MTFCA Forum

Mark Osterman

Well ... that’s pretty much what I did for twenty years. I sold a lot of stuff.

Mark Osterman

Back in the 1980s I stumbled on a small article in a 1930s copy of Billboard Magazine on a pitchman who built a podium on the back of his rumble seat coupe. I owned a 1933 Plymouth rumble-seat coupe at the time. So, I built my own version. The podium unfolded when the lid was opened and it had diffe...

Mark Osterman

I just want the top to have a proper fit. I’ve seen lots of seats and top kits that are ok ... and some that were not so great installed by people doing it for the first time. Not their fault. I’m a pretty good craftsman but no matter how slow you go, if you don’t know the tricks (as you pointed out...

Mark Osterman

I’m actually looking for physical on-site help, not a phone conversation or a bad video. When I did the seats the written instructions were so cryptic that unless you had done one of these before it was impossible to do a really good job. After doing the job based on guessing what needed to be done ...

Mark Osterman

I am finally planning to install a top on my ‘23 runabout this summer. If possible I’d really like some help from someone who’s done this before. When I installed my seats everyone said it’s much easier the second time. An odd thing to say I think. I only have this one T and want it right the first ...

Mark Osterman

Ok Dan. I stand corrected!

That design is older than I imagined.

Mark Osterman

Robb, I’m so impressed with your camper. Wonderful.

Mark Osterman

Like the reflector. Must have had another clamp. That is a more modern reflector light clamp still being made today.

Mark Osterman

Found this at a car boot sale in Wiltshire, England a few years ago. Has a hand cranked 12 foot long retractable cord. The bulb is a vintage double contact headlight bulb.

Mark Osterman

Living in New York State we are seeing it creep out into our county. People are dying. The big stores are usually out of paper but the very small stores at gas stations and little corner shops have toilet paper and paper towels. What I can’t understand is hoarding bottled water. We have decent tap w...

Mark Osterman

Well, Japanning is essentially a baked on asphalt and lampblack coating, the same as used to make tintype plates. No problem .. I make tintypes for my day job.

Mark Osterman

Unrestored plates on my 1923 Runabout. The rear plate view is with the Ford-O oil lamp and bracket. I have the spare in a running board mount. When I put the spare on the back with the regular Ford mount I put the light and plate on that spare bracket.

Mark Osterman

Well, here is an update. As I suspected the NOS brush I put in my New Day Timer was set at a slightly pitch than the new ones I recently got from Langs. It threw the advance off a little. When I replaced it with the new brush from Langs the advance lever was exactly where I had set it back when I fi...

Mark Osterman

I got this nice set of top prop nuts today. Am curious if these were significantly different for different years. Were they always painted black? These appear to be nickel plated under the paint.

Mark Osterman

Like the one that is rounded over on the inside bottom. Would work much better with the rubber doughnut gasket.

Mark Osterman

Rich, Here is one of the photographs that was based on the sketch. Most people probably don’t realize that some fine art photographers often do preliminary sketches for their photographs.

Mark Osterman

I went through a pair of front tires in about four moths of driving because I left the tie rod as I received the car. Then it came to me that the toe in was screwed up. I adjusted it after I installed another set of front tires and it still wasn’t quite right so I adjusted it again using a different...

Mark Osterman

Pardon ... these are pencil ... but sketches nevertheless. From an exhibit of my photography last year. These were preliminary sketches for photographs.

Mark Osterman

LOL ... better learn to hunker down; we’re in the infancy of the virus here in the US. It’s a good time to sit down with a good novel or history book if you are retired. I still have to work on the weekdays even though I am not actually going into the Museum. I have a lab and studio in our home whic...

Mark Osterman

This was me back around 1980. I was traveling around to festivals performing medicine shows off the back of my 1919 model T. I had built a folding stage that extended out the back. At the end of the day I would remove two of the poles on the stage that held the painted back drop and use that with an...

Mark Osterman

Yeah ... depending on the time of year (temperature and rain) I could go with very little and be in my happy place. The idea is to enjoy a short trip and then relax at the destination for a few days. The tent is heavier than what I want or need.

Mark Osterman

In the past year I’ve been collecting vintage information about camping trips with a model T. Sometime this summer I want to go out for a few days in my runabout and get away from it all. I bought an original pickup box for my car to allow me to carry what I need when I venture out with my wife, whi...

Mark Osterman

Jim ... love that they are displayed in what looks like a muffin tin!

Mark Osterman

So Dan, were there non-script ammeters installed in the factory as original equipment or are they always replacement units?

Mark Osterman

Looks great. How did you add the missing area of the casting?

Mark Osterman

Interestingly we now have 10 cases here in Rochester NY and two are in the hospital two blocks from our house. As of yesterday I am working at home, the Museum where I work is now closed to the public and the head of my department said I should stay home for the next two weeks. I have cancelled visi...

Mark Osterman

I’d be interested in seeing the variety of ammeter designs used in model T instrument clusters. Were they sequential in the changes of where the needle comes out, the screws attached and the Ford logo placed or were different manufacturers supplying them at the same time?

Mark Osterman

I hear you guys. It’s really disappointing when your plans are pulled out from under you. I have a five day workshop schedule for this week and had people coming from all over the US and Europe. We cancelled last Wednesday. Took me a week to prep. Also had a workshop cancelled that I was going to te...

Mark Osterman

Interesting that it’s from a frame from a strip of 35 mm black and white film.

Mark Osterman

The inventor of the digital camera is actually a friend of mine. Come in our Museum from time to time. I remind him it’s a fad on a regular basis.

Mark Osterman

I’ve run the car once a week all winter even if it was only to have it get up to operating temperature in my driveway. The snow hasn’t been that frequent this year and there were lots of days between that were good for chilly rides.

Mark Osterman

Seems this was a good day to take this picture. George Eastman took his own life on this date in 1932. He was 77. He left the following note: “To my friends. My work is done, why wait”

Mark Osterman

Ha ... I’ll get it done this summer for sure, though I suspect it will spend more time down than up. I can’t imagine how I’ll be able to see stop lights here in the city with it up. At my height and these new seat cushions and springs I view traffic mostly from over the windshield.

Mark Osterman

One of my banjos.

Mark Osterman

Drove to a car and coffee get together about 15 miles away this morning. Got there and no coffee or cars! LOL .. turned out that it was cancelled due to the Corona Virus. So on the chilly drive back home I drove by the old Kodak headquarters.

Mark Osterman

Nice original ammeter. The surround is a little beat up and there is only one tab, but once it’s screwed into the instrument panel it would be secure. $40 plus post.

Mark Osterman

Yikes, that’s not very good. I drive my T around 100 miles a week. Guess I need the bronze type brush.

Mark Osterman

Thanks for that story. Very interesting. Yes, I think it’s too strong and although it works fine as far as running smoothly I’ll take it out of there. Last night I went through my electrical stuff and found a generator brush that I cut down to fit the old brush housing I have. Will try it out after ...

Mark Osterman

Stan,

Thought you were slowing down with your rebuilding activities but it looks like you’ve actually stepped it up. Glad you are running on all cylinders.

Mark Osterman

A little iPhone glitch at the end there ...meant to say the little piece that sticks out to the right is different than most.

Mark Osterman

LOL ... sure guys, I know how to reset the timer. And it works great so I may do that and keep the ones I ordered as spares. Only thing is that this one has a pretty string spring and might wear out the timer faster. Just thought something like that brush would be pretty standard. Here is the vintag...

Mark Osterman

I didn’t think it was in a different place. I assumed the pin hole was the same but that the other side that holds the spring loaded brush is slightly different.

Mark Osterman

My brush for the New Day Timer finally died. I went through my box of timer parts and found a vintage NOS brush. It had a stronger spring and I had to file away some metal so the the keeper pin would go all the way in. After I wiped out some grime and gave the timer a little sandpaper cleaning I but...

Mark Osterman

Picked up this Antique Auto Club badge today in an antique shop. I assume they made these for many years. Anyone have an idea of what vintage? It’s a very heavy brass casting.

Mark Osterman

Sure, they could shoot that on a sunny day with a focal plane shutter and a fast lens. But .... it’s combination printing. That stuff is as old as the invention of photography. Just like introducing clouds in photographs when there were none on the original negative.

Mark Osterman

Needs some love but an nice piece. I have one just like it on my ‘23 runabout. $85 plus post

Mark Osterman

I have a running board spare tire carrier for 30 x 3 1/2 if you’re interested. Looks like this one. Mosterman@eastman.org

Mark Osterman

As the Irish say .. “I’ve seen worse”

Mark Osterman

Some pictures. The repair was braised but never ground down. Some filling with lead or bondo and sanding / grinding would make a difference. There is some general pitting on the upper side that would fill easily. Still a solid fender.

Mark Osterman

Right Scott. I carried that thing like a Robert Service’s Sam Magee. I think it might be for a Chevrolet.

Mark Osterman

Whoops ... I meant the lugs are marked M M not M H

Mark Osterman

Whoops ... I meant the lugs are marked M M not M H

Mark Osterman

I bought this 30 x 3 1/2 clincher rim at Hershey a few years ago. It’s in perfect condition, no worn lugs or sharp edges, but it didn’t fit my wheels. Frustrating as Hell. The lugs are marked M H. Any ideas?

Mark Osterman

This is a solid front right fender with braised reinforcement around the area where it connects to the running board. Not so pretty there so could use some cosmetic work with putty if you want it to look good glossy. It was pitted from years of wet stuff sitting in that area. Email for pictures. $17...

Mark Osterman

Located a decent front fender, knocked out a couple of dents and installed it in 20 degree weather. A warm spell.

Mark Osterman

I clean with a couple pounds of bbs and detergent. Then flush out well with water followed with an alcohol rinse. Then fill with gas and always have at least 1/3 full to keep the gas sloshing around as you drive.

Mark Osterman

Very fancy mounting bolts. Was that a U&J design or your own custom design?

Mark Osterman

I do like the idea of an electric speedo on the T as an option. Once I attached my phone to the windshield and used an app. It worked fine. But for the past several years I’ve been using the original set up with the Stewart 160 head and the chain drive. It’s great when it works ... which is most of ...

Mark Osterman

Anyone have a good 30 x 3 1/2 rim for sale?

Mark Osterman

I plugged both holes with dish detergent solution and a few pounds of bbs. Then rolled it around on the lawn. Flushed it out and removed the bbs followed by an alcohol wash and evaporation dry. Beautiful on the inside. I make sure there is always at least half full with non ethanol gas.

Mark Osterman

Thanks for the reminder !

Mark Osterman

I plugged the bottom of my original tank and then poured in about 5 lbs of bbs. Then poured in hot water and detergent. I capped the tank and rolled it around for about 45 mins. Then I emptied the tank and rinsed with several changes of water followed by a gallon of 95% grain alcohol and allowed to ...

Mark Osterman

Is pushing quickly and firmly the same as stomping? This is how I’ve applied pressure on bands since 1979. Have yet to have catastrophic failure. But there’s still time. I’ve used Kevlar for the past seven years. But am thinking of making some cork lined bands for installation this summer.

Mark Osterman

Happy Birthday Larry. Hope you have a great day for driving !

Mark Osterman

Need a glass circle cutter?

Mark Osterman

If you want real fun go to Lang’s store. They have a large room of just NOS parts and a basement full of used parts. Like going to Hershey but condensed without all the non model T dealers.

Mark Osterman

In my quest to find a decent front fender I finally located one in North Carolina thanks to a T owner who saw my posts on Facebook. We looked into UPS for shipping but it was $260. Also looked at Greyhound Bus which was much better at $80 but dropped it off in Buffalo an hour away. The shipper then ...

Mark Osterman

I bought a new Berg low radiator for my ‘23 runabout in 2017. Unfortunately it didn’t fit the original radiator shell correctly around the filler neck. So, I sent it back. When it arrived again it was spot on .. but got damaged in shipping separating where the inlet casting is riveted. Bergs paid fo...

Mark Osterman

And in the snow too !

Mark Osterman

I’d like one black one. I sent a message.

Mark Osterman

Finally found a fender, but it’s in North Carolina. Can anyone help me by taking this front fender from Stedman to Asheville. I found a person to take it from Asheville to Buffalo ... an hour from me here in Rochester.

Mark Osterman

Bingo ... someone on Model T Facebook came through! Thanks all.

Mark Osterman

I cut my own using a compass fitted with an Exacto blade.

Mark Osterman

Did some repairs on a vintage winterfront radiator cover.

Mark Osterman

I am rebuilding a Ford script battery horn. It is assembled with two types of hollow end rivets. Two of these have a very flat head and are used to secure the horn mounting bracket and also the diaphragm. The other two are are just for the diaphragm and have a much thicker head. Anyone know a source...

Mark Osterman

LOL ... being the most common fender made for the T the best way for me is to wait until one makes its appearance
and buy it.

Mark Osterman

Even though there are other veteran cars in the UK besides the model T I would think there is a greater market for 30 x 3 1/2 tires over here. Wonder how we could put together a buyers group to get a mountain of them sent over here at a reasonable price.

Mark Osterman

The front fender I’m looking for has this pressed reinforcing ridge.

Mark Osterman

Well, even if that was in the next county here in Rochester, NY .. I wouldn’t have the space to store that car. Where did you see it listed? Do you have a link?

Mark Osterman

Still looking for a good used right front fender with some original paint.

Mark Osterman

Yes, that is the standard Ford H lens. When I went to Hershey last year I went to the vendor selling the LED lenses and mentioned the odd pattern they threw. He said that yes, the vertical ribbing on those lenses was the reason and there was nothing one could do to improve the light. Now .. they do ...

Mark Osterman

The only thing I would say that they throw a strange pattern if you have the later lenses with the vertical fluting. I assume they would throw a more consistent pattern with clear glass.

Mark Osterman

I used the original tool and then sold it thinking I would never need it again. Fingers crossed.

Mark Osterman

If you go to Harbor Freight you’ll find black leather welding gauntlets. All you need to do is remove the sewn on tag and remove the graphics printed on the leather with paint stripper. They work great and come in different sizes.

Mark Osterman

What is the application .. and are your fingers really that short?

Mark Osterman

Yes, that was in regards to me looking for one of these mirrors. He mentioned were later than my car, but I don’t see that as a problem. People bought things for their cars back then. My car was originally a non starter type with oil side lamps. But at some point the starter package was installed. T...

Mark Osterman

In 1924 Ford offered a rectangular accessory mirror that attached to the top of the open car windshield. The mount was curved to conform to the rounded windshield frame. Two holes were required to be drilled into the frame for installation. My question is what type of bolts/nuts were used for this i...

Mark Osterman

Had you installed the intake and exhaust manifolds recently? Just curious if you have a leak. Also check the gas in your carb by letting some out the bottom into a white container like a coffee cup. Look at what comes out. I would start with setting the timing with the #1 spark plug out watching for...

Mark Osterman

Was just wondering about those vintage air valves found on intake manifolds. They are designed to let more oxygen to mix with the gas vapors. If you restrict the air with a filter on one end ... could you add it at the other? Or would drawing unfiltered air on that end just suck in more debris? Just...

Mark Osterman

These NOS brass jets came to me in a mixed lot of 1920s era carburetor parts. Anyone have a hunch what company used these? I have a lot of both types with varied hole sizes.

Mark Osterman

Cold and rainy outside so it’s a good day to organize boxes of unsorted parts. I have no idea what these clips are for. They are about 5/8” long. Came to me in a box of 1920s era carburetor parts.

Mark Osterman

Somebody find me a nice fender please.

Mark Osterman

Yes, daylight is very blue. And if you shoot outside try to do it on an overcast day or cloudy bright to avoid hard shadows.

Mark Osterman

Thanks Bill. Never saw that thread. Interesting that there were a couple with exactly the same graphics of mine. Wonder if they were available through the Ford company.

Mark Osterman

Very neat. So it was on the steel dashboard and not the firewall. It has a lot of relief compared to the one I posted,

Mark Osterman

Well, it’s new sheet ..

Mark Osterman

Bought this NOS dealer badge the other day. Was wondering how common they are and would like to see some more if you have one to post here.

Mark Osterman

One of the more frustrating things about buying model T parts on line (both here and on eBay) are bad illustrations of what people are selling. It’s as if they don’t actually look at their own pictures. Tonight I was trying to help someone selling model T parts on Facebook Marketplace to shoot bette...

Mark Osterman

Facebook ? LOL ... that sequence happens here on the Forum for certain topics! Thanks Steve. Reminds me of a series of line drawings my father had of the evolution of marketing a rope swing. He was in advertising.

Mark Osterman

looking for a right front fender 17-23

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