MTFCA Forum

Looking for a brand name or information on a set or 4) 8-spoke Model t steel wheels I recently acquired. All was well until I measured them for tires. All 4) 24 . So 30 x 3's would work but think they wouldn't look correct or perform well especially on a Tudor. Are 32 x 4's an option? Any advice appreciated. (Or a set of 23 steel Wheels)

Thanks...

So, here's the lowdown on my Model T misadventures: I figured I'd dive into the deep end, had Joe bell rebuild the engine. He got it purring like a kitten... well, more like a kitten with a smoker's cough, carburetor problems, that's on me. Then I meticulously pieced together the rest of the car, from the tires up, with the confidence of someone...

Does anybody know anything about these front spring supporst shown in the attached pics? Do they serve a useful purpose. Thanks for your help!

Dummy questions here, sorry......
Does a Ruckstell rear end completely replace the existing differential or does it retain some of the parts?
Do you retain the inner Hyatt bearings?
Will it work with a 10 tooth pinion or only the 11 tooth that originally came with the car?

My current rear axle configuration includes a modern pinion bearing, ten...

I have a couple of early cars, including a 1914 T Runabout, that have old deteriorated tops made of plain black canvas. I had a chance to get a Juki industrial sewing machine from an upholstey shop that went out of business, and now I am thinking making my own tops and accessories. I don't think I would make curtains, as I don't think I would ever...

Anything special about a head marked WHITE and under the white stamping, is a K_R ? This is on my engine and I noticed it while the head was off to look at how I'm going to address bad exhaust valves, as well as rot/corrosion at the head bolt hole and the water jacket between 2 & 3 along with 2 cracks radiating from the #3 exhaust valve seat. I...

I came across a photo of this swivel and fiber gear. The bracket looks like 1915 or so, but the strait drive swivel and large fiber gear are throwing me off. Is this model T hardware or for another automobile of similar vintage? Just curious to see what the experts say. Thank you in advance!

I have a question about capacitors, I had some coils rebuilt in 2020 and I had thought it would be a good idea to check them on a strobo spark and have 3 of them that have capacitor that have failed according to the strobo spark. My question is why would I this happen with 4 year old rebuild coils. These coils were professional rebuilt and set up...

Just got done shipping a car by way of Bill Squires Transportation
And just wanted to let you all know as usual what a wonderful job by an equally wonderful individual. On budget, on time regardless of weather conditions, and the car was delivered in exactly the same condition as when it was loaded. I would highly recommend this carrier for any...

What's the going wisdom about 6 volt batteries these days?
Lots of motorcycle collectors I know are transitioning to lithium batteries, Light, leakproof, work well in warm weather, etc.
Is there a good lithium option?
My worry is that a regular lead-acid unit will just not take kindly to my sporadic use, and need to be swapped out every couple...

Finally fixed the running issue with my T only to find that my generator isn't actually charging the battery. I guess I never actually bothered to check before this. Before I got the car it sat since '87, and I've heard talk about generators needing to be polarized, does this apply to the T? I do know it's the generator itself that has the issue,...

Has anyone found any difference in the balancing beads sold by Dyna balance (the company that originated the product) or the ones that are being sold by the competitors. There's a marked difference in price between the two and I was wondering if the extra money would be worth going with the Dyna bead company compared to the ones called Conteract...

What is the difference in capacitors with the same rating?
On the computer I put in .47K 400V and came up with different capacitors with different prices and the same rating?
I am not an electronics person so plain language works best.

Thanks for the advice so far on my '26(25) Touring that I inherited.

One thing I need for sure is a fan belt. The old one was hanging in shreds, and besides, I removed the old plugged up water pump that my dad put on there, so I don't have a comparison.
I'm assuming I can put on one of those modern flat belts with the little ribs on the...

A friend of mine told me years ago about an unusual car cover that he had had for an A. It always sounded like a good idea and I wondered if anyone has or makes one for a T. The cover was more like a cap and just covered the top and windows on his Tudor. It has been too long to recall the specifics beyond that. I could probably make one myself but...

I am trying to mock-assemble a Ruckstell housing mated with a 12 rivet housing, and the differential carrier housing seems to be hitting in the clamshell area before the two halves can be joined. Do I need to machine the differential housing to gain the needed clearance? (Not sure if there is even enough material that can be removed) Has anyone...

I'm getting ready to adjust the Tie Rod now that I've rebuilt the whole front end. The first thing I'm going to do is drive the car just down the street and back to settle everything. Then I'll check the air in the tires. Here are the steps I'm doing with the areas I'm confused about

1. Measure the hub of the wheels from to back to make sure that...

So I just got a 13 tooth pinion stamped with Ruckstell, 8501 13-40 20N on the front and LC.CO. ID24 along with another number that can't be read on the back.
Would this have been used with the standard 40 tooth ring gear or other? With 40 tooth, looks to be about 3.07 to 1. How common was this combination, I don't see a lot in the Ruckstell repair...

I’m trying to readjust the Rocky Mountains on my car. I never installed them, they came when I bought the car. I’m having a hard time adjusting the gap to .020. There’s no constant gap all around. Does this look ok?

I have two tools I have been unable to identify. I believe they are Z tools; however, no visible marks to indicate that is the case. Any help would be appreciated.

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First tool

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Tool 2.jpg
Second tool

I am installing a correct steering column and magneto horn on my 1916 T. On the horn one wire goes from the magneto to the horn. The other wire goes from the horn to one terminal on the horn switch. Do I need to run a wire from the other terminal on the horn button to the steering column to complete the ground path?

I am in need of some help. I want to replace the sheet of plywood the P.O. used for the floor of a steel TT Express bed/box. I believe there are 5 steel rub strips over the seams between 7 floor boards, 2 steel side strips for between the outer 2 boards and the steel box, and 1 steel strip across the back end at the tail gate to cover the 7 board...

Has anyone successfully use a rust encapsulating paint on the inside of a engine pan to deal with surface rust? Rather than sandblasting? I hate
trying to get sand out of tight places so they don't end up in the finished engine. Tanks.
Craig.

I have a question regarding the radiator on our TT. We bought the truck in it's current state a couple of years ago, and the guy that restored it in 1978 has since passed away so I can't ask him about it, but it is fitted with an unusual radiator marked A.R.M.Co which I've been told stands for American Radiator Manufacturing Company. It has a...

thoughts and opinions which would make more horsepower, flat top pistons with a z head or domed pistons with stock head

Hi all.
I've been lurking here for a while now, reading and learning.
I inherited a '25 Touring car back in 1999 when my dad passed away. He had bought it as a retirement project, then burned out on it before he even retired, leaving it driveable, but only partially assembled. All the parts are there, I just need to figure out where they all go!...

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I came across this today. I was wondering if anyone would know how this was used and if it was a tool for a Model T service job.

Thanks

Herb

Roscoe Scheller’s book _ Me and the Model T_ contains an anecdote where Ford dealer Scheller and his crew move the handbrake lever from the left side to the center of the car for a one-armed right-handed customer who will only buy the car if they do that for him.

The fellow ended up being an enthusiastic repeat customer and Scheller made this...

I have a 1927 Coupe that is painted Channel Green, and I came upon a very interesting 1927 Ford sales brochure that described the new paint colors for the Improved Ford. In the brochure, it describes the paint finish as a SATIN finish, which, to my knowledge, has not been described before. I'm wondering if anyone restoring a 1927 Ford has painted...

Hi,
I've seen some 25 Touring cars with nickel plated (and some chrome) radiator shells. Question: did Ford put them on or were they all black when leaving the factory. Was the nickel an upgrade, or just a personal choice? Thanks,
John

Anyone have his contact information? Thanks in advance!

Finally some progress. Motor running just need everything else. Sorry for the mess.

Andy

Does anyone make the Viton float needle tips for the OF carbs since Stan is gone?

Any pictures of what others had done for wire wheel bolt color? I have a set of three bolt Ash Wire Wheels that are antique white with red center caps. Red, antique white to match, black...nickle plate. They will be on a 1926 speedster.

Note the pan straightening jig and other goodies in the workshop photo.

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I know this is not truly Model T, but perhaps I can get some information.
I have about 2/3 of an original one (missing the top half of the body). Looking online, I see that in the past someone has reproduced these lights. Were the parts “authentic”(would the parts interchange)?
I’m considering making a pattern and casting the piece I’m missing.

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I managed to crack the flat glass lens on one of the E&J 333 acetylene headlights on my 1912 Flanders 20. I plan to take it to my local glass shop to have a new one made. Should I ask them to make the new one out of plain flat glass like the original, or would laminated glass work? I wonder how well laminated glass would hold up to the heat (I do...

Caption says University of Iowa auto mechanics class.
No wonder it’s so neat !

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My brother, Brian, and I sadly post news that our father, Dick Fischer, passed away this week after a period of declining health. Dad really enjoyed this forum over the years. As many of you know, he was a true engineer, and nothing he liked more than talking technical. This is a great place.

We are keeping our 1912 Touring, as it's been in the...

My brain hurts from reading all the post about what engine oil is best for a Model T, I'm sure modern day oil is far superior to what was available when my car was new in 1927. I would like to know is there any oil or probable more appropriate to ask is there any additives I should avoid that could harm my engine. When I restored my 1929 John...

Hello,
Is there a measurement or does anybody have side by side photos of transmission end plates? I know the 26/27 sits down inside the drum ID and is not interchangeable with the earlier ones, but I'll be darned if I can find how to tell the difference just looking at a loose one sitting on the shelf.

Downloads.jpg Rux lt shift.jpeg[/attachment
O my God. I finally got some pix to load.
A ways back, I mentioned building left side rux shifters in a discussion. Pix were requested.

Why a left side shift? To shift a rux, you have to be able to use your throttle. With a center shift, one must go thru a bunch of unsafe contortions, unless there is a...

I have a very nice 1913 Canadian block (three digit Canadian number) that has had a Model A crank installed. It also has a reground cam, adjustable and later valves and new 0.060 pistons and rings. Looking close at the connecting rods , it appears that someone welded T tops to A bottoms, The rods and crank are beautiful and the engine has run...

I am fixing to start working on a new T and while I am thinking about installing a heater in this one. I really don't mind the cold in winter but my wife would rather not freeze. I have been looking at exhaust heaters with the floor grill. They look like they would be the most effective but I wonder how you shut them off in the summer. Would you...

Does anyone go back far enough to know which company was the first to modify the VW Distributor for Model T use, and sell a kit with directions to install it?

There are at least two companies that sold them over 30 years ago!

Hi All,

I have found out that the cause of my rear axle oil leaks is engine oil leaking into the back axle and out one of the axle ends. I have followed the kind advice of several people on this forum regarding the installation of the inner neoprene seals - I have also fitted outer neoprene seals. I have been filling the U-Joint with grease on a...

What kind of grease, (if any) do you put on the speedo gears on the drive wheel. I can argue none, given the fact that grease will hold dust and turn the goo into a grinding compound, but hey, what do I know?

Oliver style

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I have searched for the answers on the site but still need some guidance. I have a 1916 Touring and have removed the body for restoration. I have forgotten the reassembly order. Do the splash shields attach below the body on top of the mounting pads? Second question what engine stand do you recommend?
Thanks,
Campbell Tellman II
Beaufort, NC

The Bakersfield meet appears going to be really strong this year. There are more horseless carriage spots pre sold than Other spaces. Our areas are filling fast. The venue reserved another 2 sections of the meet for us. Going to be a great meet.

Sharing swap meets with others is going to be the norm in the future. Bakersfield & Chickasha are...

These are pictures of new spokes from a supplier. 30x3 1/2, 5/8 tenon. The largest measurement of the tenon is .030 smaller than 5/8. The bevel where the spoke sits against the hub is tapered.

Got the glass installed and had to replace the ising glass in the side curtains as they had deteriorated over time. IMG_8696.jpeg IMG_8697.jpeg IMG_8695.jpeg IMG_8693.jpeg Need a little adjusting, but after being rolled up for 30 years they need to relax and stretch a little.

Today I was sorting and consolidating my boxes of T parts, and found this apparent body bracket. It either came with the 1915 or 1911 projects that I restored. There is no part number on it and is about 9 long. I was wondering if anyone can help identify what it is?

Thanks,

Neal

Can anyone tell me about, or give a link about repairing (temporarily) wood spoke wheels with something called Quick Poly? Thanks.

I'm trying to solve some electrical problems on a car that has a 12 volt Texas T alternator. I don't pretend to know much about electricity so I need some help. At anything above an idle the ammeter is pegged at 20 amps. Someone told me that because I am using an original 6 volt ammeter with a 12 volt system the reading is double--a 20 amp reading...

For the guys running a Rajo ohv… or any OHV, do you need to run a water pump? I know in original articles in model t in speed and sport it was a common addition, but it seems the consensus now is a water pump is not needed if the rad is in good working order.

I have a 26 with a bb, hot cam, model a crank and had to remove the water pump and...

I have developed a benchtop tester which fully simulates the performance of the timer / coil ignition system, including operation on magneto voltage on the Model T. The system can measure the performance of any timer running on battery or magneto at any desired rpm. In addition, the system can drive a set of four coils and the behavior of each...

The local VFW regained possession of a T that was original to the little town. One thing that sticks out is the hole in the cowl . Sure looks to be a factory looking hole. Anyone know what it is? Thank you IMG_8131.jpg

Working on this former depot hack project that was represented as 26/27 and has those years engine in it. But reading thread on gas filter reminded me that a car of that period would have the tank in the cowl. But this frame has the two holes on one side and one hole on the other for the round tank under the drivers seat.
Do I have a different...

The upper brass cap on my 1915 sidelamps seems to be brass plated. I notice on the vendor sites they say highly polished brass for replacements. But they mention solid brass on a couple of the other models for what looks like earlier cars.

The brand is Edmunds & Jones Model 8. Does anyone have experience and knowledge of this item?

Thanks.

This may have been discuses before but I can't find it.
Getting ready to install Rocky Mountain Brakes on my 27 Touring but first I need to put on new linings, is there a certain procedure I should follow to do this, to me it looks like I just start at one end and finish on the other, centering the lining on the band.

Your help is greatly...

I ordered a gas filter from one of the suppliers
And by my surprise they are back ordered. Does anyone know of a filter that is a replacement. I really don’t want to cut up the fuel line and install a inline filter.

I see where you can install a Ruxtell shift lever behind the existing lever in a Model T. I wonder if such an installation gets in the way or is difficult to use? I'm a big guy with size 14 feet so there is no room to spare in the driver's area. At this point I don't really need a Ruxtell, just gathering info.

I ask about this and it is really to heavy to try to ship but i think it is a good deal.

This was a neat video. 2 guys in a 1915 driving around learning and driving at the same time.

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I have a 22 doctors coupe and the gas tank was just set inside the truck with a couple of two by fours which were not secure to the floor and it was not mounted level. Does anybody have pictures or descriptions of how it was? mounted If you see missed spelled words, I'm letting the computer spill because I can't oh, I need the measurements for the...

I'm guessing these should not be used? There are two different wheels here.

Anyone here going to go I am.

who knows how to take the brass top off of a 1915 sidelamp?

After reading about Noel Bullock and others climbing Pike's Peak, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try it in my Speedster when the 1990 VMCCA in Colorado Springs came along. It was raining but half of the 300 plus cars on tour lined up to make the climb. Joy and the kids opted to stay in the motel for that day. We had to wait for snowplows to...

 
Just back from the foundry, HCCT (Hand Crank Coil Tester) Spark Rings.
This piece is many times missing or broken.
These are cast from brass-bronze.
They still need to be machined before they are ready.
Let me know if you are interested.

 
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Ive been given the name of Scott Henningsen in Salinas to make and install a top for my 12 roadster. Does anyone have any experience with him?
He'll need to shave the bows to fit the sockets and install a rear roll up panel with Murphy style fasteners. Looking for a near show quality top.

Here is the service bulletin page describing how to check the fuel level in the Holley G carburetor. Somewhere I have seen measurements for the gauge. If that was in a service bulletin I missed it. Where did I see that?

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Picking up a '27 Touring in a few weeks, planning on taking the wire wheels and Ruckstell for my '26 coupe, then making it run and pass it along to someone else. I'm just curious if anyone can identify the wire wheels from a couple pictures, just want to make sure they aren't A wheels or something....

1921, the novel variety and ingenuity of early tire makers was simply wonderful ! Maybe tires are better nowadays, but they’re sure boring by comparison. IMG_0995.jpeg

••• WIDE TRACK MODEL T OWNERS! •••

•I am in need of having Wide-Track Axle shafts made. More than likely by the manufacturer that makes them for Lang’s.
Spoke with Don Lang and he said he would ASK his current manufacturer if he could do such a thing. So please, if you know of an outfit that could make them out of the proper material,...

Does anyone have any photos of the Sears body that was in the Volo auto museum five years ago, or any other wood kit photos or plans that would fit a 1925 Model T?

Does anybody have instructions to this tester. I would like a copy.

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I've read about removing modern maker marks and cutting down the heads and threads to duplicate vintage carriage bolts, but I haven't found anything on the color of them. Presuming it matter where on the T they are installed, but didn't know if they were painted along with the part they are attached to, like gloss black on the body or if they were...

How good are the new u joints offerd by the parts suppliers?

Are there any instructions or guidance on rebuilding a Holley G carb? Where the passages go etc. Loads of stuff on the NH, but all I can find on the G is taking the carb half way apart, cleaning up the parts a little and putting it back together.

I am rebuilding my coil box and purchased a security strap. How do I secure it to the box? There is not a hole in the firewall for it to extend through.
Based on the diagrams it shows a screw or something like that attaching to the end. That did not come with the strap.
Thanks,
Ernie

Installing tubes and flaps and new tires on demountable rims. I have a three leg universal rim spreader that does not connect to the square bolt hole lugs on the rim, but overhangs the outside lip of the rim while spreading and retracting, which causes a little distortion in the rim while doing so. But my issues is I get the valve stem straight up...

Morning from snowy Vermont, I need to repair a broken piece of bakelite from the bottom of my coil box switch base. I am wonder what would be the best adhesive would be to use.
Thanks
Fitz

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Caption states “1930’s”. IMG_0990.jpeg s