Search found 200 matches
- Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:19 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Lockpicking old locks
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1305
Re: Lockpicking old locks
Not wanting to contribute to too much thread drift here, but apropos Jim's comment I'm reminded of when we had some fairly devastating earthquakes here and it was the job of various groups to attempt access to every building in town in order to determine if there were people trapped etc... It turned...
- Sat Jan 09, 2021 6:04 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Lockpicking old locks
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1305
Re: Lockpicking old locks
I suppose that, at least initially, I'd try a little more finesse than Dan (it ekes out the fun!), what sort of lock is it you're wanting to have a go at?
- Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:15 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Matt, The speedometer comment was probably a bit of a non-sequitur. I had thought I'd mentioned it in this thread previously, but perhaps not - and in any event it would have been a long time ago now! Regardless, there was another thread on it that didn't go anywhere because I'd spent most of my spa...
- Sun Jan 03, 2021 5:41 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Well said Luke, but what is the project?????, Is it an electronic circuit exercise showing a visual display that a coil produces when battery voltage (DC) is applied to it, or is an exercise to properly adjust a MODEL T FORD ignition coil that was designed to start and run on an alternating current...
- Sat Jan 02, 2021 3:07 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Good job Matt, and pleasing to see there's still some life left in this project...
- Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:13 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Beginner frame riveting.
- Replies: 37
- Views: 2684
Re: Beginner frame riveting.
I recently posted on this subject, apologies to those that have seen this already but I remain concerned that people sometimes don't realise it's important to heat the entire rivet, not just the head: An important point to note when you're doing the job (and really the main reason for riveting rathe...
- Thu Nov 26, 2020 5:04 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: What is your preferred parts cleaner?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1379
Re: What is your preferred parts cleaner?
There was a time when kerosene was cheap and plentiful. It works well for parts cleaning but now is pretty expensive. Bear in mind that most jet fuel is more or less kerosene (Jet A / A-1 etc), and it works well as a cleaner. Should be gallons of cheap/free time-expired stuff around (anyone nearby ...
- Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:01 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: How Many Ts used in the decades since production ended
- Replies: 14
- Views: 844
Re: How Many Ts used in the decades since production ended
.... Of that number about 600 survive now in the UK (that excludes a further 600 imported from the USA in the last 30 years) .... it's hard to believe that the number now is more than 50000. Chris, Interesting to see your numbers, thanks. A while ago I did an extrapolation from our own data and cam...
- Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:43 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Model T and others in color
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1348
Re: Model T and others in color
Actually in my country color has never existed, colour on the other hand ...Burger in Spokane wrote: ↑Sat Nov 07, 2020 1:08 pmEverybody knows that color didn't exist before 1933 !

- Sun Nov 01, 2020 4:50 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Fun Projects VR Alternative?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1123
Re: Fun Projects VR Alternative?
... Question then can the exposed electronics be adapted to work properly - it costs $10 with $1. 50 shipping. ... Frank, I couldn't see any schematic with that link, but from what I could tell from the photograph the high-current components looked as if they may well be wired as a you would expect...
- Sat Oct 31, 2020 5:20 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Fun Projects VR Alternative?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1123
Re: Fun Projects VR Alternative?
The three-brush generator on the Model T (and Model A) will work fine at either 12V or 6V. In standard form you need to use a cutout (mechanical or solid state) and manually adjust the current - there is plenty of good information on this site how to do that. Better still you can use a voltage regul...
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:17 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Replacing front crossmember
- Replies: 15
- Views: 976
Re: Replacing front crossmember
To further illustrate what I was describing above here's a couple of video clips on the how to go about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn1m1egXY5I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWmFxtGw_Lo At about 1:30 on this video you can see a good example of what I was getting at about how the rivet shou...
- Fri Oct 23, 2020 4:44 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Replacing front crossmember
- Replies: 15
- Views: 976
Re: Replacing front crossmember
An important point to note when you're doing the job (and really the main reason for riveting rather than bolting): The entire rivet should be heated , ideally in a forge, before putting in place and hammering. If you can't do this then at least the entire shaft should be heated by whatever mechanis...
- Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:18 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Direct LED replacement headlight
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1948
Re: Direct LED replacement headlight
Chris, I can only speak from fundamentals, others may have actual experience, but my initial view is that the right LED lamp should cope with a magneto. As LED's are a current device many headlamps will have proper drivers contained within the carapace of the unit, which themselves tend to have wide...
- Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:45 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Direct LED replacement headlight
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1948
Re: Direct LED replacement headlight
Snyder lists LED replacement headlight bulbs for MODEL A's in their catalog. Are the locating pins the same as a Model T? Would they work? Terry, as far as the base is concerned they are the same. In terms of the business end, the Model A has a 50/32 CP (Candle Power) bulb, the Model T manual "Answ...
- Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:36 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Re: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
Thanks Bill, I'll pass that link on to Steve.
- Wed Oct 14, 2020 6:52 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Direct LED replacement headlight
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1948
Re: Direct LED replacement headlight
No matter how LED's are arrayed, they cannot be made to replicate the pinpoint light source of an incandescent fillament. At best, multiple LED's can approximate this, but it is still a scattergun approach, made worse for oncoming vehicles by the intensity of the light. As for low beam, how does th...
- Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:41 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Re: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
For those interested in the human side of this story I spoke with Steve again today; he's been able to decipher some of the documentation he received from which some interesting things have turned up. It turns out that his Dad was captured by the Germans in 1942 or thereabouts. His brother was sent ...
- Wed Oct 14, 2020 12:05 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Direct LED replacement headlight
- Replies: 35
- Views: 1948
Re: Direct LED replacement headlight
Over the past year I went to some trouble to locate an [inexpensive] LED replacement for the tungsten filament bulbs in my T. I wanted to use LED's for the low(er) current requirements, which meant I could reduce the generator charge current and save the battery from cooking, amongst other things. W...
- Mon Oct 12, 2020 5:04 pm
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: The Beach Boys yellow pickup.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 753
Re: The Beach Boys yellow pickup.
Ok, some more searching using a different engine ... from the following photograph I think it is a Model A (look at the dash etc) but with V8 wheels, odd lights, and of course those grass doors: beach-boys-history2.png I don't know a lot about the models that came immediately after the Model A, or e...
- Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:51 pm
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: The Beach Boys yellow pickup.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 753
Re: The Beach Boys yellow pickup.
Brent: Given Henry's predilection for farm-related manufacturing techniques (Fordite, Soy bootlids etc) I wouldn't be so sure! Erik: That was excruciating :-) I'm remain curious as to the origins and subsequent path of the vehicle post this photograph. I'm really surprised there's so little informat...
- Sun Oct 11, 2020 10:39 pm
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: The Beach Boys yellow pickup.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 753
The Beach Boys yellow pickup.
I got here in a round-a-bout way after looking at some detail on John Lennon's 80th birthday ... what I found, and was intrigued with, was this photograph: beach-boys-history.jpg I've seen it variously described as a 'Jalopy', 'Truck' and a Model A, depending upon the reporter, but I'd like to know ...
- Mon Oct 05, 2020 10:57 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Ford folks
- Replies: 12
- Views: 540
Re: Ford folks
I like the 4th photo, where the guy has just broken his wrist from cranking. I was quite taken by that photo too. I tried to enlarge the relevant area to see where the advance lever was at, however the original quality wasn't quite good enough (and the reflection on the screen didn't help). It did ...
- Sat Sep 26, 2020 3:47 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Re: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
For anyone interested in this thread, here's a short update... Steve recently obtained his dad's service records. Unfortunately they're all in Polish, which Steve doesn't read, however (thanks to an online translator) he's been able to determine at least that his dad spent 1942/1943 as P.O.W. in Ger...
- Wed Sep 09, 2020 2:08 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
John, Good to see your build - it looks as if you have a slot for two coils? If you look back through the various posts you'll see a fair amount of into that may give you some idea of the target TTF and how that is derived. In my view, based on personal experience, first principles, and information ...
- Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:17 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Matt, Good on you for doing this, I hope you get some responses. Over here I'm beginning to see one or two things I ordered back in January, so perhaps I'll have some gear to work with by the time our summer break comes around. Not sure yet if that'll mean much change to the code/hardware, but a bit...
- Wed Sep 02, 2020 3:00 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Coils not working
- Replies: 39
- Views: 1602
Re: Coils not working
Rick, There are several things that could be at issue, and at several thousand miles distance it's a little difficult to go over all of them, but the likely problem is simply 'connections'. There are connections in the coils themselves (eg. points), the box that houses the coils (eg. the spring conn...
- Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:01 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Adventures with " The Big Green Truck"
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1486
Re: Adventures with " The Big Green Truck"
Here you go ... Tank removed, colour, sepia, and grey versions. I've 'aged' the sepia and grey photo's a little - the grey photo more so. I've also added a cropped version that sharpens the image and gets rid of the, er, 'newer' machinery evident to the LHS ;) green_truck_colour.jpg green_truck_old_...
- Wed Aug 12, 2020 2:45 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Measurement Request - '26 Roadster Top
- Replies: 10
- Views: 942
Re: Measurement Request - '26 Roadster Top
Tom, See the drawing below. Is this what you were looking for? I hope it's clear enough - unfortunately I was struggling with low light due to some faulty fluro tubes so the sketch isn't as good as it could be (and it just 'grew' rather organically). With my car I discovered that there appeared to b...
- Mon Aug 10, 2020 2:47 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Measurement Request - '26 Roadster Top
- Replies: 10
- Views: 942
Re: Measurement Request - '26 Roadster Top
Tom,
I have a '26 Roadster, I've no idea if it matters but as it's ex-U.S. it should be ok to get the measurements from.
Unfortunately I may not be able to get to it 'till Wed morning our time, however if no-one else has come up with anything I'll check it out then and post the information for you.
I have a '26 Roadster, I've no idea if it matters but as it's ex-U.S. it should be ok to get the measurements from.
Unfortunately I may not be able to get to it 'till Wed morning our time, however if no-one else has come up with anything I'll check it out then and post the information for you.
- Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:29 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Re: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
Frank, you're right the trail can seem to go on forever! Thanks for spending your time on this - Steve has requested his father's U.K. service records, but due to recent events he hasn't rec'd that data yet. It's probably more the mystery around the Model T photograph, and Karol's time in the U.S. t...
- Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:05 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Some more info has come to light
This is turning out to be quite an international trip ... Steve sent me some more info today that he'd got from his sister in the U.K. "It appears that Dad enlisted into the Polish land forces in 1944,and was in the 1st armoured division.. we got this off his cap badge and sleeve badges... later he ...
- Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:42 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Re: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
Allan, do you think the chairs you mention could be as old as 1940? I know that's what the thing looks like, but I suppose I thought they'd be more wooden legs and canvas seats etc at that time. Tim, I still can't 'see' the lake, but I'll have another look in the morning! Thanks for the info on the ...
- Wed Aug 05, 2020 6:23 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Re: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
Wow, thanks for all the input everyone! Thomas, Frank, Jim, I agree it looks like a chair, but it seems to be floating in space - which does make it look a little incongruent to the rest of the photo. I think at this stage it's not likely to add much more to solving the puzzle? Unless perhaps someon...
- Wed Aug 05, 2020 2:33 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4240
Can we solve a 75-year old mystery?
A few months ago I visited a friend, Steve. We got talking about old cars and he mentioned that he had a photo of one that he'd be interested to know more about. Just today I had the chance to visit him again, and obtain a copy of said photo. Below you'll see what that photo was of - I make it as a ...
- Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:24 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: MTFCA and MTFCI Representation in Georgia
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1220
Re: MTFCA and MTFCI Representation in Georgia
Darin,
It's very kind of you to offer your help, thank you - very much.
I've responded to your email (where's the thumbs up emoticon!
Cheers, Luke.
It's very kind of you to offer your help, thank you - very much.
I've responded to your email (where's the thumbs up emoticon!

Cheers, Luke.
- Wed Jul 15, 2020 9:02 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: MTFCA and MTFCI Representation in Georgia
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1220
Re: MTFCA and MTFCI Representation in Georgia
Darin, Unfortunately I can't help you, although I wish you a good outcome in your pursuit. My reason for responding is that I have a little personal interest in what you come up with. My own Model T was shipped from Douglasville, GA, in about 2012 and although I've been able to find out a little abo...
- Tue Jul 07, 2020 10:56 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Possibly one of the first single-make car clubs in the world?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1002
Re: Possibly one of the first single-make car clubs in the world?
Interesting information Tony, thanks. An Austin Seven was the first vehicle I drove (apparently), when I was three years old. I remember nothing of it but I had let off the handbrake and nicely reversed it down a significant hill into a neighbours drive - more, I suspect, through good luck than good...
- Tue Jul 07, 2020 4:25 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Church outing at Peel Forest, Feb 13, 1913.
- Replies: 3
- Views: 945
Re: Church outing at Peel Forest, Feb 13, 1913.
Thanks Keith, apologies for removing the content.
- Tue Jul 07, 2020 4:24 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: When nobody worried about scratching their T
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2469
Re: When nobody worried about scratching their T
Thanks Tony.
I appreciate you all responding, apologies for removing the content.
I appreciate you all responding, apologies for removing the content.
- Tue Jul 07, 2020 4:18 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Deleted posts.
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1578
Deleted posts.
Recently I posted some information and photographs in three threads entitled " When nobody worried about scratching their T ", " Possibly one of the first single-make car clubs in the world? ", and " Church outing at Peel Forest, Feb 13, 1913. ". The photographs in these posts were taken between 191...
- Mon Jul 06, 2020 5:55 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Possibly one of the first single-make car clubs in the world?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1002
- Mon Jul 06, 2020 5:53 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Possibly one of the first single-make car clubs in the world?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1002
- Mon Jul 06, 2020 2:18 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: When nobody worried about scratching their T
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2469
I couldn't resist.
Look what I found Adrian, same time and place, just 90 odd years earlier

- Sun Jul 05, 2020 8:21 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Church outing at Peel Forest, Feb 13, 1913.
- Replies: 3
- Views: 945
Church outing at Peel Forest, Feb 13, 1913.
Post deleted
- Sun Jul 05, 2020 7:55 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: When nobody worried about scratching their T
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2469
Re: When nobody worried about scratching their T
Post deleted
- Sun Jul 05, 2020 12:22 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: When nobody worried about scratching their T
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2469
When nobody worried about scratching their T
Post deleted
- Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:45 am
- Forum: Classifieds - Parts
- Topic: Motor and trans wanted - with a geographical hiccup (I need it in NZ :-)
- Replies: 5
- Views: 886
Re: Motor and trans wanted - with a geographical hiccup (I need it in NZ :-)
Oops, I've had a busy few days and haven't logged back in until now. sorry,,, Anyway thanks for responding, I'll try and call you both tomorrow (according to the double-duck it's 0040 in Colorado right so guess you wouldn't appreciate me trying you now, Nick!). Chris, do you have a telephone number?...
- Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:25 pm
- Forum: Classifieds - Parts
- Topic: Motor and trans wanted - with a geographical hiccup (I need it in NZ :-)
- Replies: 5
- Views: 886
Re: Motor and trans wanted - with a geographical hiccup (I need it in NZ :-)
Thanks for that information Howard.
I've called Nick and left a message on his answer service.
If you don't mind I may contact you for a headsup on how you went about importing your engine. It seems it could be useful info.
Cheers, Luke.
I've called Nick and left a message on his answer service.
If you don't mind I may contact you for a headsup on how you went about importing your engine. It seems it could be useful info.
Cheers, Luke.
- Tue Jun 30, 2020 2:00 am
- Forum: Classifieds - Parts
- Topic: Motor and trans wanted - with a geographical hiccup (I need it in NZ :-)
- Replies: 5
- Views: 886
Motor and trans wanted - with a geographical hiccup (I need it in NZ :-)
Hi all, Sadly my 1926 Roadster suffered a recent motor failure. To be fair this has probably been on the cards for a while, but disappointing nonetheless as I'd hoped, unsuccessfully, to find a replacement before it happened. The bands had been needing regular adjustment too and were getting near th...
- Tue Jun 30, 2020 1:22 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: 12v cutout
- Replies: 9
- Views: 942
Re: 12v cutout
The generator on a Model T is a current -controlled device; you set the current delivery via the 'third brush' and I'm sure you'd find lots of information on that here. If you want to voltage regulate the output of the generator you can use a voltage regulator, but note that it should be a shunt reg...
- Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:20 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Cimorelli's Model T Digital Library
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1622
Re: Cimorelli's Model T Digital Library
I once tried to contact the site owner because I had something I wanted to contribute back to them, unfortunately that was unsuccessful.
However I do have an off-line mirror of the site as of a few months ago. Is there a particular item you're looking for? I may be able to locate it and send to you.
However I do have an off-line mirror of the site as of a few months ago. Is there a particular item you're looking for? I may be able to locate it and send to you.
- Wed Jun 03, 2020 7:43 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Barry, It sounds to me like you're on the right track, and will be learning quite a bit on the way. You can get peak currents up to 6-7A or so, meaning the 20A sensor would be better. It's a shame there's not a 10A unit - you will see I used a CT initially, which worked ok, but I think the ACS devic...
- Mon Jun 01, 2020 1:06 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Thanks for the update on your tester Barry. It's a fairly long thread but somewhere back amongst it you'll see I did a little python-based code snippet to plot the results as output by the Arduino. I expect you're doing something more sophisticated, but it may be of some interest. IMV a 5A ACS712 ma...
- Sun May 31, 2020 6:21 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Steve, Good to see another tester being constructed, thanks. I'm interested that the SSR seems to be performing ok. I looked at using one of those but decided (from the data sheet) that the rise time was too slow. I did suspect it would be better than advertised, but never pursued it, so it's good y...
- Tue May 19, 2020 9:54 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Should I get a Model T or A?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2457
Re: Should I get a Model T or A?
John, Your first car will be a memorable one, no matter what you choose. Bear in mind that if it's an icon you're looking for then in many respects either the A or the T will do admirably, however as a vehicle to take you places and do lots of trips in etc neither will really be up to the task today...
- Tue May 19, 2020 7:26 pm
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: This was trucking-Old Photos
- Replies: 470
- Views: 49053
- Wed May 13, 2020 6:14 am
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: This was trucking-Old Photos
- Replies: 470
- Views: 49053
Re: This was trucking-Old Photos
Adrian's got it. We have both TD6 and BTD6 here in NZ, my understanding is that the former isn't electric start. I think a neighbour had one once and it had a pony motor, much like the Cat D4U etc. I've got to be careful what I say here (looking furtively around) but I've been known to watch the odd...
- Mon May 11, 2020 4:29 pm
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: This was trucking-Old Photos
- Replies: 470
- Views: 49053
Re: This was trucking-Old Photos
Herb, it's a BTD6 - the electric start version. Loves a dose of ether in the morning

- Fri May 08, 2020 6:37 pm
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: This was trucking-Old Photos
- Replies: 470
- Views: 49053
Re: Fine for overweight cargo, 1929.
Thanks for the information everyone. That it's an International truck makes some sense, given the original source of the photograph. This came from a company that did photography for International here in NZ, evidenced by various other photographs in the collection of agricultural equipment manufact...
- Wed May 06, 2020 4:35 pm
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: This was trucking-Old Photos
- Replies: 470
- Views: 49053
Fine for overweight cargo, 1929.
I found this photo first in some random archives, then went looking to see if there was any associated detail. What I found was: "CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A motor lorry which, with its load, weighs over ten tons, must, according to regulation, have six wheels. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, bef...
- Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:18 am
- Forum: OT - Off topic
- Topic: Enforced Isolation - Countrywide Shut Down
- Replies: 33
- Views: 4251
Re: Enforced Isolation - Countrywide Shut Down
I hope you haven't completely cornered the market on timing covers! Since I can't get any parts right now my working mower is bigger and faster than yours - and it's a Ford (where's the 'pokes-out-tongue' emoticon?) - but getting in close to the house is problematic. Mower 1, Window 0 :x -----------...
- Fri Apr 10, 2020 6:36 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Old topic - Magneto Output and speed..and volts and amps, andcycles per second
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2495
Re: Old topic - Magneto Output and speed..and volts and amps, andcycles per second
There is an earlier posting from Tom Carnegie that contains several images of the magneto waveform FYI:
http://www.mtfca.com/cgi-bin/discus/sho ... ost=914602
http://www.mtfca.com/cgi-bin/discus/sho ... ost=914602
- Mon Apr 06, 2020 5:04 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Old topic - Magneto Output and speed..and volts and amps, andcycles per second
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2495
Re: Old topic - Magneto Output and speed..and volts and amps, andcycles per second
I designed something similar to this a while ago (at least I assume it's similar - if there is any detail it'd be interesting to see?). Mine was effectively a rev-counter also calibrated in MPH, driven either by magneto, timer, or magnet/hall effect device on a wheel. For the magneto drive I used a ...
- Wed Mar 18, 2020 8:07 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: odd coil
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1779
Re: odd coil
I have noticed, with my electronic tester, that a few coils set for the 'optimum' ~2ms time-to-fire or ttf at 12V (which I believe is what Mike's machine utilises?) will not fire well in a vehicle, nor in a HCCT. Adjusting the electronic tester voltage down tends to support the observed issue (ie. m...
- Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:27 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Coil capacitors
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3524
Re: Coil capacitors
No, John's correct.
2 x 0.47uF 400V caps in series will give a total capacitance of 0.235uF at 800V, certainly near enough to the 0.22uF required.
2 x 0.47uF 400V caps in series will give a total capacitance of 0.235uF at 800V, certainly near enough to the 0.22uF required.
- Tue Mar 10, 2020 11:31 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Question about LED lights
- Replies: 3
- Views: 938
Re: Question about LED lights
If they're standard tungsten filament bulbs then generally yes (with disclaimer below). If they're LED's then possibly not, as many of these are DC only. Even if they have rectifiers built in 12VAC may be too much. Bear in mind that 12VDC is simply that, 12V. However 12VAC could have a peak voltage ...
- Fri Mar 06, 2020 5:21 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Period Picture- That Feminime Touch
- Replies: 16
- Views: 3010
Re: Period Picture- That Feminime Touch
Tim, do you know anything about the subject, or the ultimate source of the photo? Seems to me there could be quite a story there...
- Fri Mar 06, 2020 5:16 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Old Photo - "Daddy at the Saloon"
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3166
Re: Old Photo - "Daddy at the Saloon"
All these aviation stories remind me of another forum I belong to! Stan, I wonder if you have the co-ordinates of the [scary] Dupuyer airstrip you're talking about? I had a quick look around but wasn't really sure of where to settle on. I think it's extremely unlikely I'd ever fly in there, let alon...
- Fri Mar 06, 2020 4:52 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
John, Good to see it in a box, and with the 4-line screen. That's what I was going to leave mine at, but Matt's idea of showing the ramp etc is a good one. It may be possible to have both the LCD and OLED screens running if you'd want - as long as the i2c address of each unit is different, and the A...
- Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:52 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Old Photo - "Daddy at the Saloon"
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3166
Re: Old Photo - "Daddy at the Saloon"
.... Access there is by horse or foot, it does have an airstrip at Benchmark which will pucker all but the best pilots -- you'd better be there early in the morning or late at night, be underloaded, know mountain air currents and have a plane built for flying in and out of airstrips like it. The co...
- Tue Mar 03, 2020 5:26 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
- Replies: 239
- Views: 25232
Re: A new DIY electronic coil tester.
Steve (and others), I apologise but I'm still waiting for components to arrive before I do much more on this. They're taking a very long time, I assume it's to do with the virus. As I don't have an OLED screen the same as Matt's I can't test any changes I'd make to the code, hence it's best that he ...
- Tue Mar 03, 2020 5:10 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Old Photo - "Daddy at the Saloon"
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3166
Re: Old Photo - "Daddy at the Saloon"
I had a go at cleaning up the image and enhancing it to see if one could get more any more detail.
Unfortunately the original isn't all that high a resolution (do you have a better scan Rich?), and I was probably a bit aggressive with some of the tweaks but here it is FWIW:
Unfortunately the original isn't all that high a resolution (do you have a better scan Rich?), and I was probably a bit aggressive with some of the tweaks but here it is FWIW:
- Sat Feb 29, 2020 3:48 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Pedal notches
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4268
Re: Pedal notches
Larry,
Top marks for the quantitative analysis!
However it appears there's no free play shown? Was there indeed none, or did you start the measurement at first engagement rather than say with the pedal lightly back against it's stop?
Top marks for the quantitative analysis!
However it appears there's no free play shown? Was there indeed none, or did you start the measurement at first engagement rather than say with the pedal lightly back against it's stop?
- Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:45 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: The Quiet Ford - an early "advertorial"
- Replies: 0
- Views: 717
The Quiet Ford - an early "advertorial"
Further to my previous 'historic' posts here's an article on "The Quiet Ford" which appears in the Progress Magazine, Wellington NZ, 2nd August 1909. Between some OCR'ing (thanks to Tesseract and the NZ National Library) and a little manual editing I also add a text version at the end of this post. ...
- Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:18 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Early scoop - speculation re upcoming new Ford
- Replies: 0
- Views: 700
Early scoop - speculation re upcoming new Ford
I came across this article in the Sept 1908 copy of "Progress Magazine", a [approx monthly] periodical published in New Zealand from 1905 to the 1920's. The mag appeared to have a reasonable degree of motoring and other contemporary engineering news, and had obviously been given some 'inside news' r...
- Fri Feb 28, 2020 5:33 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Grumpy writer on cost of parts, and cheap Model T's
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1752
Re: Grumpy writer on cost of parts, and cheap Model T's
As a result of some other research I was doing I came across a little more New Zealand motoring history. More earlier Ford related rather than specifically Model T, but perhaps interesting all the same. In 1905 and 1906 we imported several hundred vehicles, of which approx twenty were Ford's and spe...
- Thu Feb 27, 2020 9:04 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Old photo- question the date though?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2050
Re: Old photo- question the date though?
I was interested to see if this was part of the Burton digital archive - in the hopes that a higher resolution image might have been available for enhancing (I had a go with this one but couldn't improve it much). While I wasn't able to find it immediately I did find the following image of this hard...
- Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:02 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Is my starter toast?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2734
- Fri Feb 14, 2020 3:35 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Pedal notches
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4268
Re: Pedal notches
Luke, if you purchase a new notch, let that be your guide as to how much your pedal ramp needs to be built up.... Yes, thanks Allan (and others), however I don't have a new notch at this stage - and don't know if need to get one or not without any standard to measure it or the pedal by. Larry and o...
- Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:40 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Pedal notches
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4268
Re: Pedal notches
Scott,
Thank you very much, however I mixed up my pedals - it's the brake pedal that's the issue, not first gear, sorry!
Do you know of any dimensions for that pedal, particularly around the ramp boss?
Thank you very much, however I mixed up my pedals - it's the brake pedal that's the issue, not first gear, sorry!

Do you know of any dimensions for that pedal, particularly around the ramp boss?
- Thu Feb 13, 2020 10:13 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Pedal notches
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4268
Re: Pedal notches
Scott,
Mine's LHD - '25 trans, if that makes a difference.
Mine's LHD - '25 trans, if that makes a difference.
- Thu Feb 13, 2020 9:33 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Pedal notches
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4268
Re: Pedal notches
Please excuse me for butting in, however in relation to this I wonder if anyone has specifications for the pedal cams? I've had a look at the service manual but it doesn't mention anything - perhaps they were all too new when that was written - but it'd be useful to know what the cam/ramp dimensions...
- Wed Feb 12, 2020 4:28 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Adjusting coils
- Replies: 13
- Views: 3075
Re: Adjusting coils
Bob, Although the points are on the low tension side you'll have back emf enough that you'd probably get a shock if you utilise non-insulated tools. However the bigger question is why would you want to this? To what standard would you measure against? Ordinarily coils are adjusted outside of the veh...
- Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:46 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: correct angle or measurement for front axle caster
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3253
Re: correct angle or measurement for front axle caster
Ed, Erik, You won't get a lot of disagreement from me, however in my case after a series of earthquakes the garage floor just isn't what it was so finding a reasonable spot to use a square isn't that easy. As I use the laser for other cars it wasn't hard to use it on the T, and since I see no reason...
- Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:28 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Plastic vs. Wood Coils
- Replies: 30
- Views: 3960
Re: Plastic vs. Wood Coils
Good to see that innovation, Dick. It'll be interesting to hear how your trials go with a few more miles on them, hope you have continued success. FWIW I have a plastic coil here that I was given recently. I'm think I'm going to use it when I research and design my own electronic timer; it's trivial...
- Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:22 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Improved cars, actual first date of production?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2610
Re: Improved cars, actual first date of production?
Jim, Kevin, Rick, Thanks for the continued information. I find it fascinating in general, but also useful to give me a better idea of what I've got. Kevin, you may be close to what's happened with mine as I had to replace the front chassis gussets prior to registering here. Hard to say whether they ...
- Thu Feb 06, 2020 4:58 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: correct angle or measurement for front axle caster
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3253
Re: correct angle or measurement for front axle caster
Allan, If you have a perfectly flat floor then that should work fine (flat not being the same as level!). Out of interest; over the years I've tended to look for simple but accurate methods to do my alignments. The first one I did was nearly 40 years ago now (using a Dunlop optical gauge that I stil...
- Thu Feb 06, 2020 12:06 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Grumpy writer on cost of parts, and cheap Model T's
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1752
Re: Grumpy writer on cost of parts, and cheap Model T's
I never knew you could buy an Electric Model T. Must have only been for sale in NZ. We're pretty special down this way :D Actually, I recently took my T to an electric car group evening 8-) . Took several people for a ride and generally had a good time - there's just something about the beat of a T...
- Wed Feb 05, 2020 11:58 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: correct angle or measurement for front axle caster
- Replies: 15
- Views: 3253
Re: correct angle or measurement for front axle caster
Allan, First of all my apologies, I grabbed my metric verniers when I went out to my car... I get 117mm between the centre of the bottom and top flanges. At 5 degrees the difference from vertical would be 10.2mm, at 5.5degrees it's 11.2mm. Also, when I did my alignment recently I used a cross-laser ...
- Wed Feb 05, 2020 9:12 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Improved cars, actual first date of production?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2610
Re: Improved cars, actual first date of production?
Dan, thanks for your info. Interesting re GA, that would have been useful to know when I was trying to deal with the bureaucracy here! FWIW the car does seem to appear in an online register, its VIN is the engine serial number. The trans pedals are pre-26 (ie. not wide), so perhaps a complete engine...
- Wed Feb 05, 2020 8:56 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Grumpy writer on cost of parts, and cheap Model T's
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1752
Grumpy writer on cost of parts, and cheap Model T's
As part of some research for a friend I came across some interesting newspaper clippings: The first was a letter to the Otago Daily Times, dated 16th Dec 1929. Clearly there had been, or was about to be, a significant increase in the cost of spares, and the writer was unhappy: odt_16_dec_1929.png Fo...
- Wed Feb 05, 2020 5:45 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Bosch DU4 Magneto Manual
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1432
Re: Bosch DU4 Magneto Manual
I'm happy to do that Tim, have sent you an email.
- Tue Feb 04, 2020 10:50 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Bosch DU4 Magneto Manual
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1432
Re: Bosch DU4 Magneto Manual
Tim, Danny, I hope you don't mind but I've taken the images, cleaned/straightened them as best as possible, and created a PDF manual. The result is attached here, I've had to downsample it 'cos I couldn't upload a 5.7MB file, but it's ok I guess. Tim, perhaps you could check if I've got the pages in...
- Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:54 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: 6v to 12v model T starter conversion
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2004
Re: 6v to 12v model T starter conversion
Tony, As luck would have it I'm in the process of moving my car over to 12V and LED lighting and have been going through the research/design stage. By my calculations I'd be needing just on 5A at night with the lights and motor running, so with your customer and similar LED's your name would still h...
- Tue Feb 04, 2020 3:57 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Model T stats for New Zealand - and a wild guess for the rest of the world
- Replies: 0
- Views: 560
Model T stats for New Zealand - and a wild guess for the rest of the world
Not as if I didn't have a lot of other things to do I thought I'd take a quick peek to see how many Model T's we had in NZ. This is a question I'm almost always asked whenever someone sees my car and I have, up 'till now, not been able to answer. Fortunately I've ways of dealing with big data and ha...
- Mon Feb 03, 2020 8:35 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Improved car brake rivet size, and friction material for bands?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1631
Re: Improved car brake rivet size, and friction material for bands?
Dan, yes I did read about the early metal-metal brakes. Guess they really were for parking only! I accept that one could use pop rivets, it's just that I wouldn't. I'm no stranger to doing whatever's needed to make things work, and I expect if one only used the brakes when stationary it would be fin...
- Mon Feb 03, 2020 8:17 pm
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Improved cars, actual first date of production?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2610
Re: Improved cars, actual first date of production?
Gosh, thanks everyone for your help - it's certainly given me a bit to go on! Dan & Larry, I'll attach a couple of photos below, from your information it seems to me that the motor may not be original as it doesn't appear to have the boss, also it doesn't have the wider brake band so I guess it mean...
- Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:17 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Improved car brake rivet size, and friction material for bands?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1631
Re: Improved car brake rivet size, and friction material for bands?
Tailpiece - having looked again at some of the postings I'd previously seen I now recollect that I did see the rivet 'reversed' in the band material :oops: clearly my recent foray into the brakes and the horror story there was too vivid in my mind. At least that's my excuse, maybe age has something ...
- Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:10 am
- Forum: General Discussion Forum (started 2019)
- Topic: Improved cars, actual first date of production?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2610
Improved cars, actual first date of production?
Not wanting to hijack Scott C's thread on his 26-27 Roadster, but it prompted me to ask something I've wondered about for a while. I have '26 (well, maybe it's a '26) 'New Beauty' runabout. It was imported into this country from Douglas County, GA, somewhere between 2011-2013. Having looked it up I ...