MTFCA Forum

OilyBill

This is a good set of posts on removing rods from the retainers. NOT one of Henry's better ideas. Same thing with the rivets that hold the upper quadrant in place in the steering post tube. Pure stupidity on Henry's part. I drill them out, tap the holes in the quadrant casting, and install 4 nickel ...

OilyBill

A friend of mine took me for a ride on his International High-Wheeler, that had just been fitted with new hard rubber tires. (No Air) I thought it would probably ride OK on the dirt road from his house to the paved road, and then would be pretty bumpy. I was wrong. It was almost unnoticeable that th...

OilyBill

Scott hit the nail right on the thumb!

OilyBill

Something else to keep in mind, is that even though Ford started moving assembly lines on component production, the last thing to go to the moving assembly line was body mounting. You can see many pictures of them putting Model T bodies on the chassis, but OUTSIDE THE FACTORY WALLS. This was because...

OilyBill

Look for one of the new ones that has an anti-sulfation or "Recondition" feature. Repeated heavy discharges and recharges will kill a battery that is not made for them, very quickly. Take a look at the "CTEK" brand. Made in Sweden, and has excellent reviews. I bought a "CTEK" one for my motorcycle b...

OilyBill

The first thing I do with any carb is plunk it in a small pail of EvapoRust. That includes brass and aluminum carbs. That takes care of all the rust. Then I disassemble from there. Getting rid of the rust first makes disassembly a LOT easier. When you put the penetrating oil on it, it can actually g...

OilyBill

I have been trying to get through to them for 2 months, on an issue with a 1927 Coupe headliner. I called so many times and waited so long on hold each time, that my cell phone provider bumped me up to the next data plan, (MORE MONEY!) because I burnt through all my telephone minutes. I was more tha...

OilyBill

I have the window regulators that I removed from a 1927 Coupe. I notice that the "Roller" on the end of the actuating arm does not move. Shouldn't this rotate so it doesn't wear in the window track? Is there supposed to be a roller attached to it somehow? It would seem to me that with raising and lo...

OilyBill

Personally, I would be VERY glad to read your posts on this restoration. I love Model T's, but it is very nice to see OTHER projects, especially when they are of relatively obscure cars. (Not that Buick is obscure, but seeing the really OLD ones IS OBSCURE. You never see them) It is very interesting...

OilyBill

Thanks for the update! A lot of people are interested in this story, and have been following it.

OilyBill

Thanks very much! That is exactly what I was looking for!
BIll

OilyBill

Dave, if you install 1/4-24 screws, I doubt you will even notice anything installing them. They will screw right in. The .006" difference between them is invisible when you take regular tolerances into account.

OilyBill

Awesome video! When I flew over to China, I kept a watch out my airplane window, looking for ships. When the Titanic sank, one of the things that struck me when you read the accounts, is that there were SO MANY OTHER THIPS OUT THERE. Titanic had replies from about 8 ships, all at a distance of less ...

OilyBill

I am trying to find the forums for 2010, specifically the ones dealing with a home-built crank type coil tester and adjuster, I think from the November 2010 forums. How to I get to them?

OilyBill

It is true that 1/4"-24 is an odd thread, but it is STILL a standard thread. It has also long been referred to by bikers as the "Harley Bastard Thread", which, as both a machinist and a biker, has made me chuckle. If you have a Machinery's Handbook, and you look up different threads, you will find 1...

OilyBill

My personal opinion is "Ejection from a vehicle is ALWAYS worse than staying in it." A few years back, a Model A was cutoff during a high-speed chase, by the fleeing driver. The car rolled. The driver was OK, because he had the steering wheel to hang onto, which he did, just barely. His wife, in the...

OilyBill

When I opened up my vaporizer, the exhaust side of the heat plate was black with soot. The gas side was clean and shiny. I don't think you should have any deposits on the fuel side, or it would indicate a leak.

OilyBill

Check on here often. Also, join a local Model T Club, if there is one. Many times older members would rather their cars go to a younger person who will enrich the hobby, rather than just get the highest price for their car, and see it stored away by some collector, rather than used. They can't affor...

OilyBill

To be scientific, (which I nearly always try to be, unless I am telling a tall tale) I think the technical term for Dodge germs is "Dodge Cooties".

OilyBill

Frank Brandi, Thanks for all the info. I will go through all those posts. And thanks everyone else for their info. I didn't know they used "Fordite" earlier. I also didn't know it smelled, although if "Fordite" was a vegetable-based mixture, I can see how it would deteriorate and give off a stench. ...

OilyBill

The thing about Model T's that a lot of people forget, is that you are basically working on a 1909 automobile. This machine goes back to nearly the start of automobiling. It is a simple car that has some really amazing engineering in it. No matter how late a year your Model T is, what you are lookin...

OilyBill

The tube is labeled as part number 6269.
The copper gasket is labeled as part number 6270.
The knurled brass finger-nut is labeled as part number 6271.

OilyBill

Anyone have experience refinishing or sealing the "Fordite" steering wheel rims, used in 1926/27? I understand "Fordite" was molded of wood chips, probably some soy materials, some rubber, and some other fillers. I also understand they give you black hands if they are not sealed, due to the material...

OilyBill

Mario, I don't know if you saw it or not, but in this thread, it has been mentioned that both "Canada Ford", and "Australia Ford" issued parts books with illustrations and parts lists for Ford Model T Marine Conversions. They were different than the "St Lawrence" version I am looking for, but it wou...

OilyBill

Thanks, Luxford!
One of the members of the local group has a copy he will let me borrow and scan.
But I really appreciate the offer! Very generous of you!
Stuff like this only happens on the Model T site. No where near as much on other car sites!

OilyBill

I have just taken a Holley Vaporizer apart, apparently a very good untouched original. I have been checking each part removed. On this vaporizer: A. The stop screw for the swing weight is .750" long, from the bottom of the head, to the end of the screw. It was screwed down all the way, so the swing ...

OilyBill

Even with all that, the gears themselves look fabulous!

OilyBill

CA954 will machine like steel. It is very tough. But it is also plenty strong.

OilyBill

They are a very nice little lathe, and had a good reputation. Don't mind the lack of a motor. I would throw out the original motor anyway, and take it to a motor shop and get a variable speed motor installed. Not that much more, and VERY useful. And this IS a gateway drugs. After using this for a ye...

OilyBill

Thank you, Mark!
The Australian parts book also has 3 pages devoted to Ford Marine Installations.
Very helpful to know!

OilyBill

I found the patent drawings at a site known as "Castle Equipment". Apparently they were the successor company, but they seem to have made a real effort to show their earlier "Weaver" equipment. They even have a section on the correct colors for early "Weaver" equipment. I think the patent drawings w...

OilyBill

Keith! Awesome pics! Thank you!

OilyBill

THANK YOU!! to Chris, Jim, and John!!
Looks like I am on my way!
Bill

OilyBill

R.V. Stop whining! It took 500 rears to build the cathedrals of France, and what do you think THEIR mileage is? I don't know either, but it can't be very good. Anyhow, don't even worry about saddling your children's children's children with this task. If they don't like it, they shouldn't have becom...

OilyBill

Dear Jim: YES, I would be very interested in whatever pictures or other info you might have. I would be quite willing to pay for copies of whatever info or pictures you can provide. Rather than trying to send pics, etc. over the internet, if you can get them loaded on a thumb drive or disc, I would ...

OilyBill

Thanks! I went to their website, and it looks like their emphasis is on much later boats, into the 1930's and 1940's. I didn't see any mention of Model T marine conversions, but I sent them a message anyway, and will see if they reply, or have any info. Thanks for the info. Every little bit helps! B...

OilyBill

A couple years back, I was at Chickasha, and picked up a "St. Lawrence River and Engine Co." conversion that used a Model T Ford engine. Unfortunately, at the time, I could not carry the shaft and propeller in my rental car. They guy I bought it from was supposed to ship me all the info and pictures...

OilyBill

The distributor shaft gear on it looks like new. Has this ever been used on a car? If you cannot find definite info on the proper gear, or a spare gear from someone who has an "Autodis" unit laying around, my suggestion would be to see if you can fit a shaft gear/drive gear off of a Texas T distribu...

OilyBill

The only thing that the pan may be good for is a wheely clown car. Like said it will retain way too much oil. You would be lucky if it would run much more than an idle because of the crankshaft running in oil. Many problems will arise. Billy, the horse shoe/s are the u shaped metal pieces that the ...

OilyBill

I started out in a pedal car when I was 4. And here I am back in one! The car was mine, but I'm the one behind it in this picture. Love to have it now! :D rwlcar1945.jpg You must have been king of the road with that beauty! Look at that long hood, with a hood ornament, even! And the rear wheel spat...

OilyBill

Awesome video!
That engine sounds REALLY nice!

OilyBill

There are punches made for removing thin bushings. They form a half-circle on the leading edge. You place one edge of the "Smile" against the edge of the bushing, then tap down on it, and it cuts and collapses the bushing as it goes. Snap-On sells these. When using a hacksaw, don't go all the wall t...

OilyBill

WTB - The small sheet-metal inlet hood that fits on the Holley Vaporizer. This fits the Vaporizers that have a small hole in the inlet flange, for a screw and nut to hold the inlet hood. It is a small metal scoop, that was only used for a short time, apparently to confuse flying ducks and keep them ...

OilyBill

Thank you, Terry!
I appreciate the info!
The vaporizer is what was on this car when it was new, and I see no reason it shouldn't be rebuilt successfully and reinstalled, and run just as good as the day it was driven off the dealer lot. So that is what I am working towards.

OilyBill

My 1917 REO has a giant belly pan that runs from the front crossmember, under the radiator, back to the transmission frame in the middle of the car. it also has 2 more, that interlock with the belly pan, and close up the sides of the frame, right up to the fenders. They obviously spent a lot of effo...

OilyBill

I started out in a pedal car when I was 4.
And here I am back in one!

OilyBill

Using this type of starter is no trouble at all! You just get the mother-in-law to put the heave to it. The only drawback I see is that since I paid $5 for the car in the first place, it's now only worth $15. That's kind of a disappointing return on investment. Plus, the thing itself cost me $4.75. ...

OilyBill

Using this type of starter is no trouble at all! You just get the mother-in-law to put the heave to it. The only drawback I see is that since I paid $5 for the car in the first place, it's now only worth $15. That's kind of a disappointing return on investment. Plus, the thing itself cost me $4.75. ...

OilyBill

If anyone thinks getting all the drawings into a museum would be a "GOOD THING" I can tell you that you are completely and totally WRONG. I can cite 3 instances I was involved with. A. A gentleman in Illinois died about 15 years ago. He left a HUGE assortment of aircraft engines, many of them VERY r...

OilyBill

Kerry:
What is a "horseshoe"? Where are they located? How high are they? Is there a horseshoe in the pics?
Just trying to get a grasp of how high the oil level is supposed to be on a stock pan.
Thanks!

OilyBill

Keith
Thanks for the absolutely awesome photos.
You answered every question I have had for years about the acetylene lines and routing on my 1914 Runabout, and in just a few pics!
This is a GREAT contribution!

OilyBill

Thank you, Rich! This is the first time I have heard of such a label, but in thinking about it, it must have been pretty common. Even if you shipped your grain in sacks, there would still be the possibility of soaking up anything on the floor of the boxcar. I can sure understand the warning in relat...

OilyBill

Nearly every old car that I have my manual for, says that they were shipped drained. Not just Ford, but Brush, Franklin, Overland, REO, etc, all seem to have shipped their vehicles in the "drained" condition. What I suspect is it was not so much a savings of money on oil, as it was a demand by the r...

OilyBill

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAREL!!
i wish you many happy returns of the day!
Bill

OilyBill

Thanks very much to all of you for the excellent advice! I will take plenty of pictures. I don't see any cracks at all. I know aluminum castings do have porosity issues. My 1926 Franklin has a cast aluminum crankcase, and cast aluminum transmission. Both of those were sprayed internally with glyptol...

OilyBill

Any opinions on the value of 2 early transmission covers? #1 Aluminum 1911-1913 according to MacCaffey's data. #2. Aluminum, but later than #1. has the cast ridge reinforcements on each side of the base, so 1913-and on. I want to list them on E-Bay, but not sure what the starting bid should be, as I...

OilyBill

Sorry to hear about that! Were they on the phone?
Any injuries?

OilyBill

It's hard to believe that the 1912 Twin Cities Tractor went for $320,000! All the prices seemed very high. Must have been a lot of deep-pocket collectors there. A lot of those guys don't like to lose.

OilyBill

We used to DREAM of owning a trombone Kazoo! Where I came from, (where the hills are uphill BOTH ways! and we had to fight our way through bears THIS HIGH!!) we NEVER had a guy in a rumbleseat podium come through and sell us ANYTHING, much less trombone kazoos! All we had was the boring pitchmen at ...

OilyBill

Is the Metz sold?

OilyBill

This is a REALLY good idea, at least for people who know how to post photos!.

OilyBill

Got the plates you sent yesterday. They are really beautiful! Wrapped and tucked them away until it's time to put them on. Thanks a LOT!

OilyBill

Something that works really well, (I use it on aircraft, where the surrounding structure is almost always either aluminum, or a really delicate forging you wouldn't want to touch with a hammer) but I think might not work for you due to poor access at the firewall. is the following: Center as best yo...

OilyBill

Thank you! I had heard the name, but didn't know anything about him.
I will try and contact him tomorrow.

OilyBill

Dick C hit the nail right on the thumb. If you stop all the oil leaks, are you prepared to start using bread crumbs to find your way home? It is either that, or a REALLY long string.

OilyBill

Anyone have a recommendation on a company or individual who rebuilds 1927 Model T speedometers and does a good job? I have a very nice 1927 speedometer that I want disassembled, cleaned, lubed, reassembled and adjusted. It has very few miles on it, and was original to the car I am working on. I am v...

OilyBill

Many good answers. As someone who has savored mechanical odors for many years. (Steam locomotives have their own scent, from the steam and the oils they use. Same thing with radial aircraft engines. Get near one of those, and they have a sweetish oily scent to them. I can tell I am near an aircraft ...

OilyBill

When (if ever) did Ford use a steering wheel hub that had 2 key slots in it, directly across from one another? Early T? late T? pre-T? (Like NRS, K, or A-B-C-F?) Never? I'm looking at a hub that has 2 key slots and is supposed to be Model T. Could this be a possibility, or is this off some other car...

OilyBill

Thank you, Rich!
Both the shade rollers i need to work on are complete, but non-operable. I need to replace the shades on both, and since I am doing one, they both are going to be worked on. This adjustment data will hopefully allow me to hunt down any ills after installing new shade material.

OilyBill

If you read much of the early info on electrical stuff, you will find that a jar with salt water in it was used as a resistance for different electrical applications. Sometimes many jars, depending on what the electrical guy was trying to accomplish. If you are going to use it, try salt. If no resul...

OilyBill

It has always surprised me how many local volunteers they have as guides and as groundskeepers at those cemeteries. The local people there really remember, and a lot of them are now 3rd generation volunteers in taking care of American graves. I had always assumed they just had a group of paid guys, ...

OilyBill

Sent you an e-mail.
Thanks!

OilyBill

How do I find info on window shade repairs? (Like for the rear window shade assembly on 1927 Coupes?) When I try and search, the one and only hit I get is on color shading in art paintings of the Model T. Is there a section of forums reserved for "repair topics" or something similar? When I try and ...

OilyBill

Erik!
You are correct! They appear to be R/H drive, but they are NOT. It is just a load of Fords, headed to a local dealer. The pictures do look odd, though. It must just be the angle the pic was taken at.
Disregard my comments in the entry above this.

OilyBill

Could they have been export Model T's? But why would export Model T's show up in Oregon?. Unless the were railroaded to Oregon, then to be placed on a ship for somewhere like Hong Kong? Or New Zealand? I know they probably would not have shipped complete model T's to Australia, because they had such...

OilyBill

It's in the OT section because there aren't enough T's in it. There has to be at least 18. Either that, or some other number. I forget. Several other cars appeared, and the police motorcycles were Harley's. Also, some of the actors were thinking of other brands of cars. You can tell, if you listen t...

OilyBill

I've always wanted someone to try that, and then let me know how it works out.

Looks good!

OilyBill

I think the head support used for the photography session was actually one of those used for post-mortem photographs.
I also like how the guy who got sworded on the stage, then fell off, gets back up to lay down on the stage to finish dying.
ACTING!

OilyBill

Brent, I don't think you should be shy about posting. Like anyone else in the T world, if you are knowledgeable, people want to hear it. I was HOPING someone in the profession would chime in. Thanks! I wasn't asking for a to-the-penny quote. I just wanted to get some idea of what it costs, in genera...

OilyBill

Thanks!
You will probably be hearing from me.
I will be contacting Lang's this morning for the rubber seals. I will also check into the sealer for between the rubber and the window surround surface on the body.
Thanks to everyone for all the good advice!

OilyBill

Always cool to see ads from BEFORE Ford Motor was a giant!

OilyBill

AWESOME! Thank you everyone for the pics! I now understand it to be: The rubber seal is installed on the glass, the glass/rubber assembly is installed in the cavity in the body, and then the garnish molding is installed and screwed in to hold everything in position for the side quarter glass. On the...

OilyBill

What is the ball-park price range for a good coil rebuild?

OilyBill

I was suckered the first time I bought an antique car. But now I just chalk it up to paying my dues. It was only $1500, so it wasn't so bad. But that was a lot of years ago. In any case, I've met so many nice people since that the occasional weasel doesn't bother me too much. And I've had so many pe...

OilyBill

Jim had it right. It's far more entertaining to work on a Model T than a Model A. If the car trouble gremlins show up at my house, they have to just mope on the workbench and wait for something to happen. The generator gremlin, the last I saw, the cat was carrying him around. My T doesn't have a gen...

OilyBill

I am a Jaguar guy as well as a "T" guy (I got a "T" because I needed at least one car that would run dependably, and it's NOT the jag) Anywho. They had a considerable discussion on gasoline, and the general consensus was be careful where you buy it, and stick to stations that are busy, because you c...

OilyBill

Has this been sold?

OilyBill

Jim!
I see you have a vaporizer carb! Hope you keep it on the car.
Have you been in contact with any of the people in the "Tucson Touring T's"?
They are a really great group! They are very helpful as well, with good advice, and generous with the parts they have accumulated!
Bill

OilyBill

There are plenty of scrap or damaged parts, and cracked blocks, that could be assembled into 3D models that people could touch. They don't have to be assembled from perfect parts.

OilyBill

Anyone have some good recommendations about how to get to forum posts (hopefully with pics) regarding putting in the fixed windows on a closed car? (Specifically a 1927 Coupe) I have found PILES of stuff on putting in the door glass, so no problem there. But when I search for the rear window or side...

OilyBill

Corvette Guy:
I must regretfully inform you that you have fallen into a world domination plan, run by cats. If we were mice, they would offer us cheese, but since we are human, they dangle Model T's in front of us. Just so you are aware, going in.
Enjoy your trucks! I'm sure you will have a blast!

OilyBill

I am in a machinist club in Tucson, and in the early 2000's we had a Chinese member who dropped in occasionally to see what was going on. This woman was a grinding expert. When I say expert, I mean WORLD CLASS. Companies in the U.S. hired her to set up and proof out grinding facilities for American ...

OilyBill

OK! Thanks!

OilyBill

Well, I just want to say 2 things: The VAST MAJORITY of Model T people, and antique car people in general, are older. This is the group that suffers the most deaths from Covid 19. Encouraging actions that may result in the deaths of a sizeable portion of our club is supremely stupid. THE GOVERNMENT ...

OilyBill

I know a guy who works on all kinds of antique music machines, including the giant disc ones that look like a buzz saw, but just ding out a tune on little pins on the disc. If you are seriously interested in getting it fixed, I will give you his number, and you can talk to him. He has shown a lot of...

OilyBill

About the only cheerful thing I can say about it is that, since Hershey was canceled for this year, then I am DEFINITELY going in 2021. Think of all the stuff that didn't get sold this year at Chickasha, Bakersfield, and Hershey. It's thin this year, but next year maybe it will be like a Thanksgivin...

OilyBill

If you don't get a reply or an offer on this other than mine, then I will buy it. I don't want to take it away from someone who actually needs it to finish a project. I'd rather they had it to finish their car, But the non-generator cars are a pet interest of mine.

OilyBill

I don't know why the insurance company would not cover the event. Normally, all they are covering is accidents or problems on the tour. They don't care if you get sick or not. It's not their problem. If someone goes on the tour, and has a heart attack, that is not an action against the insurance com...

OilyBill

There was an article about 30 years ago, about how to remove a Model T engine, BY YOURSELF, WITH NO HOIST. The guy had pictures showing him tilting it up and over and out of the frame, resting it gently at each point so he could move to the new heaving point to continue the process. he not only took...

OilyBill

A lot of people forget that most of the midwest, except the big cities, did NOT have electrical power until during the mid- 1930's when the Rural Electrification Administration put electricity everywhere in the U.S. If you had a car with a battery, and it failed, and you were somewhere in North Dako...

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