MTFCA Forum

Your Tudor sedan looks pretty good and seems to be an original car! If it were mine I would remove the tank and clean it out along with the sediment bulb. Your lucky to find that 2 door and looks like it was stored out of the weather!! That’s a really good thing. Have you got the Ford service manual...

If you replaced the timer did you replace the wires one wire at a time when you changed it? That’s a fool proof way to do it to avoid mixing up the timer wires.

Check out the Fordson house.com. They sell new old stock parts and good used parts for Forson tractors. A few yews ago I sold a good magneto coil ring for a Fordson tractor I had for a really good price. They were glad to get it. I contacted them and sent them a picture of it. They sent me a Check p...

As far as the rim goes you’re not going to your run T fast enough to make any difference. You have to remember Model T’s weren’t built like a Rolls Royce or to high standards as other high end makes were. If it doesn’t shimmy or wobble your OK. I would remove the front rims with the tires and watch ...

Thanks for the tips. I may change the radiator coolant. I have antifreeze in it since the shop isn’t heated for winter. Maybe I should use less antifreeze in it. It’s got over 1/2 antifreeze in it. We dont get long weeks of below freezing in central Texas. Maybe 1/4 antifreeze and the rest water mig...

Hi Mike It will greatly be to your advantage to buy yourself the The Ford Service manual that will help you learn about a Model T. Also call and ask Snyder’s, Lang’s, and Chaffins. Ask for their parts catalogues. There is a wealth of information for parts and identifying what you may need for your c...

I was looking at my 21 Touring today and noticed the replacement flat tube radiator has a couple of damp spots on it and very small leaks. These are very slow and not dripping. The radiator was a flat tube recore bought on eBay years ago when I was assembling parts to build the 21. I haven’t use any...

If you have difficulty getting holes lined up on a ball cap or any other holes use a long taper punch or if you don’t have one a screwdriver can work also. The holes in a ball cap are identical distance to each other. Sometimes putting the ball cap bolts in put one in the bottom and then one at the ...

Bump down the left side splash guard/engine pan where it’s far enough down so the spark rod will get a little longer stroke down. Looks like to me the guard/pan took a lick and was pushed upwards sometime in the past. You may not have to cut out a notch to get it to clear but not sure.

I’m hoping they will still make T sheet metal. There isn’t many other folks if any making T sheet metal body panels and etc that I know of. In some ways old car hobbies are changing. Supply and demand for later ‘old cars’ and classic cars sell for more money and the demand for parts for them is wher...

By the looks of this company and reading their information on what they can make these folks could make Model T band linings but the cost to do it would come into question. Like other items would there be enough interest and could enough be made to keep the cost down.

That’s sound like you repaired a big part of the slack in your steering column. While your at it jack up the front end of your T and slowly turn the steering wheel from side to side. Watch closely the front end for looseness in the king pins, tie rod ends and the steering arm. You may be surprised i...

Why not get a 3/8 or 1/2 longer solid rod. That may a way to keep the original look instead of adding piece to keep it moving back. Or did Ford come out with a replacement longer rod if it was a common issue? Why was it cut a bit shorter?

Even when new Model T’s weren’t quite as we think of today. And after they got driven for a while they slowly got more looser and noisey. The quietest antique brass era cars were the heavier cars like the Winton and other bigger heavier cars. But even those cars weren’t built like our cars are today...

Something must not be moving. I have a 24 Coupe and I finally took off the firewall and for me everything was easier to get to. I did it that way. Look closely with someone looking on as you move it up to see where it’s hitting on or dragging on. Was the handbrake moving the clutch ring back and for...

Bottom line is what others have said. A good cooling radiator is a must for a Model T to really drive and enjoy. Radiators can fool you if they look good and especially if it’s an original. Either get it recored or buy a new flat tube. A poor cooling radiator is first in line to cause cooling issues...

Maybe the free crankcase service was checking for oil leaks and tightening up the bolts where necessary! But T’s didn’t leak a “whole lot” did they.

That’s super neat to find the box with it! It doesn’t look beat up either. Really good things are out there and you have to be at the right place at the right time!

The Ford service manual has the information you need. When anyone buys and owns a Model T it should be by your easy chair or reading area and looked at often.

As the old saying goes we live and learn!

Just for grins I looked up dimple die on Amazon and there are all kinds of sizes and sets. There are also other makers and suppliers for dimple dies. Be warned though they aren’t cheap. That’s probably the reason the reproduction sill plates don’t have them. The machine work to make the one stamping...

That’s what I do also. Add pictures to your photo files and when you want to use a picture go to attachments and your picture files will come up. Click on the picture and it will be added to your post or add. That’s the way I do it.

How about using some raised washers. On the original sill plates that’s the effect that was being used less the seam around the screw hole. They come in all sizes and finishes. They would look pretty close but of corse not perfect.

The photo of the older man contemplating whether to go across the muddy road or turn around says a lot when T’s were being used for transportation in the early days of motoring. Could he be thinking about burning out the bands or just turning around. It’s the 12th photo from the top. Great group of ...

I agree that if the Ford branches had enough parts or chassis they used up the parts to build up a complete car. It only makes sense. And the left over parts were sold as time went on. I think that even though the T was old history and out of date there was enough out there that needed parts to keep...

The copper head gaskets can be reused more than once and more if you remove them carefully and clean off the block and head surface well. We have to remember to clean up the head and block really well! In fact in the T era owners would do this more than you think. Sometimes we overthink and start re...

I guess some of the forum members who own Model T’s or have owned them for many years take the Ford service manual and older Ford service books or service books in general for getting repair advice for a Model T. Over the years the books “evolved” . The last Ford service book or manual is the summat...

Allan has the simplest repair idea that works. I have a 24 Coupe that has the zinc/aluminum sill plates and using the method that Allan spoke about is the best way for cracks in this application. It will last as long you own and drive your car and beyond.

Jack the car up on both rear wheels in neutral and press your reverse pedal and see if the wheels turn in reverse. If you have the linkage adjusted correctly you should get a good neutral. After you check if your wheels are turning in reverse put the car in neutral then use the low speed pedal and s...

[/image]It’s now time to remove the fuel tank, clean it out, clean or replace the fuel sediment bulb and that will probably solve your problem. When you found out you were blocking the vent hole that helped for a while which indicates there is a fuel flow problem.

This one that Lang’s sell will fit but you may have to file or grind one side to fit over your door hinge. https://www.modeltford.com/item/7854H.aspx

There may be others out there.

As Steve mentioned it could be possible that the wood firewall was replaced sometime in the early 20’s and even later. If you had a low cowl wood firewall a dealer might have had a steel one or even went to a salvage yard to put one in your car. In the low cowl transition years it probably happed mo...

That’s very true about the gas cap being able to vent. Most any older engines need to have a fuel vent cap on it that works. I have a 54 Ford NAA tractor that was doing the surging and eventually dieing. Checked the carb, fuel bowl and etc until I had read about it in a tractor repair site. I left t...

So do you still have to do anything to the generator by polarizing it or etc? If it has the std. mechanical cutout it doesn’t make any difference.

Use STP. It’s really good for long lasting lubrication. Use a mixture of light grease or heavy gear oil and STP for a good type of lubrication. It was widely used to prelube bearings in newly rebuilt engines when I was in high school and learning about doing it from local hot rodders. You would ligh...

I had the remains of a 1920 wooden firewall with a drip edge still on it I bought from Bobs a few years ago. I had known that Ford made them that way and I wondered if it was done that way to use up the pieces of wood to save money. Maybe it was because plywood as we know it today wasn’t made the wa...

Unless the cowl or windshield post’s are some how bent it should bolt on and the angle should work itself out when the windshield posts are bolted on. Or so it seems.

The battery box lids were probably thrown off in the garage along with the engine pans since the batteries were changed and the lid was looked at as just an extra. The pans were thought about the same way as time went on and as a T was getting older and needing repair. A group 1 6volt battery is pro...

The fourth picture from the top 24-25 Coupe has an extension on the outside passenger door handle and I wonder what for.

This is one way to do it from an earlier post on the forum. It worked for this frame. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/708324/764053.html?1497523346 There are several others on the forum with information how to do it. Do a general search on the net ‘frame straightening of a Model T Ford frame MT...

Here’s a dealership photo that shows the drip pan under a new T. Yes a new T didn’t leak but very little but after a while———————>.
It’s something we should do and to try to use the right sealers and gaskets in the right places on rebuilds.

You have to remember that even a new Ford T at the dealerships had small leaks on the showroom floors. If you drive a T fairly often they are going to leak a little. The worst culprit is the transmission cover area. If it’s an all new rebuild and it doesn’t leak you haven’t been driving it much.

The so called best timer has the right idea. It’s just not made from good materials like several other repo T parts. For me the good New Day timers are the Best along with originals which still can be found. Three pedal Tap Dancer has it right when T parts reproducers either pass way or sell out the...

Cudaman has it right. That’s what I do and works just like his instructions. Add one picture at a time. When it doesn’t take first the first time go back to your picture file. Click on the picture and you should get some prompts such as edit, trash, and delete when you click on your picture. Click o...

Another T part that’s not always the same.

ALWAYS remember that Model T’s don’t have real brakes and when going down hills slow the engine down and let your engine act as an engine brake. Remember when you’re going along at 35-40 mph the guy behind you will come up faster than you think. Personally I don’t like driving in traffic because the...

Looks like a typical T hub that was cut down at the farm or someone’s garage. Probably some sort or home made tiller?

That’s neat finding a 13 that was pretty much all there. In the 60’s finding an early Brass T probably was a little easier than it is now. You mentioned it is still running well and Im wondering how many times you’ve tightened up the rods if you have since you’ve owned it all these years. I’m in cen...

Well you can? saw or cut off a Coupe rear turtle but I wouldn’t buy a nice T Coupe to make a PU out of it. A Roadster is the way to go for a T PU. Buy a Roadster then build or buy a PU box to put on the back. All you do is to unbolt the removable turtle deck and put the PU box on it. My opinion.

The entire family is almost broke and getting deeper in debt and won’t be going to Disneyland anytime soon. It’s a cold hard fact that everybody's personal Disney land may be going broke too. That’s even a colder hard fact to stomach too.

If there is a way to get around the safeguards there are folks who will figure out how to do it. In the digital world it’s always going to happen. I don’t always get on quick and for some reason it’s usually slower in the afternoon. More use in the afternoon and evenings it seems. Thanks Chris for k...

Pictures tell the story more clearly.

Same here. My phone is a little quicker but my IPad it takes about twice as long. I like my IPad better as it has a much bigger screen.

I’ve noticed it takes a little longer to get on but most of the time it’s less than 1 min or less. These days there is so many more unscrupulous people that will do anything to get your personal information. As little as 5 years ago it wasn’t that way. And it won’t get any better either. It’s a diff...

Tightening the nut when hot is the right thing to do makes sense. Did Ford ever have any thing about this in the service bulletins? Or was it something that was “ just understood “ to do?
If the clamp is mentioned way back when it stands to reason the accessory folks knew about it.

I don’t own an older Brass T but I do have 3 later all black era T’s. Over time Ived picked up several high heads and a couple of them I didn’t use because either the script wasn’t really well defined and some of the head numbers weren’t either. I used the heads that had clearly defined number and s...

Langs sells the exhaust nut clamp for around $8.00
They have been selling them for a good while.

Might be a good idea to mike the journal to see if it’s got wear or a flat spot. It’s much easier to remove a piston with the head off. If you have a copper gasket remove the head carefully and it still might be good enough to use it again. I’ve done that a few times but that’s up to you and there a...

Tighten the low band about 1/2 turn at a time. As stated in other posts it may be worn pedal cams not letting you get the right adjustment for the low speed band.

You mentioned you were going to purchase a long block and going to have it shipped from Connecticut to Indiana. The shop your buying it from should be able to secure it to a good sturdy pallet and maybe use some 2x4’s around it. The way it’s secured to the pallet and protected is something I would w...

The picture of the screwdriver Dan T posted works wonders to hold screws in a the screwdriver so you can get them started! We used that type where I use to work to hold screws to get them started in switch panels, pressure switches and screws in tight places. Every mechanic needs one or two of these...

They appear to be low radiator cars. When enlarging the photo you can see that the first car doesn’t have the lower radiator shield on it. You can just see daylight on the right side under the radiator.

It’s really remarkable the 1910 was kept inside all these years and is in the wonderful condition that it is. I have to ask one question. Since this car was a very low mileage car what condition were the transmission bands in. After nearly 100 years it would seem they probably were beginning to dete...

Reading the description of the new spacer it seems like it’s made to replace the older style magneto contact with the later contact using the same screws. I don’t recall seeing one.
It does seem to be an adapter to me.

As mentioned use a SMALL drill and drill a hole each end of the crack, Wire brush it well and clean the area as best you can then coat the area with JB Weld. Use a small flat spreader such as used with body filler. That will press in the JB Weld. Remove the excess and recoat again. Let dry and that ...

This picture was on a welding page and was interesting! Lincoln built this “portable welder” and what I noticed was the T wheels that was used on it. It also looks like they used a T frame that was altered for the welder. The frame I’m not sure of but the wheels are definitely T. By 1923 when it was...

The magneto coil has been painted with DuPont red electrical winding spray paint. I had some with that was the same exact color. When I removed the engine out of my 24 Coupe for the first time many years ago I used some gas to remove the grease from the mag ring since there were a few places that th...

Maybe the photo was a staged photo with the only engine in the shop to take a pose. Seems like the mechanics would know you couldn’t get the engine in without the firewall area cleared out. But it does have the service sign on it which I still think it was a staged photo for their photo. But the cra...

First thing to do would be to jack up your front end on either side and determine what has any movement in ALL the moving parts. Use the steering wheel and slowly move it back and forth with all the weight off the wheels. You’ll be surprised what’s worn when you thought it wasn’t! Once you determine...

I saw that too on Facebook marketplace here in Texas and thought they were good deals. A bargaining point would be no titles and only the bill of sale. The prices were a good deal but maybe the market is down. I know nothing about the cars or the owners and just happened to see it when I was looking...

The two top and bottom machine screws with the square nuts are the two most important because they go all the way through the wood and secured with the square nuts. They hold the door on securely to prevent it from sagging. The other screws are 3/4” if I remember when I put my 19 Roadster and 21 Tou...

No previous history? Was the car in driving condition BEFORE the differential was removed? If you were driving it when the issue began? Did you ever actually see the car running and driving before you inherited it?? It does sound like it’s in the triple gears and one or more are seized. You may need...

Sounds like a good idea to me. I really think anybody who uses a battery powered screw gun or driver has sense enough to not torque them down enough to strip the threads. If you could do it with a battery gun it’s a heck of a screw gun! The screw gun I have has settings on it to limit how tight you ...

Ace hardware has them. Pretty common.

Mark! Good to know Wal-Mart has Model T parts! I guess if somebody wanted to get a copy of the belts made a good saddle shop could make them. Always learning somthing about the aftermarket parts that were made for early cars and especially Model T’s. They are probably something Ford didn’t offer fro...

Just checked in. I’m human too. Other programs ask that too.

Going to the website it does say they are giving the opportunity for a tail gate swap meet. Seems like they are giving rides in a T and how to drive them. Might serve up some interest in Model T’s. I think they are promoting Model T’s and folks can bring T parts to tailgate if they want.

You could buy dress up engine parts from JC Whitney, Western Auto, and other auto parts stores. These look like the type they sold for Rocker Arm and valve covers. Popular in the 50’s - 70’s along with lots of other types of engine chromed out parts. If anybody here remembers port a walls this was t...

Interesting last photo. Is the guy cutting an apple for an inspection or ? Or is it an apple.

The Ford service manual can really help when working on a Model T. It’s always a good idea to clean out the bolt holes in the block when replacing a head. While your at it cleaning out the water circulation holes in the block and head also. Doing that might help a T cool better too.

As mentioned insulation coming off there is because of rough handling. Could be somebody couldn’t figure out how to remove the starter and was jerking it around in the past. If your car runs fine don’t worry about it! Lots of T’s have worse mag rings than and work fine. Just be glad that’s it’s not ...

Looks like a roller type communicator that used some type of brush or roller. The New Day probably was cheaper to make than this type and the reason it’s still in use today as a repro. The one that’s pictured looks like it was a little more intricate to make. I wonder what the roller or brush looked...

Art ! I bet you used a slide rule in your math class? I remember when there was a life size slide rule hanging the same level as the black board. And all in the class had one to learn on. And a protractor was used too.

I don’t keep up with color on threads to know one way or another. Never did. I don’t get why you need to. I scroll down and see what I wont to read and that’s it. To each his own.

And History and Geography? Remember that more than a few of our younger folks think that New Mexico is another Country! Think about it.

Nothing beats having the Ford Model service books in learning about a Model T. They are available from the parts suppliers. Snyder’s and Lang’s carries them. The MTFCA is an excellent source of information and the forum is loaded with all kinds of info about a T. Surprisingly you can also learn abou...

Use some WD40 or a little oil to lubricate all the joints. Carefully use pressure and it will fold up. Move back and forth a few rimes and it’s OK.

As Steve mentioned if your rims are good enough. T rims will eventually get rusted up from moisture. Rust builds up and will eventually cause a flat. I’m wondering after several years at Ford dealerships were liners offered to owners because of it.

It might be called Birdhaven Vintage Auto. I think they are on Facebook or use to be.

Overheating won’t cause the mag to quit. If anything it would be the mag post not making good contact to the mag ring or something in the switch as mentioned. That area can get small pieces of debris under it and then no contact. Fairly common. The mag post is on top of the transmission cover held d...

Sounds like you got some lint or something under the magneto post which is fairly common and your post sounds like it just stopped on mag. When things like your talking about happens ALWAYS check the mag post for debris or the ignition switch contacts may need cleaning. Maybe a loose coil box wire c...

Saw this today and was wondering if this still goes on. Is the T group still around as the MTFC inc. Maybe before it was changed to MTFCA or?

Here’s a real Model T photo that’s actually real and shows what I think is a 16 T Touring. What’s interesting is the tool box on the running board and how’s its attached using extra long bolts. Makes me wonder why the long bolts used and maybe it’s all they had at the time? The hood is covered for s...

I also saw the same add on Facebook if I remember. Wasn’t a whole lot of information. Comments about it wondered the same thing.

Glad you’re OK Nathan! We T drivers have to watch the newer cars because they go twice as fast and stop a whole lot better! Your T looks pretty good with the wooden PU bed. People would buy a wood PU box when they wanted to make their Roadster or cut off Touring into a PU. Looks like your Father did...

That sounds like a fuel issue to check to begin with according to your post. Could be a fuel starvation issue caused by a stopped up sediment bulb filter, low fuel or mis adjusted carb. Pull the fuel line and see what kind of gas flow you have at the carburetor. If you think it’s the plugs buy a set...

Hi Dan! Now I’m wondering if the earlier open cars like the 21 Touring I have had the kick panel like your later 25 does. It doesn’t matter to me since my car didn’t have any interior at all. It’s a built up Touring from as many of the correct parts I could find. Took me about 3 years to build it up...

Maybe finally folks in Callifunny will begin to understand voting does make a difference! I don’t know how much longer folks will keep taking it! It did down here in Texas with the border. And yet even down here there are some that still don’t get it. I have two cousins that belong in that group! We...

Model T comfort just ain’t the same as our modern day cars and trucks. Just a fact of life!! I have a 1919 Roadster, 21 Touring and a 24 Coupe. I’m 6’3” and all of my cars are tight. You have to learn to navigate the steering wheel and pedals. What really helps me with my size 13’s is the pedal exte...

What about the drivers side. How does it fit. If I’m not mistaken the card board kick panel would have a trim piece sewn on the bottom. And if it does the kick panel would go on the outside. Others would have a picture or opinion. Here’s a picture of my 21 Touring to give you an idea. I’m not sure a...

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