MTFCA Forum

HPetrino

I've seen photos of Hasslers on the front axle of a TT. Made me laugh. TT rear springs are so stiff that, when empty, it rides like a bronco. Hasslers on the front are pretty much irrelevant.

HPetrino

Particularly impressive is the safety equipment!

HPetrino

I've read that it was on this date that Ford launched the first moving assembly line, thus reducing the production time for a Model T from 12 hours to 2.5 hours. This, IMHO, was a most significant change that altered a lot more than the time it took to build a car.

HPetrino

Thank you both for your responses! I feel better about it now.

HPetrino

Last week i went in for a cardiac stress test. The nurse hooked me up to all the sensors and looked at my EKG. Stress test cancelled. Turned out I have an arrhythmia. The upper chambers of my heart were working fine The lower chambers were beating on every other signal, pulse 38 bpm. Ignition proble...

HPetrino

Norm,

I very well remember the Big Orange. I hadn't thought about them for years. Thanks for reminding me!

HPetrino

There's no doubt about the fact that it's a lot of work. The unit is heavy and it takes some wrestling with. However, it's not really that complicated. The only special tool you'd need (as far as I can remember) is a bearing sleeve puller for the outer axle bearing sleeves at the hubs, and that's no...

HPetrino

When I was 10 or 11 years old my grandfather put me in the drivers seat of the TT, set the brake lever at "neutral" and told be to push down on the pedal when he said to. We were picking up full fruit boxes that were in stacks in the orchard. Grandpa and my older cousin (who was big enough to lift t...

HPetrino

I haven't owned my '18 TT for 74 years, but it's been in the family 74 years. My grandfather acquired it in 1946. It went to my uncle in 1965. I took custody in 2000. So, I sort of consider it's been part of my life since I was born in 1947. I don't really have a name for it, but Grandpa called it h...

HPetrino

The end of the 21st century is nearly 80 years away. To gauge the changes that could occur by then, look back 80 years. In 1940 many T's were still on the road as regular drivers. The technology of television was in it's infancy development stage. Although WWII was well under way in Europe and Asia,...

HPetrino

Great photos! Thanks for posting them. I agree with Tim. They're beautiful, but I think the reality was harsh. I also see vivid illustrations in them that explain why having a car (or truck) that would go 90 MPH wasn't important. Us TT guys are always talking about how to get our trucks to go faster...

HPetrino

We were typing at the same time....

HPetrino

I disagree with Phillip. The bowl will be full. The problem is insufficient gas flow to keep up with what's being burned. Once it stops running the bowl will slowly fill. Ed is on the right track. Ditch the filter. Also, look for other restrictions in your gas flow. Check the sediment bulb screen, p...

HPetrino

My father-in-law was a Marine. He enlisted in 1946 at the age of 16. He made it to boot camp, but they figured out he had lied about his age and sent him home telling him, "Come back next year with a note from your parents". One year later he went back with the note. He was awarded a Bronze Star for...

HPetrino

Assuming your Warford has an overdrive, it is necessary if you want to keep up in traffic. Without the Warford, your TT will probably not get to 30 MPH even with the high speed rear end gears. With the high speed rear end and a Warford overdrive it'll probably move along comfortably at a little over...

HPetrino

In a stock set-up you're not likely to win any races, but you can't hardly destroy the thing either. It was used for a specific purpose and fulfilled that purpose quit well. Putting a TT rear end in a speedster strikes me as oxymoronic.

HPetrino

I've never actually seen a Mohawk transmission but I'm guessing it has a standard "H" pattern.

R 3
H
1 2

At least that's the pattern on my similar Muncie.

HPetrino

Does it look like this:

HPetrino

"Someone had been inside before. Perhaps Me." Hahaha. Yup. Maybe so. That's how it goes past a certain age.

HPetrino

I know for a fact that my '18 TT has the early 2 spider gear rear end because I've had it apart. My grandfather used this truck from 1946 until 1963 as his orchard truck. During the fruit season we'd load it with 90 or more fruit boxes that were 40 pounds each (plus the weight of the empty box). Tha...

HPetrino

OMG Brent!! Your truck has the wrong engine!!!! Furthermore, there must be another one out there somewhere with the same problem!!!

HPetrino

Things would have played out pretty much as they did, only with different names and slightly different dates. I think history marches onward and there's little we can do to change it. Had the Wright brothers not flown at Kitty Hawk there were several others ready to go, in fact one or two claimed to...

HPetrino

Thanks for posting this! The very thought of Donald Duck cranking a T that won't start makes me smile.

HPetrino

David D.,
That's one of my favorites too!!

HPetrino

The second I looked at this photo I wondered the same thing. What's the hitch is attached to?

HPetrino

It has been my unsubstantiated belief that early stock TT's were equipped with "solid" rubber tires. Pneumatic tires were, I believe, an upgrade which later became stock equipment. Over the years most of these trucks were equipped with wheels and tires suited to the users needs and pocketbook. What ...

HPetrino

I'm not really sure, but i THINK the eight leaf spring is for 1926-27 T's and the nine leaf is a TT spring.

Hopefully someone who knows for sure will chime in.

HPetrino

Chris,

Over the years there have been a few discussions on this forum about how to achieve the desired patina on new body parts. I believe you have found the correct answer. Wait.

HPetrino

Wayne, Do you remember the old guy with the large old truck, probably an early to mid-1920's model, who sold produce to restaurants in downtown San Jose? If I remember the story correctly, he started with the truck new as a young man. I remember seeing him and the truck in the 1950's and early 1960'...

HPetrino

I acquired my '18 TT in about 2002. It still had it's last license plate, 1941. It was part of the ranch equipment included when my grandfather purchased a ranch in Santa Clara, CA in 1946. I'm assuming it was on the road until sometime in 1941, then relegated to ranch life where it spent the rest o...

HPetrino

We all have our share of these stories. Just yesterday I put toothpaste on the hairbrush.

Gene,
Isn't it totally amazing how far a little oil will go?

HPetrino

As they say, welcome to the affliction! Lot's of good information the links provided above. If you're mechanically inclined, which you say you are, don't over think it. It's a T. Compared to modern cars it's very simple. If it has fuel, spark and air it'll run. You should post any questions on this ...

HPetrino

Rich,

When I took mine apart one of the little top leaves was broken and the other was missing altogether. I don't see how there can be much flex at the top of the stack. It's hard (at least hard for me) to understand why they are so commonly found broken.

HPetrino

I don't think the cotter pin guy at the Ford factory removed very many cotter pins.

HPetrino

You have the correct number of leaves. Nine on each side is what Ford put in the TT's. No two should be the same length. The top one is very short. The bottom one goes from the anchor bolt to the hanger assembly at the perch. Somewhere in the middle there should be a spring clamp. Yes, they are very...

HPetrino

Dennis, I did a little looking around on this. As near as I can tell the 3 1/4" bolts are "stock" for a high head T. I suppose you could get away with a longer bolt, but I really don't think it's necessary. I would imagine the vast majority of T engines our there are using this length and doing just...

HPetrino

Good advice above. I'd be sure to clean the holes thoroughly. I used an ice pick (or similar instrument) to loosen any crud in the bottom, then held my shop vac over the hole while blowing compressed air into it. A couple of times and the hole should be pretty well cleaned out. (It was amazing how m...

HPetrino

I thought this thread would be about the fact that on this date in 1908 Ford introduced the Model T.

Jimmy Carter is indeed a real gentleman. We could certainly use some of his soft spoken civility and honesty today. Happy Birthday to a truly fine man!!

HPetrino

I agree with Mark's comment. Also, have you checked to be sure there's gas getting to the carb?

HPetrino

Greg,

What you say is true, but not very many of them actually flew.

HPetrino

I realize that, Rich. He's not building a street rod. My comment was intended to address fit when using a '17 T hood.

HPetrino

Would it fit? Well, maybe. Note that in all the catalog items shown above the years they fit are listed as 1917-27. Stock T radiators are different for 1917-23 and 1923-27. I don't see how it could work for both with all other components being stock.

HPetrino

If it hasn't been run in 61 years I'd also pull the head and clean both the block and the head at the same time.

HPetrino

Where did you find a new trailer like that with 6 volt brakes?

HPetrino

Mark, Your "Parts Salad" reference is spot on for a Model T. I believe, more than any other car then or now (at least that I know of), the Model T offered a unique opportunity to mix and match. Nearly every time something new was introduced it had to match the existing situation, meaning it had to b...

HPetrino

Well, in any event it's a good thing the hill is a short climb. He's only going to get as far as the gas in the carburetor will take him. At that angle even with a full tank I think it's uphill from the tank to the carb.

HPetrino

I can tell you, not very fast. My TT has a Muncie. It provides 3 forward gears, a reverse and a neutral. All told, that gives me 7 forward speed combinations and 5 reverse combinations. It's also important to know that I have the low speed rear end gears. In Ford high Muncie overdrive I can get to 3...

HPetrino

I'm not so sure White's were used in San Jose, but the body set-up was pretty much identical and they were green, not red. If I remember correctly they were manned by a 3 man crew. 1 guy was the driver and the other 2 hauled the garbage as I described above. I never noticed if they rotated positions...

HPetrino

When I was a kid in San Jose, CA during the 1950's garbage trucks like this one were in use. The garbage men had large aluminum cans, maybe 50 or 60 gallon capacity, with a large shoulder hook. They'd come down the driveway to the back yard, put down the big can, empty our 2 regular size garbage can...

HPetrino

BFH, huh. It took me a while to understand what that acronym means. It reminds me of a TV news special aired many years ago. A very attractive young female reporter was following this guy on a tour of a nuclear reactor plant and hanging on every word he said, asking lots of questions along the way. ...

HPetrino

Thanks for the reply Steven. I suppose there are some secrets these old girls are just not going to give up. I've read most of the posts on this forum about TT rear ends, including the discussions about the numbers on the clamshells. My theory is that Ford began production of the TT intending to ser...

HPetrino

[Steven, I have a few comments/questions: 1. I didn't know there was any difference in the TT drive shaft from 1918 through 1927. My '18 TT has the beaded clamshell housings and it's equipped with the differential shaft and 2 differential pinion gears. The "later" TT's had a differential spider and ...

HPetrino

OK Steve, I'll bite. What's the significance of Tuesday March 19, 1957 at 4:32 PM?

HPetrino

Guys like this have always been around. All that's changed is the technology. 35 or 40 years ago I was Director of Facilities and Operations in an elementary school district here in CA Central Valley. I was there for 7 years. One item we used a lot of was F40 CW Fluorescent light tubes. Every spring...

HPetrino

The forecast for Modesto (CA Central Valley) is 103 deg. F. tomorrow then two days of 109 deg. F. The only thing that makes it tolerable is the fact that we're already into September and soon things will cool off. Of course, this is really bad news for the firefighters fighting a number of fires nea...

HPetrino

In the early 1300's a fellow named William of Occam postulated that the simple answer tends to be the correct answer to a problem. This is now called Occam's Razor: Occam's razor, Ockham's razor, Ocham's razor (Latin: novacula Occami) or law of parsimony (Latin: lex parsimoniae) is the problem-solvi...

HPetrino

I had an Acura TL, 2004 if I remember correctly. A headlight bulb burned out. Per the manufacturers published instructions the only way to change that #@%&@ bulb was to first remove the entire front bumper cover, then dig your way in from there.

HPetrino

Often the "wood foundation" of a TT stake side bed consists of two pieces of heavy lumber that are laid on the chassis in a non-parallel manner. The forward end of these two pieces rests on the top of the chassis rail just behind the cab. the mid-rear of these pieces rest on top of the rear chassis ...

HPetrino

My '18 TT engine had been replaced with a '23 engine. Whoever did it installed a solenoid on the firewall for the starter, low and to the left of the steering column. In order to be able to reach the solenoid button and choke at the same time a piece of bailing wire was used as a choke rod. A hole w...

HPetrino

Really hard to tell, but upon enlarging it somewhat I'm thinking it's a spring loaded accessory. Wind up the spring, then release it to turn the engine over.

Of course, pure guess......

HPetrino

Mark S., Thank you for your post. The fact of anchor location and braking capabilities is difficult to explain (at least for me and I've tried) and you did so with ease. I have period Bennetts on my TT. The bands are anchored at the midpoint and they work great in both directions. I think all too of...

HPetrino

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure the TT brake drums are larger in diameter as well as width, so I seriously doubt a set of outside TT brakes can reasonably be adapted to a touting car. There were (are) a variety of outside brakes out there. They are all similar, but each is a little different. ...

HPetrino

It's been a number of years, but when I finally got the engine back in my TT, the radiator installed, fuel hooked up, and wiring put back together I started cranking (no starter). I cranked, cranked and cranked some more. I couldn't get it to even pop. The only "shortcut" I used was a large 6V flash...

HPetrino

Of course none of us can say with certainty what the future will bring. I do think that in the future there will be fewer and fewer roads on which it's safe to drive a T. Some roads already have "minimum" speed limits as well as maximum speed limits, and those minimum speeds are beyond the reach of ...

HPetrino

They were following lemmings and failed to notice where things were headed.

HPetrino

I love these old photos. They give us an interesting and valuable insight into the past, which usually explains a lot of what's going on in modern times. The "Phone 23" in the bottom photo tells a whole story all by itself.

HPetrino

In simple terms, a Ruckstell does not give you more speed. They provide 2 gears, direct drive and under drive. The low gear provided is not as low as Ford low, so it's useful when you're climbing a hill but don't need the benefit of a really low gear, just a little boost.

HPetrino

*...1933 if that helps.*

I need a proof reader.....

HPetrino

The Caterpillar Fifteen it's haling was manufactured during 1928-1933f that helps.

HPetrino

Just out of curiosity why did Ford use two piece valves in the first place? It sure seems that one piece units would have been easier to make, easier to install and cheaper all the way around.

HPetrino

Rich, I do believe you've nailed it. Thanks!

HPetrino

Burger, Doggone it! Why did yo have to ask what make is the sedan on the hook? I probably spent 2 hours online scrolling through photos of old cars. You'd think it would be fairly easy to identify. The windshield and the radiator cover are very distinctive. Also, although blurry, when I enlarge the ...

HPetrino

Nice work!! Every time I see old CA plates it makes me think of the two red 1914 plates my grandfather used in the 1940's, '50's and early '60's to scrape apricots off the drying trays. They each had a piece of wood screwed to the upper holes so you could use them without cutting your hands. Being m...

HPetrino

I dunno how long you've been married Bud. My wife and I are coming up on 47 years. In those many years I've learned a little (very little). I'm sure in the same situation I would have said the same thing you did, but later I would have realized that a much better answer would have been, "Yes dear, a...

HPetrino

The radius rod and the transmission pan say yes, it's a T. I wonder how she got in and out of that thing in those clothes?

HPetrino

I like your green/black plan. Paint it and enjoy it!!!

Dang Darel. You bought it 73 years ago? You're almost the original owner.

HPetrino

When I started working on my TT I found a spare tire and rim (30 X 3 1/2 which matched none of the other wheels, was flat and the rubber as hard as a rock) wedged up under the bed on top of the rear chassis cross member. I dunno if there's room on your truck to do this, but if there is you might con...

HPetrino

I agree with John K. In addition to using air to blow it out I used my shop vac and also vacuumed it out. Even when I thought I had it all out, changing direction of the air flow produced even more crud.

HPetrino

I dunno how many Turlock's there are in the USA, but I'm thinking not many. The second and fourth photos were taken just south of Modesto (where I live) in Turlock, CA I bet.

Thanks for posting!

HPetrino

Why do you even need a windshield at 20 MPH? :lol: :lol: :lol: Congrats on getting your title. When I did mine here in CA I didn't even have a Bill of Sale. It had been my grandfathers truck, then my uncle had it and I got it from my uncle in about 2002. It hadn't been licensed since 1941. I was abl...

HPetrino

Neal,' My TT was my grandfathers from 1946 until his passing in 1965. It was his ranch truck, used for all manner of work. He always called it his "Baby Lincoln". It is my unsubstantiated belief that "Baby Lincoln" was a term originally applied to the Model A when it came out because folks thought i...

HPetrino

I'd be looking for a vacuum leak.

HPetrino

The bottom line is that Model T engines are extremely simple. An engine my be "plumb wore out" and still run because nothing critical has actually failed, like a broken rod, valve, piston, crankshaft. etc. In my opinion the reason they keep running as they do is the absence of many modern car featur...

HPetrino

I'm too far away form you to make the trip worthwhile, but I'm pretty sure someone near you will take it off your hands.

HPetrino

I'm purely guessing, but in looking at the same photo as the one John posted in my copy of the book it looks to me like the "screen" material is a woven chain link style steel mesh. It looks to me like that sort of heavy chain link that's woven out of a heavy gauge wire. If I'm correct it would have...

HPetrino

If speed is all-important then a T isn't the car. There are too many reasons to list.

HPetrino

Susanne, Your story reminds me of another: My youngest son, at the time about 18, was not a fan of the TT. In fact, he didn't like it at all (a fact that's since changed). One Saturday morning I needed materials for a backyard project. My modern truck was in the shop, so I asked him to come along in...

HPetrino

I visited a local fruit stand a number of of times in the TT. One day I stopped in driving a modern car. The young lady who runs the place looked at me then smiled in recognition saying, "You're the guy with the old truck you have to wind up!"

HPetrino

Norm,

I don't know how accurate it was, but I once read that there was a movement in the 1890's to close the U.S. Patent Office. The argument of the proponents of this plan was simply, "After all, everything that can be invented already has been invented."

Boy, were they ever on the wrong track.

HPetrino

You should also be thinking about your plan once you have a T and it's "on the road". Living in Henderson, NV means there are a lot of very lonely roads to explore. Think about what you should carry with you in the way of tools, duct tape, baling wire, etc. Always carry a cell phone. Always be sure ...

HPetrino

Using the running boards is not as reliable an indicator as I formerly thought, Take a look at this: https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14025&sid=c017488bcf6ffd32f5370a4a4b22def9 One item not mentioned is the patent plate. It probably is one to the more reliable indicators. You may nev...

HPetrino

Years ago I had a '68 Ford F-250 that Dennis's truck reminds me of. It had a very similar lumber rack too. That old truck was indestructible and unstoppable. It had a 390 cu. in. V-8 with a 4 speed granny manual transmission, a Posi traction rear end, AM radio and a heater. The darn thing would get ...

HPetrino

I'm reasonably certain that Justin is right. Short vs. long running boards was a function of the cab style once the long boards were introduced.

HPetrino

Leo,
I have a little grandson who is 6 1/2 now. When he was about 3 he would watch that movie ("Cars") as many times a day as his parents would allow. He has all the toys and loves McQueen! Makes me smile.

HPetrino

Tom is on the right track. It's been 20 years since I had my Muncie apart to replace the bearings. I do not remember any seals in the thing at all. It relies on gravity to keep the oil contained, which can bee less than wholly effective. It's hard for me to imagine any pressure buildup. The top od t...

HPetrino

Well John, either it's an old photo (July 1959 or before) or it's a more recent photo in which an old flag was used. That 48 star flag was replaced 61 years ago today when the 49th star was added for Alaska on July4, 1959. It didn't last long. One year later, July 4, 1960 the 50th star was added for...

HPetrino

Like David, I too THINK it was about 1924. You must remember that old style parts were used up until gone, then the newer style was introduced into production. This suggests that the boot scraper style may nor have appeared everywhere at the same exact time.

HPetrino

Whatever you use, be SURE to wear gloves designed for that purpose! Any of the products you're likely to use are quite toxic and it's best to avoid direct contact with your skin.

HPetrino

How come only one wheel? Was it damaged?

Looking very good!!

HPetrino

Dang. All this time I've been searching for a pair of my grandson's gym socks.

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