MTFCA Forum

Les Schubert

John While I have not received a message from you, it certainly seems like you have received some good advice (about the coil box and Jim Golden)! Fortunately for me, I have never had to repair a Trufire!? But I am pretty good at understanding electronics. As I live in Canada, shipping to me may not...

Les Schubert

So John asked for help about his Trufire. I think it is fair to assume that he is aware of and perhaps knowledgeable about the stock T ignition system. So I have offered to provide the exact help he asked for. Seems reasonable to me

Les Schubert

Mine is a “Roberts” brand

Les Schubert

John
I’ve been running one in my 13 for almost 20 years. Works great. Contact me off list and perhaps I can help you with yours. I don’t want to fight with the “naysayers”!!

Les Schubert

So I have a original factory conversion T marine engine that is probably surplus to my needs!!
It is a “cheap version” that doesn’t have a transmission, but it does have a original oil pump, water pump and water cooled exhaust!!
This one has “crankcase doors” in the side of the block!!

Les Schubert

Another option which I have done is to make new spindles that accommodate the brake backing plates and your hubs.

Les Schubert

I prefer to remove the radiator and lay it on its front after sealing the filler with a plastic bag and a strong rubber band. Pour enough vinegar in to fill the core and leave for a day. Re collect the vinegar and flush the radiator with the garden hose and reinstall!! I strongly prefer to keep the ...

Les Schubert

Darin
A good place to start on testing your mag is with a ohm meter. Check for connectivity between the mag post and the frame of the engine. You should have a small resistance. If you have connection then verify at the ignition switch as well

Les Schubert

I’ve seen Canadian blocks both ways

Les Schubert

Scott I just re read your posting about oil and it would appear that you do not understand the concept of multigrade oil. Please do some research and we can talk about it. For others, the 5 is the viscosity equivalent. The 15 is the film strength equivalent. So the oil flows and distributes everywhe...

Les Schubert

John
I like your idea!! And considering that my experience is that the centre main wears the most I now drill two holes for it

Les Schubert

My first suspicion is clutch. Were the disc engagement surfaces smooth or was there the usual series of worn grooves? I have also seen people fit new transmission bushings WAY TOO tight!! Obviously I don’t know what was done during your fresh rebuild, so I can only identify some of the more common p...

Les Schubert

I’ve been running 5-20 synthetic for 20 years in my T’s. New and old engines. ZERO problems!!

Les Schubert

I have one (at least the engine part). Haven’t installed it yet

Les Schubert

I FINALLY have found a picture of the correct hub cap for these accessory wheels. I am looking at making them as zinc die cast (like the originals). If you are interested please let me know

Les Schubert

Mike With a little digging you can buy just about any pushrod you can imagine new. Head gasket for the 4 valve. I can probably help you as a few years ago I did a production run of these in copper shim and still have the digital file. People seemed to be satisfied with them. I don’t personally own a...

Les Schubert

I could understand going to the effort of the thin babbit bronze liner on the main caps because that is where the bulk of the bearing load is. When I did my thin babbit bronze liner rods it was just on the rod itself and the caps are just babbitted like usual because again that is where the bulk of ...

Les Schubert

With a couple of thou of babbit on it I’m totally good with it. Of course I’ve done something effectively similar on a set of T rods and they are just fine with about.002-.003 of babbit!!

Les Schubert

I wonder if using studs and nuts might work better. Avoid torquing the studs into the gear. Potentially Loktite the studs into the ring gear. I haven’t explored this idea yet!

Les Schubert

Kevin It would be interesting to do some testing of the ring gear bolts. I have been suspicious of some of the reproduction bolts offered for the T, which is why I use name brand Grade 8 bolts for connecting rods similar when I install a BIG crank in a T block for main bearing bolts. I appreciate yo...

Les Schubert

An AC voltmeter is useful.

Les Schubert

I run that combination in my 13. I did check carefully for clearance with NO head gasket!!
I was lucky in that the block and head didn’t need much surfacing

Les Schubert

Probably the first car I drove was a 30 Chev. I probably started driving a tractor when I was 8 or 9 having a “harrowing experience “ in the field!!
Lots of room to gain some experience!!

Les Schubert

Reading the postings made me think about my 27 roadster that I have owned and driven for 45 years. About 40 years ago I rebuilt and installed “automotive condensers”(probably the Ford version from a auto parts store). I installed NOS points then. And they just WORK!! I typically hand crank start it ...

Les Schubert

LOTS of people have installed Chevy valves in the T

Les Schubert

Rocky’s are great until you get caught in the rain, then LOOK Out!! Wet external band brakes are USELESS until they dry out. I’ve had a couple of moments of absolute TERROR!

Les Schubert

Joe
That sounds like a great idea. Thank you

Les Schubert

Just another reason why I wish that the option of receiving the magazine in digital format instead of print was available!!

Les Schubert

Charles What you describe is just NORMAL operation for a carbureted engine. NO ignition system will solve this. IF you want your T to start and run like a modern COMPUTERIZED engine then I can certainly advise you on that BUT it will not come cheap and will look pretty obvious. I am just completing ...

Les Schubert

I remember roads like that in the spring time during “breakup”!!

Les Schubert

Further to Kelvin’s posting I did a run of solid copper laser cut gaskets for the 4 valve Rajo and also for the Prus head for over size valves. With the right gasket sealer on a perfectly machined deck no problems. Recently I installed my 8 valve Roof (Laurel model 40) reusing a 30 year old used ste...

Les Schubert

And “the hot chick” is still married to me!

Les Schubert

Kevin My experience with the Sherman head has been MUCH better than yours apparently. Back about 1980 I built a A cranked pressure oiled T block with a BIG cam (A cam and full race grind). Ultimately the Sherman head (high compression version). The ignition is a Vega distributor on my own drive usin...

Les Schubert

I have contemplated making my own version incorporating tilted kingpins as I think it would handle considerably better then. I have done a stock T axle and tilted the kingpins in and it then steers like a modern car. Yes, I made new spindles.

Les Schubert

I bought a new one about 20 years ago for about $4,000.00. I sold it a couple years ago.

Les Schubert

A word of caution when you are lowering your T speedster, if you get a bit carried away it is possible to rip out the oil drain plug loading into your trailer. I learned this the hard way!!

Les Schubert

There are important differences where the steering column attaches. The 26 frame is more “robust”(taller) and the bearing attachment holes are located differently. I learned this all “the hard way “!!

Les Schubert

They are missing the external O ring groove. Installed as they are, they will almost certainly leak (even if installed with a bunch of RTV), which would make future removal difficult. Don’t worry about any “grub screw “. The really remote possibility of a axle failure and you will roll to a stop loo...

Les Schubert

Consider just one cut in the ring and then “spiral” it off and on. Use the narrowest cutting tool you can find.

Les Schubert

Here is another option
Fordson tractor intake valves. With my own head gasket

Prus head. It clears the valves nicely

Les Schubert

Potentially cork a Scandinavia band. It would be a interesting experiment. Another thought is to take a strip of Teflon and cork insert that

Les Schubert

Thank you Rich for the posting. I was sure I had seen a picture of them!

Les Schubert

Just for the heck of it, I might try making a cork inserted conventional T clutch. It would probably get 3 or 4 corked discs (each one would be about 1/4” thick when finished).
I can get the discs laser cut and I now have all the tools and knowledge for finishing it!

Les Schubert

Just for the heck of it, I might try making a cork inserted conventional T clutch. It would probably get 3 or 4 corked discs (each one would be about 1/4” thick when finished)

Les Schubert

I’m sure I’ve seen pictures of cork inserts in T bands. Having just finished making a couple of cork inserted clutch discs I’m curious!

Les Schubert

Allan Kevlar bands have certainly increased the sales of new low and reverse drums,( not to me as I am careful how I drive)! I like and use Kevlar on only the transmission brake drum. I store my wine bottles in a semi inverted position in my wine cellar. Some of them are now 15 years old and are ver...

Les Schubert

Allan Kevlar bands have certainly increased the sales of new low and reverse drums. I like and use Kevlar on only the transmission brake drum. I store my wine bottles in a semi inverted position in my wine cellar. Some of them are now 15 years old and are very “smooth” I find that generally “you pay...

Les Schubert

Actually ALL the corks are from the same brand of wine which is our favorite source for red wine. “Fairview Estates” in British Columbia Canada. So no problem on the quality side. We have been buying a couple of cases of this wine every year for probably close to 20 years

Les Schubert

There are 36 inserts per disc and I got 3 from each wine bottle cork and did 2 discs, so 24 bottles of wine NEEDED to be consumed!!

Les Schubert

Finishing the corks using a tool post grinder

Les Schubert

I’ve been working on rebuilding a couple of clutches for a era accessory 3 speed sliding gear transmission for the model T. In the last couple of days I finished rebuilding the cork inserted clutch discs B0F10EFB-7110-49AC-B050-53CC35FCD0C7.jpeg The corks installed 8A04B5AE-9506-4C7F-B153-2C01A98C33...

Les Schubert

And if you really want to drive in high altitude hilly country there is also a 9 tooth pinion which gives you a 4.44-1 ratio. Might want to consider a limited slip (Scurlok) or locking (Bailey) differential!!

Les Schubert

I have a great big plank of mahogany in my wood shop. I need to think about using that. It would certainly make a really nice truck box!

Les Schubert

Jim Obviously I don’t know your skill level, but having done a number of wood jobs without drawings, I recommend doing a first go using some cheap disposable wood while you get comfortable with the order of cuts and the angles etc. once you are comfortable with how you are going to proceed, then gra...

Les Schubert

Red oak works. White oak is better
Poplar also works good.
Really any hard wood is OK

Les Schubert

I will make a couple of the oval ones for my own use anyway. The method does not particularly scale up for volume production. The process; 1. Make a digital drawing 2. Print on a plastic sheet in a laser printer 3. Transfer the ink to a piece of brass sheet 4. Etch the metal 5. Cut out and polish

Les Schubert

I m thinking about doing a run of these?
NO I don’t have a cost yet!!
If you have any interest let me know

Les Schubert

Mark
I will not try to convince you. Your car, your money, quite honestly not a terribly expensive item. You have it apart and there appears to be a noticeable amount of wear.
All the best

Les Schubert

Dennis totally nailed it by my experience. The fiber cam gear in my 27 is 40 years and 25,000 miles old. Mind you I think I may have been the person that came up with using a “spacer link” when line boring and I also carefully “stack the gaskets” when installing the generator. So the front of my T e...

Les Schubert

It’s a popular approach to forklift tires!!

Les Schubert

I sent you a email

Les Schubert

Just about ready to light it up!!

Les Schubert

Swagelok. Not cheap but ultimately easy to use. Actually the tubing is just galvanized steel. The fittings are SS. Fortunately available off the shelf locally. Over the years we used a LOT of them at the shop I had.

Les Schubert

: Connecting to outside

: Front main bearing (not really easy to see

: Rear main bearing

: Line connection

Les Schubert

I did a run of special head gaskets a few years ago for big valve T engines. It actually started with head gaskets for F head engines and then expanded a bit.
I still have the digital drawings so could make another one. They are solid copper and work OK if used with “ Hylomar” as a sealant

Les Schubert

On my 1915 Case 65 HP steamer most of the flywheel requirement is for the clutch and the fact it is used as a flat belt pulley. Consider that the engine is double acting so it has 2 power strokes per revolution. Steam train locomotives here 4 power strokes per revolution. My 1913 Stanley has virtual...

Les Schubert

Kevin I have a Roof 8 (Laurel model 40) and the pushrods are essentially similar to your posting. The bottom of the pushrod essentially resembles a valve stem with a hole drilled into the top about a 1/2”. The rest of the pushrod is about 3/16” diameter and then the “cup tip” is at the top. I remade...

Les Schubert

: The oldest photo I can find. Probably 1976

: Finally have a trunk, so maybe 1977

: I was into going Fast now. Won a trophy at world of wheels

Les Schubert

If you don’t want to run them, I will certainly take them off your hands!!

Les Schubert

FABULOUS workmanship!! I don’t suppose it survived unfortunately

Les Schubert

I have a couple of these magnetos and really like them because the ones I have contain a mica insulated capacitor and they seem to last forever!!

Les Schubert

Allan
So suppose the owners want to retire?

Les Schubert

Les Schubert

Quite possibly offered after market for the A as well. With the water pump and a in hose thermostat and outlet, a heater would have been a really popular accessory up here!!
Makes me think about acquiring a T water pump to make winter driving nicer!!

Les Schubert

So I am close to finishing making most of a clutch that is part of a era 3 speed sliding gear transmission for the T. Now that I have the programming and method figured out, I am wondering if any one else needs one? This one was actually made originally in Canada and I believe uses 25 Chev gears. Ho...

Les Schubert

Mark
The bearing includes a seal on each side

Les Schubert

I’ve run ball bearing 4th mains for many years (over 40 years). I took to making a light press fit to the output shaft and close slip fit of the outside race. NEVER have I had a problem and this is before I invented the “floating transmission shaft “. I can’t personally speak to the Birdhaven design...

Les Schubert

So you probably don’t want to risk blowing asbestos around your shop?

Les Schubert

Acetylene tanks are filled with a porous material and then have acetone put in prior to being filled with acetylene.

Les Schubert

Some years ago I got a genuine Presolite nickel plated tank (cw gauge in the bottom) recertified and filled. Actually I haven’t used it so it sits on the shelf full!!
Someday

Les Schubert

I wouldn’t use a axle if I didn’t trust the threads!!

Les Schubert

If you have a 25 and older with unlined cast iron shoes, then I don’t think there is anything that adjustment will help.
Adjustment is done to the rods connecting to the brakes

Les Schubert

Leo
To correct your misconceptions, this system would not involve a waste spark when installed on a model T dual plug head

Les Schubert

Kevin
If I am unhappy with the performance I would consider adding a second set of points and 2 conventional coils.
So it appears that the Nissan distributor version is kind of a “fake “ dual ignition as one plug fires too late to contribute any true benefit to performance

Les Schubert

Kevin
The Onan coil is for a two cylinder engine and fires a “waste” spark each time. The points run off of the crank shaft.

Les Schubert

All I will say is I spent at most 2 hours making the two parts to convert the Bosch front plate distributor. I consider that pretty “easy peasy”.
Anyway have a great day and all the best

Les Schubert

Dan
So who makes the gears. I’m trying to get a couple of cam gears for my timer elevators and have had NO success.
Thank you

Les Schubert

Dick I understand your concept I think. Please explain how you have “energized” the production of the spark. I suspect that the Nissan distributor is for electronic ignition, so I guess that you have also incorporated all the relevant parts over just buying the distributor? In my case I used a distr...

Les Schubert

Very useful posting Henry.
What glue are you using please?

Les Schubert

Nissan rotor with adapter to Bosch distributor

Les Schubert

The Bosch distributor with the adapter

Les Schubert

First picture is cap to Bosch distributor adapter
Next Nissan dual plug distributor cap
Finally Onan dual plug coil

Les Schubert

Les Schubert

Guys Thank you for your input. I just got off the phone with Austin at Scat and there specified size is 1.6249”!! So the 1.625 is pretty darn correct!! We will be honing these on a rod resizing machine so now have a great target size! I am installing this in a set of Townsend aluminum rods on a cran...

Les Schubert

Mike
Thank you for the information. I have emailed Scat for the information, so far nothing.

Les Schubert

To fire two plugs from one coil requires that you have one plug at each end of the high tension winding. The Onan two cylinder engine works this way quite well. To do it with a T coil you will need to add another high tension connection (open up the box and relocate the other end of the high tension...

Les Schubert

I want to use a set of Scat stroker rod shells. They fit a 1.5” crank pin. I’m trying to find out what is the correct rod big end inside diameter? Doing some careful measurements, I’m guessing that it is 1.610”. But I REALLY hate guessing at something like this!! Does anyone have a set of these rods...

Les Schubert

I built a flathead T speedster (Sherman head, Stromberg 97 carb) that does 100 mph. No fenders though and I think that is a serious factor!!

Les Schubert

Thank you for the posting. Always another T accessory to learn about. I had a 12 torpedo roadster that would have benefited from these!

Les Schubert

Dan I saw that one last night. Unfortunately it is missing a part (which I see is advertised separately for $600.00), the “stability disc”(I will call it that)! I have finally sourced the components that I can buy. Now to complete the drawings and start making the other bits. It appears that probabl...

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