MTFCA Forum

John and all, Detecting a partial short dropping the 0.5 ohms to say 0.25 ohms is really difficult for a meter. Heck just telling the difference between zero and 0.5 ohms is difficult. The magneto ring coil is essentially about 160 feet of wire wound up in a special way. The test I described is a mo...

When I get jolted awake @ night it might be from several reasons, in order of occurrence. 1) My 90lb dog has decided to use me as a pillow and I am being crushed under a heating blanket. 2) Time for a trip to the bathroom. 3) I got a cramp because I was sleeping in a weird position. 4) Something I f...

To check for magneto ring coil shorts or opens: 1) Line up the magnets to the coils like you are charging it. Skip this if it is a loose ring coil bench test. 2) Hook up a 6V battery or 6V charger to the ring coil like you are charging the magnets. Don't leave it hooked up long as it will heat up pa...

Even if you hand crank the engine quickly enough to get a magneto reading it will be dumping the oil. If you do the hand crank magneto test with the hoggs head removed, drain out the oil. And DO NOT start it without it being fully assembled, sealed and full of oil. I have dumped lots of oil on the g...

Parts can sometimes hang around inside for years before they become evident. A local club member bought a good running car from another local member and drove it for about 5 years until going around a turn and BANG, slide to a stop and silence. It was completely locked up and had to be drug on a tra...

Awesome! Next time the engine is apart for some other reason inspect the clutch spring and disks. I suspect your clutch spring is getting near end of life. But if it aint broke, don't fix it. And I love the picture of it out in the snow. I can't tolerate the cold anymore so mine is put away for the ...

Marshall, Besides Ford changing the wiring several times over the years as the Model T was "modernized" creating multiple different wiring diagrams there is more confusion. Wiring diagrams have been made over the years with varying degrees of accuracy. Then on top of that wiring harnesses have been ...

Marshall, For a 1926 wiring diagram I use the ones on the Texas T Parts website https://www.texastparts.com/mm5/manuals/26-27WiringDiagram.pdf The wiring to the ammeter can be done in several ways. Some will work fine and others not so. And some wiring diagrams and replacement ammeters have the wiri...

Lew,

Check into MTFCI and MTFCA chapters near you
https://www.mtfca.com/chapters/#va
https://modelt.org/chapter-directory

I know there are several experienced Model T people in the Richmond area but do not know how to contact them.
Joining a local chapter is always a good idea.

Mike

The levers should be the same right and left

Pat, While I agree that there is a possibility that John the original poster saw something minor and got worried about it. Right or wrong he was worried enough to change the head gasket at least once. It is also possible the block cracked, the head cracked, or something rusted through. A leaking hea...

If the problem can't be found and the search has to step up a level make some adaptor plates and add pressure. It does not have to be pretty, so make some plates to cover the water inlet and outlet holes. Go into the scrap bin and get something, even some broken rear spring leaves are good enough. T...

Lewis, I agree with what Scott says. I have seen plenty of broken brass screws before. The only way to be sure of what is going on, all loose parts have been removed, and make a quality repair is to open it up and take a look. Most all of us have had a surprise engine removal before, it happens with...

Dave & Dave, While shorting the generator used to be normal and common practice, I do not recommend it anymore. Voltage regulators and diode conversions have been around too long and shorting them WILL cause damage. Use the light bulb as a test load like Dave Woods described. Too many cars and parts...

While I keep getting distracted (like normal) I have made some progress getting engines ready to reassemble.

Mike

This is a double posting
See:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51544&p=386239#p386239
for more on this issue

Perform a leak down test and check for air out the radiator to test the head gasket seal. Or look for radiator bubbles when running. This will give the answer or rule it out. Now it might only leak when warmed up. A leak down test will tell other things besides head gasket condition also. It is diff...

2 things jump out at me: The 2" spring height should be when the clutch is locked up (brake lever forward) and If the clutch can hold you up, then a "stock" engine should not be able to make the clutch slip so that is confusing. What is different between the 2 tests? Floorboards, floor mat, and othe...

Dzus Fasteners?
Rivnuts?
Nutserts?
Weldnuts?
Cagenuts?
Not sure what you are thinking

Before tearing it apart where is the clutch adjustment set? The clutch only locks up in High gear, its released everywhere else so the symptoms of a slipping clutch sound normal. There are 3 fingers inside, a link outside, emergency brake lever and a band adjustment in the equation. I've seen this h...

You have a lot of work coming your way. Whatever poked the hole in the pan needs to be removed. My guess it is a magnet plate because a brass screw head broke off. If you can get help it will make the job easier and safer. Removing the pan is normally done after removing the engine/transmission and ...

I have a friend who cut his out of a steel plate. A sliced hose edging keeps from scratching the paint for him. If you can't find one, I use a different design wood setup and it has worked for probably a dozen rears. I screw it to sawhorses and put cross ties on it to support the driveshaft. I run t...

Some of the things I have seen on original parts makes me believe that the quality check @ Ford back then was: If it starts and drives away, then its good. For most of the production of the Ford Model T the problem was he could not build them fast enough. Ford was making over 7000 cars a day 6 days ...

40-44 PSI compression is down slightly from stock but should run ok. Problems can easily hide and be tricky to find sometimes. On a Model T Ford the easiest diagnostic tool you have is to swap the coils locations and see if the problem moves. There is no mention of looking at the timer to see what i...

I leave it on all year round, it does not hurt driving in Maryland. My favorite car tends to not like cold weather until it warms up. Its a bone stock rebuild with Holly NH. Even on the hottest days it will run faster than I should be driving it. Heading for the 2024 MTFCI tour in Cadillac Michigan ...

And NEW points also need inspection, possible rework, and cleaning before use.
They are not always perfect out of the box.
They are hand made and quality will vary.

It's a good idea to inspect all used and new parts anyway.
Mike

There are several body building articles on the North West Vintage Speedsters site. Www.nwvs.org Along with many finished examples. The MTFCA web site has a speckling of speedster builds mixed in all over. If you could find one you like and contact the owner you might get direct information. They va...

It's the perfect part for yard art. I would probably throw it in the raw materials for the lathe bin or maybe keep it for a tech show and tell when going over front ends. It's good quality steel but rear axles are bigger for raw material. I have a bad parts pile I use to teach others what to look fo...

Not sure what you are wanting or are you just stuck not knowing where to start? The 1923-1927 coupes were going through an evolution and changing but are similar. Wood was doing away and steel parts replacing them. And there always is that Canadian cars were built a little different. Try https://www...

While I agree that it is a shame to paint all that beautiful brass, painting brass was not un-common in the past. I personally dislike polishing brass myself (even though I have 2 brass cars). Maybe I was tasked with too much polishing as a kid? For religious reasons, not having to polish it, or jus...

There is only one thing wrong with the car, it's not in my garage.
I'm beyond out of room right now anyway.

Mike

Melba,

Maybe it's just me but your pictures did not come through

: Screenshot 2026-01-03 082534.jpg (13.12 KiB) Viewed 210 times

FrontyBoy, It's your project and your time so I am not going to tell you what to do. I have no idea of your skills and tools you have available either. Some time ago I was asked my opinion about the feasibility of installing a Fordson cross mag on a speedster and my advice was while it could be done...

Maybe these manuals will get you what you want? https://www.fordson.se/8_Magnet_dimensioner_index_supplement_koppling_Verkstadsmanual_225-247.pdf https://www.lutje-ford.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/e27n.pdf This one I don't think covers what you want https://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/1920/1920fordson....

Gary,

I am curious, what accessory is that bracket for?

Mike

Scott, I feel like you are also are also directing your question to me. Nope, I would not buy it. I would go help and come home with nothing but memories and the experience of doing it. Joshua would keep the chassis for himself. I don't need any more spare parts, some say I have too many already My ...

If the inside of the transmission looks "as good as new" then it is probably salvageable. When the water gets in it starts to collect at the bottom (drain plug) then as it says in there longer it starts to rust the parts all over inside the engine. The oil on the engine parts protects them, for a li...

I still get grey circles today, unless I am not logged in.

Mike

Adjusting coils is a balancing act with many factors at play. There has been a lot of documentation and discussion about how to properly adjust the coils. There is even a lot of discussion about the proper way to test and where to set coils. A properly adjusted set of coils is one of the large facto...

September 1925 Serial number is a 1926 model engine and body car. It should be called the early '26 style. Maybe a picture of the body and fenders would help identify it. 1926 production started August 3rd 1925 Screenshot 2025-12-29 221245.jpg But the block is an earlier style. After 100 years a lar...

I have seen High compression heads installed to revive a worn out engine. Including on my Centerdoor estate purchase. I trust nothing unless it is proven to be good, almost all the time. Measure what it really does and when it does it. Even measuring cylinder and spark plug temperatures can tell a l...

Man, I wish you were closer to me. A challenge like this gets me excited and curious. I have helped get 2 trucks with a chainsaw and skid loader. The first job was to cut a path to get there, but that is another story. Then there was another time when I was driving through the woods dragging a car b...

Is there someone near Boston Mass with an assembled 26-27 Roadster Pickup? If a "correct" car and the "incorrect" car can be next to each other then parts and measurements can be compared back and forth to locate the issue. My '27 Rdstr Pu is currently a pile of pieces waiting for me to get to it. I...

While a Model T will heat up more than normal when not adjusted correctly locating the source of the problem can sometimes be challenging. I like to use a handheld laser thermometer and check around for clues. The motometer could also be not calibrated very well. When using a laser temp probe it doe...

Interesting, The Ford Service and Repair Manual (2009 Digital Reprint) shows it 2 pictures. They seen to show it on the bottom rail U pointed up. Screenshot 2025-12-28 185319.jpg Screenshot 2025-12-28 185706.jpg Screenshot 2025-12-28 184842.jpg All the ones I have seen were like the one in the pictu...

Well that is what I get for quoting the Langs and Snyders and Chaffins web site information.
The MTFCI Judging Standards lists the 1925 Patent plate as the 1926 style with 2 rivets and notched corners

: Screenshot 2025-12-27 225138.jpg (23.46 KiB) Viewed 694 times

: Screenshot 2025-12-27 225657.jpg (25.98 KiB) Viewed 694 times

The parts books list the support bracket as first being used in 1920
I guess the 1919 cars had none?

: Screenshot 2025-12-27 211738.jpg (28 KiB) Viewed 654 times

Based on the bills on the front fenders, no windshield, and no top I say late 1909 1910's had tops and windshields standard. Although the top and windshield are easily removed. Early 1909's had no bill, late 1909's had a front fender bill Kinda blurry so hard to see details. The people seem very hap...

Patent Plate 1919-1925 Langs # 1965F

See the following posts from the past
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/7 ... 1503501188

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/2 ... 1353773028

If (when) you heat the nut use an induction heater. Screenshot 2025-12-22 171019.jpg While I love and am quick to grab a torch, an induction heater is really handy. Carefully remove as much weld as possible without ruining the perch before heating. It might be junk already, but I like to inspect it ...

Tom, If I understand your question correctly, No I don't think so. The only Model T touring (and roadster) with the same height glass top and bottom is the 23-25. But the 1923-1925 windshield has fixed stanchions and the lower glass is fixed, and wider than the top. For a 1918 body the 1915-1922 win...

Through the 20's Ford was still buying closed bodies from outside makers so there are sometimes not hard fast answers. Henry was never worried about model and year changeovers. He was trying to produce enough cars to keep up with demand. Often the line is very blurry and unclear through the producti...

Frank, No one has posted a source yet so I will offer an option. In the past when I needed to fix top frame rivets I had to make them. The head shape is not anywhere I know of. I start with a rivet as close as I could get, sadly I can't call Big Flats Rivets anymore. McMaster and other places will s...

Jason, I like a lot of your design ideas and problem solutions. I am curious as to how that GPS speedometer works out for you. A few years ago I wanted a portable speedometer that I could move between my cars and also check the accuracy of my more modern drivers. I know, I know, there is a phone app...

What a shame to have to "fix" that, looks like a really nice comfortable seat. The plywood underneath does not belong and the padding is overstuffed. Sometimes switching the steering wheel from 17" to 16" will help get under the steering wheel but it won't raise the roof. If the seat was "customized...

Lucas, Here is my style and attitude: "Farm Fresh" Model T's are also an important part of the history just like perfectly restored cars and original reference examples. A lot of the story of these cars gets lost when they get restored to perfection. But sometimes they have to be restored to save th...

Looking at the pictures it looks like latch "eyes" on the tailgate could be moved inward some to make things line up better.
See the pictures in this thread
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/5 ... 1459039267
and
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/47657.html

Mike

Dave,

If you send pictures of your seat frame and cushion underside then maybe we can figure out the best way to fix it.

Mike

Dave & John, I just measured my 26 touring seat height from the floor to the cushion top and it is 12 1/2" When I changed my seat springs they were the same dimensions, unless you measured the broken coils but... I overstuffed my upholstery for a softer ride, the stock upholstery padding is very thi...

Dave,

I have a stock 1926 touring and the front cushion is 5 1/2" thick.
The backrest spring is 4" thick.
I do not have a top installed but I can get you other dimensions if I know what you are looking for.

Mike

Jason, The dash you built has the style of an original with updated functionality. It has me curious, is it engraved, etched, painted, decal, other? The speedometer, where did it come from? Electric, GPS, Mechanical? Being involved in helping several local speedster projects I am always looking for ...

I will take a stab at these: In 1915 open cars these were made of wood which was used for many years until they changed to metal ones like in the picture. These are used in a car with wood sill rails and wood body posts because of the screw holes. For the "improved" 1926 open cars the floorboard ris...

I like where you are going with it, it looks like it's gonna be a fun ride.
The progress looks good but I have a few questions.

What is the gauge in your custom dash panel?

And it looks too tall for the garage door, can it leave the garage?

In spite of my attempt to be as clear and accurate as possible, what I wrote could be misleading. What I wrote "And the TT trucks used different wheels front and back making the rear truck wheels hard to find." Should read "And the TT trucks used different wheels front and back on the same truck, ma...

The Ruckstell axle assemblies use the stock axles for their setup. BUT... The car axles (and its rear wheels) and the TT truck axles (and its rear wheels) are different. Wheel hubs, hub caps, spokes, brakes, felloes, rims, tires, etc are different between the TT truck and the cars. And the TT trucks...

I have an interesting dilemma. I was talking to Joseph about selling him the wrench which he has been advertising for going on longer than 4 years now. It got silent 2 months ago and he has not gotten back to me on my requests to find out what is going on. It is possible he thinks I am a scammer, th...

You can grind SOME of the thickness of the bolt heads for the front crossmember to make the radiator fit better. It would also maybe require bigger holes in the pads (if you even need them) but it is easy to punch leather. Or you could just leave the radiator sitting slightly high with thicker pads,...

Stephen and all,

Langs has new production riveted 26-27 Brake Backing plates back in stock again.
https://www.modeltford.com/item/2560.aspx
https://www.modeltford.com/item/2561.aspx
New supplier

I had always assumed that the 1917-1927 cars had the spring mounted radiator until I looked it up The judging guidelines say nothing about the radiator mounting The Vowel drawings say that in 1917 it is mounted like a brass radiator car The Encyclopedia parts listing says the leather pad is used to ...

Is the polished smooth surface from years of the washers rubbing on it?

You have a bunch of issues going on there 1) Radiator mounting - there is supposed to only be one pad in there. Now someone in the past may have added another one to get better hood alignment or fan clearance. A lot of model T's are shimmed and tweaked to make things fit right. Parts get swapped, be...

Looking at all the numbers again, I found an interesting "anomaly" Fact: The pickup beds were made in both a TT style and a "car" style Fact: For the TT truck it was called the "Express Body" and the truck bed was also used for the "Express Body with Roof" and if you added the optional screen side s...

What does everyone make of what Bruce wrote here?

and this

I am not sure what to make of this, but it is what he wrote...

Mike

When using 3d printed parts there are some possible weaknesses you might run into. Filament prints (the cheap extruded printer types) are porous so will not hold pressure, vacuum, or liquids. This porosity also creates major issues when plating. The chemicals can not be rinsed properly and will seep...

Since the bodies, seats, mounts, and windshields varied greatly it would help if we knew what you were trying to put a top on. And do you need just the irons or wood bows or everything? 2 man tops are more adjustable when reworking than the 1 man top versions for sure. What part of PA would help als...

As a Maryland resident for my entire life and having registered vehicles of many different years at many different times I am curious as to where that information came from. In Maryland when you pay to transfer the title into your name you have to pay the Md sales tax in the value of the car as dete...

These would be great for someone trying to create a fake early riveted column or repairing one.
Especially the one with the hole in it since it probably will get covered up.
If you can make it work, great. If you ruin it, I hope you will have learned something.
Just a thought.

I used SolidWorks for 20 years until work closed and I was unwilling to pay the very pricey license fees for my occasional use. I converted to using Fusion360 for my use. It is free and by the same people who wrote AutoCad https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview If you are non commerci...

Some early cars used a slightly different size / shape oil pan / hoggs head cover bolt pattern. It also may or may not clear the teeth on the flywheel die to a slightly different shape. Screenshot 2025-12-09 070008.jpg Anything is possible, how much do you want to change / how hard do you want to wo...

I don't recognize that style.
What do thay fit?
Style, size, and shape does vary

Yes, I 3D print my patterns when I need them cast. Once it it in CAD you can print a full size sample to check fit and function if you want. And they can easily be scaled to account for shrinkage. If you want it smoother (quick printed) then add Bondo and sand to ridges. It just has to stand up to m...

Which style do you want?
"1926" style that mounts to the fender
or
"1927" style that mounts to the headlight bar

Pictures from the MTFCA Encyclopedia web pages

So I have a question. Are the hubs, brake drums, and differential backing plates the same for all T’s? If they are all the same switching wouldn’t have been hard to do. For All T's the answer is No. There are early smaller hubs, and later larger hubs that are interchangeable, sorta as in both inner...

To lower a Model T it takes a higher (not lower) rear crossmember.
That is what was done (and more) on European Model T Fords
They were called "Drop Frame" cars and had a bunch of special parts.
See
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/3 ... 75948.html

According to Bruce McCauleys Encyclopedia ("The Bible") here is what he said about 1926-1927 Rear Radius Rods https://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/P-R.htm "During 1926 the radius rods were modified to eliminate the rearward nut at the universal joint. The nut was replaced with a forged-in collar which loca...

Travis, The voltages needed for diagnosis are with the starter turning (loaded) 6.45V open circuit says the battery is charged to start the tests with. 3.49V on the starter says the voltage at the starter is below specs. All areas need to be voltage tested while the starter is turning (or trying to ...

Warning Note: If you are running '26-'27 radius rods with the bumps instead of 2 nuts these ideas will not work. If you are running the early '26 style with 2 nuts these ideas probably will not work. The radius rods MUST match the backing plate style or they will not fit. Up thru '25 bottoming the n...

6) Stainless Steel Rear Corner Patch Panels, rework required, lot $10

As far as I know these were never made in stainless.
Welding stainless to mild steel is not "normal" in car repair.
What is the story of these parts?

Is there a club member near you that can help?
Someone in your local chapter?
I would fix it no charge for you, but I am 1600 miles away.
Helping each other is one of the benefits of the club.

Mike

Here is my setup and how I got there - I run both Cotton and Kevlar. When my '26 touring was setup 15 years ago I installed a full set of cotton bands. I wanted the forgiving feature of them and had them on hand (already paid for). I run no extra brakes or power adders on this car. After about 5 yea...

Here is one that brings back lots of old memories of the family, farm, and the truck.
It now resides @ Piquette for all to see.
I snagged this picture of it from Facebook.

I second welding in a bar, works great, used it multiple times to remove something stuck like that.
It never fights after that unless it is defective already.

While you are up there working, verify the retainers and the pins on the rim are in good shape. If these fail, the lens does not bounce well off the pavement, I have had it happen. The brass ones (and nickel plated brass) ones are particularly suspectable to this. After it is assembled make sure it ...

I have used RTV many time before and will probably do it in the future because it is handy and works great But..... When RTV cures it generates acetic acid (often added to food and very mild) and this can potentially cause a problem. Keep RTV away from copper wires and other sensitive items as it wi...

Here is what I have used on different occasions on different surfaces Rust-Oleum 1 qt. Clear Varathane Oil-Based Exterior Spar Urethane, Satin https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rust-oleum-1-qt-clear-varathane-oil-based-exterior-spar-urethane-satin-2344764 Rust-Oleum 1 qt. Clear Varathane Oil...

Try these links and see if they are what you want
https://grabcad.com/library/190-ford-model-t-engine

https://engineeringdl.com/project/ford- ... olidworks/

https://cults3d.com/en/search?q=model+t+ford

And I am sure there are more out there

Michael, You have a sample to copy so take a newer version one and make one. Cut out a metal disk and weld it on, shape to fit. Make sure to add material below the headlight socket to make it "earlier" if necessary. While you are doing it take pictures and post it. Don't be like me and just build it...

What you are looking for is difficult to find and rarely made. I don't know where to but these other than on used parts and salvage them. Hopefully the forum has a source. It is in the same family as these that are still listed as being available, sorta. https://www.modeltford.com/item/SNAP-R.aspx h...

Johnathan Anderson is not that good with computers and to Quote his response "I'm not computer savvy, rather be working on car projects than trying to remember passwords that make absolutely no sense. " He has lost track of passwords etc. to be able to post on the forum. That is why he has not poste...

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