MTFCA Forum

My 3M pinstriping has lasted for 20 years and shows no evidence of failure. Of course It depends on how well the surface has been cleaned and prepared. Also, I have always stored my T in a garage and have never driven my car in the rain or exposed it to prolonged sunshine. The good thing is that, if...

Regarding the 3M Peel and stick pinstriping tape...yes you can do curves and designs. Just Make sure the surface is clean and apply the curve gradually... curve, press, curve, press, etc. The vinyl pinstriping tape will do a real tight radius. You’ll get the hang of it, the more you do. When doing a...

Yes. I have 3M adhesive backed pinstriping on mine. I used 1/8” wide gold. It comes all widths and colors, sticks on permanently and looks very nice. Jim Patrick FFA8EBEB-E3FA-4364-8C02-14E1DA6BBD41.jpeg EEA275BE-F5D7-4383-BBB5-FC4F2E1BB100.jpeg 89E74842-609F-4527-AECE-D7CB4D36C1C4.jpeg 0C19FE3B-D9A...

Hi Bruce. This is how I did the fender, but this technique can be used for other parts as well, such as the hood, doors, trunk and body. When I first bought my ‘26 coupe In 1970, the entire car, including this fender was originally covered with thick rust, dents and tears. The body behind the doors ...

Ford didn’t usually make mistakes in their “Ford Times” publications, but in the diagram in the article you posted, the illustrator has the water direction arrows pointing in the wrong direction. I’m surprised this mistake made it past the proof readers, unless, in 1909, the thermo-siphon system was...

I think they specify that it is for indoor use only to CTA (cover their A..). I have found that it is just as durable, outdoors, than other rattle can paints. If you keep your T in a garage, no worries. Even if the finish starts to oxidize, as all paints eventually do, you can compound it back to a ...

I think brass would be stronger.

Yes. Rattle can “Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy”, available at Home Depot. Wet sand with 400 grit sandpaper to rough up the gloss and to remove any grit, runs, bugs or dust that may have gotten into the first coat. If you do a good job on the second coat, neither sanding nor compounding will be necessary...

In 2012, I painted the below 1926 fender with one coat of Rustoleum Professional red oxide rattle can primer and two coats of Rustoleum gloss black Appliance Epoxy. I took these pictures shortly after painting without any followup work. I was very pleased and have used nothing but Rustoleum Applianc...

It is best to remove the arm with a combination of a puller and a hammer. Mount the puller and screw it as tight as you can. If the arm will not budge, tap the side (not the end of the shaft) of the arm with a hammer. Sometimes a penetrant, such as “Blaster”, sprayed on and allowed to penetrate and ...

There are two types of JB Weld Epoxy: The two part grey epoxy putty that all of us are familiar with, and the two part clear epoxy glue that comes in a twin tube syringe. Though I could not see the pictures, I believe the original question was referring to the 2 part clear epoxy syringe glue. When c...

Why the chair appears to be floating. No back legs and right front leg hidden by tree. Jim Patrick

Here is another scam to watch out for. As you know, when your purchase is conducted through eBay, the sale is covered by eBay’s money back guarantee, if something goes wrong, such as if you change your mind, the item is not as described, arrives broken or just does not show up at your door, etc. The...

If you are a decent woodworker, it should be no problem to repair the damaged areas of the wooden top frame. Depending on how bad the damage is, you can either repair the rotten areas using Abatron, “Liquid-wood” and “WoodEpox”. See www.abatron.com. “LiquidWood“ is a 2 part liquid epoxy that is mixe...

Thanks Wayne. I do and I will. I agree. I invest in these things out of a love of history and an age when artisans, spent their lives as an apprentice under a master to learn the trade and then as a master woodworker and cabinet maker to create these beautiful antiques. I was blown away at only havi...

Go to www.timesavers.com and do a keyword Search for oil. A lot of Clock and watch oils will appear. You should get a very long needle oiler To allow you to easily apply the oil to all gears deep inside the movement and a little bottle of fine clock oil. Special Swiss made clock oil is expensive but...

No, David. It is not a changer Model that plays multiple tune discs, but is a single play, upright, coin operated, Polyphon, with bells, that is considered an early jukebox that was usually found in German and Austrian beer halls in the 1890’s. One 2 Pfennig coin got you one play of a 20” disc. The ...

On my old antique clocks the cadence is adjusted by bending the crutch to one side or the other. The crutch is the rod or wire That is connected to the verge, with a fork through which the pendulum rod passes. Whichever side is the short half of the tick-tock cadence, you will want to lengthen that ...

Have at least one (more than one is better) CO2 or Chemical fire extinguisher next to you when starting, welding or working on your your T, especially in the garage in case of a gasoline fire. Do not use water to douse a gasoline fire. It will only spread it. Also, if you have a propane or natural g...

Yes. I am fortunate to have 12’ ceilings in my Victorian house to accommodate my taller antiques. If I had to move into a modern house, I’d have to get rid of several of my antiques such as a hall tree, Polyphon upright music box, bookcases, Victorian bedroom sets, dining room set, curio cabinets an...

If they make enough calls, eventually some elderly person who is impaired by Alzheimer’s or dementia will answer and actually listen to what they have to say and give them what they want. Access to their account information. Once they have their hooks in, they are very difficult to get rid of, espec...

Yes it can be transported on its’ backside after removing the hood, pendulum, weights and movement from the clock. Before doing anything, label the weights with numbers on masking tape so you will know where they go when reassembling. The reason for this is, while they look the same, the weights may...

For all you fellow clock lovers... Several days ago, I was looking at the “Antiques” section of “Craigslist” and came across an 8’ tall, long case, rocking ship, Grandfather clock, circa 1837, selling for $1,200.00. It was made of beautiful Flame mahogany With a great elaborately painted dial and I ...

Here are a few pictures of the original visor on my 1926 Fordor. The crooked seams on each side of the center frame stiles are testament to the fact it was probably a difficult task to sew straight with such a sewing machine, especially while maneuvering the long and unwieldy visor under the powerfu...

Daaaang, Hank! Fantastic work...and in only a few days! No wonder you weren’t as upset as I would have been. You are a magician. LOL! Jim Patrick

To prevent rust chips, dirt and debris from getting down into the cylinders and lodging between the pistons and cylinder wall on top of the rings, it is best to totally seal all four cylinders with masking tape. It is much better than using rags, which will not prevent debris from entering the cylin...

To a person like me, who loves history and collects antiques from the 1800’s, the Victorian era from 1837 when Queen Victoria assumed the throne to 1901 when she died, was a very charming period when chivalry was alive and well, men were men, women were women and most everyone knew the difference an...

Ford tried installing water pumps on early Model T’s but shortly discontinued them and never used them again during the Model T years. The Model T Thermo-siphon system is designed to operate efficiently without a water pump as it depends on convection and the natural reaction of water to heat (rises...

They also made APCO joints in various sizes that I not only have on my radius rod ball joint, but also have on all the ball joints on the steering linkages, as well. With an adjustable ball cap that maintains pressure on the ball, they are great in keeping the joints from becoming loose and sloppy. ...

I don’t know what you intend to sandblast, but do not blast the wood. If you blast the rims, protect the wood by wrapping the spokes near the rim with thick 3M rubber (not vinyl) tape. Be careful, also, in blasting the dowel ends poking through the rim holes. Dab on some rubber RTV, such as the righ...

I apologize for ruffling any feathers. After re-reading the post, I can understand the indignation at the misunderstanding that I was suggesting something else better, could have been done. Far from it! I applaud your quick thinking, resourcefulness, and courage. As a former Marine, myself, I can no...

Sorry to upset you by suggesting we discuss it a little further. I just thought it might be a helpful learning experience to discus other ways this could have been handled, in case you were speeding toward traffic, a busy intersection, a wall, a building, or a cliff, instead of having a convenient f...

You sure have a good attitude about it. I think I would be a little more upset than you at the amount of damage, but it definitely could have been worse. With 20/20 hindsight and time to think, what would you do different, to stop the car? We should discuss emergency procedures to enact in case of s...

After leafs are together and tight, using lacquer thinner, clean excess slip paint from all non-mating surfaces such as the sides, top and bottom of the assembled spring. When all excess slip paint is removed and exposed surfaces are clean of slip paint, prime with red oxide primer and paint with gl...

Since the 2019 changeover from the old forum to the new format, I have not been able to access the 20 years worth of priceless information in old forum, using the MTFCA keyword search and was not aware that there were other ways to access this information until, in the recent “Spring Leaf Silicone” ...

Thank you, Jim S. You and Mark have been very helpful. You have no idea how much I have missed the old forum information resource and how glad I am to know it was not all deleted or destroyed in the 2019 Forum changeover. Thanks again. Jim Patrick

For authenticity, Use antique brass slot headed wood screws. They did not make Phillips head wood screws back then. If you are unable to fine old slot head wood screws, modern slot head screws can be made to look old. Modern screws have a very shallow slot and a flat head with circular machining gro...

Thank you, Mark. I’m sure your tutorial has helped a lot of us computer semi-illiterate members. I look forward to giving it a try and hopefully, reacquaint myself with the old forum. It is such a great resource of Model T knowledge from many experts that are no longer with us. Take care. Jim Patrick

Thank you, Mark. I apologize if I misquoted you or took what you said out of context. It was not my intention to offend. In one of my earlier posts on this thread I said exactly what you said regarding painting after assembly, so we are pretty much in agreement. As for Google searches, it is great t...

Bottom line. To prevent rust and rust damage, the steel surfaces of the individual leafs must be protected by a permanent coating such as slip paint. I do not agree with the earlier claim that painting the individual leafs will result in a gummed up mess. Grease, oil and other lubricants, alone, eve...

Jason is correct. The area of most wear is at the bottom ends of each leaf where the sharp edge of the leaf ends come into contact with and digs into the top surface of the leaf below it. To alleviate this, you can file or grind off the sharp bottom edge to a rounded taper and smooth the steel of th...

I would avoid using lubricating strips between each leaf as they do not protect the steel from rust and, being slippery will work their way out from between the leaves. Painting all mating surfaces of the individual leaves with slip paint, lubricates and seals the interior surfaces of the leaves, pr...

“Slip paint” is what is traditionally used between spring leafs. It can be purchased at TSC, “Tractor Supply Company” as “EZ-Slide” Graphite Based paint, available in brush-on liquid paint or spray-on aerosol coating. Jim Patrick

When I finished my Model T after a complete, 2 year restoration, in 1972 and was ready to start it and get it running, I was aware that there were machines that were made in the day to adjust the coils, but, I had no access to them and no idea how to find anyone who had one,so, when it came time to ...

In economics, in most cases, the law of supply and demand dictates commodity prices. In a nutshell, “when supply exceeds demand, prices fall. When demand exceeds supply, prices rise”. Normally, when the supply of a commodity, such as the Model T is finite, in that only so many were made and there wi...

Thomas, The last time I visited Bellm’s was in 1983 and it was very run down, dirty and sad to see what it had become compared to what it was. I just looked it up online and found an update and I was happy to learn that it was sold to a new owner in 1997 and is still open under a new name and is ref...

One of my favorite places to visit when I was a kid, was “Bellm’s Cars and Music of Yesterday” in Sarasota, Florida. When my Dad and I visited for the first time in 1967, it was in its’ heyday with lots of restored antique cars and a staff of restorers and experts to keep them polished and running a...

In my book, Meguire’s paste wax can’t be beat as a wax for every type of finish. They also have a line of cleaner’s, compounds and polishes that are all top of the line. Jim Patrick

Do you have a muffler? Check every orifice in the engine compartment and under cab that a mouse could fit into. Mice are pretty small and one could have crawled in someplace and died. Jim Patrick

Trim ends even with the bottom of the shell flange. The purpose of the lacing is to prevent metal to metal contact and the noise that would occur from intense vibration. Jim Patrick

How about a water soluble lubricant used in machine shops to lubricate and prevent over heating of turning drill bit points, or a water soluble water pump lubricant? Rust will not form in oily water. Jim Patrick

I agree that it can become very confusing if one has posted the identical thread multiple time and in such cases, the duplicate threads should be deleted, but threads can only be deleted if there are 0 replies to it. Once a reply has been posted to it, it becomes permanent. Jim Patrick

While there are a lot of deep pits, it looks like there is also a lot of original surface that will ride on the bushing surface. As long as there are no high spots that will dig into the new bushing, I would use it. Any sharp high spots that remain after sanding can be targeted and knocked down with...

Can you provide a sharper photo of the area? The photo you posted is blurry. If there are any raised, sharp areas that could cut into the bushing, I would take a piece of 600 wet/dry sandpaper, wet it and wrap it around the bearing shaft area, grip it in your hand and twist the shaft back and forth ...

I’m trying to think why it would be ruined, but I can’t think of a thing. I wouldn’t hesitate to slop some grease on it and use it. Jim Patrick

You can delete a one of the threads as long as no one has posted on it yet. When you do delete it, it will ask you the reason why you want to delete it. Just say it is a duplicate post. Jim Patrick

If you don’t have access to a place that does this plating or are working on a limited budget, the next best option is a bright silver roof paint called “Silver Brite”, made by Sherwin Williams. I painted my split rims with it and it is as bright and shiny as the rims in the pile of rims in the phot...

If you have that option, by all means, install them without cutting them. After countersinking and riveting the liners on, make them as round as possible before sliding them onto the drums from the rear. You won’t be disappointed with their performance and if you are careful, they may last until you...

Installing wood band liners with the engine out of the car: I have used the same set of Guinn’s wood bands for 10 years and installed them in 2010 when I had the engine out for a full overhaul. With the engine out, the hogshead off and the transmission out of the pan, it is not necessary to cut the ...

Hi Bruce. I see you have 19 posts, so I assume you are new to Model T’s. If that is the case, welcome. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but, why don’t you rebuild your engine yourself. It is surprisingly easy and fun and is a great way to bond with your T and learn what makes her tick so if...

PS. Mark. It takes a real man to admit his mistake and use it to try and help others. You are to be commended, not condemned. Thank you. Jim Patrick.

I used to work with an old timer carpenter who taught woodworking classes at the vo-tech college at night. He always told the new woodworkers...”Never lose your fear of woodworking tools. Be very afraid, for it is when you lose your fear that you let down your guard and lose your respect for the tre...

I know how you feel. One broken wrist was enough for me. It has never happened again. Your injury sounds a lot worse than mine. I was lucky in that when my injury happened. The car did not start and I was only hit once and the backfire occurred at about the 10:00 point of the crank revolution. I can...

In 2001, using my 1/2 ton Ford F-150 truck, I towed my 1926 coupe on an open U-Haul trailer 1,200 miles from York, Maine to Central Florida with no problems. It pulled so smoothly and effortlessly, I almost forgot that the trailer was even back there. The trailer is very sturdy and I was able to dri...

It could be enamel. Enamel and lacquer are both softened by lacquer thinner. Jim Patrick

Aerosol shaker can lacquer or professional spray gun lacquer? I would not be surprised if this happened with shaker can lacquer, but I would be very surprised if it happened with professional spray gun lacquer, which is very hard and durable. Are you absolutely sure it is lacquer and not enamel and ...

Being from Canada, I’m sure you have, or can borrow a space heater or heat lamp. They do a much better job of softening the tire than the sun in a shorter time. Jim Patrick

If you can get the threaded stem out, using Joshua’s suggestion (I would grab the stem with vice-grips and apply outward pressure with a pry bar against the nose of the pliers as the stem is turned counter-clockwise), you can drill and rethread the hole and install a threaded insert with the same fe...

One problem we have these days is that many lubricants contain additives that are conductive. Using these in a Model T can cause major problems with the electrical systems, such as the magneto and commutator (timer). Whatever you use to lubricate the timer roller, must not contain any additives that...

While soaking steel parts in acid to remove rust, is acceptable, one has to be very careful about using any kind of acid (no matter how weak), on cast iron, such as the engine block, because cast iron is so porous. The acid will get inside the pores and eat the cast iron from the inside out. If you ...

In 2001, I hauled my ‘26 coupe on a U-Haul open trailer from York, Maine to Bartow, Florida. I winched it on with an electric winch with the front facing forward and tied down the wheels with the webbed wheel tie downs as well as cable come along on each axle for redundancy. Not too tight as a come-...

In 2011, the right front wheel of my 1926 coupe made this sound when rolling just before I found loose spokes with a brown powder coating the rim surrounding the spokes. When the spokes are loose, a small gap appears between the rim and the spokes end. As the wheel turns, the spoke at the bottom dro...

On the old pre 2019 forum, among the old timers and respected experts, the consensus was that the only way to repair loose spokes was to make yourself a spoke press and re-spoke the wheel. The wheel supports the weight of the car and loose spokes are amazingly dangerous, especially the lateral force...

No there should be no gap. Ideally, the underside of the pan support should fit flush against the top of the chassis channel. It appears that a combination of loose pan support bolts that hold the pan supports tight against the top of the chassis channel and the weight of your engine has caused this...

Just like a house being tented to fumigate for termites, you can get a roll of visqueen (sheet plastic) and tent your car with it, being sure to seal it around the base then pump in a powerful insecticide. ...or call a fumigator to pump in same type of gas they use for killing termites. That stuff w...

If you still have the container, what are the active ingredients of ”Thermocure” that makes it more effective than Vinegar? Would a 50/50 mixture of muriatic acid and water make a good radiator flush? Jim Patrick

Easy. That’s Heaven. Why did you come back?!

. Jim Patrick

What is the history of the design of the 1926-‘27 Fordor? While the Tudor, Coupe and touring were totally redesigned in the improved all steel body style, the Fordor, except for the fenders and a few other improved features, such as the engine mounted coil box, the body, with its’ wood frame, 2 piec...

I have always been taught to never use gasoline as a soaking/cleaning agent. It is just too flammable and dangerous and the fumes go very far. If the fumes happen to find an ignition source, such as the pilot light of a floor mounted water heater, it can ruin your day, if not your life. As a solvent...

I like Scott and Les’s method, but don’t like having to remove the radiator as with all the parts you have to remove to get the radiator off, it is one of the more difficult jobs I intensely dislike. If you are lazy like me, in your old age, you can do their procedure with the radiator installed, by...

Since vinegar is a mild acid, would it be advisable to follow the flush with several tablespoons of baking soda through the cooling system to neutralize any remaining vinegar residue so new rust will not form over time? This to be followed by fresh water or 50/50 coolant. Jim Patrick

Avery makes a nice 8 1/2” x 11” adhesive backed copy paper that you can copy the image onto, then peel off the back and stick it onto the thin cardboard and cutout with a razor blade then fold and glue. Then spray with a crystal clear satin fixative, sold in office supply or art supply stores, to pr...

Very good idea , but I have a couple of critiques. It is very difficult to match an original color, because the old colors have inconsistencies that have occurred over time such as dirt, hand oils and age. There is a white border around the 13 and the orange line is slightly off from the original or...

About 40 years ago, when I worked on my 1926 T Coupe a lot, to get it to run purrfect, I had it start up by just slamming the door. I believe the spark lever was on the verge of engaging a coil and the jar of the slamming door jiggled the lever down. It only happened once and while it was impressive...

Susanne. When old asbestos starts breaking down it can release dangerous fibers in the air that, when breathed in, can damage the lungs and the body has no way of processing those fibers out of the lungs, so, there they remain. With all the vibration of the Model T, combined with the air generated b...

Frank. What holds the wrap in place so that it does not unwrap? Do you use a special heat resistant tape? Jim Patrick

Glad to help Susanne. Do you apply it under the floorboard between the exhaust pipe and floorboard wood? Let us know how it turns out. Sounds like a good fire prevention safety precaution that others might be interested in using. We hung this material vertically, around various jobs in the welding s...

Susanne. You can find what you need at McMaster-Carr, www.mcmaster.com. Insert “heat resistant blanket” in the search box and heat resistant materials will come up in various sizes that will withstand temperatures of up to 1800 degrees F. Jim Patrick

Whenever I was Purchasing Manager for our family business and needed signs, I ordered them from Fast Signs. They have them already made or will custom make them to your specifications. They have them in steel, rigid plastic, adhesive backed vinyl or decals. Check out www.fastsigns.com. Jim Patrick.

I remember my parents had one like that when I was born in 1953. I remember it had a clear amber hood ornament of an Indian Chief with cracks all through it. We had it until we replaced it with a brand new 1957 Ford Fairlane, which I did not like as much, as did not have as much room in the back sea...

With all the hours and materials that go into a nicely restored Model T, I think that $12,000.00 would be a more realistic value and that is still undervalued for all the work that is involved. If they pay up, do not allow them to keep your T. Jim Patrick

He does look about 80. If he was born in 1846, I would estimate the photo was taken in 1926. Jim Patrick

I am very sorry to hear of your accident. Smart of you to get photos. Better if you have photos that contain unique features that will help orient the two vehicles so you can recreate the accident so as to prove who was at fault. Hopefully, you have photos showing her vehicle as well. I am concerned...

There are many modern day oils with additives that are questionable as to whether they are conductive and, therefore harmful to your magneto. Additives such as graphite, moly, lithium, carbon, etc. For your simple Model T, it is better to keep it simple and use only basic motor oil. If there is any ...

You can find out a lot about what your collection is worth by searching sold model train items on eBay for several weeks before you decide what and when to list your items That is what I do before selling anything on eBay. It will give you a good idea as to what to set the reserve at or the starting...

10 years ago, after removing the rust with a diluted 50/50 mixture of Muriatic Acid and water, I lined my ‘26 tank with POR-15 (www.por15.com). I used the silver color in that it helps in seeing in the tank during tank inspections. When you reach the coating stage, seal the tank with pipe plug and g...

There are a lot of tricks in removing a stubborn bolt and in this case, it doesn’t hurt to use them all. Heat is good to break the bond of rust. I would take a propane torch and heat just the head of the bolt red hot and the let it cool. Don’t try and loosen while still red hot or you may twist the ...

Erik. Most MTFCA subject search results that are in the pre 2018 forum come back as internal server errors, just like when one tries to access info through the keyword search of the pre 2019 forum. I wish it was different but I’m afraid that all the fooling around with the forum by those making all ...

Dick, I was wondering that myself. With the tragic disabling of the ability for members to access the pre 2019 forum and the subsequent loss of an irreplaceable resource of Model T knowledge that used to be accessible to us in the old, pre 2019 Forum, as well as the unnecessarily strict rules regard...

Bill. In the 1920’s, photography and studio lighting had progressed to the point that cameras easily captured images without such contraptions. I believe in this movie, the head support and old 19th century camera was used for comedic effect. The head support is proper for use in photo studios of th...

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