MTFCA Forum

Norman Kling

This thread is quite long so I will state something that might not be covered. It could be that silt or rust in the fuel is not the actual cause, but that it is the fuel itself. Some of our fuel gets thick like varnish if it is not used for a long time. If it is like that in your tank, or the line o...

Norman Kling

I think that was the group Walt Rosenthall was a member of. He lived in Glendale just a couple blocks south of Montrose, and I lived in Montrose.He helped us start the Model A Ford Club of America. I had a Model A at that time. It was from Walt that I actually got interested in Model T's. I remember...

Norman Kling

With gravity flow, an in line filter will be too restrictive and can cause fuel restrictions when going fast or going uphill with open throttle. Best to take off the tank and slosh it around a lot and refill with clean gas. If the tank is rusty, you night need to take it to a radiator shop and have ...

Norman Kling

Chaffin's is within an hour and 1\2 from here and if I need a part soon and they have it in stock, I will drive up and get it in person. I know Glen, who is now retired but his son runs the business. They actually manufacture parts for Ruckstell axles and I have had good success with their parts. Th...

Norman Kling

With the transmission brake or with using the compression of the engine for braking you will have good brakes unless you break the driveshaft or any part in the differential or axle. In that case you will be in free wheeling. It is always good to have the parking brake adjusted enough to stop the ca...

Norman Kling

A number of years ago there were carburetor input float valves called Gros Jet. I had one on a 22 and it used to stall going up hills. I replaced with a full flow needle valve and no more problems. Also need clean sediment bulb and screen. Fuel filters other than the sediment bulb are a no no. They ...

Norman Kling

It is not quite as critical if starting on magneto as it is on battery. On magneto, you need to turn the crank faster and the spark comes when the AC in the magneto builds up enough amps to fire the coils. However, on battery, the spark always comes the moment the rotator contacts the segment in the...

Norman Kling

The two holes behind the hogshead are equally spaced and the two under the crankcase are equally space, so that leaves space between the hogs head and crankcase to be greater or less than it should be. I like to fit the 4th m ain while the engine is on a stand with the nose down. If everything is ri...

Norman Kling

I wish my family were like yours concerning the Model T. We are close friends, however they are not interested in my Model T's. They have learned to drive it, but don't want to inherit it. We have two great grandkids coming to visit us two weeks from new and they are interested in riding in it. So m...

Norman Kling

Another thing which will make a great difference is whether you run on battery or magneto. On battery, the spark will come as the brush touches the edge of the segment in the cap causing a spark and burning of the segment. but if you run on magneto, the spark will occur when the AC amperage reaches ...

Norman Kling

All parts are under the chassis engine and transmission etc. I restored and painted everything. Still drive it today.
Norm

Norman Kling

Norman Kling

To add to George said, there are also two cups on the universal joint. The large one greases the U joint and the smaller one behind it is for a bushing inside the front of the driveshaft tube. They should be greased. The front large one gets more grease than the small one. I use the thick wheel bear...

Norman Kling

I noticed one error. That was that the 6 volt battery under the seat powers the flywheel mounted magneto. That is not correct. The 4 ignition coils can be powered by either the battery or the magneto. The position of the original ignition switch with the top of the key to the left is battery and whe...

Norman Kling

At road speeds the car will go fine with the top up, but if you put it on a trailer, you should put the top down and if you have a boot, put it on the top when folded down. Especially so if you have a headwind. Don't ask my how I know!
Norm

Norman Kling

One part of the route which I believe is still open is through Oatman. That is a very interesting mining town. There are wild burros around the area. They even wander into town. One time on a tour, we were in a restaurant having lunch when a group of motorcycles arrived and were in having lunch. The...

Norman Kling

- you are not as strange as you think! I am almost 90 and still drive cars which are older than I am. I listen to music which was made in the 1920s or before. They are 78 Rpm records which we play on a wind up Victrola. You see, we didn't have a radio and one placed we lived had no running water or ...

Norman Kling

A Model A or other Oooga horn will draw j ust as much attention as a compression whistle, except for the earlier cars without a battery. I had one on one of my cars but didn't like the shaking of the car. I live in the hills where I need every ounce of power the engine will deliver. Also not sure it...

Norman Kling

In addition to the above, the hub caps.

Norman Kling

Ruckstell lever should be back toward you in Ruckstell and forward away from you when in Ford direct drive. check to see if the magnets are still on the flywheel, get the magneto working. Remove the distributor. The Model t's work best on the original type magneto and coils. I know it is a bit hard ...

Norman Kling

The 22 was a transition year from the low radiator to high radiator. I have one with a low radiator and have not had an overheating problem. Torquing the head when hot or cold depends on the head. If it is a steel head, torque to 50 ft lbs when hot. But if if it has an aluminum head, torque when col...

Norman Kling

Quite a few years we had a tour with about 50 cars on it. We stopped in a town along the way to get gas. There were two stations. Those who stopped at one station, unfortunately, the one I stopped at. Went a few miles and their engines stalled. Those who used the other station didn't have any proble...

Norman Kling

I use Vaovoline synthetic from Walmart. Everything in my T is stock except Kevlar bands. I have not experienced problems with the oil. At least not anymore than with other oils except that there is much less sludge in the crankcase than with the pariffin based oils.
Norm

Norman Kling

They have had knee surgery for many years. In the 1950's I knew someone who got a plastic pad in the knee. Not a complete replacement. But at least the cartridge was replaced. A man in our local club had knee replacement and got an infection which laid him up for months, but has been doing fine for ...

Norman Kling

I grew from the late 1930's in the Los Angeles area. Due to the great depression of the early 30's which really didn't end until WW2 people could not afford a new car so they were seen regularly driving up and down the streets. Ocasionly a horse and wagon would be seen as well as TT trucks. I rememb...

Norman Kling

My sister when still in elementary school broke her femur. She had to lay in bed or sit in a chair for months. She was home schooled for at least a semester. Finally when it healed her foot turned out on that side and she walked on the side of her knee. Over the years the knee got very bad and she h...

Norman Kling

I haven't heard of anyone using a gros jet in the carburetor float, but many years ago my carburetor had one and it would not pull hills very well or run at higher speeds well. This jet looks like a ball bearing rather than a needle valve. My car would run out of gas going uphill and if I waited a b...

Norman Kling

Don't remember the name of that crank up device, but it works like an electric starter. There is a spring in it which you can crank up and then release the spring and it will start your engine, Good for a magneto without any battery to the coils because it can make continuous spin of the crank inste...

Norman Kling

Why is the door on the drivers side? I have a 26 USA car and even though it has a door on the drivers side, it is almost impossible to get in or out because one must get the feet around the parking brake lever while knees under the steering and the buttocks over the door post. The earlier USA cars d...

Norman Kling

Looks very good for a car driven on the right side of the road upside down :lol: I guess it's winter down there too. I didn't know you have "great lakes". Where are they? I have wanted to go to Australia and New Zealand, but am now too old to travel that far. I rarely go farther than I can make a ro...

Norman Kling

There are two different gear ratios of steering gears. The earlier ones were higher geared than the 26-27. The balloon tires on the later cars made them harder to steer so the gear ratio was lowered and the steering wheel diameter was raised. The pins are located differently and the gears are differ...

Norman Kling

Happy birthday! I wish I felt as good as you look. I still have a few years to go till your age. Getting harder to get out and get under now.
Norm

Norman Kling

I don't know how the magneto affects the pacemaker, but I have had the T running in my garage and it does make stattic on an AM radio for about 300" away.
norm

Norman Kling

Also inspect the back sides of the spokes. There might be other cracks which do not show.
Norm

Norman Kling

I've never driven nor ridden in a T which did not have rattles. Especially so on rough roads. There are some types of anti rattlers available which will help some, but if it doesn't rattle, it is not moving!
Norm

Norman Kling

If you use the magneto and 4 coils with buzz points as Henry devised the T you will have less problems and the engine will run better with more power and speed because they run on AC and the faster the engine goes, the quicker the voltage raises enough to fire the coils. More cars on tours seem to b...

Norman Kling

If you have the original wires, they will fit on the plug as shown in the picture. Then screw on those snap on connectors and they will hold the wires. If the thread is the same you could use the original type nuts. You would need to try them to see if the thread fits.
Norm

Norman Kling

Since the head is not standard,It would not be judged as "original" so it really doesn't make a lot of difference if you have the thumb nuts. You can put the spark pug wires from the coils directly on the top of the spark plugs and screw on those connectors. It will hold the wires just fine. I have ...

Norman Kling

I've never seen anything quite like that! And where you live has no hills quite as steep as those in California. So I don't have anything to compare with. I have 2 1926 cars. One a Roadster and the other a Touring. Both have Ruckstell 2 speed rear axles. Both are stock engines. One has a Kingston L4...

Norman Kling

This wouldn't account for a white spark plug, however I had a few knocks that happened at idle One was the pin through the front of the crankshaft. This was the original type with the original type pulley. The hole in the front of the crank shaft was worn as well as the pin. At idle the pin would mo...

Norman Kling

The rod from the steering column regulates the throttle opening. Those with the vaporizer had the rod across the top of the head with a swivel and those with the NH carburetor had a hole in the center of the block and the valve cover to operate the throttle valve in the carburetor. The fuel adjustme...

Norman Kling

Do a compression test and a blow down test. You might have a leak in the head gasket between the cylinders. Or a leaky intake manifold gasket causing the spark plug to run too hot. A lean mixture which might only affect that one cylinder. If a compression test reads good compression on all cylinders...

Norman Kling

What make is it? What is the barrel shaped thing in the middle of the cowl?
Norm

Norman Kling

The rear straps might be too short. Unfortunately, after they are placed and the rear curtain has been trimmed, there's little you can do about it unless you replace the rear curtain.
Norm

Norman Kling

Does the engine turn over with the crank? If you fill the radiator and engine with water does it leak out or into the cylinders? If so where does it leak? Could be internal Head gasket or cracks in the water jacket. does it have a water pump? If so might be an attempt to cool the engine by increasin...

Norman Kling

You can pull start it in high but be sure to connect the strap or chain to the frame and not the axle. Also have a way to notify the person pulling you when it is started so he can stop immediately.
Norm

Norman Kling

There is normally some drag on the clutch disks. Try lowering the car to the ground if it is parked in a level place. With the engine off and the parking brake in the neutral position, turn the hand crank. If the car does not roll. It is usually about right. Now with the hand lever still in neutral,...

Norman Kling

The aluminum timing gears will last longer than the fiber or nylon. They might make a bit more noise but wear longest. You can purchase cam shafts with a higher lift or advance so be sure, if you advance your timing gear, the camshaft is standard or you could have problems. Problem is that if the ex...

Norman Kling

I see it has already been done. Well done.
Norm

Norman Kling

Very well presented. The club should add a forum for the kids. We are all getting older and need younger generations to carry on the hobby and be the caretakers for our cars.
Norm

Norman Kling

Best seal is a round tail shaft and with the engine turned nose down the crankcase must be aligned so that the the 4llth main will slide up and down on the tail shaft when the bolts are started, The babbit must be snug but not binding. I have had no experience with the ball bearing conversion. Then ...

Norman Kling

Another thing to consider is that the earlier the car the more wood in the body. The cars made before the 1926 have a wood body with sheet metal tacked onto it. Many times the wood has rotted or has termites. In those cases you might need to remove the sheet metal and replace the wood or the entire ...

Norman Kling

A few important things before you install the top material to the car. There is an inner lining over the bows tacked to the bow under the actual top. The only place the top is attached is to the front bow and the rear bow. Find the center of each bow and the center of the top to align . The straps b...

Norman Kling

I have a stand which was given to me by Lee Pierce. It uses the two water inlet bolts only. I have mounted many engines on it and rotated it with the flywheel and transmission up. No problem. If the inlet is so weak it breaks, your engine is likely cracked or very badly rusted out. This is not to sa...

Norman Kling

The most important part of the wood installation is the distance between the two clamps on the top of the windshield posts must be exactly the right distance apart. I took a strip of oak veneer and laminated it as I bent it to fit in the curved part of the bows. It will accept tacks works very well ...

Norman Kling

When I was a boy, there was a paved road to Mt. Wilson via Angeles Crest Highway from La Canada. However the old toll Road was still there but closed to automobiles. Still used it for a hiking trail. We used to hike up there from Big Santa Anita Canyon and Winter Creek. The last leg of the trail fol...

Norman Kling

I would suggest that you turn the hub so that when you get it aligned correctly, you can drill new holes between the opposite side of the spokes. Otherwise the bolts won't fit and the holes would need to be drilled bigger than they should be .
Norm

Norman Kling

I would remove the starter so you can see the magnets and the ring gear. Slowly move the engine around with the crank and look for any pieces which might be stuck to the magnets. Also inspect the ring gear for missing or badly worn teeth. If you have a screen over the bands remove the inspection pla...

Norman Kling

I adjust the pedal as normal with the transmission brake and then the Rocky is adjusted so apply before the pedal hits the transmission brake but if you push hard both brakes apply. The parking brake is just the opposite. I adjust it lo it starts to apply first and then when I pull to the next click...

Norman Kling

A lot depends on what you are going to do with your T. Some like their cars to look like a "barn find" That is a little rust and oxidation in the finish, but otherwise straight. If an open car the top should be good enough that it doesn't flap around in the breeze. Mechanically it should be well run...

Norman Kling

Works easiest with some weight on the chassis. Body on is easiest, even someone sitting in the back seat or in the turtle back some weight. Put wood block under one end and install the shackle. Then another block under the other end of the spring to install the shackle. When you get the shackles in ...

Norman Kling

I recommend that you find the nearest chapter of Model T Ford club and join first. Quite often a member who gets physically unable to drive a T anymore, will have a good running one for sale. If you find one not owned by a member, get a member to go with you to look at it and see how it drives. I wi...

Norman Kling

Look up the Orange County Model T club or the Long Beach club.l Many members of both would be happy to help you. I live in San Diego county but a bit far from you.
Norm

Norman Kling

Since you have already found the problem, this will not apply in your case. But in case someone else might have a similar problem, I can think of something which could cause this problem. If the parking brake rods are too long, the brake handle will pull the rods forward till the clevis hits the hog...

Norman Kling

On the first T I got, I was driving along and all of a sudden went into neutral. Couldn't go forward or backward. I was able to push into a parking lot and called someone to bring a truck and trailer and pulled the car home. I found that the drive shaft had broken about 6 inches in front of the rear...

Norman Kling

Bump start

Norman Kling

One common cause not posted above is loose rear main bearing on engine. The thrust surface worn on the rear side toward the flywheel. Try this. run for a while with the front of the engine elevated. Then turn off the engine and take a pry bar between the front crankshaft pulley and the front of the ...

Norman Kling

See my comments on your other post with this name
Norm

Norman Kling

The Model A ran with a positive ground. The cutout is different. The Model T is negative ground. Don't know whether the starter is wound differently for pos or neg ground, but it might be. You don't want the starter to spin backward. The coils should work either way, however, if you have a distribut...

Norman Kling

Has anyone lost their home or Model T due to the weather this week?

Norm

Norman Kling

Kirt, Be sure to check for straightness of the tubes and straighten them out before you re-assemble the axle. When it is all together the axles should be centered in the outside bearing. If it is not straight, it is much easier to break an axle. After it is installed in the car do not jack up in the...

Norman Kling

Many people have actually backed up hills to keep the gas flowing. I don't recommend it unless it is a private driveway. These days you would probably be rear ended if you tried it.
Norm

Norman Kling

A possible cause would be driving uphill with gas below 3 gallons in the tank. The pressure goes down with gravity flow and the carburetor needs more gas because of the open throttle. The cause could either low pressure because of the gravity flow puts the tank lower than the carburetor or the fuel ...

Norman Kling

Depends on driving conditions. The tank is under the seat, so if you are going uphill you will need at least 3 gallons. On level or downhill, you can run until it is empty.
Norm

Norman Kling

As long as it does not start steaming while driving is OK. On a hot day driving uphill, it should not steam, but if you stop and park, it might gurgle a bit. Always check coolant level before driving. It can get low from expansion, or from a leak. Normal level when cool would be about half way up th...

Norman Kling

A week ago today, my wife and I drove up to Chaffin's garage in Lake Elsinore, Ca and took home a rebuilt generator for the 26 Touring. Since then amid other things I got the gear installed and all the other small parts and this morning, installed it in the car. Charged the battery while I ate lunch...

Norman Kling

The parts from Rocky Mountain Brake Co. in Temecula will work fine for the brakes he manufactures. Some of the older R.M. brakes are different, so if you need parts for them, you might need to check the swap meets.
Norm

Norman Kling

Some of the modern fuels will get thick like varnish if they set for a long time. This can clog the fuel line. Try disconnecting it at both ends and run a wire up and down through it and then blow out with compressed air. This can help, Another common problem is condensation in the gas tank during h...

Norman Kling

In an area like where I live with hard water. It leaves lime and sediment deposits. I use only distilled water with anti freeze. it rarely freezes here however we did have a winter one year where it got down to 18 degrees and actually had a pipe break in the attic which flooded the house. So anti-fr...

Norman Kling

The type of wheel is important to know before ordering. The early ones come in two sizes. 30"X3" non de-mountable on the front and 30"X3 1/2" on the front. Later all 4 were de-mountable 30"x3 1/2". The early non de-mountable wheels had wood felloes and need to be built by a wheel wright. The de-moun...

Norman Kling

:Likely., no problem. The weight of the engine, transmission and body will pull things in line. The crankcase should be installed to the engine and transmission and the 4th main aligned with the nose of the engine down. Then install the entire unit into the frame. The weight should push the spring d...

Norman Kling

Well! Drove it to town and went to the Sinclair Station and filled up with Dinosaur gas for my Dinosaur car. Then on to the museum. Was there a little over 2 hours and it started to sprinkle. When it was time to drive home, it was raining pretty hard. Got quite cold and wet, but made it home and in ...

Norman Kling

j Finally got the 22 Runabout carburetor back on and got it started up. Plan to drive to the Local Museum for a couple hours this afternoon if the weather co-operates. Several months ago I replaced a valve I had installed under the hood so I don't have to crawl under to shut off the gas. That valve ...

Norman Kling

How does the car drive? If it pulls to the side when driven on a level surface such as a parking lot, something is wrong. If it pulls straight, don't worry about it. Have someone follow you. If the car tends to run sideways, you have a problem. Do you have the pad which fits on top of the spring bet...

Norman Kling

Your image doesn't come up on my computer.
Norm

Norman Kling

That's the worst rear end I have ever seen. Were there any parts worth salvaging? It's a wonder it ran long enough that way to get all those cracks and worn parts! Looks like you will need to search swap meets and parts catalogs for new or good used parts to replace the entire assembly. Good luck Norm

Norman Kling

A couple of things. 1. There is a truck museum at Campo in east San Diego County. near it is a train museum. Next time you come out, let me know and I will show you where it is. The truck museum restored a bus which was used for taking the passengers from the railroad to Julian during many years ago...

Norman Kling

A few things, I would say. One is seat belts. If you fasten them to the body sills, They will hold you in the body. If the body comes detached from the chassis, they will not cut off your legs. However if you attach to the chassis, you might be caught by the belt when the body separates. Only happen...

Norman Kling

Two easy ways to tell them apart. The front door posts on a 26 are offset at the top for the front of the door. The 27 go straight up. The door sills on a 26 have an aluminum plate with the name FORD on them. The 27 does not have the plate. The name is right on the steel sill.
Norm

Norman Kling

Take the rivets out of the Ruckstell housing and cut the tube of the large drum housing to fit the Ruckstell housing and drill out and Rivet. Leave the end where the brake backing plate as is. Be sure the spring shackle and radius rods are in exact alignment with the right side so the spring will fi...

Norman Kling

It is a Model T Forum!!!!

T's are noted for being slow to start, slow to warm up, slow to drive, and slow to stop!

and I am old and slow to learn!

Norm

Norman Kling

Sometimes the repro pipes are bent correctly, however, the engines will tend to sag on the righside because both the torque of the engine and the action of the transmission push the block in that direction. So in that case the pipe bend does not fit.
Norm

Norman Kling

I make my own out of a tin can. I cut a strip about half inch wide and one and one half inch long and bend an offset so that one end fits a flat surface of the nut and the other end is flat on the side of the pipe. Then place a hose clamp snug under the nut against the tin. The clamp will keep the t...

Norman Kling

I tried it once, on a 26 with the 4 dip crankcase on number 2 rod. It had the 3 rings above the wrist pin. Even then, I pulled it down too far and got the bottom ring out of the groove. Couldn't go down or up because of the center main and tried to use a ring compressor under the block. Very hard. M...

Norman Kling

It could be, as posted above, worn drum or hub. The discs will then stick and not press together as they should. Also Watts discs or jackrabbit discs tend to wear out over time and could cause a problem. Your spring might be weak. Many things to inspect when you pull out the clutch.
Norm

Norman Kling

It is possible that nothing is wrong with the band adjustment or the clutch. It is important to have the engine running at approximately the speed it would with the clutch out in high. The pedal should be one inch to one and a half inches above the floorboard when you push down to low gear. Stomp it...

Norman Kling

The Model T can be restored and repaired to remain as new. The human just ages and depending on the circumstances of life and the genes inherited, the aging can be slowed down, but the old body cannot be restored, just mended. I am not as old as the car but my 26's have been restored. I do heal but ...

Norman Kling

Rajo's block would make a good anchor for a buoy of small boat!
Norm

Norman Kling

Bruce's book has black and white pictures. The color of the coupe was Channel Green. I don't know of any color samples available. The fenders and everything below the body was Black and the radiator shell was nickel. If the original paint is available anywhere on the car, you might be able to match ...

Norman Kling

Be sure to check them regularly to see if they wobble. They should be tight enough that you need a press to get the spoke and hub in place. See other posts to see how it is done. Norm

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