MTFCA Forum

The Wards tires are about half worn out at about 3000 Km (about 2,000 miles). This would imply that the tires would last about 4,000 miles. Is this typical mileage for Wards tires?

Art Mirtes

The data analysis that Bryant Shafer and Mike Kossar presented is much appreciated by me. A short study tells the story.

Art Mirtes

I will be 82 on April 4. Born on Tuesday 4-4-44. I am planning to analyze the age data. However, some posters wrote an interesting story but failed to reveal their age.

Art Mirtes

That is an interesting story. I wish I had the background of my 1923 touring. The day my car turned 100 years old, I drove it 107 miles. I enjoyed every mile of it. About 20 miles of it were with members of my local club.

I recommend that you do the same if you can.

Art Mirtes

Jean, To answer your question about what compression would be expected for a model T engine. Opinions vary about what is acceptable. For a rebuilt engine, 55 to 62 psi is what I would expect. At 40 psi, the engine will run ok, but not what I would want. At 50 psi, I would probably leave it alone. Wh...

In addition to what Scott recommends, I would ask the seller about checking the compression on each cylinder. If he doesn't allow the check, then the price goes down substantially. I have found that low compression will cause higher than normal engine heating. Hence, that might be why there is a wat...

The best advice I can offer is to follow what Scott Conger said and to take your time doing it. I have only done one in my life and the results were very good. It took me several weeks to get what satisfied me. I hope to never do another one, but I am always willing to charge the magnets for other p...

I recently completed rewinding a generator armature. Andre from Belgium and Ron Patterson encouraged me and offered advice to take on this project. Scott Conger offered several recommendations including a technique to eliminate any material shorting the segments. In addition to these people, several...

I have recommended several times that if you don't have money to buy an ECCT, at least buy a capacitor tester. They are available on the internet for about $20. With this, you will least know when a capacitor is defective. All except one of my 20 coils needed a new capacitor.

Art Mirtes

This is interesting. My pharmacist has a 5 year old son who likes cars, any and all cars. I printed several copies of the coloring book pictures for him to color. I will let you know how the outcome. This hobby needs all the help it can get the young folks interested.

Art Mirte

Jim, Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing them. I bet Hank (the 4 leg companion) enjoyed the drive as much as you did. This afternoon was nice with the sun shining and little wind. A perfect day with fresh snow. Your touring buddy, Art Mirtes

I wonder how many of the folks in the Model T hobby still patch a leaking tube. I do, if the tube if it is in good condition. There is a good chance that some of the 17 patches were due to rim pinches from mounting a tire.

Art Mirtes

I talked to a bearing senior project engineer who had a lot of experience with these type of roller bearings, called wound roller bearings. About 8 years ago, he recommended at least .005 inch of radial clearance at the minimum. The Chief Engineer at the time of the last production (1989) of wound r...

If you want to learn a lot about Model T's, buy a pieced together car that doesn't run.

If you want to spend a lot of time sitting around the car after a lot of cleaning and polishing, buy a correctly restored car.

Art Mirtes

Nitrogen is slightly lighter than air. Consequently, nitrogen is not going to reduce the pressure loss compared to air.

Art Mirtes

For lubricating tubeless tire beads, I use out of date brake fluid. So far I have had no problem using it on clincher tires.

Art Mirtes

I recommend inspecting the starter drive. Make sure the gear returns to its resting position. It might be sticking on its way back.

Art Mirtes

Your administration efforts are greatly appreciated. Please stay active on this site with your knowledge. Incidentally, You are the one helped me get registered for on this site. I am very computer inadequate.

Art Mirtes

I have found the lowest price of tubes to work adequately in clincher tires. They pass the aftermarket requirements, which are proper fit and reliable function. The exact shape is of OEM is not necessarily required. Fit and function cannot be bypassed I have never seen Blockley tubes. Hartfords are ...

Occasionally, Kerosene was used as a coolant for at least two reasons. 1. It was cheaper than antifreeze. 2. It would not cause further damage it the engine had a leaking head gasket. 3. The freeze point freeze point of kerosene is very low. Just don't let it catch fire. If it did, they would jump o...

Keep the water pump. It will be appreciated later in life. My car 1923 touring car has the original round tube radiator and a water pump. It has the original radiator because of the pump and not the other way around. The radiator cools just fine without the pump, but I continue to keep it. The pump ...

I thought about changing to a 12 volt system on my Model T, until I cleaned all of the cable connections between the battery and the starter, including the starter switch. Now the engine turns over quite well and starts very quickly. I see no reason for 12 volts unless a special accessory requires 1...

Cotton linings do require occasional adjustment. At oil changes I make adjustments to my cotton bands if necessary. In order to clean the oil screen, the transmission inspection cover must be removed. This allows easy access to the band adjustments. I change oil every 500 miles. The low band require...

Cotton linings do require occasional adjustment. At oil changes I make adjustments to my cotton bands if necessary. In order to clean the oil screen, the transmission inspection cover must be removed. This allows easy access to the band adjustments. I change oil every 500 miles. The low band require...

I like roller timers, but not their life. I get about 1600 miles from them before they get lumpy. I bought an Anderson timer and checked it with my timer timing analyzer. This consists of a camshaft and a timing gear cover from Joe Bell and a timing gear from Jim Riedy. The timer control rod did not...

Ball bearings do not do well when lubricated with dirty oil such as engine oil or with rear axle oil. Babbit is much more forgiving with dirt and is better in vibration conditions. Ball bearings accommodate some misalignment depending on the internal clearance.

Art Mirtes

I have seen recommendations that a deep cycle battery not be used n a car. But if it works for you, go for it. Forty years ago, I fabricated a battery support bracket to accommodate one. Before trying it, I put my car to sleep for 23 years. I bought a new group 1 battery when the car woke up, Group ...

Dennis, I have basically tried what you contemplating with mixed results. Playing with coils is entertaining to some of us A few suggestions based on my experience are: A train transformer will not work so well because the frequency is too high. I use 3 or four D cell batteries. Capacitor testers ca...

Larry, Thanks for supporting me on the compression calculation. I thought about explaining how the heat of compression increases the pressure, but just didn't feel like arguing with others. Under ideal conditions the ratio would be raised to a power of 1.4 for air. Under realistic conditions, some o...

Reusing a head gasket is a $50. decision. So far I have gone with a new head gasket with the model t. I have successfully reused head gaskets in the 60's when I had even less money than I do.

Art Mirtes

Ron,
You posted the above while I was typing my above reply.

Art Mirtes

Ron, My car has always hand started on mag. Please tell me what I did to enable this when I rebuilt the engine and adjusted the coils. I have no idea if the trick is in the mag or is in the coil setting. My low budget forced me to charge the magnets with number 12 house wire rather than to use a reg...

James,
Your car looks very nice. I hope you drive it often. Maybe you can drive it 100 miles on the day it turns 100. I did that with mine on September 1, 2022. Coincidentally, that day would have been my mother's 114th birthday.

Art Mirtes

I recommend the single stack magneto coil with the starter notch. Also changed the flywheel to one with a starter ring gear. These recommendations are based on the possibility of added a starter. Both Lang's and Snyder's catalogs show rebuilt mag rings. The lenght of the 1919 to 1922 coil cores are ...

John Codman,
Your roller timer has been in your car for ten years. What's your secret to its long life. I cannot get a year out of one. I drive about 2000 miles per year.

Art Mirtes

The catalogs from Snyder's and from Gaslight show roller timers. You would have to contact them to determine if they actually have them.

Art Mirtes

I have been using the roller type timer. They last about 1600 miles then the internal surface gets lumpy, which causes misfiring. Additionally the roller requires cleaning and oiling every few hundred miles. An ANCO (flapper) timer interests me. This design requires good alignment between the camsha...

Cousin Eddy's dog, schnops, preferred Pennzoil. Apparently Eddy used it as well in his motor home.
It must be good to keep that "tenement on wheels" on the road.

Art Mirtes

I am about half way through rewinding a generator armature. Soldering has turned into a learning experience. The local motor shops have been a good source for materials, even though they don't work on armatures. One shop wanted throw me out for thinking I wanted them to do the rewinding. After the o...

David,
If you cannot use your Giant head, I could use it.

Art Mirtes

Jeff,
What do you mean by good sleeves? That might be like asking which oil to use.

Art Mirtes

Boat gas and Av fuel are about the same price in my area.
The Av fuel I can get is 100 octane is supposed to be good for 10 years. I have had good luck with ethanol gas in the model T. I drive about 2000 miles between April and November, so the gas stays fresh in the summer.

Art Mirtes

I use aviation fuel in the my snow blowers and in the chain saws. I don't run out the gas when i put them away. They always easily start when needed.

Art Mirtes

Craig, That's a nice looking fire extinguisher. Until about 60 years ago, they were commonly filled with carbontetracloride. The FRX brand was made in my childhood hometown. Carbontetracloride was commonly used in my area as a cleaner when working on engines, transmissions, etc. Later it was declare...

Up until about 4 years ago, I used non alcohol gas in the model T. The price jumped from 50 cents per gallon to a dollar difference in price compared to regular ethanol gas. During winter storage I fill the tank ethanol gas and treat it with Sta-bil. I drain the gas in the carburetor. If needed, I c...

I am quiet sure Gaslight has them in stock

Forty years ago, I taught algebra and trigonometry at night to apprentices. I asked the school for chalk to use on the chalk board. They thought I was nuts, but the students liked my method. But I never had to throw an eraser. Today I would be sued for all kinds of damages.

Art Mirtes

Forty years ago, I taught algebra and trigonometry at night to apprentices. I asked the school for chalk to use on the chalk board. They thought I was nuts, but the students liked my method. But I never had to throw an eraser. Today I would be sued for all kinds of damages.

Art Mirtes

Are they the same as those in a 26 axle. I am assuming the gears at the ones pressed onto the axle shaft.

Art Mirtes

Peter, I totally agree with you. No way would I sign a waiver. Unless they are paying for articles, they have no right to claim ownership. The only reason that I can figure out is to prevent the same article to appear in the MTFCI magazine. Without this requirement, I am sure l there would be more a...

Received my issue today. Maybe the cover photo is a result of generational differences.

Art Mirtes

Treaded tires normally last longer than smooth tires.
What brand is best?

Let the debate begin.

Art Mirtes

Is the transmission, etc included in your shipment

I and many other forum users appreciate the all of the people who maintain the forum. I am sure there are many issues that the average user does see.

Keep up the work.

Art Mirtes

I am not familiar with FACT for coil testing. Can someone explain this.

Art Mirtes

I favor the northern route across Pennsylvania, I80. This is shorter than the route across southern New York. The interstate across Northern NY has a pricy toll, but might be the shortest route by a few miles.
As previously suggested, check the weather before making the decision. Good luc

Is this limited to MTFCA chapters.

Norman, I am happy to hear that you are maintaining and are using your model t's at 89. You might consider getting an alternator instead of a generator. An alternator is about the same price and a lot more reliable. My car has not had a charging system for 5 years I just occasionally recharge the ba...

My testing has shown that $100. is a lot to pay for something that is not necessary.

Art Mirtes

Andre, Thanks for clearing up my wire diameter concern. I will order the .8 mm, which is American Wire Gauge (AWG) 20. It will be easier to handle than AWG 18, 1.0 mm. I am interested in the use of a growler. I have one, but don't fully understand how to interpret the results. I watched my father us...

Andre, Thanks for sharing the detailed information on winding armature. The explanation is excellent. I am now excited to start. One question is the size of the wire. The old wire is approximately 1.25 mm. You use .8 mm diameter wire. The thinner wire will be easier to handle. I am hoping that your ...

Andre, Your generator armature rewinding looks really nice. I am interested in rewinding an armature that burned up because of a loose connection to the battery. My questions are 1. What is the white material along the slots. 2. Any preferred wire brand or supplier. 3. Are the wires soldered to the ...

I saw the pick up box for sale as well. It did look nice. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to put it on. Would love to gave a pickup, especially a 1912.

Arr Mirtes

Where in New York are you located.

That's good to hear. It shows that there are a lot of good and honest people in this great hobby.

Arr Mirtes

Eight years ago, I bought new cam bearings. The endplay clearance was ok. But, I had to scrape the babbit to get a proper journal fit. It was somewhat time consuming.

Art Mirtes

I agree with Steve about the price. I charged my magnets with about a dollars worth of material and had great success. An ammeter is really not needed to use your magnetizer. The unknown is how much voltage is needed charge a magnet. I would start with a 12 volt battery and add more batteries in ser...

I worked in a grease pit 60 some years ago. Hated every minute of it. I preferred working on a creeper at that time. I don't have a lift, so creeper it is

Art Mirtes

Ford made model C pickup trucks in 1933 and 34 with a 4 cylinder engine if my childhood memory serves correctly.

Art Mirtes

I should have said cut in voltage was about 6.2 volts. The cut out resulted at about 5.7 volts.

Art Mirtes

Prior to having a laboratory quality DC power supply, I used 4 D cell batteries to set the cut in voltage. The cutout was about 5.7 volts. This worked well until a loose connection at the terminal block caused the generator armature to burn up. Now I have to figure out how to rewind the armature. I ...

With any project, there are those who wonder what is happening, there are those who watch it happen, and then, there are those who make it happen.

Art Mirtes

I am wondering:
Type of varnish, water base or oil base
Sandpaper grit before each coating
Kind of brush, type bristle or foam.

Has anyone tried lacquer as a finish.

Art Mirtes

I still like my method of charging magneto magnets, with thr exception of being too close to the battery. I recommend using jumper cables between the battery and the charging coils. The coils are easy to wind. The required material is easy obtained and is very affordable. Pictured are shown above in...

I usually tour with Tim several times each year. Haven't seen him in the past year.

Art Mirtes

I would use a 12 volt unless your equipment is 6 volt.
12 volt Marine battery. 6 volt golf cart battery

Art Mirtes

When I bought my 23 touring, the garage door was about 1/2 inch too low for the car. I let let the air out of the rear tires. And yes, I did have trouble with a damaged tube stem. At the time, I didn't know the connection of tire slipping on the rim and low tire pressure. In 1977, tire shops were wi...

George House,
Thanks for the pictures.

Art Mirtes

Ron Patterson,
Thanks for the explanation. That is exactly what I was looking for. I might add one to my spare generator. My other generator burned up about 5 years ago because of a loose connection

Art Mirtes

George,
Your 5 amp fuse in your generator is interesting to me. Could you describe where it is connected. Does it reduce the chances of the generator burning up if the battery connection to the generator is lost.

Art Mirtes

I am not the owner. I HOPE the owner drives and shows the car.

That is a very nice looking car. I the owner frequently drives and shows the car.

Period tire irons include pieces of leaf springs. My collection from my father's tools include several spring leafs.

Art Mirtes

I like Rajoracer's method of measuring caster except my sliderule indicates a .44 inch spacer should be used in order to obtain 5.5 degree caster.

Art Mirtes

Harbor Fright might have what you want. At times I use 3 irons when dealing the tires.

Art Mirtes

Tom Moorehead,
In order to use dental floss, I drilled a hole in the washers and in the nuts before installation. Removal prior to drilling requires rags and and a lot of care.

Art Mirtes

A club member and I found that a Garmin will work without any problems with our 6 volt cars. Each of us have been using a Garmin for at least 7 years.
Other members use a cell phone to track speed, mileage etc.

Art Mirtes

Todd, Pulling the engine and rebuilding it is a good choice. Get it rebuilt over the winter and have it ready for touring in the spring. I live about 60 miles north of you and I suspect the comfortable touring season is over. Normally I do several tours in November. Probably not this year. Art Mirtes

Todd, Pulling the engine and rebuilding it is a good choice. Get it rebuilt over the winter and have it ready for touring in the spring. I live about 60 miles north of you and I suspect the comfortable touring season is over. Normally I do several tours in November. Probably not this year. Art Mirtes

I just scrapped a dozen roller timers. Without a lathe, I didn't know how to correct the lumpy contact surface. Now I wish I had the old timers back. About 1600 miles seems to be the life of a roller timer for me. I frequently clean and lube the roller. The roller life has improved in recent years. ...

Wayne,
The grade 8 bolts that you talk about might not have the right alloys or not have been properly hardened and tempered. Years ago many bolts from a hardware store were lacking the correct metallurgy.

Art Mirtes

I just happen to see the tires were are on a 25. What are the size of the tires. They might not be 30x3.5

Art Mirtes

10,000 miles on tires and showing little wear is incredible. If this is typical, my next tires might be Firestones even though they are priced higher than other brands.

Art Mirtes

When I was a teenager, I worked with the late Larry Becker (Norwalk, Ohio). He thought me a lot and he had very few failures with his tinkering. He was great at teaching the young ones.

Art Mirtes

Almost all industrial bearing ate sized in metric. The ball sizes are in fraction of inches.

Art Mirtes

My thought is that the side doesn't matter. It is important to made sure the clamping surfaces and the threads are clean. The bolt should be torqued to about 35 ft-lb. I think the bolt size is 3/8-24. The resulting clamp load is about 8350 lb. At 2000 rpm, the rod load at the piston pin is about 290...

Good job Tim and Jeff. Fifty years after Gettysburg, a reunion was held at Gettysburg. Sources say that there were 50,000 veterans attended. This was 1913, the same year as Tim's car. There were discussions of holding a 60 year reunion, but the thought was that there were too few veterans still livi...

My wallpaper steamer would probably work for cleaning parts. After steaming the last of the never returning wallpaper, I gave the steamer to my son. I still don't want it back because my wife might get some funny ideas.

Art Mirtes

James,
Your information is interesting and helpful for preparation.

What size generator do you have? Can all the appliances be operated at the same time? How much fuel per day is consumed?

Art Mirtes

Any NH carbs.

Art Mirtes

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