failure that wasn't caused by something else failing firs...

I've ridden in Robert Weitzel's T and it threw my head back. I guess anything is possible, it just depends on how often you want to fix it! And that "T" has a newer (C4 I believe) transmission in it. Having seen what high revs do to engines every day, and what it takes to build an engine (vintage o...

I know all the issues that studs bring. Had them on a few Model A engines and all of my V8 Flatheads. Repairs become a huge hassle.

I glue them in to give the coarse threads more purchase. The gasket shellac works well for that, and is easier to get free than Loctite.

I'm building an Express body for my '26, with a flat firewall. So no overhang to trap the head on the rear studs. And a hotted up engine. After cleaning the threads and measuring the depth of the holes in the block, the head gasket thickness, the Prus head thickness, and the nuts and washers I want ...

While there is debate about what is the "best" Babbitt, there are a number of similar materials to what Ford specified.

You can buy smaller quantities here:

https://www.kappalloy.com/babbitt-alloy ... urakapp-2/

https://www.kappalloy.com/kappatinningt ... -1-lb-jar/

I'll order one and send it to you.
Let me know if you think you can do something with it.

Dan, the photo in the Scat catalog of the 7.5" "A" rods looks the same as the "T" rods.

Dan, I called and spoke to Scat about those rods. The part number you are asking about is for Babbitt, not a shell bearing. They make a rod with a Model A journal that has a shell bearing. But the Model T replacement rod is just a heavy duty (racing/performance) Babbitt rod. And they don't come with...

Roar, yes, the VW ran with inserts and without a filter, but they didn't have transmission bands or any cast iron components doing their part to contaminate the oil. That said, I'd still run inserts if they were available. With the limited use the car would see, oil changes every 500-700 miles aren'...

I had considered using the Scat babbitt rods, but the few guys that I called about pouring babbitt in them and then fitting them to my crank quoted me $850++ and booked into 2020.

Frankly, I'd prefer using a floating pin style rod with a modern piston.

Called Snyders about these rods. While they have some existing stock in undersized inserts, they are sold out of "standard" sized inserts. And they reported that they don't plan on making any more. Called a few dealers that sold them, Langs, Macs, and since they were such slow sellers they don't sto...

I haven't used it on a Model T yet, but I will use screws and keep in mind that the boards will need to be removed. So I'd install it in overlapping sections so the boards aren't all fastened together. I have used it (and about a dozen other types of heat shield products) in my day job of building r...

If you are thinking of preventing exhaust heat coming through the floor, what you really want is a double layer of embossed aluminum heat shield under the floor. Don't use the stuff with a layer of fiberglass in it, as it can soak up oil and become a fire hazzard. Use the plain metal sheets, and dou...

If you're seriously worried about ethanol gas, buy gas without ethanol in it. Go to pure-gas.org then look up your state or province. .. That works well for rural areas, and I use it while on the road. But if you live in an urban area, where any sort of pollution controls are in effect, it's usuall...

Along those lines, if this one is reparable, I'll likely go that way. I've had a few people tell me it could be pressed together and welded. But really, I think cutting the rivets off and replacing it while on a jig is the right way to go. I've had a hard time finding a 26-27 cast support piece. Is ...

Texas used to allow year of manufacture plates but does not now. Those that have YOM plates and keep up the registration can still have them as they are grandfathered in but if you forget to send in your payment one time the plates get dropped forever and cannot be re-registered, No longer true. Th...

I'd guess a WTB is next on my list.
Thanks guys, I couldn't find a good reference photo of a 26-27 that showed the front casting.

Going through my 1926-27 motor parts in anticipation of building a motor and found that the only 4-dip pan I have has an opening where the sleeve goes. Not being familiar with these, I don't know if it's supposed to be split, or if that is wrong for these. I've seen the two earlier styles, which are...

It bugs me to have to go to all the different sub-forums when there isn't all that much traffic in them (or the whole forum all together). Because of that, I've switched from clicking all the forums to reading "Unread Posts" located in the "Quick links" pulldown menu. I've actually copied the link a...

If you are using a plate style distributor, do you use a cam seal?
I thought you would want oil to get up to the distributor drive gears.

The Ford 292 Y-Block piston looks like a potential winner.

3.75" bore
1.760" compression height

The wrist pin is 0.912", which could be fixed by adding a bushing to change the piston from a fixed pin to a swivel pin.

For the bigger bore engines, the 3.80" bore of the 312 would be used

If you are rebuilding an old cast iron block that is saturated with oil, there is no way I'd paint it.
If the block was new, I'd consider cleaning it and painting it to prevent porosity issues.
If the block was used, and thermally cleaned (baked) to eliminate any oil in the casting, I'd paint it.

All the Metropolitan brake parts you could ever want are still available brand new. Luckily, we have a local specialist, Kip Motor Company, that not only deals in Metros, but in a lot of oddball, small production cars. They also do short run, or even one-off production of hard to find parts. Fronts ...

While we're giving attaboys, Erik's buddy, Robert Weitzel, has helped me with parts, some wheel straightening services and introductions to other folks.
I'm new to Model Ts, and a guiding hand is appreciated.

I'm a MTFCA member. Dues are up to date. I put my number in my forum info.

I understand that the Vehicle Classifieds are for members, but the "New Topic" button does not appear for me in that forum.

What do I need to do to fix it?

I'm looking for help getting a set of wire wheels transported from the Bakersfield swap meet to Texas or Oklahoma. If you have room, I'll pay for the assistance.

Burger in Spokane wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:59 pm
Youze guys need to see what the Antique Auto Ranch is coming out with ! A solidly
mounted tube and dipstick that reads all the way down to zero...

Any pics? I'd like to see what they are doing.

If the reason for a change is to avoid dripping oil, then and answer is a sight gauge, or the hose on the two valves.

If the reason is to avoid crawling under the car, a dipstick of some sort is the answer.

Looks like I didn't make my questions clear. Is the "Ruckstell" style ring gear thinner to accommodate the special high-tooth pinions they work with, and only with those pinions? From reading, it sounds like they are thinner, and only work with the special, larger, pinion gears. Will standard ring a...

Novice T owner here. I'm considering re-gearing the final drive in the Ruckstell during an axle rebuild. Don't know what's in it now, but it's a pretty high gear, and likely too fast for the truck it will eventually end up under. I've read the MTFCA Axles and Ruckstell booklets, but not the Chaffin ...

I'm reading complaints about posts getting deleted or moved to the OT forum. Frankly, I think the MTFCA forum does not get enough traffic to segregate the posts to their separate subforums. I'd just make two subforums, one for all classifieds (parts and cars) and another for discussion (tech, photos...

...There were plenty of younger generation people walking around however they were not carrying much. You did not see many wagons or carts being pulled loaded with parts either. Is it because there wasn't anything to buy -OR is it because hobbyists Replace instead of Restore these days and it is ea...

Has anyone used the directional LEDs?

http://www.logolites.com/products/led-headlights/

This engine is being built to haul a heavy load of camping gear, and two large guys, up steep grades. I'm looking for torque, and larger, stronger journals. I'm really after the larger journal size than the extra stroke. And I'm aware of the work required to stroke the engine, but there was a mentio...

Trying to read up on, and head off any issues with a stroker build, I read about a possible interference issue with the Scat stroker cranks and new Stipe cams where the counterbalance or rod would touch the cam. Apparently didn't happen with reground cams. Is this happening? Or did someone just line...

I've had a few members tell me a CC-U should go for $5-600, so yeah, that seems like a great deal.

Not that it's a pressing matter, but now that we've switched over to the new forum format for the Classifieds, can the main link to the Classifieds that appears throughout the MTFCA site be changed to point to the new Classifieds instead of the old 2018 site? https://photos.smugmug.com/Random/Forums...

Looks like the bowl might be on upside down. Doesn't the "U" in the number signify updraft?

And it looks like a mate for this one on ebay. A matched pair would be nice.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-Winfield-R ... 3700841818

Humblej wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:47 am
Anyone else notice the front cover is not an American Ford plant?

I thought it was the Highland Park plant in the photo. Care to enlighten us?

So, this is pretty mundane stuff, but aside from some new parts, I'll be looking for some of this stuff: Pickup bed filler panels between the front of the bed and back of the body Pickup metal battery cover Wind wings for 26-27 14” steering wheel 1926-27 Roadster dash (without a big speedometer hole...

The completely worn out and badly tuned engine in my '26 RPU gives free starts about half the time.
So, I wouldn't take it as gospel that a free start is a sign of a good, well tuned engine.

The Model T Touring/Pickup in the movie Giant has some sort of receptacle on the dash. It looks like a spittoon. Or it could be an ashtray. Looks like it swivels to empty it over the side. You can see the top half of it in the closeup, and it looks like it's tilted over in the wide shot. Does anyone...

Two weeks.

Looking for help transporting six wire wheels (no tires) and four hubs from Sacramento, California to Chickasha swap meet.
I'll be there both days.
Willing to pay for your trouble.

John Codman wrote: ↑
Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:33 am
I'm a MFTCA member and my name is neither bold nor black.

John, you need to go to your control panel and enter your member number. Then it will show up under your name and location. And -THEN- the admins will eventually see it and flip the switch noting you are a member.

I'm a member. My number is in my profile. But, my name is still "blue" and not in black type like other MTFCA members.

Sent you a PM

Drove to Denver, picked up my new purchase and brought it back to Dallas where the previous owner bought it.

Some members are linking to HUGE signature photos. And unlike the Avatar photos, there doesn't seem to be any size or pixel limit to these. So the huge photos appear inline, over and over, in threads where they post. I know one solution is to turn off viewing signatures in my preferences, but some m...

George, after decades of off road driving, I've learned the same lessons. While I'll still mount the "T" wheel under the bed, there won't be any gearboxes, locks, winch or sliding rollers. I'm thinking it will just be a pair of gate hinges and a latch that looks like the tailgate latch.

Are you grinding them flat, or crowned? That whetstone suggests "flat".
Flat would be much easier, and if you haven't found any issues with them, I'll follow suite.

A spare tire carrier for under the pickup box was produced by International Stamping of Milwaukee in the 1920's. I have seen the advertisements in the Ford Owner and Dealer magazine. I have one, which was mounted on a 1926 roadster pickup. It is constructed of lighter gauge strap iron riveted toget...

The Moki Dugway

The Burr Trail switchbacks, looking down

Steve, I was right there in 2017!

Also, explore the KMZ files on this site. They have gathered up a lot of data in those files. The "Utah Trails.kmz" is pretty useful.

http://offroadinghome.com/nevada/nevada.htm

They've also got more files on the other southwest states.

I've driven all over the Escalante area, and all around Lake Powell in Jeeps and trucks. Will be covering the area again in a T during another trip from Peublo, Colorado to Los Angeles in mid summer after the passes in Colorado are open. What sort of roads are you looking for? Easy dirt roads? Harde...

Did something change in the logon cookie properties in the last week? Was the expiration shortened? Can it be lengthened? I used to stay logged in for days, or at least didn't have to re-log-on when I came back to the 2019 forum. But starting this weekend, or maybe Monday, every time I'm off the for...

Jason, that is one nice looking runabout (roadster) pickup! 👍 Sorry I can’t help out with the spare tire holder inquiry. I wish I had been able to buy it. Aside from the fiberglass fenders, it's pretty nice and was set up with a lot of modifications for touring. Model A carb and manifold, Model B e...

I've heard that this underbed spare tire holder is an aftermarket accessory, but haven't found who sells them. Does anyone know where I can find it?

I think the Facebook vs Forum photo appreciation is hard to measure. It's pretty easy to hit that like button on Facebook, and it's expected to make a short, fleeting comment, but on Forums (at least the forums and maillists I've been on since the '90s) you are expected to not comment unless you hav...

I have 100% of the stuff I order shipped to my work address. Even Amazon junk, which they sometimes try to deliver after hours. Nothing gets stolen. Nothing shows up missing.

The only time I don't receive a package is when the shipper can't provide a tracking number.

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