MTFCA Forum

Norman Kling

Something I didn't see posted above is the shifting of the Ruckstell. There is no synchronized shifting so you need to anticipate the speed of the engine after the shift in order to get a smooth shift. When shifting down from high to Ruckstell your engine will be going faster and revved up after the...

Norman Kling

I have 3 Model T's. All have Ruckstell and Rocky Mountain brakes, the ones they sell now. The Ruckstell low range will slow the car and also amplifies the transmission brake. Be sure to shift while the engine is pulling when you shift ruckstell to low and do it before you start down the steep hill. ...

Norman Kling

you just need to measure the length of the belt for no water pump. The parts suppliers have the belts, however, some pulleys have been changed or especially if you have a 26-27 car you might have a different head on the engine which would take a different belt. If your radiator is in good condition ...

Norman Kling

If it is the Rocky Mountain brakes made today, your band goes around the drum as an oil filter wrench wraps around the filter. When the wheel goes forward it wraps in the way your wheel is turning and when you go backward it tries to force it to slip. The band should be as round as you can get it. T...

Norman Kling

painting.jpg I painted mine right here at home. If you don't have a compressor and spray gun, you can rent one from an equipment rental store. There is one right here in Alpine across from Al Poncho's Mexican restaurant on Alpine Blvd. I put sheet plastic all around the garage and opened the door. ...

Norman Kling

I have sprayed a number of cars over the years. Many years ago I wanted to make a car look like a "barn find" so I used dark gray laquer primer and fogged some red oxide primer on it to make it look like old faded paint with rust. I also sprayed another car with several layers of Laquer and fine san...

Norman Kling

What about brushing it with a wire brush? You can get most of it that way. Then coat with engine oil so it will not rust until you can install it on the engine and run the car.
Norm

Norman Kling

Looks like a 1926. They came out the fall of the year so it might have been a very early one. Looks like almost all there except the reflectors and lenses for the head lights and upholstery and top. Hopefully the fuel system has been drained because old gas turns to varnish. So everything from the t...

Norman Kling

Ruckstell, Warford, Muncie
Norm

Norman Kling

Unusual salad. Most salads have fruits and or vegetables in them. Some have a bit of meat but that looks more like a steak sandwich or a cheeseburger.
Norm

Norman Kling

You are a fortunate family. To have a father and son pals during the teen years is difficult. Having a project like that to work on helps to increase the friendship. The first 3 pictures look like it was in the country out a way from Portland. I have some family members in the area and also spent mo...

Norman Kling

Another thing to consider is Molybdnim. That is also bad for the magneto. And also the grease used for the universal joint should not contain any graphite or Moly because if you put a lot of grease there some can be forced through the 4th main into the engine oil.
Norm

Norman Kling

The usual idea is to use non detergent oil in an old engine which has used non detergent oil because the sludge is thrown all over the engine and the detergent will loosen it up and clog everything up. If the engine has been pulled and cleaned up, then you can start with detergent oil and it will no...

Norman Kling

Depends on who you get it from. If they are a good mechanic and have overhauled it or rebuilt it, could cost a lot more and according to what year it is makes a difference too. If no good, it could still be used for a boat anchor, or buoy anchor.
Norm

Norman Kling

Very long logs. Must have been used for poles. Wow!
Norm

Norman Kling

It could be one, but the ones I have seen have a canvas built in. I don't see any canvas.
Norm

Norman Kling

If you do place it, be sure to remember which lever is which It would be terrible to grab the Ruckstell when you are trying to apply the brakes quickly. So be sure the lever is easily distinguishable from the brake lever.
Norm

Norman Kling

I don't think they are going camping. I think they are carrying lumber for some project.
Norm

Norman Kling

Wow! Be careful. It would take me at least 3 maybe 4 or 5 days to get from Indiapolis to San Diego, especially pulling a trailer.

Norman Kling

I would look for better wheels. Not only are they rough which could damage the tire but also weak and could break.
Norm

Norman Kling

If the T has the original coils, the radio would not work. I have driven a modern car with an AM radio while the T was idling. The radio had static for about 200' from the house. Maybe if they had a distributor they could modify it with resisters or resistor plugs or something like the modern cars u...

Norman Kling

I didn't realize the second picture posted was of a different car. I guess I was wrong.
Norm

Norman Kling

Look at the first picture. The cowl between the hood and the door. Not just around the hole. That raised area to the left of the door looks similar to a 1928 or 1929 A. The whole panel from the hood to the door should be flat. See picture attached.

Norman Kling

That whole cowl is not original. It should be flat from the hood to the door.
Norm

Norman Kling

Congratulations Steve and Steve. Good to see you Ed. and Eric. Hope to see some of you at the National Tour in San Diego county in June.
Norm

Norman Kling

I wonder why they would use the highest grade premium gas in it? And also why they didn't fill all the way up? Also wonder why they put it into neutral when going so fast before they stopped? Also why they slowed down to shift from Ruckstell to direct drive? Also, when I am at a stop for very long s...

Norman Kling

Have those professional drivers ever driven a T? If not, I would not let them do it.
Norm

Norman Kling

Have you checked the water in the battery? One time we were out camping and a car near us couldn't start their car. The water level in the battery cells was very low. We added water and without even charging the battery, it started.
Norm

Norman Kling

That's what they call a sports roadster. Notice the compartment for the golf clubs behind the seat.
Norm

Norman Kling

That can happen! The rear axle drops so the car slows quickly, but the wheel keeps on going!
Norm

Norman Kling

I would suspect that the first two are running colder than the rear 2. This is because the most direct path for the coolant through the block is between the input and the output. So at slow speeds the front two would be colder. This would be especially true if you have a water pump on the engine. Norm

Norman Kling

How long has it been parked? Maybe the battery only had enough charge left for one start. Try putting a charger on it for a while and see if it works. Otherwise, something has disconnected between the battery and the starter switch. I would check the terminals for corrosion.
Norm

Norman Kling

In picture 2. I didn't realize Kilroy was around that long ago! In picture 10. What was the purpose of going in reverse? Also no tires on the car.
Norm

Norman Kling

Mine are all later than the brass models, so I can't speak for them, but I just open one side of the hood and lay it back. usually the side with the carburetor. But you could do either side. If you want to show both sides, at the same time, you could remove the hood.
Norm

Norman Kling

Have you tried putting inflating the tire then letting some air out so it still has some air in it but not completely empty. Then bounce the tire up and down for a while. Then inflate and pull out the valve and let all the air out. Keep trying until you get it into place. I have not had that much tr...

Norman Kling

I wonder whether the person who put down your car has modern capacitors in the coils? Or what about oversize cylinder bores? or bronze thrust washers in the rear axle? What about the air in the tires? Is it original? It's just silly. I would say almost all of the model T's have something that is not...

Norman Kling

I have seen many T's over the years. Some were no where near "original". Some were. Many of those which were not Original, working and over the years the owner found some original parts, repaired them and installed on his car. so it became more like Henry made it. I personally liked doing as much of...

Norman Kling

I presume the hubs and drums are not the same ones that came off. So several things could be causing the problem. Remove the brake shoe and try on the wheel. If it still binds, the problem is not in the brake shoe. If it does not bind, the problem is most likely the fit of the brake. Have you change...

Norman Kling

I might be wrong, but the first car looks like a wide track. the axles look longer than the ones on number six.
Norm

Norman Kling

The man on the 4th car has a very strong resemblance to Andy Griffith!
Norm

Norman Kling

The A steering wheel had a steel core inside the Fordite. No problem patching it up. However, the T steering wheel does not. It would be dangerous to try to repair any wheel which has a piece broken out of it. For external cracks around the edge, repair would be OK. Remember you might need the steer...

Norman Kling

My mother's family came from Finland. They spoke Finnish at home but all spoke English very well. I have a cousin who lives in Helsinki. When she was younger she went to China to teach English to them. While there she met and married a Chinese man. China was not a good place to raise children becaus...

Norman Kling

One thing not mentioned is that Aluminum expands more than iron. For that reason if the engine overheats it can cause the engine to seize. This can score the cylinder walls. Norm

Norman Kling

Did you cut a small notch in the bead on each side of the valve? The notch should be just wide enough to allow the stem to go through. When the tire is mounted the two sides of the tire come together in the middle and if you don't have a small notch cut, it could be pinching on the stem causing it t...

Norman Kling

What about end play? When the car is up on jack stands can you push and pull the axle in and out? Ordinarily this would be more likely on the left side because the ring gear is on that side and it would stop the carrier from moving toward the right. If everything turns smoothly and has no noticeable...

Norman Kling

I wonder where number 11 is? There is a beach called Grover Beach near Pismo Beach in California where we drive the Model T's on the California Dremin' tour.
Norm

Norman Kling

It's more important to have fun with your car than to have everything perfect. I personally like touring or going to car shows just so the people can see the old cars. If you want a show car, then keep it perfect. But you better keep out the oil and leave the gas tank empty. Also drain the radiator ...

Norman Kling

I could read the signs when I was in Germany, but I couldn't understand them speak. In French they have too many silent letters. Spanish is easier than the others. English is easier now than years ago because some of the regional dialects are fading out. I can understand the royal English but the re...

Norman Kling

Aren't there several other MTFCA chapters in the area? Used to be a Long Beach Club. The one which has the annual Swap meet at the stadium. Which club was Walt Rosenthal a member of? He used to live in Glendale.
Norm

Norman Kling

Why not have only one? If everyone were taught the same language in school eventually everyone would know that language and the others could become old just like the Latin which was the language of Rome but we don't use that language anymore.
Norm

Norman Kling

Rick, the license plate starts with OK It might be Oklahoma. Those from that area would probably verify.
Norm

Norman Kling

Use a 6 point socket so it will not slip on the nut and a 2' handle. Then if it still will not budge, take a hammer and hit the handle like an impound. It should either loosen the nut or break off the bolt. If that doesn't work, Take a long pipe and slip over the handle. Then you can get the bolt ou...

Norman Kling

It might be a core plug. When a pole is getting older the utility company will drill a small hole to check for rot at the center of the pole to decide whether the pole needs to be replaced. Then they put a plug in the hole to keep water and bugs out.
Norm

Norman Kling

The finding works both ways. One person is looking for a tank. The other has a tank looking for a buyer. Try advertising on the forum or in the newsletter or Vintage Ford, or a swap meet.. Some day the fish will find the bait!.

Norm

Norman Kling

I do use flaps. Some old tires are hard to remove whether or not they have flaps. If the tires still hold air, you might running the pressure low and drive slowly for a short distance. If you can get one tire iron in, move over a bit to one side and work in another iron. Then use a third iron and wo...

Norman Kling

He's looking good and the expression looks like he is very cognizant as well. Last time I saw him was on a tour, I think it might have been California Dreamin'. He had rolled his wheelchair off a step and had to go home early. Good to see you Lee. I wonder if he remembers when he suggested a trip to...

Norman Kling

I don't know what price you should charge, however, I do not know of any source of reproduction tanks of that type, so they would be worth quite a bit, I would think. I have 2 which have been cleaned and sealed in two of my cars and if your sealer is not soluable in alcohol, should work fine. Mine d...

Norman Kling

It amazes me how many different pictures you have. However, I know you make after market sheetmetal parts for the Model T's, so you do need many pictures to tell what kind of fenders etc they have. It also amazes me that almost all the people of those days wore such elaborate clothes for everyday oc...

Norman Kling

Good I'm happy for you that you got it started.
Norm

Norman Kling

I was wrong! I guess I always counted clockwise when distributor cam turns counter clockwise! It's been 50 years since I sold the last one! It was sold by accident. I put an ad in the restorer for $3,000 which I didn't think anyone would pay that much for a Model A! I had some people from Southern C...

Norman Kling

The first swap meet I attended was in the parking lot of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. There were also some in the San Fernando Valley. The big one in the area was at Vetran's Stadium in Long Beach which continues to this day. Not that far from most of the most populated areas in Southern California. T...

Norman Kling

No it is not. I have had at least 13 of them and they are different.
Norm

Norman Kling

Interesting the Model A is 1 3 4 2 but the T is 1 2 4 3. Just look to see which way the rotor turns when you turn the crank and put the wires in that order.
Norm

Norman Kling

I have posted this before, but some might not have seen it. This is my car before and after restoration. I doubt it has an "original" part on it, but has almost all "original" parts from ] Model T's. I do have Ruckstell rear axle and Temecula Rocky Mountains and Brass Works radiator. I also have an ...

Norman Kling

Sometimes the wood firewalls were replaced by steel ones. My 22 has a steel one too. I see some strange things in the picture. On the left as viewed there is something that looks like a wire coming from the firewall to where the pile of blankets are on top of the engine. What is under the pile? Norm

Norman Kling

Looks like your car came from U.S.A. The steering wheel is on the same side as ours.
Looks good. what year is it? My guess is 1925, but I could be wrong.
Norm

Norman Kling

Even Ford made changes during the model year. I wonder how many 13's still have the original body where the back seat falls off? Ford reinforced that part during the year and many, perhaps were repaired by dealers with braces. I wonder how many early T's still have a standard grind crankshaft of the...

Norman Kling

That's a beautiful car and We would welcome one like that in the San Diego club. If it runs well we would like to invite you to our June National tour in San Diego County. All but one of the daily tours are on back roads. The one day we will be going to Padre Dam and historic Lakeside. That will be ...

Norman Kling

The narrow brush has a problem with wearing sidewise. The wider one likely corects that problem. It will last much longer running on magneto than on battery, because when on battery, the spark tends to arc when the brush touches the segment, but on magneto the spark comes as the magneto wave raises ...

Norman Kling

If it is a skunk, please don't post! It would cause our computers to stink!

Norman Kling

Seems to be very strange the way you want to do things. The coil box on most of the black cars didn't have a switch mounted on it but the switch was on a dash panel with an ammeter for the battery system. The original switch had connections for battery and for magneto and the switch turned either wa...

Norman Kling

Welcome back to the real world! I've only been through Kansas once in my lifetime. Went to Burrton to see a second cousin. His grandparents homesteaded the farm many years ago. He didn't have any children so the farm went to a niece on his wife's side of the family. He was about 91 when I saw him. T...

Norman Kling

I have one like that in one of my 26 T's. Many years ago I had a bolt come out of the brake drum to driven plate and the bolt stripped off the threads from the starter gear on the flywheel. I was going to replace it, but went to a swap meet and found this one with the transmission mounted all ready ...

Norman Kling

I received mine today March 11. This looks like one of the most interesting issues yet! Good pictures and interesting articles.
Norm

Norman Kling

One thing which might be part of the problem is the height of your front spring. The later T's had a lower front spring which kept the chassis closer to the axle. The spring in your picture looks like a very high arch. If you altered your spring that might explain why you need more weight in front t...

Norman Kling

After you get it all in place, be sure to check the castor of the wheels. The bottom of the axle should be ahead of the top of the axle. See the books for the correct angle.
Norm

Norman Kling

#6 looks like a Wedding.
I wonder how many great great grandchildren there are now!
Norm

Norman Kling

You must like your food Smoking hot!

Norm

Norman Kling

If you do advance the timing, do it after the engine starts. Otherwise you might not be able to use the crank until your arm completely heals!

Norman Kling

Have you tried putting some weight into the body to lower the frame so that the wishbone is more level with the axle to the crankcase? Even getting someone or people to sit in the front seat, might help.
Norm

Norman Kling

I don't understand what you mean? What is a Motor of NO2? Does it have a Model T block? You can climb hills fine with a Ruckstell or other underdrive. Or you can install 4:1 ring and pinion gear in the rear axle. The Ruckstell will not affect the standard Ford gear ratio when in direct drive but the...

Norman Kling

correct.
Norm

Norman Kling

It looks like the windshield is pushed back against the steering wheel so that would help support the windshield from swing while they sit on it. The one to the right looks like she has a crutch or a cane, so maybe she has fallen in the past or used it to climb up there. She is also sitting over or ...

Norman Kling

I agree with Val. I have 2 26's with the tank in the cowl. If that valve on the sediment bowl works right, you don't need another one. you can either fix the existing valve or you can buy a new sediment bowl with valve from one of the parts suppliers. On the other car with the tank under the seat, I...

Norman Kling

I have a hill on the way to my house which I can climb in high gear when I am alone in the car, however if I add passengers I need to use Ruckstell. I can also tell the difference between my 2 Roadsters and my Touring. The Roadsters with only me in the car will climb the hill a bit faster than the t...

Norman Kling

The one on the hot seat is the hottest looking of all

Norm

Norman Kling

I have a 26 Roadster and a 26 Touring. Both have a door on the driver's side. I can get in and out with effort. A man with longer legs might not be able to do so. I need to get my butt over the door post while my foot goes behind the brake lever and under the steering wheel. Much easier to get in th...

Norman Kling

In a case like the one in Steve's picture, it looks like you could make a plug by cutting a bolt of the proper thread and cutting a screwdriver slot in it and putting some sealer around the threads and screw it in far enough to clear the nut for the crankcase bolt. That would make a permanent seal w...

Norman Kling

I agree completely with Pat. The engine without magnets might be a bit faster starting out and run fairly smooth on level or nearly level ground, however it would need to be revved up a bit more when hill climbing because would not be as smooth at lower speeds. It is interesting that although the Mo...

Norman Kling

One way you can "move the seat back a couple inches would be to take strong wire and pull the springs down and back. Tie them in such a way that they are even all the way around. Then install the burlap and a little less cotton. This way you will still have a comfortable and not have to shorten the ...

Norman Kling

Here is something I haven't seen in previous posts. You might have too high oil level in the crankcase. If you are using a dipstick the marks might not indicate the proper oil level. If you use a sight gauge, it might be plugged and you not see the level. If you still use the two petcocks, the upper...

Norman Kling

I'm thinking of something else which could be causing the problem. If the car was stored for a long time with water in the radiator and block, you might have had some seepage through the head gasket or a possible crack which would allow water into the cylinders. Then the water would get into the rin...

Norman Kling

I suspect the heavy weight oil is the cause. It might be too late now and you might need to at least pull the head off and see what the cylinder walls look like. Are they scored? are they out of round? etc. The problem is that the Model T has gravity flow and splash oil system. Therefore, especially...

Norman Kling

Be sure the fuel in the tank will flow freely. If it sets for a long time with fuel in it, sometimes it will varnish too.
Norm

Norman Kling

If you are looking for a T, there are good running cars with good body and upholstery for sale which will cost you less than building one from the chassis up. If you are looking for the apparently good parts and could use most of them, maybe a good buy. But if you are just buying for spare parts, yo...

Norman Kling

Bending the hood doesn't concern me so much as burning sensitive part of the body! Maybe the engine was cold!
Norm

Norman Kling

Couldn't agree with you more about having to change passwords. Then must write down the last one and discard all others or will make a mistake again. Welcome back to the forum. Hope you get a T running so you can enjoy driving. Spring is around the corner so soon the touring will start again. We sti...

Norman Kling

Many countries used right hand drive. Some provinces in Canada, as well as Australia and the British Islands. Sweeden. Etc. So those cars were made there and some migrated to the United States. Some were even exported from U.S factories. We had one in our club. He had a story about one time it was g...

Norman Kling

A speedster is not a stock Model T, so anything goes. For it to be a Model T only thing required is a Model T block. A good operating distributor would work fine. Coils are made to work best with magneto and timer. An e-timer is a fix for a bad or missing magneto but is also not stock. Anyway, I gue...

Norman Kling

If you have the piece which broke off it would be the easiest fix. Weld it back on and file out the hole. One thing about that corner is that if you have a Ruckstell shifter it would bolt onto that piece so you need to be sure it is strong.
Norm

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