MTFCA Forum

Jerry VanOoteghem

WOW! I'm shocked. I too always believed these were solid! I also had a guardian angel watching over me. Driving my T down a hilly country road, I made a left hand turn. Proceeded about 1/2 mile and just after topping a nice hill, I realized I made a wrong turn. Seconds after pulling into a driveway ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Last night I helped a new T owner start his 1925 Runabout. Probably hasn't run in the last 4 or 5 years. It took some coaxing, but we finally brought her back to life. We ran the battery down till the starter wouldn't turn her over anymore, than began to crank. When she finally took off, it was only...

Jerry VanOoteghem

tom_strickling wrote: ↑
Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:01 pm
What about the covered bridge Model T tour ???

Tom,

The last I heard, a couple weeks ago, is that it's still a "go".

Jerry VanOoteghem

It's amazing how many that read this forum don't understand what they are reading! That's because some people actually come here to LEARN, (versus showing off how much they already know), and not to be chastised or insulted because they haven't spent 50 years in this hobby. Too bad that those with ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

My question is mostly out of curiosity. There was a discussion of triple gear pins ( on the transmission side) sometimes becoming slightly egg shaped due to the side load, and if I remember correctly, the process of 'concentric grinding' of the pins was mentioned in passing.... And it was a bit dif...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Darin,

Your grandpa is smiling right now... and so am I! I've been following your progress, and adding a tip or two along the way, and waiting for this day. Proud to have you in the Model T hobby!

Jerry VanOoteghem

Dennis,

Your drum looks just fine. That's not very much wear at all. Not worth removing any material from it.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Here's another one; Anthony Medley (Medlee) 6738 Shorebrook Road Shelby Township, MI 48316 detroitearlybrasscars@gmail.com 1(313)919-1939 A real POS, owes me for $750.00 plus wasting my time twice. I do not talk trash but truth about dishonest people! Be careful! Hank Hmmm. That's about 15 minutes ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑
Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:01 am
Does fan have the old bushing or the new bearing modification?

That's an important question to answer and could change my advice above!

Jerry VanOoteghem

The whole pulley, along with the bushings pressed into it, are supposed to spin on the shaft.

Jerry VanOoteghem

While it's ugly, it should not be that hard to repair the leak.

It looks as if the bolt was cracked for a while, then finally "let go".

Jerry VanOoteghem

There's always UPS Red.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Thanks Norm. I do have some Timesaver so that'll come in handy when the time comes. Ross has an excellent reputation for good work. If you keep the oil up and drive reasonably, it should be a long time before you'll need your Timesaver. Since it was rebuilt, (not by Ross), my '26 Fordor engine prob...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Prestone...

Jerry VanOoteghem

The ill-fated Lizard head had the spark plug over the piston as well. To the opinion of some, that was not a good idea. The flame path was thereby directed from the center, towards the valve area, so when complete combustion occurred, it was in the secluded valve pocket. At least that was the thinki...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I also like to remember the stainless steel coffee urns and the doughnuts on Saturday morning. And also finally being allowed inside the chicken wire. I also remember the first Motor Muster where they staked out the lower field to OCF dimensions. When the gigantic fifties cars showed up we had to d...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Every year I miss a special dinner on the same weekend of the OCF. I have also used the OCF as a reason to be late for relatives' weddings. This year my wife has made it clear that excuses will not be tolerated and I will be taking her to the dinner. The cancellation of the Old Car Festival is real...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I'm gonna walk around in a daze, with a blank look on my face, (not too different than any other day), because, my entire life, I have been at OCF on that weekend. I don't know how to do anything else...

By the way, tell Chuck Martel that Jerry Van says hello!

Jerry VanOoteghem

John,

"...the restaurants, hotels..."

Yup. Exactly. Pack food in coolers? Bring a tent?

Jerry VanOoteghem

I know of a few folks who use this item. Then you can use easy-to-find 12V LED's... https://www.amazon.com/DIGITEN-Converter-Regulator-Waterproof-Module/dp/B019GY2FLW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GZ4HS86DVME3&dchild=1&keywords=6v+to+12v+converter&qid=1597420505&sprefix=6v+to+12v%2Caps%2C481&sr=8-3 There are seve...

Jerry VanOoteghem

David,

The last I heard, about a week ago, the Covered Bridge Tour in IN is still a "GO". I'll PM you an email address.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Does the hand crank ratchet still engage properly, without wanting to slip off the pin?

Jerry VanOoteghem

Happy to live in these times, when the world is in color.

Jerry VanOoteghem

If Dan Treace shows you how to do something, you know it is correct. Heads on the lining side. Agree 100%!!! Heads on the lining side! The small bit of the curled over tubular end is not enough to properly grab the lining material. You need the wide head, countersunk as shown above, to grab enough ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

ivaldes1 wrote: ↑
Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:52 pm
I've decided to wear it to church.

An excellent idea!

Jerry VanOoteghem

Scott, all looked good but I put in some Ultra Black to make it better. That should help. Scott and Jerry I was advised to try using tapered feeler gauges to see how the fit was. I was able to slide the 0.004 feeler gauge between the 4th main and the tail shaft. I had to work to get the 0.005 feele...

Jerry VanOoteghem

ivaldes1 wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:26 am
It is otherwise good.

No, it really isn't. Keep it as a conversation piece?

Jerry VanOoteghem

My Curved Dash Olds came with a set of new wheels, made by one of the firms mentioned here. Even so, I had a second set made by Stutzman and those will be the ones I use.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Thanks Allen, Very good advice. Like I said the restoration was done 30 years ago and there were 2 shims. They had worn through is spots and the castle nut was loose after removing the cotter pin. The photo with the green arrows was from an earlier post that I used as an illustration. All 4 wheels ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I want to be sure of what Mark is saying here. ...and you don't have any axle side play Would that 'play' be a sloppiness along this axis? AxlePlay.jpg Jeff, The axle key, as it's shown in your photo, is upside down. The curved side of the key is meant to fit into the curved bottom of the axle keyw...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I got the broken drill bit out this morning by slowly drill small holes around it. Would JB weld be strong enough to fill the whole and redrill or should I fill it with my wire feed? Here is the thrust washer they tried to braze to the broken drill bit. I would drill out the hole further to make it...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I've towed my Fordor Sedan with a visor many thousands of miles. It faces forward. I had the visor break some years back. It broke not so much due to going 70 mph, but more due to the visor's frame being rusted badly. Consider that when you're doing 70, you're most likely not travelling in still air...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Any kind of filler that can withstand 212F and almost zero pressure should work fine. No need for very heat intensive welding/brazing.

Jerry VanOoteghem

This really hurts. Deepest sympathies to Carol Anne and the family

May he rest in peace.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Tom, No offense meant toward you. I was just pointing out that even though Buckeye may not show an alternator for a Model T that looks like a T generator on their website or catalog, Snyders sell Buckeye starter, generators, and alternators and Snyder's does list a T alternator in their catalog tha...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Not saying it's a good idea for your car, but my dad claimed to have had 1/16" taken off the block in his/my '25 Touring. No problems.

For deep pitting at the outer edge of the block, (not next to the bore), you might consider filling with hi-temp JB Weld, or even babbitt.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Help me understand here. Their website shows nothing that looks like what we might recognize as an alternator. Do they somehow fit a small alternator inside a Model T generator housing?? If so, they don't seem to say so. An alternator hidden within a T generator housing would be a huge selling poin...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Here's my take on checking your spark plugs periodically: Don't do it. Makes me think of constantly checking the inside of the refrigerator to make sure the light went off. If the car runs fine then why do it. Plugs usually look inconsistent anyway. #1 is usually sootier than the rest as it runs a l...

Jerry VanOoteghem

You know that if you teach a man to fish then give him a 20 ton arbor press he will spend 2 days smushing random things before getting down to business. Similarly, if you build a man a fire, you'll keep him warm for a day. If you set that man on fire, you'll keep him warm for the rest of his life. ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

D Stroud wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:39 am
Allan, I think the bus driver had to be very careful where the students sat, that thing is way back heavy even when empty, unless the body was built extremely light in the rear. JMHO Dave

"Bus drivers over 300 lbs need only apply for this job"

Jerry VanOoteghem

Help me understand here. Their website shows nothing that looks like what we might recognize as an alternator. Do they somehow fit a small alternator inside a Model T generator housing?? If so, they don't seem to say so. An alternator hidden within a T generator housing would be a huge selling point...

Jerry VanOoteghem

It’s ok Norm, I didn’t tighten the bolts securing the hogshead to the car as I found the leak. It was the screws securing the Bendix gear cover that fell out that were the source of my leak. What size lock washers would I need for those screws? Would a T parts supplier have them? Those aircraft bol...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Stephen, Here's how you can compare/check spindle arms. First, remove both spindle assemblies**. Then, insert the kingpin in each spindle assembly. On a nice, flat surface, lay the spindle assemblies on their sides, supporting each end of the kingpin with two blocks of equal thickness. This should c...

Jerry VanOoteghem

No, it shouldn't bow inwards. Some bodies have no bow. My dad always stated that '25 bodies were supposed to bow slightly outward, versus previous years that belong straight. I don't know what his source was for that info however.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Stephen_heatherly wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 24, 2020 10:20 am

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 24, 2020 9:48 am
As you do your checking, also look out for a bent spindle arm. Compare right & left arms.
Jerry, do you mean the stub axle where the wheel attaches or the arm the tie rod connects to?

Stephen

I mean the arm that the tie rod connects to.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Did you do a compression test after your valve job? Are you certain that all of your new valves are seated well? If not, it may explain your "struggles at low RPM".

Jerry VanOoteghem

As you do your checking, also look out for a bent spindle arm. Compare right & left arms.

Jerry VanOoteghem

I don’t see any cracks on the hogshead, just looks like she’s leaking near the bolt by the engine. I’ll see how that fix works. I don't think he means "crack", as in a fracture. I think he's just referring to a gap between the pan and hogshead where the gasket may be bad. However, there is the poss...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Yes, it's shorter, and it also brings the steering column shaft closer to the frame than earlier brackets do. This accommodates for the wider bodies used in 26/27. They're not for use on pre-26 cars.

Jerry VanOoteghem

I looked the car over pretty well before it was purchased by Dick Duncan, (who was a true gentleman as Jon Crane attests). It was in the front window of DuMouchelle's Auction House in Downtown Detroit. There were some items not correct for 1921 and some other inconsistencies as well. When Mr. Duncan...

Jerry VanOoteghem

They are full floating rear hubs which take the load of the vehicle off the axle and allow the axle to just turn the wheel, not support the car and turn the wheel. When installing, you need to trim an inch off that flange which would eliminate your issue. Just a thought that popped in my head. I'll...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I’m also missing a bolt under my engine, which specific bolt do I replace it with? Having trouble uploading pictures. :/ I’ll try and get some uploaded soon. You are NOT missing a bolt. I can see the the edge of the bolt head. What you photographed is a bolt hole that goes all the way through the f...

Jerry VanOoteghem

paddy1998 wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:49 pm

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 19, 2020 2:58 pm
Your paper exhaust manifold gasket is leaking. Use the correct "copper ring & gland" style.
Yep.

Pulled them off and there was a big tear on two of the ports.

Went back to the old ones and all is well.

Thanks!

Great! Happy to help!

Jerry VanOoteghem

Your paper exhaust manifold gasket is leaking. Use the correct "copper ring & gland" style.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Don't "pop" it into high. I assume when you say that, you're essentially letting the pedal snap back. That's never good! You don't need to feather it, but let it come back in a moderately rapid, but controlled manner, with your foot regulating the rate at which you engage high. The important thing i...

Jerry VanOoteghem

The flat tube radiator will certainly be something I’ll be buying once I have her mechanical and electrical issues sorted! I have to install a fuel shut off valve in front of the carb since my fuel shut off under the tank is broken open and flooded the carb since the tank is full (probably going to...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I have used regular & synthetic oils in my T's. I find no difference in band grip, one way or the other.

Jerry VanOoteghem

I’ve made sure oil is up to the top petcock, it drips out when opened. I just have pure water in the cooling system just covering the radiator coils as of right now but once the weather starts turning I’ll drain some and add antifreeze. I’m still pretty bad at driving the T and stalled it going up ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

When running on the magneto it makes no difference at all how the battery is hooked up, or even if there's no battery at all. (Don't do that though because it will burn up your generator). The mag & the battery are two totally separate power sources. Do NOT, in any way, mingle the two together or it...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Lots of thoughts here. I'll add mine. Most of my T's are really happy up to 35 mph. At 37-38 mph the engine goes through a vibration node that it seems to dislike, (and so do I), sneaking past that, up to 40 mph, everything smooths out like silk. The mirrors calm down so you can actually use them! I...

Jerry VanOoteghem

There are dozens of scenarios, real & hypothetical, of how seat belts could save you.... or injure you. Bottom line is this, seat belts are NOT stand-alone safety devices. They are one element of a safety system. They, and the cars they are installed in, are designed to work together, as a system. M...

Jerry VanOoteghem

perry kete wrote: ↑
Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:37 am

How do you date a TT?
I usually buy it flowers and take it to dinner!

Oh come on now you that was coming!

I'm so proud of you! I wanted to say, "buy it a drink", but lost my nerve. Just like when dating girls.... oh well.

Jerry VanOoteghem

So sorry to read this. What a great guy he was. I don't think I've ever seen him without a smile on his face. Condolences to Dave and the rest of the family. May his soul rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Jerry VanOoteghem

the answer to your question is tell them to put the shaft in a swivel vise using v blocks. swivel the vice until the taper indicates straight with the machine ways. use a 1\4 woodruff key cutter and key it .135 deep. philip That's not the right way to pick it up Phillip. If you do that, when you're...

Jerry VanOoteghem

the answer to your question is tell them to put the shaft in a swivel vise using v blocks. swivel the vice until the taper indicates straight with the machine ways. use a 1\4 woodruff key cutter and key it .135 deep. philip That's not the right way to pick it up Phillip. If you do that, when you're...

Jerry VanOoteghem

"I am afraid that this might change the character of the car an devalue it. Would it actually do that?" It certainly would for me. That being said, if I wanted to buy a car that had such a conversion, I would still go ahead and buy it. I would then make it my first order of business to put it back t...

Jerry VanOoteghem

The top & bottom ones in each photo are for NRS Fords.

They look like very nice ones too!

Jerry VanOoteghem

That tool may do what you want, but really, it's an upholstery material stretcher. Here's one: https://www.amazon.com/US-Art-Supply-Canvas-Gripper/dp/B00PSKMUFA/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=upholstery+pliers&qid=1593903526&sr=8-7 Here's a much nicer one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PSKPDMC/ref=sspa...

Jerry VanOoteghem

John E. Guitar wrote: ↑
Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:56 pm
Grand Central Auto Show 5.jpg

Grand Central Auto Show 3.jpg

Grand Central Auto Show 2.jpg

Grand Central Auto Show 1.jpg

Grand Central Auto Show entrance.jpg

John E.,

If you'll pardon me for being off-topic, Is your profile photo a picture of Joe Maphis?

Jerry VanOoteghem

I'm going to join others here and say that's a bad idea. By removing additional steel and reducing the cross sectional area of the axle end, you're greatly reducing it's strength. Having two key ways, 180 degrees apart is also just poor practice anyway. The only thing I would even begin to consider,...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Jeff,

I assume it has the Ford logo cast on it?

Jerry VanOoteghem

Probably made of Bronze (copper and tin) which is much harder and stronger than brass (copper and zinc), although different metals can be used in bronze such as aluminium and manganese and even a bit of zinc too. Brass is used in lamps and fittings in the T and is quite soft and malleable. (Bronze ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Yes, absolutely return it! Probably should have contacted Chaffin's before the forum and they would have put things right already.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Linus,

Do a search for Tolex on Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tolex&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Is this what you want?

Jerry VanOoteghem

When you begin to bog down in high, just let up on the gas and push the clutch pedal all the way down into low, then accelerate.

Jerry VanOoteghem

What is and where can I get the proper driver? Ignacio, You can see in your old bushing how the driver jammed itself in for what appears to be about 3/32" at the one end. This is what made the bushing so tight, even after it was split. The driver being rammed into the end of the bushing expanded it...

Jerry VanOoteghem

As previously stated, the driver you had WAS too small for the job. Had it been correct for removing the bushing, you very likely would have driven it out with a 5 pound sledge in about 6 wacks. The small diameter shoulder of an undersize driver actually peens the bushing into the bore and makes it...

Jerry VanOoteghem

It was a beautiful tour! Great weather, great roads & great people!!!

Jerry VanOoteghem

Thanks for the info....my thought was... I have a 26 fordor, with a new berg radiator.. the fan has been being a problem, so I thought I'll just take it off which creates another problem, the belt to turn the pump, well I here some say that should go...... I dont know what to think, maybe I'll take...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Looks as though the "Bendix Gear" is engaged in the flywheel all f the time. That raises a concern about longevity. The Bendix gear is actuated by a solenoid, as per a modern starter. The pic shows it at rest with the Bendix retracted. So, if this is retracted, that must mean that the gear engages ...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Looks like there is plenty of bushing there. The indent is from your driver tool. I’d say that either you have the wrong driver or it’s poorly made. The outside diameter of the driver you are using is too small. Adam has it! Your driver tool diameter is too small and it's forcing itself into the bu...

Jerry VanOoteghem

All T's are made that way. Not a problem.

Jerry VanOoteghem

When you're shifting from low to high, the engine is running the slowest and therefore your magneto output is at its lowest. It's also the time when you need all 4 cylinders participating or you get bucking & jerking. To me, it would appear that your magneto is getting very marginal in its output, h...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Wow ! Did anyone read my earlier post ? Just skip over the obvious . . . I did, and you are correct - 100%. Why no one else mentions it is beyond me. While it's definitely a factor in this conversation, it's not the only issue. Such as the apparent gap between the wishbone ends and the spring perch...

Jerry VanOoteghem

The last new lawnmower I bought, came with an empty gas tank, (as you would expect), and with no oil in the engine. Pretty much the same as a Model T 100 years ago I guess and most likely for all the same reasons.

Jerry VanOoteghem

RajoRacer wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 20, 2020 8:54 pm
This is a Ford Z tool - it's used to bend the pedals cold and would place your reverse pedal centered between the other two as it should be !

Well, ok, I'll agree with the reverse pedal needing to be contered.

Jerry VanOoteghem

I don't see anything wrong with them the way they are.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Let me be the second here to wish you a happy birthday!!! Happy to read that you're going strong!

Jerry VanOoteghem

Bud, That's interesting! I once saw a Hupmobile 20 with a T steering gear box fitted into its steering column, under the hood, way down near the pitman arm. For what it's worth, I haven't figured out how to post pics here either. Probably could get it figured out, but don't have the patience... :roll:

Jerry VanOoteghem

Jon, When you say 2 knocks, then an interval, then 2 knocks, etc., it makes me think that you have a couple of bad teeth on your ring gear. If the trouble were in your bendix, it would knock at even intervals, (e.g. * * * * *, versus **....**....**....**). If you remove the bendix and have someone c...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Scott, Calling it, reverting to 100 year old technology is one way of putting it but in saying 100 year old technology that still works today is another. How may of us have pulled down modern engines that are running on the bronze/brass/ copper alloy of a slipper shall and the crank is still in spe...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Plus the wishbone looks to be installed upside down. If it is ,flipping it would change the gap on the drag link and set the proper caster on the spindles. It appears the spindles are straight up and down or slightly leaning forward on top. Just something to think about. I believe you're correct De...

Jerry VanOoteghem

Bud,

Not sure who supplied what or when, but the bill-of-sale for my Grandfather's '26 Fordor had a separate charge on it for "Gas & Oil". So, I don't know who supplied it, but I know who paid for it.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Great presentation. Thank you Trent. And Thank you Rob for making it happen. We had a mini tornado here last Wednesday and I had no power to attend the meeting. Now I am caught up and look forward to the next one. I could've driven to Jerry Van's but I wasn't invited. We have standards to uphold. B...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I was thinking I should replace the ball cap(4th main) to try to reduce leaking down the drive shaft. It appears that you can get 4 different sizes of ball caps. However, the part of the cap that is babbitted is about 2 1/2 inches inside the hogshead. How do you measure that far inside? Do they mak...

Jerry VanOoteghem

In your second photo, when I enlarge it, I believe I'm seeing a gap between the shoulder of your wishbone and the spring perch. There should be no such gap. Makes it look as if your wishbone is not fully seated against the back of the spring perch. It's very important that it is.

Jerry VanOoteghem

Thomas you will be very impressed when you DO experience a kick back. What you're advising is quite risky, assuming you're starting on battery. Agree 100%! Thomas, Your car may be timed a bit too retarded with the spark all the way up, so for YOU a few notches down is great, I suppose. However, you...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I did not remove the wheel from the car, I removed the tire, replaced the tube and tire with the wheel on the car. I probably got too aggressive when remounting the tire and moved the rim to the inside of the felloes? I would love to be able to remove the tire and realign the rim with the rest of t...

Jerry VanOoteghem

I don't think you have to worry about whether or not the ends are the later style or the early tapered & rounded end style. Being the top leaf, the ends should only be just barely visible, (if visible at all), when installed in the car. If it's an issue for you, just grind in the taper and round off...

Jerry VanOoteghem

jiminbartow wrote: ↑
Wed Jun 10, 2020 9:01 pm
... you can get a good grip with a Stinson (pipe) wrench.

If you'll forgive me please; Stillson.

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