MTFCA Forum

I dropped off Miss Mary Ann’s Model T in the St. Louis, Missouri area on Sunday.

It is a 1922 Touring that her husband restored before he passed away but has sat idle for several years.

She needs help getting it running again and could use driving lessons ..., ;)

If you live in the St. Louis, Missouri area and can help her get the family Model...

I ordered enough material to make the rear flap for the Martin Parry cab. Can I use the clear plastic made to protect the glass in sand blasting cabinets? Its flexible and tuff. I need to determine the size of window if possible. Maybe Tim Morsher will know the size and shape.

I am posting this in case anyone else runs into this issue not a knock to the product.

Don had a Genuine Nu-Rex regulator on his car. At the end of the parade on Saturday he had a full out blowing fuses short. He brought me the generator to check it out as it was the last thing that could be the cause. What I found was when I put the generator...

Any pitfalls on getting a Himico trans going again - unobtainable bearings, common problems, etc.? I suspect I know the answer, but any chance anyone has a spare clutch pedal or shifter taking up space on a shelf? Has anyone found a suitable replacement shifter - i.e., another brand that happens to fit? I think a ford clutch pedal could probably...

Does anyone know if the seat springs were originally painted ? mine were so rusty that I could not tell, so am installing new ones and wondering if they should be painted first. Thanks

Been collecting parts for years to build up a period correct era boat, trailer, and motor. My Dear Ole Dad restored the vintage appropriate gear so the project begins. This Baby will be towed behind my 1927 Roadster Pick Up. All are in the works, but I am older and getting slower.

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DSC00454.jpg...

I should know this already, but.......

If the transmission is in neutral.......handbrake lever back, but rear brakes NOT engaged.......will the service brake (pedal) still operate and stop the car?

newbie vic here again...every time i check the small magnet in the transmission filter basket there is a bunch of metallic fuzzy stuff clinging to it.i suspect that i'm just being a fussbuget about this but it nags on me.i'm a freak for clean oil and change oil every 30 hours of run time..(got an hour meter for this purpose) but all that ferrous...

the quadrant on my wife's 27 touring has gotten pretty toothless and i need to replace it. i guess it was originally bolted or pinned in somehow but somebody welded the riviets (how the hell is rivit spelled???( with copious blobs of weld stuff on the quadrant side.i've tried a bit of hack sawing on the blobs because i can't fit any kind of cutter...

My new inner tubes have a valve stem that is larger than the hole in the rim?
Should I drill it larger or just use them as is.
I thing that the old tubes had the same problem but were installed that way.

air driven car.JPG

I wonder how that worked.
Would it have been vanes like in an air drill or impact wrench?

I do not have a metal lathe, but I do have a wood lathe that I could use. what would be the best way to smooth and clean up the surface rust on the drums?

Does anyone know how Ford would finish the wood in the bed . Oil , stain varnish or paint ? Or was it just left natural ?

Searched previous topics and vendor images and couldn't find what I would like to know. Restoring a 27 Depot Hack and under the metal hood shelf were two plywood spacer bocks with several holes in them. I want to replace with the correct thickness hardwood and it looks to me that this block should be one approx. 2 x 24 long piece with the correct...

I know a lot of you know Randall Anderson and the work he does, but for those who may not know, I am posting photos of a 1909 Kingston Coil box with his completely built set of coils he recently completed for me. He would not send them until he was satisfied with the quality, and as you can see, it is first class. The work is impeccable and I...

Any ideas what this is. It's pretty small and light.

My stepson just moved to Goodyear and offered me a permanent parking place for one of my old cars. (No the T stays in Calif) What is the yearly registration cost of an antique car in AZ? If you need more info, it will probably be my 61 Metropolitan if I accept his offer.

Thanks

Hello all,

I just started the rebuild of an unknow engine.
Here is what I found on the crankshaft.
I am wondering what should be done with the fourth rod and the weights welded on the crankshaft?
The camshaft seemed to be grinded. How can I be sure about the way it was done? (will post photos of it later)

Thanks for some advice.

Andre
Belgium

I’m thinking of buying a new radiator apron for my ’27 Touring. The old apron has no crank thimble in it and no holes for a trim strip. It rattles like crazy. Both the Lang’s and Schneider’s catalogs mention that a hole must be drilled in the new apron, but I’m confused about where to drill it and don’t want to mess it up.
Thanks in advance, all...

Absolutely the best swap meet in Northern California ! Looking forward to meeting other Forum members there. I should be setup in the same spot as last year.

Here's a link to the club's website on the up coming swap meet

I am replacing the drive shaft bushing and u joint in my 26 Roadster. I would like your opinion on how to measure the .002 to .003 clearance needed between the u joint and the drive shaft bushing. With everything in the drive shaft tube I don’t see an easy, or hard, way to make an accurate measurement. I was considering putting a piece of solder...

Getting a 1918 car that has been sitting at least 45 years zero compression zero spark zero fuel Thanks for The suggestion of checking the fuel filter Now to go to a tractor supply and clean everything out and get a new filter or two

Working on adjusting the clutch on my '22 after new back brakes (car not running when purchased) so here's what I am getting:

1. I adjusted the brake rods to be sure the back wheels spin freely when handbrake is vertical and firm when brake is pulled back.

2. However, when the car is running, the engine labors when hand-brake is pulled back and...

I hung my front axle back on yesterday and have a question. How tight should the castings fit on the balls on the tie rod and pitman arm? Also, what do you suggest for lube?

Hello, I recently found a universal joint at a flea market and bought it as a novelty to clean. After cleaning, I found a Ford marking, and did some googling which brought me here. Is it possible to tell the year or type of vehicle/engine this part was used in? It is marked on various parts Ford T49
T45

Ujoint 5.jpg
Ujoint 3.jpg
Ujoint...

Received my U&J carburetor rebuilt by Stan Howe this afternoon. It looks great and I’m anxious to “give it the gas.” Stan has said he is slowing down in his rebuilding business and I’m thankful he was able to complete mine before hangs up the towel.

In the UK you used to see Running in. Please pass signs on the rear of new cars as they drove slowly during their running in period.
I am putting my engine (1918) back in my tourer after a complete overhaul (rebore + rebabbeting) and I am wondering about running in . What should I do once I have the engine running again?
Colin.

visitation for willie cordes is 10am-12pm saturday at the funeral home in Schulenburg. Then graveside services out in Freyburg to follow. If it doesnt rain the boys jeff and luke will drive their Dad to the cemetery on the modle T truck.

Great photograph of the Detroit Gas Company Building in 1908 ... Shorpy this morning.
Is the runabout in front of the bicycle a Ford? :?:
First cup of coffee so eyes may still be off center too. :)

Link to the photograph:

New piston rings, new coils new wiring new carb BUT NO FUEL FLOW Before I installed the carb on a car that has been sitting for 45 years plus I put fuel in the tank ( 5 gallons) to flush the lines. Carb is off Copper fuel line has and gate valve on 1/8? inch copper line. Buy no fuel flow out the line to carb. Put high pressure air at carb intake...

This Friday night at 9 Eastern time there will be a CBS Sunday Morning Primetime special called “No Exit,” that they describe as
driven by our love of the automobile, from the perils of commuting and gridlock, to future technologies behind the wheel. AIRS FRIDAY, MAY 17, AT 9 P.M. ET/PT, 8 P.M. CT, ON CBS.

One segment will feature a discussion...

Hello together,
I use Aluminium Pistons in my 26 Roadster with .040 oversize and the Grand Rings for Aluminium Pistons .040. The standard Gap for the rings is 0.004-inch per inch of diameter of the cylinder. That means 0.004 x 3.790 = 0,015.
My question is now, what is the maximum accept gap for this combination? is 0,024 to much???

Thanks from...

Does the clamp face away from the cam or toward it? :?: I do not remember. :oops: What is the torque for the bolt? Thanks,MEL.

I am about done installing a left hand shifter in my 1921 touring. I have not driven it yet using the ruckstell (there was no shift rod when i got it). Before taking it on the road i would like to check to be sure the geometry of the shift rod is right and that it shifts properly. My question is can i run it on jack stands to see if all is right?

I have shackles off of a 15 and I went to several machine shops to get them built up and they said they could not do it . What do you suggest, buy new ones ? :?: MEL.

Hello Folks - I've taken an interest in what was described as a RHD Model T Landaullette. It is a 1915 model and is a Canadian built car, but it went to Australia. So, it may not quite conform to the US built spec if it was custom built there. I wouldn't like to spend the next ten years describing it incorrectly and I seem to have turned up very...

Hi guys. 26 Roadster with rebuilt engine and trans. I have been chasing a vibration above 37 mph for a couple of years now. Yeah I know. It takes some of us longer than others haha. I pulled the rear end out today to look at the u joint and bushing. One question is the u joint slides on the pins. It also pivots nicely but slides on them. All four...

On the last tour had all kinds of problems that could have put me on the trouble truck. I avoided all of them. Without getting into details, one issue had me regapping the points and plugs. Upon trying to to Remove the spark plug from #2, it failed to budge. Literally no movement with a 18” wrech and all my massive biceps effort! Recall that I had...

The front axle I've been using on my 1915 runabout is bent enough to deserve replacement. I've found one that has good threads and is nice and straight. Rods through the spindle holes line up perfectly. I intend to use it whether it's correct or not, but I'm curious about its vintage. After checking the restoration guidelines and the Rodda books...

When did the switch changed from 4 rivit to 2 rivit ? :?: MEL

The Mother Lode Model T Club Swap meet is just a few weeks away. We hope to see you there .

Somewhere on this forum I read a variety of opinions of what lubricants to use in the engine, gears, ruckstell etc.
What do you use and what should I shy away from? Thanks, Bob

I have customer engine I am working on with about 2500 miles on it since a Scat stroker with Scat new insert rods were installed with rebuild. No oil pump. Egge pistons, STD. Bore.
1. Piston pins have wear at the rod bushings, about 5 to 10 K. Pistons bushings fine.
2. Is it needed to grind the Scat rods to clear the cam?
3. Does anyone know of a...

Hi all, just got a 22 touring running after many years of storage. With lots of electrical connection cleaning, new fluids, and battery, it fired up and ran great with a little coaxing.

I would like to flush the radiator, the former owner suggested using CLR. It's the stuff normally used for porcelain surfaces. Has anyone had first hand...

What are the proper fasteners for a 1922-23 two man top body irons front and back? Are they carriage bolts? If so what size? I see these:

Are they the ones?

-- IV

Now that I have my steering gear case and control arms separated, I found pitting in the cover and control arms. Is this something that can be smoothed out by a nickel plating company or should I look for an un-pitted set. The gear case is brass so there is no problem with that. Also, I need any recommendations as to who does a good job of nickel...

Good morning everyone, it’s Mitch here :D
Out and about in my 1925 Ford Model T touring yesterday, making videos as usual –
… But this time with a new toy in my video making arsenal… The DJI Mavic Pro Platinum drone, we see the Model T from a whole new angle!

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I'm looking to buy a roadster pickup. I'm trying to learn as much as I can before buying one.

I'm looking for pictures of what this area behind the cab would look like on a roadster pickup that came from the factory as a pickup vs. a roadster with a trunk.
I find it easy to think Ford wouldn't bother to make 2 different rear panels (one with...

I sent a U & J carbuertor to Stan for rebuilding a year ago February. I sent along an aluminum offset manifold that hadn’t had the mounting holes drilled. Anxious to get it back for driving this year but fully know he is not doing as much rebuilding work these days, so it will come home when he gets to it on his schedule. Kinda hard to know what...

Back in 2018 there was a good discussion of balancing beads. I just finished installing beads in my 30 x 3.5 tubes and thought I'd share my experience for others that might be thinking of doing it. First of all, it took almost a half-hour per tube to put in six ounces of Counteract beads. What I did was get a mustard squeeze bottle from the dollar...

Modal T part what is it? 723DCEDE-0658-4414-B30F-9805795F8C9D.jpeg

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Well I have had an interesting time revitalizing a Model T 1918 that has not been run for at least 45 years. You need good compression, good coils and timing and fuel to run. This car has ZERO compression, a rusted carb, bad coils, jury rigged spliced non ford wiring etc etc. Well it did have good tires and wheels, fair body ( touring) and the...

Hey everyone first time posting on here I’m in the process of restoring a 20 coupe and need pics of the interior door pulls or handles also window straps what keeps them from falling in the door thanks for all the help. Willing to buy a correct set of interior handles or pulls if anyone has a set available Thanks Dale

Nice exposure for the Model T but a few things off mark. Anyone else catch this article?

Although been following this forum for quite some time have been making too many post. Anyhow I ran across some photos I had grabbed from the antique engine forum I frequent daily. Thought they might be enjoyed here although they may have already appeared here in the past. The 2 garage shots are very interesting. Some neat things to be seen if you...

What voltage should you get with an analog A/C voltmeter at the mag pickup point when cranking? I’m looking at a non running car that has sat for years and wondering if mag is functional. There maybe other simple test, and open for ideas. Thanks

I have tightened the nut holding the muffler to the engine, the threads seem to be fine but when the TT runs it vibrates,loosens and eventually unscrews. There was a part in the 2015 catalogue, (thanks Tom) 306IL Exhaust pack nut locking clamp that is not online it seems. What have you done to keep the brass nut from loosening?

Seventeen years ago I was cut off in traffic three blocks from my home while driving my 1919 model T. I had a choice between oncoming traffic or quickly making a hard left turn at the intersection. I chose the turn ... and flipped the car over sending my passenger flying across the intersection onto a lawn. I stayed with the car falling between...

Hi folks!
I own a building in the small town of Jefferson, SC, and we have this old picture of the town that everybody cherishes... I wish I had a higher resolution scan but this is from a postcard... if you click it it should get larger. Anyways, this picture is always listed as being from 1925, but I have reason to believe it's from earlier...

Tomorrow I get a electric spinal cord stimulator installed. This is similar to a pacemaker. My concerns are can I drive a T and can I still use my arc welder? Any one have any experience or knowledge of this? If this solves my back pain, I can continue restoring My latest T project.

These guys seemed to know how to have fun with a cut-off Model T.
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A 1915? with demountable rims and a Firestone on the rear.

I am looking for some close up photos of the figure eight shaped brass (or brass plated) eyelets, for the top straps, that mount to the pivot bolt on the later 1912 windshield. I would also like to get some basic dimensions. They are missing on my 1912 touring and unless someone knows of a source for them, it looks like I will need to make them....

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I am replacing my early to mid April (?) firewall on my 1912 slab side bodied touring. Looking for the correct location of the firewall to windshield bolt holes. The current firewall on the car is not original so I can't rely on it for correct dimensions (especially considering all the other things that are wrong with...

With only a week away, the weather for Luray is shaping up to be PERFECT!! Mostly sunny and 71 for Friday and 79 on Saturday. Bring your sunscreen and a hat because the sun will be strong. After last years washout, looks like the swap-meet gods are gonna smile down on us. :)

Just need battery and ammeter 7BF74E7A-3EAE-4579-A69C-119312D70064.jpeg

Hello Model T-ers,

Our June 3rd GOLDEN GATE TOUR (Marin County San Francisco) is only 3 weeks away and it's shaping up to be an engaging three and a half days. Please send your tour fee in to reserve your spot and also have the Mill Valley Travel Lodge transfer your reservation from my name to yours. All contact information is within the Tour...

I have a Frontenac head I will be using on an engine that has a Model 'A' crankshaft. I don't recall the model of the Fronty but it is the one that came in Truck, Touring, and Speedster versions. It has been a long time since I looked it up but SR comes to mind.
I will be using a Winfield carb and the engine is fitted with the high compression...

Hi,
Some of the vendors offer Pedal Boot sets.
Large sets have a boot for the brake lever as well, but because I have RHD cars, I'm thinking of buying a small set (pedals only) for my Speedster .
Could you tell me...... how do they fix to the floor?
Or are they just fitted around the pedals and left to float about on the floor, depending on...

I love finding Model T era accessories !

This has mystified me (not unusual). What is it? This is one of the remaining Ford Special racer drawings (1910-1912) at Benson Library (THF). In addition to drawings for an oil and gas cap (the tank behind the seats included reservoirs for oil and gas) is this drawing with the listing Gastank Nozzle Flange. To the right of the drawing is written...

It was a real struggle to get the steering gear case out of the steering column, now I need to know the best way to get the control shafts out of the gear case. The photos show the four areas that are bent over the shafts to hold them in place. They appear so delicate that if I try to pry them, they will break off. Can someone who has done this...

Larry lost your email, please send me a email. Thanks Dan.

This is a carry on of my other post;

assembled one wheel to see how the first group fit;
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These are the 2ed group that I did tonight;
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In the jig to turn tenon;
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The Beardsleys Cider Mill show for Model Ts and As is tomorrow in Shelton, CT starting at 9am. If you are in the area you really should go. It’s a great show and a lot of fun and the weather forecast is looking great! I will be there!

I'm heading up to Luray tomorrow instead of Sat. The weather forecast is 20% rain Fri and 70% on Sat. Is there much stuff up there on Fridays? I won't leave Lexington till close to 12:00 and it's a 2-3 hr drive. So I hope they aren't packing up before I get a chance to look around.

This is from the March, 1954 Ford Times.

A common them in oil posts is to not use oil with graphite in it.

How can you tell if the oil you're thinking of using DOES have graphite in it?

A T at home in the wide open spaces.
Praire.jpg

I like to run Kingston's on my T's as a tribute to my Dad who worked at the Kingston plant in Kokomo for 26 years but today I pulled the leaking carb off the 09 and it said Ford NH on the tag. Turns out the drain was open a little and the carb looked like new and it runs good so I put it back on. I am not an expert on carb's so I ask the experts...

Are any model t vendors planning to attend the Gilmore swap meet and car show?

I just got these and they are factory made with the original separate windows, they look to be the sides for a California top, any ideas if this is what they are? Bob

My question is this.
My T started to run very poorly last year, so I decided to put in a set of new aluminum pistons. I honed out the cylinders and the walls measured stock. With that said, I replaced the original valves with the new type. ( Non-adjustable)
Now that have it back together, it’s very hard to start and when it does start, it runs...

Fired up a long slumbering T today (about 15-18years) and oil was flowing down both sides of the hogshead from behind the crankcase. I checked the mag post and head-gasket and both were dry. It was coming from where my finger is pointing and down to the corners of the engine pans creating little oil lakes in the corners.

My guess is that I'll...

Thought I’d start a new thread with some Ruckstell questions. I’ve only done a couple over the years and the last one was a complete NOS original Ruckstell kit that had been squirreled away since made. That one was pretty easy.( still , lots of work !) I’ve got about 3 years on it now and I always wished I would have installed some zerk fittings...

Last winter I won off Ebay some spoke blanks for my 21 wheels. I have turned the tenons but am at a loss on doing the hole. I am coming up with 2-3/16 on the hub where the spokes sit. I have a jig built to put the spokes in to mark for length that I could use, but 2-3/16 is not a normal hole saw size. I just need to put a curve on the end not take...

Luray Swap Meet, Just a week away. Hope many can attend. I will be bringing a set of repro fenders, and misc '20-'27 parts. I may bring a few early V8 parts as well.

I have a 1915 Touring with the original head. I had the motor and transmission rebuilt about 4 years, alum. pistons, scat crank, stainless valves & seats, etc. Yesterday when I drained and refilled the radiator some accidentally splashed into the 1st and 2nd spark plug dimples on the head. When I started to crank the motor I saw bubbling around...

My question is this.
My T started to run very poorly last year, so I decided to put in a set of new aluminum pistons. I honed out the cylinders and the walls measured stock. With that said, I replaced the original valves with the new type. ( Non-adjustable)
Now that have it back together, it’s very hard to start and when it does start, it runs...

Still learning the Model T. My '15 engine needs rebuilt so I plan to put a '17 engine in for a while. Are there any issues doing that i should be aware of? I heard the '17 had a higher head. Will that cause any issues connecting to my brass radiator?

Appreciate any experienced input.

David

Hello Fellow MTFCA members,

I think that my 1924 Touring (w/ 27 engine and drivetrain) broke its crankshaft on the National Tour in Buellton CA last week. It made a horrible solid-metal-on-solid-metal sound while cruising in high gear. I immediately pulled over. The engine had already shut itself down. I pulled the spark plugs and am able to turn...

I took a 35-mile drive today and the last half a mile was up a steep, rutted and rocky road when my 26 Coupe quit. Flipping the key over to the battery it started immediately, but when switched back to mag it quit again. I managed to get to our destination on battery and when starting for home after lunch it was the same scenario. However, down...

Picked this up with T parts.
What does it fit.

Some years ago a guy was reproducing an overhead valve head, does anyone know who this guy is? He also made a dual overhead cam model T head too that I saw running at the 100th anniversary in Indiana.

Installing the roof covering kit. Not sure how the front flap is to be installed at the corners. Do I cut it? Pictures anyone?

After painting my 26 roadster pickup I am installing the body back on the frame. When I took it apart there was wood in odd places between the frame and body. Things really didn’t line up right either . Does the body bolt directly to the frame or should there be some type of spacer like a rubber washer? Thank you for any input on this.

I am looking for a source for the square headed bolts, nuts with their sizes that were used for the chassis on the model T along with locations where used. I am currently working on a 1924 but would be interested in any source for any years. I have the two volumes of the parts identification guide, but he only references the early Ts 1909-1914 in...