MTFCA Forum

Rich P. Bingham

Seems like the restorer’s dilemma has been with us since the early days !

(cartoon from 1920)

You can buy a restored car for less than it costs to restore one !

Rich P. Bingham

And once again !

Rich P. Bingham

As long as we’re theorizing, looks to me as if the thing could be big trouble if the line it’s pulling can’t be kept perfectly parallel with the car . . .

I’d still like to know who could actually use one because of where they drive their cars !

Rich P. Bingham

Interesting subject. The thought of reproducing this item raises the question, how many of us intrepid T drivers venture on roads and into terrain where having one would be an advantage ?? Show of hands, please ?

Rich P. Bingham

Is this how you do it ?

Rich P. Bingham

Bump again

Rich P. Bingham

Thumpa-bumpa

Rich P. Bingham

This car was produced November of 1908. Is it even considered an 09? If it is not the Holy Grail, it is at least one of the wineglasses used by the 12! :D Experts on the first 2500 will be able to tell is how early in 1908 they began to be built. The model introduction was in October of 1908, Ford ...

Rich P. Bingham

Lest we forget . . .

Rich P. Bingham

Oh, to have such problems !

Yours is an embarrassment of riches, Russ !
Would you consider posting a photo tour of this wonderful machine ?

Rich P. Bingham

#7 a newish 1913 ? Difficult to see the distinguishing square doors, but the windshield and front fenders are ‘13 earmarks, right ?

#8 appears to be an ‘09 - license plate tells us the photo was taken in 1912. A “tourabout” sans windshield or top. Was it bought that way ?

Rich P. Bingham

#6 is interesting, obviously a well-used T, the photo is from 1914 according to the license plate. Interesting windshield arrangement, and period documentation of “boxed” stripes on the hood ! What year is the car ?

Rich P. Bingham

The solid shaft seems like the intention would have been to mount some kind of control device, perhaps a pedal or lever.
I also think it’s unfinished. Intriguing !!

Rich P. Bingham

ewdysar wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 13, 2026 1:56 pm

hull 433 wrote: ↑
Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:34 pm
Something’s off with the “Boeing” photo . . .
I agree. The historical record is changing as we watch.

Look closely at #2 - I think it needs a lot of explanation.
The “Boeing” photo is most certainly an AI pastiche.

Rich P. Bingham

I'd want to determine that pulling the engine was absolutely necessary, especially if I lacked a well equipped shop. Absolutely ! Everyone dreads pulling an engine, but if you have a T and keep it any length of time, it’s not “IF” you’ll have to, but “WHEN”. (For a feeling of accomplishment it can’...

Rich P. Bingham

Search this forum for the proper procedure for re-charging magnets in an assembled engine. It’s done through the block-mounted coil ring, the transmission cover needs to be on so a compass can be used to properly orient the flywheel. Many say the engine should be aligned with magnetic north, there w...

Rich P. Bingham

. . . My speculation is the Frame was dipped in Alkyd Enamel . . . Going down a rabbit hole: 1901 alkyd resin is synthesized in the laboratory 1914 General Electric patents alkyd resin for use as an insulating material in electrical applications 1926 General Electric introduces Glyptal paint for co...

Rich P. Bingham

. . . My speculation is the Frame was dipped in Alkyd Enamel . . . Going down a rabbit hole: 1901 alkyd resin is synthesized in the laboratory 1914 General Electric patents alkyd resin for use as an insulating material in electrical applications 1926 General Electric introduces Glyptal paint for co...

Rich P. Bingham

1925 Caddy with Hydramatic ?!?

Rich P. Bingham

Wow! It’s deja vu all over again ! Some of my earliest memories are of my uncle’s ‘49 Olds he bought new. Midnight blue metallic, a fastback. Beautiful !! I hope you’ll post a picture of it ! It’s hard for me to accept that a 77 year old car is a modern upgrade. When I first became enamored of the M...

Rich P. Bingham

Photo #6 - ‘09 ? ‘10 ? Looks like it probably was “born” with a windshield, now removed, the ladies’ hats look like 1912-17, a well- used car !

Rich P. Bingham

While we’re “picking on” the last photo, those square-nose front fenders seem a bit odd. After-market ?

Rich P. Bingham

colonelpowers wrote: ↑
Sat Jan 03, 2026 9:18 am
. . . There isn't a good option for hoisting the engine but it could probably be lifted out with a few people . . .

My first T (1962) we two teenagers pulled the engine by slinging a chain around a corral pole and between the cylinders. It will do to get it into your cart !

Rich P. Bingham

We disabled our Lizzie for a front axle refresh. A good friend has the KW tooling to re-bush the king bolts and put threaded inserts in. New spring shackles and perch bushings will complete the overhaul. I expect to get her back together good time next month !

Rich P. Bingham

Its a 30 x 3.5". No 30x3 demountables. I measured my non-demountable rims, 30x3” rims are 24” in diameter, with a tread width of 2-1/2” 30x3-1/2” rims are 23” in diameter with a tread width of 3”. What am I missing ? (I realize Henry never supplied 30x3” demountable rims, and I’ll freely admit I’ve...

Rich P. Bingham

Looks to me like 30x3” clincher

Rich P. Bingham

more speed = more fuel = more heat

Rich P. Bingham

just in case anyone is interested

Rich P. Bingham

Best wishes to all for a very Merry Christmas !

Rich P. Bingham

Neat !! On all counts. Par’m my French, I think the translator flubbed “conduite interieure” which I betcha means “closed car” in the context of the ad.

A French “California top” - how fun is that ?

Rich P. Bingham

tmodeldriver wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 23, 2025 9:23 am
You're probably gonna be famous.

No doubt !! There is some interest.
FWIW, Lang’s has posted a couple of “odd” tires in this section.

Rich P. Bingham

Herb Iffrig wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 22, 2025 1:23 pm
It looks like you just started one.

Indeed !

Maybe it will be helpful ?

Rich P. Bingham

I noted a request for a single tire today on these boards. I recently sold a single “grey smoothie” to a fellow who wanted one for display.

I’m thinking a “clearing house” thread might be helpful to members looking to match up oddball tires ?

Rich P. Bingham

Thought - I’d presume you would remove the axle, radius arms and all before “doing battle”. I, too, doubt the perches will be worth saving.

Rich P. Bingham

. . . I wonder how long the low band lasted in the 23 Roadster pulling some sort of plowing set up. It wouldn’t be fun to try to change it in the middle of a plowed field. Whatever it was pulling I think it might have been a harrow instead of a plow . . . :lol: Good question John ! I think the grea...

Rich P. Bingham

. . . 5th from the bottom of the post looks like to me that the guy is using a wider tire tied on to each rear wheel to gain traction to plow a field . . . Isn’t that a great photo ? Yup. He’s running rear “dualies” by chaining another tire to the rear wheels. I really wish this showed the implemen...

Rich P. Bingham

If you want to be period correct, no zippers before 1917, they didn’t come into general usage until the mid-1920s, probably only on garments. (More research is indicated) I recall my grandfather’s comments re/ zippers c. 1930 : “I don’t trust zippers. I saw a fellow get his necktie caught in one onc...

Rich P. Bingham

FWIW, a later cover is a better choice, as it’s nigh unto impossible to fabricate an original type felt seal for a 1913 cover. What Larry said !

Rich P. Bingham

Touring car or runabout, hard to put a date on them, at one point Ford jobbed bodies from several coach builders. They would be pretty much the same from 1915-25 although some of the earlier ones used wood members.

Rich P. Bingham

Neal, there was no indication the carb had been painted. Brass will tarnish near black in time though ! Corey, thank you for the additional information on the S ! Dan, I have two “S” carbs, the one that was on my car has the original cork float with a failed gas tank liner coating, the other has a m...

Rich P. Bingham

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 15, 2025 7:13 pm
. . . Did Holley continue to make the Model S after Ford moved on? . . .

Not to my knowledge. The 1913 model year was the only application, and they are rare today - as Stan said, “made of unobtanium.”

Rich P. Bingham

My 1913 runabout was fitted with an “S” when I bought it nine years ago. Opposite of your experience, it was very sensitive to flooding. The previous owner cautioned me to halt the engine by “starving” the mixture needle, and not to give more than two pulls on the crank when choking cold. The time o...

Rich P. Bingham

Radiator rests on one leather pad each side. Hard to tell how “wallered” the crankshaft stub is. That’s a problem. You could perhaps make an oversized crank pin if you have the right diameter stock. Upset the shaft with a punch or chisel to make it snug in the crankshaft. If you have a large enough ...

Rich P. Bingham

Re / #2, I panned it because as an item, it didn’t especially interest me. That said, having become phobic over the amount of AI trash being presented as historical images, it sent my “Spidey sense” tingling, it just looks “wrong”, and has the stench of AI manipulation about it. Thanks to Wayne and ...

Rich P. Bingham

Interestingly, they never were “babbitt” as we understand alloys commonly used for engine bearings, but a lead/zinc alloy developed for die casting commonly referred to as “pot metal”. The thrust washers performed adequately in the era, and for many years afterwards. At a certain point, it seems the...

Rich P. Bingham

Interestingly, they never were “babbitt” as we understand alloys commonly used for engine bearings, but a lead/zinc alloy developed for die casting commonly referred to as “pot metal”. The thrust washers performed adequately in the era, and for many years afterwards. At a certain point, it seems the...

Rich P. Bingham

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑
Sat Dec 13, 2025 5:25 pm
. . . the speedster pictured in the Up Up & Away thread was an early adopter of Flubber. He managed the control issues by adding a vertical stabilizer/rudder and stub wings . . .

An excellent solution. Thanks for an astute observation, Pat.

Rich P. Bingham

Sure looks like it ! Interesting !

Rich P. Bingham

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 12, 2025 10:38 am
. . . What would be the weight difference between helium at a given pressure and (dry) air at a given pressure?

If you’re running a Flubber conversion, helium makes the steering “lighter”. But be careful banking on hairpin turns !

Rich P. Bingham

Allan, that’s a useful revelation. I’m not understanding thoroughly - could you explain, please, with a bit more detail ? An aside, cuz that’s what geezers do, ramble on. When I had my first T, I was a skinny little slip of a 14 year old. I could spin my sometimes recalcitrant mount like a hurdy-gur...

Rich P. Bingham

Prayers and condolences.

Rich P. Bingham

Agreeing wholeheartedly, Wayne. Thanks for that. Ten years since I “returned to the fold” I have noted the graying (and the passing) of many of the knowledgeable and prominent T aficionados who have given life to this enjoyable hobby for so long. At this point, I really must protest the prevalent at...

Rich P. Bingham

I can’t speak for the earliest coil box systems (Jacobsen/Brandow ?) but Kingston, Heinze and early KW (1910-1913) all had terminals for magneto and battery, and a “bat” switch position.

Rich P. Bingham

I will never understand the obsession with cobbling up an antique with complicated retrofit “bandaids”. If you can’t abide your T the way it was built, drive something that pleases you. Please don’t butcher an intact, complete historic vehicle for the sake of perceived “convenience”. Driving / ownin...

Rich P. Bingham

Just a guess without foundation - I’d be willing to bet the first iteration of the hearse was horse-drawn.

Rich P. Bingham

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑
Fri Dec 05, 2025 12:37 pm
59 posts and a FORD service course later...

For a simple answer - DON’T DO IT !!

Rich P. Bingham

Adding to the arm-chair advice, be sure your new timer pull-rod is robust enough not to bend out of shape in service. Some aluminum stock is too soft for the duty. Good luck !!

Rich P. Bingham

Do the repro “spuds” even have a screen over the outlet fitting ? Replacement lead washers are a problem too !

Rich P. Bingham

Terry’s outline is the way to go ! Be sure to tune up the drain petcock at the bottom of the “spud” as well.
A fuel-resistant lubricant called “E-Z Turn” is a great product to use on the valve parts and thread connections. I highly recommend it !!

Rich P. Bingham

Email sent, Ron.

Rich P. Bingham

You don't need the extra oil with cast iron pistons and original style rings and the late type funnel . . . Having more vent area may reduce oil leakage. I agree 100%, but there it is. :roll: as I inherited it :lol: Good thought on venting - the breather cap and timing gear cover is quite restricte...

Rich P. Bingham

What Larry said !!

I’ve always loved those delivery bodies. Just plain elegant in form and design !

Rich P. Bingham

The prior owner of my ‘13 must have been phobic about rod bearings. Slinger connector butchered into the original aluminum hogshead and corresponding surgery on the “teacup” original pan for a 1/2” copper line - plus a late model extra large funnel “stock” oil return line and ! slingers on the rod c...

Rich P. Bingham

He probably collected enough horseshoe nails to start a livery stable. I’d say that’s a popular misconception. 65 years with horses of my own, rarely lost a shoe . . . if one comes off, the nails are almost always with the shoe because of the crimp. I’m sure there were plenty of road hazards then a...

Rich P. Bingham

I’ve never heard of such. You can pour “stuff” in a radiator, not so easy to do it with a flat tire.

I’m willing to bet this doughty example didn’t count flat tires as a “hitch” in that 4,200 miles !

Rich P. Bingham

: IMG_3446.jpeg (118.98 KiB) Viewed 891 times

As you see it - $950.00. Ford !! Not too heavy, not too light !

Photo date, 1910, no doubt an ‘09 car.

($ 31,968.00 in today’s mini-dollars. You could possibly buy an ‘09 for that these days.)

Rich P. Bingham

. . . Robert mentioned “no attempt to true up the band to the drum before installing the lining.” . . . ? Just about every T owner who has changed bands a few times will have his own ideas, and will prefer methods (or the lack thereof) that work best for him. T’s are rugged and forgiving, so there’...

Rich P. Bingham

RajoRacer wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 25, 2025 11:15 am
. . . I mount my linings to the bands then soak in an old Dutch oven -

I do the same thing, Steve. I believe it makes a big difference in how cotton linings wear. FWIW, the Ford manual recommends it !

Rich P. Bingham

kevinf wrote: ↑
Tue Nov 25, 2025 12:18 am
. . . a 1922 Missouri Mule hay press . . .

Kevin, many thanks for posting that !
(Worth noting these early “hay presses” worked stationary. Hay had to be brought to the press, as opposed to the “modern” balers that would pick up windrows in the field.)

Rich P. Bingham

BALE - noun - a bundle of hay, straw, cotton, paper, etc. tightly bound with string, wire or hoops. - verb - make (something) into bales. “We baled a lot of hay this morning.” BAIL - verb - to scoop water out of a boat, tub or tank. - noun - about a dozen definitions too complicated to put down here...

Rich P. Bingham

Most Model Ts have a provenance like great-granddad’s rifle: It was given to him on his twelfth birthday and he carried it his whole life long. When he was twenty-one the old flint lock was changed out to a cap lock. By the time he was in his forties, the riflings were pretty much wore out, so he ha...

Rich P. Bingham

I’m amused by how inflation through the years has disconnected us from our perceived values and the price of common items. I noted recently a vintage photo dated 1939 showed a car in a filling station, the price of gas was twenty cents per gallon. Posts made in response made much of twenty-cent gas,...

Rich P. Bingham

The 1913-14 brass trim is a “U” configuration. Be sure you get the right trim. For over 50 years these cars have been fitted with reproduction dash boards made of 3/4” cabinet plywood. The original solid laminated dash boards measured 13/16” thick. I hope they are available in both sizes, I had diff...

Rich P. Bingham

Rich P. Bingham

There is this . . .

Rich P. Bingham

Look for the many past forum posts by “Dollisdad”, aka Tom Rootleib, who has posted dozens of great period photos, with a generous sprinkling of commercial vehicles showing lettering.

Rich P. Bingham

Where can I find the specs on the frame/axle/suspension items? The MTFCA manual on axles is a good start. There is good information on front axle specs and geometry. Checking a frame “in full dress” is more of a problem. Stripped to the frame, it’s not difficult to check for square and straightness...

Rich P. Bingham

Soak them in oil a few days . . . A good idea. If they smell musty, be sure they aren’t rotten. Pull a thread loose and make sure it’s sound. If so, no reason not to use them. These are the “real deal”. Another thought, if you are going to use them, rivet them to the bands before you soak them - it...

Rich P. Bingham

. . . forget all this stuff, let the MTFCA Forum administrators do their jobs . . . it's all [this] crap! MTFCA officers and forum administrators do well by acceding to the wishes of the membership. This discussion shows a consensus that feels keeping the forum essentially open to the world is best...

Rich P. Bingham

“Blockley” tread (sorta) on a Hesston swather !

Rich P. Bingham

‘09 and original owner

Rich P. Bingham

On a Cheby . . .

: IMG_3351.jpeg (119.17 KiB) Viewed 887 times

Rich P. Bingham

I understand there’s a “club” in the Boise area, I don’t know if it’s an MTFCA chapter, but they’re quite active I’m told.

Rich P. Bingham

#6 is intriguing ! It appears to be an assembly plant for right-hand drive cars, 1915-16. Australia ? UK ? Probably earlier. Note head light forks - acetylene. Good call ! I was swayed by the shape of the dash, pre-1915 would be a full width panel wouldn’t it ? Also, difficult to tell, but the rear...

Rich P. Bingham

I am no longer a dues paying member, because like Scott, I am isolated from participation in a club chapter, tours, swap meets, etc. a selfish choice, I’ll admit, but my financial situation requires me to be parsimonious. I would hope that my participating on the forum is mutually beneficial enough ...

Rich P. Bingham

#6 is intriguing ! It appears to be an assembly plant for right-hand drive cars, 1915-16. Australia ? UK ?

Rich P. Bingham

babychadwick wrote: ↑
Mon Oct 20, 2025 7:11 pm
. . . to get the figure in cherry lye is used . . .

Interesting ! Not knowing this, I made a soap mold from cherry. When the soap was poured in, the mold bled brilliant red - looked like we had butchered a hog !

Rich P. Bingham

#15 - flat belt attachment has an additional cooling fan. Appears to be ser up on a TT, but what is it powering ? Looks like an electric motor, maybe a generator ? No power leads visible. ?!?

Rich P. Bingham

#2 - “California Top” in common parlance - I’d guess “locally sourced” rather than manufactured. My question - how do you get in ?!?

#11 - Wool !!

Rich P. Bingham

It appears to be a bird house - dove cote ? homing pigeons ?
Rather strange !

Rich P. Bingham

Likely TMI . . . My first love was a 1920 cutoff touring derelict that had been driven into the ground and left outside with the hogshead removed. As a wide-eyed 14 year old, my perception of “restoration” was to disassemble everything, clean it, paint it, and reassemble. Pulling the engine was acco...

Rich P. Bingham

Okay, so . . . a sophisticated system that was used on high-end marques, but not necessarily adaptable to Model T Fords ?

Twin ignition systems on obscure makes can be an endlessly fascinating study !

Rich P. Bingham

Interesting ! Please explain the Model T connection for us benighted “purist brass snobs” ?

Rich P. Bingham

In any event a belts-and-suspenders approach to avoiding parts loss is never time poorly spent especially if you subscribe to "quick and dirty" line of work and are loathe to use prudent precautions. My old boss and mentor on the ranch taught me, “Never take a short-cut unless you have a lot of tim...

Rich P. Bingham

Thanks for the peek !! That is beautiful !!

Rich P. Bingham

There is a warm cherry and a black cherry . . . These are oil based. There is a water based stain . . . There is a reason for the cost difference. Generally, alcohol (water-based) stains are dyes and tend to be fugitive (not very light-fast). Oil stains are generally pigmented and will be less pron...

Rich P. Bingham

So would I make a 50/50 varnish and turpentine mix, and add the Crimson paint until it looks "red enough" while still having a stain level of thinness? Pretty much. The tube color will have the consistency of toothpaste. A little troublesome to work into the varnish mix. It doesn’t take much stain ...

Rich P. Bingham

. . . no way using tape will give the same quality as hand striping done by a true craftsman. Allan from down under. I couldn’t agree more ! The big problem for many is access to a “true craftsman”. The presence of tape in the above photo doesn’t mean the stripe will be taped off. Many stripers use...

Rich P. Bingham

An article in a late 1950s HCCA journal gave this recipe for staining dashboards: “Mix artists’ tube oil paint Alizarin Crimson into a 50/50 mixture of spar varnish and turpentine.” The result is very acceptable and indistinguishable from the Laurel Mt. stain. Be sure to avoid water miscible paint, ...

Rich P. Bingham

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 11, 2025 12:34 pm
Is there any way to repair chips in enamel signs?

Not satisfactorily. Best one can do is to fill with epoxy compounds similar to JB Weld - fill, sand, polish. It may be possible to color some types with dry pigments to match.

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