MTFCA Forum

Larry,
Why don't you reach out to the owners, Lee and Pam Doud, of Pine City NY, and ask them?
Keith

The wheels, axles and spring type indicate a post 1919 chassis. Looks great!

For the past 60 years, six antique car clubs in Portland, Oregon have held the "Always in April" Portland Swap Meet. I am pleased to announce that we will have it again April 10, 11 & 12, 2026! However, with online classifieds, T-bay, and various internet sales, our proceeds are currently only about...

I drove with cotton for my first 5-10 years and replaced lining 2 or 3 times. I was a newbie... Then used "hard" lining that chattered like crazy, but was super responsive. It was Asbestos, or Caterpillar lining... something really hard that was bonded to the band, for about 5 years until I had a ca...

Ron,
I dont know anything about coil point production.

Would it be feasible to put new tungsten on old coil points? I don't know of a single Model T owner who doesn't have a coffee can full of old points that are generally serviceable, but the tungsten is shot.

: ^ )

Keith

Toon,
That's a pretty clever mounting. No wires, and an under-the-hood utility light!

IIRC, the extended length of the threaded part would indicate they were intended for the post 1916 "high" head.

I would not hesitate to use them. If nothing else, they are a conversation piece.

Keith

Howard,
I'd have to count leaves in the springs.
Yvonne's speedster has a dropped front axle and bent rear spring for lowering. Drop by next time you are down south.

: ^ )

Keith

I've never seen Canada Champion X plugs before. Learned something new today.

I check the grease on my Anderson timer maybe once a year or so. I just use wheel bearing grease.

How do you measure ring gap?
Put the rings in the cylinder one at a time and check where the ends meet with a feeler gauge?

OUTSTANDING!!!

You are now an expert!

: ^ )

Good looking car.
Welcome to the affliction.

Howard,
True deep, dark Midnight blue is always beautiful with French grey pinstripe like a Torpedo or open roadster Maybe French grey on the wheels. If you want another contrast you could paint the fenders black.

: ^ )

Keith

Message sent

Allen, when I first saw the tape I had the same initial thought. Then he explained that is was for a guide only, as Rich pointed out. The stripe was not "taped off". He mixed the French Grey by eye and he did all the striping free hand with an itty bitty brush. He was a true craftsman and didn't cha...

That look like a 1920's ALF buried under a pile if stuff.

Any guesstimate when the sale will be?

Message sent

I'd spray it down with brake clean then touch up with glyptol.

Ames cloverleaf body?

: ^ )

Hershey is on my bucket list...

Here are some pinstripe disasters!

If you do this, I will not be able to be your friend...

A few more pinstripe pics of '12 commercial roadster: 1912 commercial roadster body 3.jpg 1912 commercial roadster body 4.jpg 1912 Model T HH Klassen.jpg It looks like the only pinstripe is on the seat back, mother-in-law seat back, and on the hood. Is yours a one-piece dash or two-piece dash? : ^ )

By the time 1912 rolled around there was much less pinstriping than earlier years. It is a very, very thin pinstripe, about 1/16" not more than 3/32" located 3/4" away from the bead. (The photos make my stripe look wider than it is) My pinstriper used 3/4" masking tape or painters tape for a guide. ...

They were likely "flash" brass plated, like speedometer swivels and early gas and spark levers and 1915 quadrant. The flash plating quickly disappeared and rusted. If made of solid brass, the lever part would likely bend over time with use. Since the reproductions and not intended for use, they can ...

I had replaced the starting crank bushing on my 1915 a few years ago, but it creeps forward and has to be tapped back into place. I pulled it most of the way out and added a Dutch knurl to it. I'll mix up a little JB weld to the outside of the bushing before pulling it back in. 20251008_130547.jpg :...

That ring gear is toast.
Were both the starter gear and ring gear new when you put them in?

Beautiful!

The Oct 1911 Ford Times says the 1912 town car comes with detachable fore-doors.

The Ford script on the 1913 hubcaps look like the same size and location as the 1912 hubcap. Hubcaps restored 3.jpg These were photographed before the black oxide background was completed. Here is a 1912-1913 comparison: 20251006_164909.jpg The encyclopedia says this hubcap appeard in blueprints Jul...

Pretty cars, Charlie.
Do you have the missing fore-doors for your '12?
Keith

There is no James McNeal in the 2018-2019 HCCA roster or in the current HCCA database.

Jim,
Yes. That is the type of shift lever I am looking for.
Would you be interested in a swap? Or selling?
-Keith

Still looking...

Darel,
I was looking at the brass plated side lamp brackets. I thought thatcwas Torpedo...
Keith

Eric,
IIRC, the lower compression high head was in response to the low quality, lower octane gasoline that was available at the time.
Keith

In picture 3, the five big boys behind the skinny tree, are in/on a Torpedo.

Did Bruce McCalley ever do any Vintage Ford articles on Town Cars? I'll have to dig through my VFCD library.
I wonder if there were any town car articles in the MTFCI Model T Times?

Is he in the HCCA roster?

Message sent.
We are touring with the Portland Regional Group HCCA today.

: ^ )

Ricky, Since towncars, like delivery cars were not in as high of demand as a touring car, it was not uncommon to have an earlier body on a later chassis. This would account for some 1912s to have fore-doors and others open front. I dont know if the fore-doors on the town cars were called removable l...

I'd replace the valves, put in adjustable lifters, but add a "new" cam. I have a reground cam that has Chaffin's "touring grind" and have been pleased with the results in my 1915 and my 1919.

YMMV

Keith

Haydon, Beautiful looking paint job. Is it black? Since you are bown under and the car is right hsns drive, I presume the body was made by Wm. Gray & Sons. I'm curious; What is the body number? It will be stamped into the wood on the seat riser in front of the gas tank cover, and on the underside of...

For you coil box, I'd suggest replacing the wood with either new wood or plastic, which eliminates the possibility of carbon tracking.

1915-1916.

Austin-
How are you feeling?
Any updates about your car and insurance?
Keith

Does the no slit box have round mounting holes or square holes?

Round bolt with slot goes on the inside with springs. The nut goes on the outside along with the loop for top hook and cotter pin.

Sometimes windshield hinge parts get mis-matched.

Allan,
The coil box on my non-starter 1919 has the switch on front and the center support.
: ^ )
Keith

The center strip was added about 1918.
If the mounting holes are round the coil box is 1915-1916.
Square holes are 1917-1922.

"Ish"

The coilbox with Corbin "lunch box" type latches are from 1913, as the Heinze coils in the box. The Upside down switch is KW.
The second photo is a different coil box

David-
Here is your opportunity to own you very own!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/317237024859?i ... rNWP&pfm=0

: ^ )
Keith

I only have one like this and always wondered why these holes were here.

20250903_172543.jpg

Now I know...

Screenshot_20250903_172106_eBay.jpg

Screenshot_20250903_172118_eBay.jpg

What type of latch goes here?

: ^ )
Keith

I only have one like this and always wondered why these holes were here.

Now I know...

What type of latch goes here?

: ^ )
Keith

I have a 12v motorcycle battery tucked into the V shaped tool compartment next to the gas tank on my 1915.

: ^ )

Keith

The C clamp looks like it would be easy to fabricate.

Austin, I'm glad to hear that you are not seriously hurt. Sometimes it takes a few days for whiplash or back pain. If that happens, go to the doctor. The insurance adjuster will determine the estimated cost to repair your car and make you an offer. I think that you will need a new radiator from the ...

The rear curtain should follow the trajectory of the back of the seat back outer panel.

That is just plain wrong!

Text and pics sent

Original check board sill plates have smaller squares than reproductions.

IIRC, installation of the inner neoprene seal requires shortening the inside end of the axle sleeve by the thickness of the seal (?)

Different years of cars used different styles.
What year of top boot?

James, For 1916 a large head (9/16") tack holds the skirt of the top to the bow. Unfortunately those smooth shank tacks often come out. On my 1919 I attached the top skirt with a screwed-on snap base, then attached a snap top and cover on it. It will never pull out and looks the same as the large he...

Bill, Are you a Facebook user? There are a couple of different ALF and SPAAMFAA pages that would probably have someone that can help you out. https://www.facebook.com/groups/477024619926645 https://www.facebook.com/groups/61776127093 https://www.facebook.com/groups/2235215712 Most (all?) ALF rigs of...

Have you ever gone, Jabbo?

I have what I believe to be a Perfecto or early Ruckstell shift handle. I am looking for a later Ruckstell style shift handle. The shifter I have uses three mounting bolts at the ball cap. The rod (not included) mounts at the same relative location as on a Ruckstell, but the shaft of the handle come...

I'd like to thank the good people who make Hellmann's mayonnaise for providing me with a replacement license plate lens for an electric tail light.

: ^ )

No windshield either, but it does have the spacer board...

Before I understood the safety aspects of acetylene lighting, I used an MC tank mounted at an angle under the rear floorboards based upon information that Val provided. I even wrote an article on how I mounted everything that was published in the HCCA Gazette. One night I was on a fairly long drive ...

John,
What size of burners are you using?
Keith

I just painted it...

John,
An MC tank does not have the volume capacity for safe operation. It will draw off the acetone which will destroy the regulator and compromise its integrity and safety.
Get a B or E tank.
Keith

My thought was to fabricate one out of a lug bolt.

Mine has no stud, just a square hole, about 7/16".

I'll take it.
Do you have the bolts for it?
Keith

Looking good, Tom.
I love the Hayes demountable wire wheels on my wife's speestder!

Mark,
In about 1996, RCMTC dues went from $7 to $10.
It almost started a riot...

I have painted all my top irons mounted on bodies gloss black. I'm going to assume you mean top sockets? The top sockets on my 1919 were a mis-matched pile of parts, some were pretty rusty with deep pits. I had them stripped, then powder coated with semi-gloss to help not draw attention to them. I w...

Joshua,
The Rose City Model T Club meets on the third Thursday of the month.
Contact Randy or me for details.
-Keith

Eric,
All of my cars have Ruckstell axles on them. On my brass era cars, I use complete Ruckstell era axle assemblies and the complete "correct" differential and driveline stored away to go with the car as it goes to the next steward. Use a later housing and be leak-free.
-Keith

I filled out my INF 70 form a week ago to get written documentation that my untitled speedster was never tited in California. The nice lady on the phone ran the serial number for me and said that it had never been titled in California. I asked if I could get that in writing she said I'd have to fill...

You might check with Richard Gould.

Thanks a lot, Gilligan!

Go online to California DMV and do a title search.

Cool, Tom.
Are those original torpedo dash brackets?

Along with paper currency, including $2 bills, there were also different gold coins used up to 1933.

Art, It sounds like you can cobble together parts to make a radiator work for your car. Allen, If I recall correctly (since this was nearly 50 years ago and I was a kid) the brass radiator outlet fit better than the black radiator outlet. John, I like your solution to make everything fit. Is your ra...

Short answer is, "No."

The angle of the inlet for the top tank is different for the tall and short radiators.

That being said, I did it 50 years ago on my 1919, not realizing the differences.

I would not do it again.

Keith

Brackets are painted, but will burn off even with high heat paint. The muffler is wrapped with asbestos and secured with 3 straps.

: ^ )

Keith

There you go, Kim...
Once again, teaching me something new.

Thanks for sharing.

: ^ )

Keith

It looks like a standard chassis to me.

I was going to desigh a trailer or Depot hack with this design. The cot springs double as screen sides.

: ^ )

Early.
For a carburetor that has a "tickler" instead of a choke.
: ^ )

I find it interesting that the Speedometer wrench is listed on an April 1912 tool list.
I though the threaded speedometer pinion gear nut was a feature for 1911 only?

: Speedometer wrench and nut.jpg (60.31 KiB) Viewed 641 times

No Twinkies.
How about a turnover?

: ^ )

Eric,
That was, indeed, one of the hilliest tours that I have ever been on! A full tank of gas and momentum can be your friend. And just when you think that you will beat a hill, the guy ahead of you misses a shift!

I'm so glad so many people made new friends.

Thank you for your well wishes and kind words.

Keith and Yvonne

Happy Independence Day.

She said, "I do."

We still have the car, too!

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