MTFCA Forum

A Minnsota photo near Lake Minnetonka.

I'm considering installing either an I or E timer on my crank-start '14. Any comments or advice would be appreciated. Thanks : Bruce

I don't care much for reproduction parts. Why? Because most of the time whoever made them cut corners, and didn't do it correctly. One recent example. Pre 1921 fan blades. The reproduction blades are very nice, except the ends are not convex as original. They went to so much trouble to do what they did, why didn't they finish it up?
Many years ago...

It is well known that the windshield can pop out at the top of the firewall and mine did. This caused significant rips in the top which got worse and worse until I really need a new top. Before I enter that endeavor I want to learn how to prevent it from happening again.

The Brackets are different between the engine side and the passenger side of...

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So filling up today noted the cardboard pieces are pretty well spent and would like to replace them. This is a 26 Fordor and mine are in two pieces (picture 3).

Putting them together as when under the seats the width is approx 16 3/4 and the length is approx 31 1/4 . I did not see replacements for these in the various auto parts catalogs I have,...

Hi, I'm rebuilding my starter and need to solder the bushing with babbitt but can't find any solder salt to seal the housing.

Is there any place that sells a small block of babbitt material? Thank.

In need of a new cable but only Langs carries them and they don’t know when they’ll get them in.
Suggestions please.
Thanks

Some years ago, a fellow club member had a T with a rebuilt differential that screamed like a fire truck siren. Well while flicking through some Canadian service bulletins, I learnt that in mid 1923 that Canadian T's had changed the diff gears, it seems that mixing with older ones was not a good idea, parts books also confirm the change. but I...

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I have my new drums bushed, balanced and mounted on the flywheel. Progress is slower this time around with no deadline. Had to take a break to watch some collegiate summer ball.

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Andy

Yesterday I drove my 1927 coupe 7 miles for the first time in six months. Question 1: At times, the engine backfired and coupe lurched badly in high gear. What are the main causes of backfiring?

Question 2: I checked the temperature of the upper part of the radiator. It was 214F. The temp of the head was 214F. The temperature of the exhaust...

Cleaning up some demountable rims prior to installing tubes, flaps and tires and don't see a down side to spraying the underside of the rims with a under coating rattle can or bed liner rattle can to prevent or reduce not only corrosion to the rim, but to provide a little more slip to the tube and flap during assembly. I will probably mask off the...

Today I made my first attempts to solder Babbitt on an old bearing shell. Has anyone done this and can give me some tips?
I would like to fix the axial play of the crankshaft on my engine.

greetings from Switzerland

Here is movement of a 2PC floating main shaft.
To allow alignment of 4th main.

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Now to the other side.
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Adding picture to some you where movement is.
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Just thought yous guys would like to see. Dan

I know that model As used both copper and zinc plated covers on cutouts up through about February 1929. Late model Ts use the same cutout, but where their covers copper or zinc plated also?

I rebuild generators and refurbish original cutouts. I'll use copper cutouts on some early model A generators, but would like to know if I can use them on...

To what purpose might this modified T generator have been put?
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Allan from down under.
There is a similar socket on the other side marked 230v ac.

Is there any state in America I can still buy Centari paint. I could get it in California until a year ago.

Howdy folks.

I often run Motocraft F 11 plugs and would like to use a knurled nut. does anyone know the thread size and pitch at the top of the plug? A web search failed to find such details.

Maybe someone knows where I can buy such a thing? Perhaps I'll need to buy something smaller and tap it.

I know it's just cosmetics but I would like to do...

I routinely capture information on given topics and nicely put it in proper folders for later recall. As I was looking through my carburetor folder I found the text below. I suspect I got this from the forum but I don't really know. I would love to know who wrote it, there are some details I haven't seen before. It is clear to me that I don't have...

Today’s forecast did not look promising for the downtown parade. Predictions and radar were showing heavy rain almost up to the 10 am start time.
Since I was leaving from Sam Atkinson’s house, 25 miles from the starting point, we had to decide to go or not. The decision not to go had been made and as I was heading to my truck to leave, the rain...

Emergency brake rod from handle to pawl question
are the 2 lengths very early to late I have a few and one is 12 the other 13 1/2 Bob

I have always relied on the outward flare on the sides of the high shells to easily differentiate them from the low shells where the sides are square to the front panel. It is my belief that all the high shells have the same flared out sides, but in a recent wanted ad thread it was indicated that the earlier high steel shells were different from...

By now we all know that beginning in December of 1925, engine serial numbers were also stamped on the frame. Does this include trucks too, or only cars?

In June 1924, something special happened... my Model T rolled off the assembly line! In June 2024, an incredible milestone was reached, Lizzie celebrated her 100th Birthday! I decided to share the celebrations at Mid Coast Ford Motorfest, on the King's Birthday long weekend in June. This annual flagship car show is put on by the Great Lakes...

Does anyone know where I can purchase a rolling engine cradle for a 1935/36 Ford flathead engine?
Thnak you , Craig

The Michigan Department of Transportation now uses the Model T to verify roads in Amish areas can safely accommodate a horse drawn carriage. An interesting read

I went to the Old Car Festival registration page and see that registration is closed, at capacity. Since I was registering a bicycle through the Wheelmen, I hope as a member there to get to take a bike.

Gents,

This forum is such a valuable resource, I often post a question, absorb the answers, and maybe ask more. I don't always get back to thank you for all of the help.

I am about to make a few posts on different topics and thought I would say thanks in advance.

Regards

Ben L. Umberger

I have seen a post previously that listed every 26-27 exposed engine part by its paint color, but my Google search didn't turn it up. Was the Bendix cover painted gray green or black? Was the hogshead gray green or black? Was the crankcase (oil pan) gray green or black? If painted black, was it a flat black or glossier black? Someone refresh my...

Looking through a post from 2010, i saw this key.
Does anyone know the yale number for it? Or be willing to go and get one made for me?

Thanks,
Michael
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Just finishing up the top installation and was wondering if anyone had a picture of how the hide em welt finishes up with the top right at the cab bucket armrest? I know it terminates with a buckle tip. Here’s a couple pictures of where my installation sits leading up to that spot before final fastening, trimming and hide em welt. I’ve tapped and...

I'm remotely helping a newbie with his TT, It had no Cab so he has made that, made a nice deck and he's got it running but no reverse or low gear band contact.
My cars are rugged up for the winter and I dont want to dig one out, I know the band adjuster locations are different on the right hand drive Hogshead.
Which ones are on the outside...

Was wondering if anyone can help me ID this Ford Script key? Thank you. ~Bryan

Got some new to me front fenders for the WWI ambulance which will get scuffed up and painted OD lusterless gree top and bottom. Paint with air compressor spray gun. I usually like to hang parts and spray both sides at once, but am leery of getting runs on top side of fender if I hang it by running board holes or frame flap holes. I'm thinking...

Hi - I picked up this frame with a TT truck chassis last week. Was wondering if this frame is a very early t frame as it has no ears on the rear cross member (frame on the right). Other frame has the rear cross member cut off. It seems to be in good shape and still has some paint on it. Let me know what you think.
Thanks. Neil

I live in Arizona and am an active member of three clubs in the Phoenix area. However, I have family in Illinois in the Bradley, Bourbonnais, and Kankakee areas south of Chicago. I'm interested to know if there are local clubs nearby and/or Model T and Model A enthusiasts to contact. My wife and I may be spending more time here in the future and...

There is a 26/27 T listed on Facebook that the seller says it was once owned by someone named Dewey Stanford that was well regarded in the T world back around the 80's. Does that name ring a bell?

I'm not an electrical guy, so I don't want to hook up the battery until I'm sure...
Is there supposed to be continuity to ground on this starter post?

Thinking about parting out a 11 Touring/Runabout I have and doing it at Hershey. I know Hagerty built a truck there a few years ago. I maybe going the other way. Any interest?

The fuel valve on my 27 Roadster has gotten impossible to turn off or on. Before I installed it about 4 years ago I lapped the brass valve with lapping compound and it’s worked great, easily turned and no leaks. Well I still have no leaks but it’s very stiff. Will it need to be lapped every so often to keep it operating?

Recent trip on the fire trails in the Sierras. Enjoy.

Yes, I knew better. A got a late hogshead that had letter pedals installed. I was told it was rebuilt and o ringed. I should have been more thorough when I found it wasn’t o ringed but I was in a hurry to get my car assembled. The low speed notch and support were well worn and I over tightened the Kevlar band trying to get a good pedal. Now I’ll...

Hi all,
Can someone tell me what is the correct length of the bolts that secure the intake and exhaust manifolds to the engine block? Thanks,
John

Hi all,
Does anybody know the best way to remove the peened over pin that holds the brake cam on? I've tried drilling, hammering, heat, and using my 20 ton press to no avail.
What's the secret???
Thanks,
John

Hey all,

I just bought my third T. And the first one that wasn't a serious project. I've always wanted a brass era car and saw this torpedo come up and just couldn't pass on it. Its amazing how these things tend to multiply when left alone in the pole barn. Or that's my story to my wife. The seller didn't have a history on it, but it seems well...

I joined the MTFCA yesterday, How long does it take to get a member number?

I just bought the coil box for the 1912 from market place which was brought to light in the classified ads When I looked it up it was marked 250 dollars so I snapped it up it is missing the nuts that hold the coils in, can anyone post a picture of what they look like. Thanks Colin

Last week I requested advice on how to ensure the square head spring leaf bolt (had to replace it) entered into the square front crossmember hole. I finally attached masking tape to the front spring (before installing) and front crossmember. Then drew a vertical line with a black marker onto the tapes to match location of crossmember hole and...

Since I'm working on my new to me front fenders, I noticed fenders tampa.JPG the PO had used the same black paint on the top and bottom of the fenders, but the top surface was extremely high gloss while the bottom on the fenders was flat and pitted. Presume clear coat on the exterior. But, I'm scuffing everything up and doing some minor body work...

at least 10 characters.

Notice the very light duty wire wheels in the photo. I have had these before (non demountable) and thought they were for a cycle car. They are straight edge rims without a rolled edge.

Started tearing it down for autopsy. At least I remember where everything went

Andy

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I have a Ford Dealer option vacuum wiper from 1926/27 that I’d like to get rebuilt. I made contact with Ficken Wiper Repair but they don’t rebuild pot metal wipers. Is there anyone else who offers the service?

Just a thank you to junk poor D Brown of Iowa for posting that box in the ads I would not have found it here in Canada . Thank You very much Cheers Colin

I was going to add a license plate bracket to the front the other day and when I looked I saw this. A lock washer, a washer and no cotter key. That’s not right, is it? Do I need to reinstall any washers? Just the bracket, nuts and cotter key?

It won’t let me add a picture….

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From the Early Ford Registry forum:

I’m saddened to report that longtime early Ford enthusiast, collector and author Carl Pate passed this last weekend. Many of us knew Carl well. He and Anne attended many tours, and their cars included models A, F and 1909 T. Carl was a past EFR and HCCA president, as well as accomplished early Ford author and...

I’ve don’t this a few times with no fails so far. The chunk of round brass has been machined to the shape of the cover and weighs about 3.3 lbs. I leave it in the oven for about 3 hours at 300 degrees. So far none have cracked and all have come out straight. I turn off the oven and let it cool slowly.

I want to share how I finally rebuilt my 1910 steering column. I thought about this for over a year and finally came up with a solution that worked. I started by purchasing a two piece steering gear from a 1911. My 1910 steering gear was damaged beyond repair. I also purchased a new brass quadrant, but it wasn't the same as the original, so I...

Hello,
The parts houses (Lang's, et. al) sell a T1613 bracket that I believe is correct for a 1911-12 touring (pictured.) The back has a little bit of a slope to match the contour of the body. Now I've also run across a few where the back is straight up and down, which I believe were used on roadsters up until 1913 or 1914. The sloped brackets are...

Anyone use Herm’s way of doing bands. I have wanted to and with my busted drums thinking I will.
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I got this spring. I thought I had a picture of where it goes, but I cannot find it.
I am not sure how it attaches to the brake. There is a hook hanging down from
the hand brake lever. Either the circle goes in the hook or the hook goes through
the other hook. But then where does the circle go?

I currently have a temporary...

Came across this picture of questionable material used for band lining...... Woven textile, kevlar, wood, modern auto trans molded ???????

They said they had a $20,000 check to buy a Model A Ford....... And a Model T ride...

Hi all,
My 25 touring has three holes drilled in the top of the windshield frame. None of them looks like anything was ever bolted through them. Were they there for a windshield wiper and or mirror? When were windshield wipers introduced, and/or standardized? My car has a mirror drilled through the glass. How common was that?
Thanks,
John...

The Model T gets a mention so it's not OT.

Friends - This will be my first time attending a tour, and was wondering what the terrain is like around Cadillac, MI (e.g. many big or rolling hills; or, fairly flat)? Thank you. ~Bryan

Just picked up a 4 screw brass top coil for a spare on my ‘14. If I drill 2 more holes in the brass top do I now have a 6 screw brass top coil? In other words, other than the 2 extra screws, is there a difference between the 2 coils?

With wood wheels the tire is on and holds the hub in place so you can make the nut nice and tight.

With wire wheels you install the hub and tighten the nut before you install the tires, which help provide friction. If you
try to tighten the nut the hub just turns or the hub on the other side turns.

The method I was taught is to put a long crow...

I just recently found out that we have lost two long time midwest Model T friends.

Gerry passed on April 21 of this year

Forrest joined her soon after on May 22 of this year.

We enjoyed seeing Forrest at a number of Illinois/Missouri/Iowa auctions and were on a number of tours with Forrest and Gerry.

We will miss you guys.

Ron and Linda...

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Quick question: Should the top padding inside the cover over the irons extend all the way OVER the back top iron or just up to it? Seems like running it over the bow would make a couple lumpy spots that would make putting the welt over that seam even more difficult and less flat over that bow. And I may be answering my own question!

Howdy Forum Friends,…when I was laying under the axle greasing the APCO cap over the pitman ball I saw, to my chagrin, the absence of square nut below the main spring leaf 😳 I replaced the broken bolt with a substitute purchased from a prominent T parts supplier. With all the 7 or 8 spring leaf stresses on this 5/16” bolt,… why is it only Grade 5...

I've read the old post about the order of the radiator, shell, front plate, fender, etc order of assembly, but my question is once I have all the pieces in place and all the fender hardware snug, but not tight, is there a logical tightening order to keep everything in alighnment?
It seems I will have hardware at the brace to angled bracket at the...

The Ford News was established in 1920 by the Ford Co. for various employees. It was published twice a month. They are full of Ford news f interest by employees. I have a run of them, perhaps 100- or more total. Some duplicates. I do not remember where I found them, most likely a Ford dealer. Before me I have several from 1923,24,and 25. I will...

Drove my T to work today, and all was good on the way down, all good on the way back until I got to 5 miles from my house. The car sputtered once or twice and stopped. Pulled over, checked it out, and it started right back up on battery ignition. When I turn the switch to the mag it just dies, and even jiggling it, it doesn't change. I know the...

Auxiliary transmission included in a Model T for sale near me. What is it and worth?

In my zeal to replace the rotten steel on my 1912 torpedo i forgot to measure the hole under the tank. Is it a 3.5” hole or 4” hole in the rear deck? Can someone measure theirs for me?

Also, What were the screw holes for? Im thinking someone made a blocking plate and put a truck bed on it at one point but i am not sure.

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Tom Pilz and I have done a few upgrades to my '22 touring. New glass, tires and a radiator have been added. We did a valve job to get the engine running well. I reconditioned the upholstery and top. We also changed all the bushings and tightened the front end to eliminate a death wobble. I've been driving the car all over my corner of Long Island...

I'm looking at some 30 x 3.5 rims for my Ford type wheels. Does anyone know anything about the one on the left? I've never seen one that had tabs where the hole extended into the ridge behind the tabs. Does it fit a Ford Felloe? image000001.jpg

Got nice new nickle radiator cap that I hate to paint OD green for my WWI ambulance project. Have older painted cap that I would prefer to use, but someone has drilled a very small hole right at the top. Either to let off steam, or to allow air into the system or to mount something. Can I use this cap as is? Presume I can JB Weld up the hole if...

One of the many gone( as in off line not dead yet) but not forgotten Model T contributors put this together.
Again only sharing what is possible and not gonna debate like the 1909 T purchase.

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M1 real class,

Dry clutch using a SVO Mustang bell housing, clutch pressure plate, etc.

Tremec T5 transmission

Open...

This rim is missing the latch bolt. It looks to be a 5/16 x 24 tpi thread. Does it just use a short bolt and washer?

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Thanks,

: ^ )

Keith

OK, Found a T for sale cheap but wonder if it is just several cars. Wood spoke wheels, gas tank under seat, coils over engine, nickel plated radiator surround. Can this actually be a legitimate complete car or just built of parts.
Thanks, Tom

Has anyone ever had a new modern drum crack?
I have taken a couple of them out of customer cars that were black from heat but have not seen a cracked one.
Has anyone? Thanks Dan.

I have a vintage aluminum 3 speed Warford. What is the correct main shaft bearing preload?
Thanks,
Mike

Anybody know anything about these? What to use for a key blank, what the cap looked like, how it works?
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Over the past few weeks, I noticed old Liz was starting to develop a misfire, which at first, I thought was one of her coils beginning to fail. However, upon testing each coil myself, and taking them to visit a fellow Model T enthusiast with his 1914 Touring, running his car on my coils, revealed that there was nothing wrong with them. Still, to...

Purchased a decent split rim, refinished it and upon assembly, we stripped the bolt that holds the split rim together.

Has this happened to anyone and what is the solution?

This was the last step before reassembly and putting on the car.

I think I remember that a wide brake drum can be used in a 3 dip pan. Just can't use a wide brake band.
Is this correct or am I imagining it? Thanks Dan