MTFCA Forum

Two weeks ago I sent an email to the president of the Kern County Model T Club. They are co-sponsor. His response was that they had not decided yet. With the delays in getting COVID shots the situation will be about the same as last year.

In answer to Dick's original question. On the frame rail near the battery. Connected to the ground terminal.

Mark - Couple of pictures - The metal is not magnetic. I scraped out a few pieces of the wire and it looks to be brass. I am beginning to think the base material is just too hard. I found the lining I took off The Tudor hanging in the rafters. You can see the metal wire very clear. The Tudor is real...

When I restored my 21 Touring back in 1970, it had no top for reference. So I ordered a top from Carter's Cut & Cover. The kit had a flap already sewn on to the wind flap that goes to the under side of the front bow. The new kit from Classtique did not. Since i rarely drive in the rain for long dist...

Wayne - I still had a short piece of that lining. The wire in it looks brass. McMaster-Carr only shows one kind of metallic on their website - High-Strength Brake and Clutch Lining and they say its brass. This happened on both my 21 Touring and 27 Tudor. Maybe they changed it since then. here is a p...

Wayne - The grooving was not a rivet issue. It was a series of small grooves spread all across the drums. After reading some remarks I'm going to check and make sure what kind of metallic material was in them.

Mark, you suggested the McMaster-Carr woven Metallic Lining. I tried that a couple of years ago on both of my cars, then noticed it was severely wearing my drums with deep grooves. I was able to turn them smooth again then changed to woven metallic from Chaffans. No more wear. Anyone else had this p...

Got mine last month. In California

I use a coupe of long bolts into the block with a load equalizer. By turning the crank on the equalizer, I can get the engine just right to angle it in.

Battery cut-off switch should always be installed on the Ground side of the battery, whether its positive or negative ground for the reasons stated above.
I recently bought this one from Snyders with the bracket but have not figure out where it mounts. I'll have modify it .

Here is a photo of what I did to use the over the top linkage on a Winfield Carb. My engine was originally a Vaporizer. When I bought the car it had a Model A Zenith using this setup that I modified for the Winfield. For the Zenith choke a couple of 1/4" drive universals were braised into the choke/...

Sometimes an air impact driver on the puller will jar a stubborn items loose. also be careful not to destroy the threads.

To keep from dropping the cotter pins, run a length of dental floss through the pin and tie the ends. I usually loop it around my little finger. Dental floss comes in handy. It keep a package in my tool box.

If your pan ears don’t line up with the frame holes you have a bent pan. May just be the ears but best to remove the pan from the engine and have it properly straightened on a pan jig. Bent pans are one cause of broken crank shafts.

Milt was the chief mechanic at the California Auto Museum in Sacramento. 'Milt's Garage" was created in a section of the museum and dedicated to him in February 2019. Here he is at the dedication with many of is friends. 100_3948.jpg The Sacramento Valley T Club restored a 1923 Touring from donated ...

Always carry spares, whether its original coils and timer or distributor. I carry a spare set of points, cap, rotor, condenser. And just like we used to do on our "old modern" vehicles, do a tune up and check the points, cap and rotor for wear and pitting at least once a year

The engine and transmission come out as a unit. As mentioned the Model T has one oil sump for both. Check with your local club members and get some help. Here is Sacramento we have what we call "Awful Waffle Day." We meet at the home of the member needing help. We start out the morning with waffles,...

Could be bearings or spokes or kingpin bushings. Jack it up grab the wheel and try to move it top-bottom, side to side and find out what is moving.

"So if the ammeter is on the battery circuit, if you run your car on mag, is the battery being charged? I start my car on battery then switch it to mag right away. Does the mag charge the battery?" The only thing that changes when you switch to mag is the feed to the coils. Everything else stays wi...

From time to time I hear of a traffic accident involving a UPS, FEDEX, or USPS truck with packages scattered all over the highway or of a parcel carrying truck on fire. I have always wondered what happen to the packages and how that is handled.

I need to try one of those light finders. At 6'4 I have to really bend my head down in my 27 Tudor to see the lights.

John Kuhen - On the two lever, two pedal cars the second lever controlled reverse, not low. This was a change from previous Fords so that the driver could kept both hands on the wheel while driving. The Model T Encyclopedia gives a very detailed history of the differences and changes year by year. h...

Found this in the "Ford Dealer & Service" Magazine for January, 1928. Mechanics, Old or new always find a way to invent the needed tools.

Why not just use the old firewall as a pattern, buy some plywood and make your own.

Several years ago i replaced the window channels in my 27 Tudor doors. I found the channel sold by the vendors was too narrow to fit the existing safety glass. Also my car did not have the rubber at the top but the same window channel as the sides. With some online searching I found Stanpro window c...

Here is a good place to start.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG93.html

Autozone AL795

Napa ECH ICR12

John
It’s one of the smoothest carbs I have tried. Had a Winfield M for a while but the S runs much better. The car has an A crank and Hc pistons. The S really woke it up.

I bought the carb at a swapmeet several years ago. It had the adapter on it. The owner was running it on a mid 20's chevy setup as a down draft and complained how bad it ran. This is an updraft carb. Got a good price. The adapter is a 3/8" steel plate that has ben drilled and tapped. I recently disc...

Jeff, I run a Winfield S 1 B on my 27 Tudor. I used the reproduction Winfield manifold from Chaffin's with an adapter plate drilled for the Winfield and the manifold.

Have always had the same question. Both of mine are on there.

They are very well built. Have been running one since 1970. Cap Rotor points are mid 50’s Jeep. Available at NAPA and others. It’s auto advance but I modified mine to manual.

Nice car. The more you drive the more comfortable you will be. Teach the wife to drive too.

Looking for a pin type. What do you have. PM also sent

Polarity might make a difference in which way the motor rotates. Test it out. see if any differences.

I just replaced a top on my 21 Touring that came from Carters some 45 years ago. It had the rain flap that folded down the front of the windshield. My new Classtique top did not have it. Here are a couple of pictures. It had snap fasteners at each corner for a side curtain. Would not be hard to make...

Just finished a 2 man top from Classtique on my 21 Touring. #1. My bows were flat across the top #3. Mike's instructions sometimes contradict the videos. I called Mike on this and he said to tack that bow also to keep the pads from shifting around. The video has them just stitched together and no ta...

Toon, I like that.

Someone needs to make a brass tag to put on a differential housing bolt that says "Brass Thrust Washers installed."

Made a bracket to mount the coil on the water outlet bolt.

Check out Automotive Work Wear. under shop and lab coats.
https://www.automotiveworkwear.com/..

No Ford logo. You'll have to source that separately and sew it on. Ford charges top dollar to use their logos.

The transmission drums need to be ground not turned to get the proper finish. But you will have under size drums. May be harder to get a good pedal adjustment.

Check your e-brake cam levers, they might just need to be bent away a little. I know its a close fit in that area. Also I believe there is a washer between the radius rod and the horse shoe shaped piece. You may need a thinner washer

There is a top saddle bracket mount that will work for the light but not sure about the license plate. Or, use an earlier kerosene lamp iron

Got mine works well, very well made. Thanks

We were in Buffalo, Wy, last summer. Wish I had known about it. Would have made the drive over to see it. Will have to see if my Brother-in-law knows about it. They go to Gillete from time to time.

Here is the link to the UNI website. They are listed by diameters and length. Also a tab to cleaning.
https://unifilter.com/online-catalog/cl ... r-filters/

The AC Brakes available today are only made for the small drum, 1925 and back. They work against the outside of the original small drum. The Rocky Mountain Brakes made today are available for both the small drum and the 26-27 large drum. The Small drum version includes a larger brake drum that fits ...

I am replacing the top on my 21 Touring using the Classtique kit. The rear straps on my car were adjustable. The ones that came in the kit are not. They just nail on. What are you all doing in this area? Is the adjustable feature necessary. I don't remember ever adjusting them in the past.

Hal, Try a metal valve stem. Steve spells it out here.
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG110.html

I am going thru the same issues with my 21 touring. I originally did the top on this car some 50 years ago with a kit from Carters. It did not have any covering on the curved sections of any of the bows. I am rebuilding the top with a Classtique kit. The front vinyl wrap came as one piece. The video...

I ordered one from EBAY a couple of months ago. They call it a Canvas Stretching Pliers. Haven't used it yet. Still waiting on my top from Classtique. https://www.ebay.com/i/223707313149?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D1110001%26algo%3DSPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3Dcfbea3c574664f3d9f0451...

Good to see your family enjoying the T's. Hope we get to do a tour sometime.

The keyway locks it to the cam shaft. I bought mine new 50+ years ago. It came with a pin with a large head to fit the keyway. I modified mine to eliminate the auto advance and added a tab to the body to use my regular advance and made a reversing lever similar to the Bosch front plate.

I have been running one of these for over 50 years on my 21 Touring. The head is the same as mid 50's jeep. Autolite IAD400. Cap, rotor, points & condenser are available from NAPA. The CAM gear is as pictured below.

That first picture, the front main bearing looks like its way off center or is it just the angle of the camera.

Its been said that there are more "15" T's on the road than Henry built.

I have the older orange stands. They have a different number than those being recalled. They have served me well over 15 years on both modern cars and Ts. And very heavy RV. I am inspecting the notches for wear.

Instead of replacing yearly, carry a complete set of ignition parts in your tool box.

I have used the varnish seal with good luck many years before Good RTV was available. I trim the felt to fit then dip it into a can of varnish. Then using a clip I hang it up to dry over night. This forms a dry crust on the outside of felt but the inside is still not dry. Form it over the back of th...

I used Loctit on the set screw. Also be sure to set the U-Joint clearance on the bushing at the front. Some say its not needed but good insurance in case the collar does slip.

I am using a rubber touring floor mat in the front of my 27 Tudor. It only required a small amount of trimming on the outer edges and around the seat legs. Much more practical than carpet for a car that I drive a lot.

I had a counterweight break in half and fall into the sump. The ring gear picked up one half and jammed it between the gear and the side of the pan. Had to pull the hogs head to get the jammed half out and fish out the other half. Luckily this happened while starting.

California 1927

If you still have the all metal cast brake shoes, there are lined versions available that might provide a little more grip. Check you favorite vendor parts catalog or online version.

Yes. I took some "S" hooks from the hardware store and bent one end and hooked into the magnet, ring gear holes. For the ring on top make sure to get one rated to hold the weight. I think the one I found was rated for 900 lbs. Open the end of the chain up to put on the ring and close. I took this sh...

Best way to handle the trans is to use a ring with three chains hooked into the Magnet bolt holes.

Dude & Son, Yuba City, a, does cam bearings as well as other T babbitting. See their add in the Vintage Ford.
greenbeanmachine128@gmail.com

Also check the bolt that holds the front cam bearing in the block. If the end of the bolt that fits into the cam bearing is not a tight fit, then the cam bearing and the cam can move fore and aft causing a hard to find knock.

The ball type float valves are notorious for sticking. Do as Dan says, get one of Scott's valves.

I have used Model A Bendix springs on my T's for years. They are a little bit larger in diameter but work fine. They are tougher and hold up much better from kick backs.

Erik,
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. All of us in the Mother Lode Club will miss him.

So, on your way home make a short drive over to Auburn for the 46th Annual Mother Lode Model T Club swap meet Sunday, June 7.
See the flyer in the Vintage Ford.

For those of us in Sacramento County, be nice to your neighbors, Give them rides in your cars, so no one complains to the code enforcers. I thought about contacting my county supervisor for clarification, but then they know where I am and what I do.

Here is the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCRdm6YiinM

Enjoyed the stories especially the road side fixes. I have one of the "M" exhaust manifolds that gave me some grief last year. Yes, mine is extra thick and required some jiggling to get the clamps on. But the real issue with it was the ports were not machined to the proper depth. When I fired the ca...

One using a horn button housing and one using a modified PVC pipe "T". If you are going to combine the turn signals with the brake light using the schematic above you will have to add some diodes to isolate the front from the back.

Hi Joe, Acrylic Lacquer Paint is not legal in California. TCP Global has it, mail order, but they won't ship to California. You will have to use a single stage poly or have someone from maybe Nevada get it for you.

Dude & Son in Yuba City, Ca does cam bearings. See their ad in the Vintage Ford

Lining differences - when I took the McMaster-carr lining off, I tried the Black composite. It worked very well on the Touring but not so good on the heavier Tudor. So then I went with the woven from Chaffins on the sedan. Still had issues trying to stop the Tudor. After much adjusting the linkage ...

I used the lining from McMaster Carr on my 21 Touring and 27 Tudor. After about a year I found the lining was severely wearing my drums. I removed the lining and am now using the woven metallic from Chaffins with no issues.

The cloud museum near Bard Ca. Just Nw of Yuma

When you press the bushing in, line the groove up with the grease cup hole then drill it. Allows the grease to spread to the whole bushing.

Drove the old 21 in the West Sacramento Veterans Parade with my two Grand Sons. The older one just became a charter member of the Model T Explorers Club.

I always go to mtfca.com and click the Suppliers link. Then you have them all.

You can buy them new from Snyder's or Lang's or other T parts suppliers.

My Grandsons love to go for rides.

Bakersfield swap meet April 17-18, 2020.

The diode cut out is not a voltage regulator. The one with the regulator is a full solid state voltage regulator. Have never heard of one failing.

Yes they do. A nice 2-3 mile loop. They even have a program where you can pay $$ and learn to operate a locomotive over the loop..

Here is a video of #23 running down the tracks at the Portola Museum mentioned by David.
https://www.wplives.org/gallery/m23_rid ... video.html

My Grandson received his MTFCA Explorers Charter membership letter today. He's very excited. How many of you have signed up your kids and Grand Kids?

Glen Chaffin just posted a few days ago that they now have the 12 tooth pinion is stock. With the39 tooth ring gear that's 3:25 and with the 40 tooth ring it's 3.33.

Easiest and the most sanitary and still look original would be a Ruckstell. Easy to shift and you effectively have 4 speeds forward and 2 reverse. Add a foot throttle and you can shift all 4 with ease. But with any auxiliary, you will need good brakes on the rear axle.

Looks nice. 26-27 style.

Hi Joe, I did some work on my 27 Tudor front windows a couple of years ago replacing all or the felt channels and the mechanism and rollers, but not the bottom channel. None of the side or top channel parts sold by any of the vendors would fit my doors. Snyder's uses the same part numbers for A and ...

I recently ran into a problem with a repo exhaust manifold where the port recesses were not machined deep enough. I had difficulty getting it to tighten up against the block. I fought this thing for several hours before I measured the depth. They were only .115 deep where an original was .190+. I ha...

I have been using a glass sediment bowl under my 21 Touring for 50 years. Driven lots of dirt and gravel roads. Never had a problem with it being broken by rocks and debris.

Make sure you have a current insurance certificate.

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