MTFCA Forum

A recent post about problems with clincher tyres on wire wheels had me wishing I had taken photos of a recent fitting I had to do. Well, I found some on my phone.

This is a rim liner cut from a 13 inner tube.
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Here the liner is fitted to the rim. Note that it will be captured by the tyre beads, perhaps making them a firmer...

A couple of years back I picked up a very rare 6volt rubber body ford battery and have never seen one again but today at our local swap meet ( flea market type thing) I picked up a 12 volt rubber body battery
So now I have a matching pair 6 and 12 volt rubber body batteries made in Australia by Dunlop

Once again our club was invited by the Civilian Marksmanship Program to bring our cars to their impressive First Shot ceremony today which marks the opening of the weeklong marksmanship competition at Camp Perry near Oak Harbor Ohio. as always it was a very patriotic inspired program. Signature portion was again having the American flag arrive by...

Hey guys, I just got a 1919 Touring car and the darned thing has a back left sag in the body. The springs and shackles look good and even but perhaps when the resto was done, something was wrong in body measurements? My left saddle iron is 2 lower than the right, as a measurement. So, I need ideas how to best shim and RAISE the back corner?

The...

Neat video.

Hi there
I’m in Australia and trying to find a good low Nickle radiator shell
I have a good painted one but is not correct for this model
Any info or Leeds would be much appreciated
Cheers
Cam

There is a groove on the driveshaft where the original style thrust bearing sits. The bearing, sleeve and Hyatt looks okay, but the pinion was “just” tight, I don’t think the sleeve was pushed deep enough.
In any case, I decided to go with the FP pinion bearing.
Is this groove cause for worry?
753A2A1C-59A5-4674-9B24-4C16534EFF8F.jpeg
Second,...

This might be old news:

july 4 1911.JPG

Were both truss rods straight on the 1910 Model T like they were on the '09 T's?

I pulled my engine out to correct a problem with main bearing shims and to replace #1 rod which has wiped it's bearings. After removing the pistons I spun the crankshaft and got quite a surprise. It made an interesting noise I have never heard before. I think I know what it is and will open the front end tomorrow and find out.

The engine was...

I'm currently in Seattle for a few days and would like to be there when the New York - Seattle crews arrive.

When is their eta, and where in Seattle?

Thanks.

The below link to a Model T engine on ebay is advertised as being “rebuilt,” but by my standards (and many others) this is not clearly not a rebuilt short block. Whomever buys this engine with the understanding that it was “rebuilt” will be greatly disappointed. At best, this might fall into the category of a “semi-refreshed” engine. New babbitt...

I’m replacing my top material on a 1916 roadster. Looking for proper measurements between top bows before I attach the stretchers. The old top had measurements of 18 1/2” between inside rear bow and inside center bow, and 26” inside center bow to inside front bow.
Any ideas on what is correct? Does anyone have an original top that they could...

Friday was our 4th celebration in town. My TT was to haul girls from a local grocery to throw candy and lead the parade through town. Well at 5:30 am ready to leave for town for the day this is what I found. 20190705_061745.jpg
My plan was to patch the tube but when I put it in the horse tank I found it was leaking where the rubber meets the...

Hi From Hot In Iowa! I purchased a new left side Ruxtel shifter from one of the major suppliers last year and today when I unpacked to put it on my T I found that they had forgotten to supply an instruction sheet to at least give suggestions as to how to install it! I just can't make sense as to where to begin with it all? Can anyone tell me how...

I have a N.O.S. Griffin Model G carb that I want to try out. Does anyone know the initial starting point for the low and high speed adjusters? Thanks : Bruce

Seeking recommendations on a GOOD 6 volt Model T battery...I'm kinda a battery freak,and my luck for getting good batteries for our more modern (12 volt) batteries lately has been poor.Granted, I'm not the typical battery purchaser,but I never install a new battery in anything in our herd without first giving it a thorough...

Lesson #1: You cannot remove the steering shaft from a 1925 touring with the top up.

Lesson #2: You do not need to go to the trouble of putting the top down when installing the new steering shaft due to the now conveniently placed hole.

:oops:

The forum has been one of my best resources for photo details as I do artwork. Shapes and colors of cars and parts are plentiful. We have some first-rate photographers who get to the right places and capture delightful things. However it is easy to get lost in the stories and shows where these things hide. How quick I forget and how marvelous many...

I removed my timer to clean it up and the shield was missing, after buying one and trying to install it I would like to know if it is held tight on the cam shaft and spins with it, if so I will have to turn the outside dia. down so it does not rub the timer or do I enlarge the inside dia. in the shield and the timer will hold it in place? Thank...

I thought this might be fun to see again. The photo was displayed at Shoshone Falls, ID.
Stergeon.jpg

Foot operated throttle seems like a good idea for Model T beginners. Seems to be only made by one manufacture and they are on back order. Are they problematic or something worth building?

Who rebuilds the Model T Magneto Field Coils? I have 3 early field coils that have been checked cleaned and coated that I plan to sell in the near future.I need to have a double stack 1915 coil rebuilt, but can't remember who does the rebuilding. Thanks MTFCA
W. Austen

When the subject of clutch adjustment comes up, often somebody will post Murray Fahnestock's article and drawing. It's usually a bad copy, and often unreadable. So I've put a better copy on my website. If anybody asks you about the subject you can refer them to this.

Looking to have my block babbit redone. My 22 has .016 end play & no shims left on the rods.Thinking of grinding the crank .010 under , pickup rods from a supplier. The block is std bore with no ring groove. Hone and ring the pistons. Not to many left doing the babbit thing.Can't seem to contact Andy Loso. Who else does babbit within a reasonable...

Greetings from (a bit too) sunny Germany !

A few weeks ago I could buy a Stewart 280 speedo which found it's way from the U.S.A. to Poland.
Driven by an electric drill machine it seems to work correctly, so no need to take it apart.

What i found on the internet and in the old forum this speedo was not meant for the Model T but to my taste it's...

During my session at Mike Bender's today we went to O'Reilly for parts, and while we were out Mike took me to see this noted sculpture.

Untitled.jpg
It's a remarkable piece of work. If you know your states and your history/geography, you can tell which flag isn't in the picture.

IMG_3231 copy.JPG
It's more than life-sized....

I'm putting the Sure Stop Disc Brake kit on my '25 Touring and so I have to flip the Ruckstell shift rod connection from the left (driver) side of the transmission to the right (passenger) side.

After about an hour of fooling around with it I have come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to bend the shifting rod to make it fit, but before I...

I am in the process of assembling my 1917 Speedster and have come up with a question (not the last one) for the forum. What kind of fuel line would be best....brass or steel or......?
Best
Dave

I'm currently trying to install a set of Bennett brakes horse traded another forum member for last summer. Thanks, Keith! They are going on our 20 roadster we plan to take to Tennessee in a month. I checked old forum threads and see the that the brakes are supposed to fit on the rear bolt in the backing plate and the upper arm of the radius rod...

E59F9149-CA36-474B-BDE0-412C712699B5.jpeg

I need to replace my tires on the hack truck. I bought some great like-new whitewall Firestone tires at Hershey (no cracks, plenty of tread, little age) for next to nothing. My original plan was to place the whitewalls on my Speedster and move the Speedster tires (in great condition) to the Hack. Attached are mock-ups I quickly did in Photoshop....

I haven’t seen a post in a long while from the “Brasscarguy”, I believe he lived in the Washington State area. Anyone know how he’s doing? Thanks John

I met a model T project loaded on a trailer going through Montevideo
today. Just curious if it was a fellow members hauling one home?

Kudos to Mike Bender and Bill Howell for these and their entire series of excellent videos!

At age 11 in our seculded neighbor hood he drives with me at his side. He loves spending the summer here for all he gets to do with grandpa :D

I suppose by 1914 there were organizations for groups of mechanics and they might join a parade,
J.O.U.A.M. Junior Order United American Mechanics is what the letters are supposed to stand for. J.O.U.A.M. Junior Order United American Mechanics 1914.jpg
There is a car behind them in the parade.

After five years my 24 Fordor again is moving under its own power! HooRay went for a maiden voyage about a 1/2 mile around town. Starts and runs great. A big thanks to Joe Bell for my engine rebuild. (That Skat cranks sure is smooth). And a big thanks to all of the forum for answering my questions over the years. Even when you didn’t respond to me...

I was just searching through my spare parts for some needed bits and found this part.

Here is a normal water inlet I found:

image1 - Copy (2).jpg

Here is the one I think is unusual.
IMG_6014.JPG

It has a bump on the inside, the hole is not drilled through.
IMG_6015.JPG

It has a bolt with what looks like a conduit clamp.
IMG_6016.JPG...

When installing the Timer, where does the little 'pin' go?

Speedway motors in the garage sale department a kingpin set, brass bushings, bolts, flip-up oilers

I'm a newbe on the T's. just bought a 26 touring. I am blind in on eye so I must have an outside mirror for my Indiana driver's license restriction. I purchased the heave mirror bracket from Snyder's that is different per year. I however cannot find the correct mounting holes for this bracket. Thus do I have a different year windshield? I thought...

87D1FF3E-5822-4AA3-8605-F12B36F6C459.jpeg EB7D9479-1DE5-4EDA-B200-BFCB7124AEFA.jpeg Is there any reason to not use brass spools to balance a flywheel?

Buffalo Bill Cody named the Hotel after his Daughter Irma in 1902. The White Touring Car is certainly a Model T era vehicle. The license plate suggests 1913.
BfaloBll.jpg

I had the honor of driving John, the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July parade in New Richmond, OH. He told me he was a replacement pilot on 7 different carriers in the pacific. He flew on one carrier unil permamant replacements for lost pilots were installed, then he would go to another carrier. He had a great time and I took him for about a 5...

I am planning on removing the brake band to inspect the lining due to some brake chattering I’m dealing with right now. I am not used to replacing quick change bands but when I put this car back together I installed them because I didn’t want to go through removing a hogs head unless I absolutely have to. So my first question is how do you keep...

I have a '24 coupe and the window regulators (risers) are basically frozen. My Model T Doctor tells me that the only quality replacements are for the last years '26 and '27. For earlier closed cars there is little available, the replacements are Chinese junk and the parts needed are simply not available. Surely somebody in the world does early...

Hello All,
I am in possession of an original wooden truck bed. I recently realized that it is for a model T truck after believeing it was an old wagon bed for my entire life. I happened to see a vehicle with a reproduction bed on it recently and immediately knew what I had. It has been in our barn since the late 50s at least. I am not a model T...

I just bought a brand new radiator from Berg's. It was delivered today! It looks really nice. You can tell the quality is very high. There was an issue with the supplier who was making the necks for the radiator but Gery was able to finally get them made. I knew it was going to be a bit of an extra wait but I didn't mind since the weather hasn't...

Can anyone share with me the instructions for installing side curtains. Dlhort1955@juno.com or fax to 262-250-0455. Thank u.

Here is a link to the video in the title which by the way “stars” a noted Model T Man from Kansas:

I’m looking to purchase a Chicago Mark E auxiliary transmission. Tmorsher@icloud.com to reach me. Thanks!

Although my four-door is not quite ready for the road but it will be soon, I plan to drive the car quite a bit with overnight stays and I’m wondering how safe is the car in the hotel parking lot, has anyone had any experiences with the car being stolen or something?

Many years ago I had a Stromberg OF rebuilt by Stan, thinking I would use it on a car at a later date. Well last week while getting my car ready for the 4th of July parade I took my manifolds off to change the gaskets, and had a little accident - I dropped the intake manifold with the OF carb. that I had been running for the last 45years and broke...

I’m am looking for opinions about “Wizard” spark plugs.
I have a box of NOS plugs and want to know what others experiences are with them.
I will be running them in a speedster that has electronic ignition and also wondering what I should gap them at.
Thanks,
Scott Elliott
6AA5D455-D4DD-42B3-8140-5093B43D236D.jpeg...

I have had this tool for quite a while and did not realize it was an available tool made especially for Ford Dealers.
Found the info in Model T Ford Service Bulletin Essentials page 327. 07CD335F-6EBE-46D9-96C4-F609F45327B1.jpeg

Exhaust wrap and a heat shield. Helps a lot.
Just did a maintenance check this morning. Almost no lint in the transmission screen and bands have seated nice with no further adjustments needed. Greased and oiled everything. All set for a nice ride.

Today I drove my '25 touring to the gas station to top off the tank because I want to drive it to church tomorrow morning and my parish is located on a VERY steep hill and I'm not very good at driving straight in reverse yet.

After I filled up and spent the next 10 minutes answering questions, I started her up and she was making a loud...

I'm prepping my rebuilt engine to get it ready to install in my T. I went to put my New Day timer on and have a question. Since the engine came from the rebuilder without a timer, I don't know which way to put the brush on the camshaft. Since the hole for the retainer pin goes all the way thru it's possible to install the brush 180 degrees off....

Recent discussion on the forum prompts a question:

There are a couple things about Model T Fords that do not make sense to me. Considering the fact that generally speaking, Henry Ford took great strides toward inexpensiveness if that's a word,....there might be a good reason that I've just never heard, but why would Henry put 30 x 3 tires on the...

When the Model T was in its infancy and there were very few motorized vehicles on the road where did you buy gasoline?

Beautiful day to tour. Had to dodge a family of geese, and we used to be able to drive out on the pier in the other picture, its the part thats under water to the right of the lamp poles. Been under about 6 inches of water since May with record high levels on lake Erie as well as the other Great Lakes. Posting from my phone so they're gonna be...

Climb under the T this afternoon to tighten a nut holding the muffler to the frame that had come loose and was rattling. Found this mess. is this normal?

Hope you have a great one and never foget those who fought and died for our freedom.

Have always heard of ‘trigger finger’ but now Throttle Finger!

Had to visit the dr. after recent mountain tour. Think this developed by the constant use of the ring finger only for throttling up and down steep winding roads in North Carolina. :(

Am a mostly flat lander tourer, so the throttle lever is left in one place, but this tour was...

Puzzled by commutator problem Normally on Model T’s I find top dead center on number one piston. Then adjust spark advance on steering column 3 pegs down and adjust commutator to fire. On this non starter car, number one fires at top dead center but moving the commutator back and forth by the lever on the steering column does not turn it off! It...

I want to take off the aluminum hogshead and convert to a starter. Do I make a 6 volt system or a12 volt. I know this has been discussed in detail before, but, should I buy 6 or 12 volt converted starter. Lighting and accessories would work better on 12 volts but would kill my bendix after a while. Most us old farts would rather just turn a key,...

Howard Gustavson passed away last week. He was editor of the MTFCI Model T Times for over 30 years and a fixture on the annual tours. Here is the obit.

HOWARD GODFREY GUSTAVSON

On Wednesday, June 26, 2019, Howard Godfrey Gustavson, of Boca Raton, Florida, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away at age 91.

Howard was born March 22,...

I have been having trouble search the Forum for things I want to read about. If the item of the search is only one word, it works OK. But... if I'm looking for a two word item, the search comes back with each word individually. This generally included a lot of stuff that is not wanted. For example, If I were to search for Rod Bolt, I would get...

Does anyone have the contact information for Ron Patterson? I need my coils rebuilt. Thanks.

Things were going so good.... After a long delay I finally got the wheels back on my 1917 T today (not the tires, they're next.) Spinning the wheels after I snugged the bearings, I noticed the left front had a little wobble. When measured with a ruler it varies about 1/4 inch. My car has 30 x 3.5 demountables with wooden spokes.

What I need to...

Hi,

I am restoring a 1910 Model t Touring and the bodyshop are going to repaint the wooden body.

Its probably been repainted back in the 1980's and has splits in the wood IMG_2525.JPG
IMG_2521.JPG

I am not sure if they need to use paint stripper and take all the old paint off back to the wood or seal the cracks with epoxy?

Any advice...

I am restoring a Presto-Lite tank and have some questions and need some help. I have a tank with the raised letters that say Prest -o-Lite . The tank has a valve on the end that is to one side of the tank. Does this valve go on the bottom, top, left or right side when mounted on the running board? Did all Presto-Lite tanks have a stencil on them?...

A little off topic but good for a laugh. You can only assume a Model T as the culprit.

Can anyone tell me which of the pullers in this pic is a T hub puller. Maybe they both are. How much of this tool collection is Model T? I have a chance to buy them all but mostly concerened about the pullers.
Screenshot_2019-07-01-11-37-10~3.png

and are wondering if it’s a lack of grease, or something worse . . Any thoughts ?

There must be a story about this one. 20729.jpg

Apologies if this is a repost, but I saw this for first time via a link posted by THF.

Model T footage is first but brief. At the 2:00 minute mark blocks are being stamped with engine #, and just after that differential assemblies are being completed by a guy with a big hammer. I'm curious if any of you know what is being hammered in that...

IMG_20190620_123419386.jpg IMG_20190620_123511308 (1).jpg IMG_20190620_123728583.jpg _DSC6336.jpg IMG_20190621_141249729.jpg
Motor from 1910 Ford racing car

I am getting ready to order the rear straps for the new top on my 09 Touring and all I find listed have a D ring to mount to the car but mine should mount to the buggy rail. I thought about just cutting the ring off but then they would be short and not fit. Anyone got any pictures of the way they mount to the rail? Where do you find the right rear...

Hey,

How many of y'all are following the youtube channel of the Model t fords group crossing USA from ocean to ocean?

They are 16 days in, I think the lady filming said it is a 30 day trip.

Very cool

Thanks

It’s one of the nicest (in my eyes) brass rad streamlined cars I have seen.

But I can only find this photo.

Hi,

I'm looking for anyone close to Nampa idaho that has a 1913 Runabout, I have some questions and would like to be able to visit and see in person if possible.

Best

Anyone on here drive their t to the top of Mt evans in Colorado? If so was it a good ride, easy for a t or low pedal? did you have to adjust carb for altitude?

You are traveling with my good friends John and Thelma Huitt and they are representing Australia on this tour. They send me their photos and I post them with a slideshow app.

Enjoy
Rod

HELP, Does anyone no where I can get a gas tank for a 1920 roadster (now a pickup). Lang's, Snyder's and Mac's are all back ordered.

We are about to put the new wiring in and would like to drive it down the road.

Sunny skies, Jed

Does anybody know what 6v bulb the old Do-Ray clearance lights used? These are sort of a beehive style light. Also what would be a 12v with the same base?

Hi Folks. I'm on a search for an aluminum .005 oversize timing gear. I understand the gear manufacturer for the usual parts dealers is serionuisly behind in production. Langs estimates a lengthy wait for order fulfillment. Got any suggestions??

Bit of a head-scratcher tonight: I gave my T two pulls on choke to prime it, noting nothing unusual other than a little wheezing through the #4 plug threads, then hit the switch and went to pull it for a start. To my surprise the engine was locked up tight. No give, no play, just zero rotation. I gave it a good, smooth pull as hard as I could and...

My '12 radiator needs a good core cleaning... It's too hot too quick :(
What recommendations do y'all have?
Thank you!

This question is asked of those who have a lot of experience under their belt.

How many hours should it take to re-assemble a T short block AFTER all machining has
been completed. I ask this question so as to get a better idea of the cost
involved. I have taken the engine completely apart and will pay seperately to have
the babbitting done. I...

I'm finally getting around to painting my luggage rack. I still had a quart each of rusty metal printer and gloss black enamel. Both from Rustoleum. I've already sprayed the primer (5:2 with acetone). Normally, for brush application, they recommend 24 hours before recoating or top coating. I'm wondering what effect the acetone does to the cure...

If you want to watch the daily video's go to youtube and type in SweetTing. You might have to play around to see all of them, but they are there. It looks like everyone has made it this far. Now all they have to do is get over the mountains. I think it was the day before yesterday that they drove about 270 miles. Try that in your car.

I am a relatively new model t owner of a 1925 open touring model t. I recently had the engine and transmission over hauled/rebuilt I just recently brought it out of winter storage. it started right up and runs fine until a load is applied. No problem in reverse but when trying to go forward the engine dies. I tried it several times and never was...