RPU Street Rod

[Kuhner]

I know we primarily focus on non-modified on this forum but I often have wondered if you could put a small 4 cylinder engine in a T and keep it stock looking. Appears this fellow did it.
For sale on this eBay link.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125063529587?h ... olid=10049

[perry kete]

WHY?

[TRDxB2]

WHY?

WHY NOT?
If its okay to modify a Model T by adding a different carburetors, crankshafts, pistons, heads etc to an engine plus a Ruckstell, Warford or similar AND its not for show and the owner wishes more GO then what's the problem?

[TXGOAT2]

That looks like it would be a fun vehicle to own & drive. It ought to move pretty good with 88HP and a weight, I'd guess, around 1900 lb. I don't see any shocks on it, and it ought to have shocks all around. Body is rough, bed understructure is corroded, but it looks OK. Squeaks and rattles? Probably. Frame stiffness? Borderline at best. Wheel alignment, steering angles, etc? I can't tell by looking, but the fabrication on the wishbones looks pretty good. It appears to lack front brakes. Too bad it doesn't have a 5 speed manual....

[TXGOAT2]

A Model A would be a better choice to start with. A Model A with a pre-emission Datsun B-210 engine and manual transmission would be a good combination. Some Ford pickups around 1941 had a Model A-style 3rd member with an open drive shaft. One of those with Model A axle housing end forgings added might nearly fit under a Model A I think a 46-48 Ford V8 will fit under a Model A hood.... But I'll wait for Elon to get his full-electric kit for Ts and As out... Full electric, charger included, 200 MPH, 300 mile range, tunneling attachement and front and rear flame throwers optional at extra cost...

[Bryant]

Haha love it! 200mph and flamethrowers tunneling attachment . No I would think if you found the right one why not?

[Scott_Conger]

OK, so you made me look...

The fact that a street-rod is now happily discussed (WHY NOT?) on this forum cements my opinion as to where the forum has been headed in general, for a

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Too bad.

[Norman Kling]

If it doesn't have a Model T block, it is not a Model T! It is a "Hot Rod" There is probably a forum for hot rods somewhere?
Norm

[Bryant]

After the engine you would probably need a different transmission and rear thou. I guess it depends on how much horses you end up with. Might blow the gears out of it. Sounds fun thou if you have the time and money. Sky’s the limit

[Bryant]

Ohh forgot to mention if you move this thread to the off topic section it can be legitimate

[Craig Leach]

The good news is with enough time & money I thing it can be restored. I'm thinking that would be alot easier to just remove the shocks & front brakes and pump the rear tires up to about 60 PSI on the pinto the drivetrain came out of. Would not be as cool but drive the same.
Craig.

[Original Smith]

There is no place in our club for street rods. Let them advertise on their own forums!

[John kuehn]

I think I would have spent my time and money on an early V8 Ford pickup with the hopped up original V8. The add says it’s made to look old and original.
Could have done the same thing with a early V8 Ford PU and been ahead money and value wise in the long run. To each their own I guess.

[Bryant]

Ohh forgot to mention if you move this thread to the off topic section it can be legitimate

Iam sorry I was wrong and would like to admit it. In the discussion forum it states ALL things Model T related. I think the culture of the model t has been going since it’s Inception. From speedsters to street rods, from originals to modified with tractor wheels. What ever you’re vision is we all deserve a place here. There’s no doubt that these cars are a rolling art form. There will be critics from both sides. But we should be building each other up and not tearing each other down.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Ohh forgot to mention if you move this thread to the off topic section it can be legitimate

Iam sorry I was wrong and would like to admit it. In the discussion forum it states ALL things Model T related. I think the culture of the model t has been going since it’s Inception. From speedsters to street rods, from originals to modified with tractor wheels. What ever you’re vision is we all deserve a place here. There’s no doubt that these cars are a rolling art form. There will be critics from both sides. But we should be building each other up and not tearing each other down.

Just because there may be some perceived legitimacy for this topic being here, it doesn't mean we/I have to agree with it. I do not believe this is an "art form" and I do not "build up" those who are proponents of it.

[Rich Eagle]

That's a good way to get people started.
Our local club is a chapter of VMCCA. The national realizes we need to include modified cars to continue our existence. We probably will never agree on what a modified car is. Each year we discuss it for hours.
Our local chapter has several valued members who have modified cars. All kinds. We wouldn't be active without them. Some even suggest I shouldn't drive my "Old" cars. I can't keep up with them and T's are a safety hazard on many roads we tour on. Yet Joy and I managed to conduct several tours where we managed to be the first car at each stop. I still enjoy having a local club even if it has change drastically since 1963 when we started it.
I have gone on 2 National MTFCA tours and several HCCA tours. I can't keep up with the fast T's or the larger brass cars. So things aren't that different. I've made some great friends and found car folks are much that same no matter what they own or drive.
If you can be in an exclusive "stock" T club I am envious.
People often gravitate towards the cars they see and we put ours out there hoping to show how they can be enjoyed.
Many old friends have passed on and aren't here to shudder at the travesties cursed on these cars.
I don't know the answers or what is right but I know and enjoy what I like. Enjoy the cars the best way you can.
Stay tuned to the next couple of centuries. Things will surely change.
Rich

P. S. Street Rods of Idaho have lobbied against several laws that would have hurt the antiques too. Find your friends where you can.

[Bryant]

I know we primarily focus on non-modified on this forum but I often have wondered if you could put a small 4 cylinder engine in a T and keep it stock looking. Appears this fellow did it.
For sale on this eBay link.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125063529587?h ... olid=10049

I always thought a Model T PU with a ford flathead V-8 60 would make a good looking power plant. Done kind off utilitarian like.

[TXGOAT2]

The 60 HP V8s are cute little buggers ... if you can find one. Years back, a guy around here had a maroon MG TC with a 60 HP V8 in it with Weiand (?) heads and 3 Stromberg 61s. The car looked stock except he ran it without the hood side panels to show off the engine. The 60 HP might not have much more torque than a stock T engine, but you could probably do 60 MPH all day long.

[Bryant]

I saw one in a ford 9n at all ford nationals in Carlisle Pa years back. It looked like it rolled off the assembly line that way. I’ve been obsessed ever since

[QGolden]

Well, it appears that the world didn’t think the creation was worth the selling price, I think as long as it was put together from a wagon load of mixed and scavenged parts it is pretty cool.

Everything is reversible on it, and if one were looking for a ‘26 Pickup there is a plethora of good body parts there.

Personally I think it is worth just about what the high bid hit.

[Jeff Hood]

Not only is it a good way to get someone started who may go on to want to learn about and own a stocker, it's a good way to retain someone that can no longer drive a stock T or someone who just can't grasp the workings of a T. There is a lady in our club who has a '26 RPU and she is scared to death of it! She just can't understand it and can't get the hang of driving it. She has no problem driving her automatic trans econo truck, but just doesn't comprehend the workings of a T. I have encouraged her to search for this exact vehicle many times so that she can participate in club tours and activities.

[joemac]

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1926 RPU v8 60 hp car 40 front axle 40 rear axle 21 inch model a wheels . No cutting to body , bracket on frame to mount 39 steering box . Can be put back to original in an afternoon , Yes I kept all original parts . Was an original running and driving T

[Bryant]

Nice! Do you have any photos of the engine?

[TRDxB2]

Quite often many questions don't mention the reason behind the question. Having said that, sometimes responses gets clouded with negative opinion or drift into unrelated areas rather than discussing alternative options to the original question.
--
The original question: "I know we primarily focus on non-modified on this forum but I often have wondered if you could put a small 4 cylinder engine in a T and keep it stock looking. Appears this fellow did it.".
--
NOW I am not intending to scold anyone's response. In fact the responses are in fact healthy and make the Forum a forum
So to categorize the above responses:
WHY - questioning the question. A natural response in trying to understand the reason behind the question.
DRIFT - into making Street Rods. This part is definitely the off topic part of the discussion
Alternatives Non Model T engine alternatives. No one mentioned adding HP to a T engine instead - why?
"1 RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION" - Keeping it original, making the desired change with the ability to restore it back to original state.
by joemac » Wed Jan 05, 2022 5:04 am
1926 RPU v8 60 hp car 40 front axle 40 rear axle 21 inch model a wheels . No cutting to body , bracket on frame to mount 39 steering box . Can be put back to original in an afternoon , Yes I kept all original parts . Was an original running and driving T.
--
Nothing was mentioned about the effort involved in adding a different engine, Model A, Pinto, etc to a Model T frame and the resulting changes to the drive train. Doing something is one thing, the effort and cost in doing it is an entirely different question.

[joemac]

In response to TRDxBs
I am sure not many Model T Purist have driven their model T's living in a metropolis city eg. NY city , Philadelphia, etc etc
I Lived in downtown Toronto ,ont Canada .
With 300,000 drivers ,100,000 pedestrians ,50,000 bicycles on the road at any given time , my safety and theirs as well as my insurance, I needed to do something different to make my car reasonably safe or leave it parked in the garage and have Bragging rights I owned one ..Actually 3 .
I made these choices to keep myself ,family ,and others using the roadway safe.
I actually removed the original t engine with model a crankshaft and rods , run great but actually didnt help me stop any faster !!!
If it weren't for the hot rodders in my part of the world I would have never been able to buy unwanted drivelines, rebuilt engines , restored fenders for pennies on the dollar .
God bless them they are my favourite people .
Believe me if I wanted o hot rod a model T ,it would not be with a v8 60 hp .
This was just the best option to keep it looking like a model and only the purist would really know and to be able to jump in my car and drive it without worry and fear of others I have to share the roadway with .
Ps , I now live in a rural area and If I chose can put the car back together with the engine with the model A crank .was also looking at 2 Rajo heads and a frontenac head on the weekend , Prices start at 3 grand .

[joemac]

As far as the effort and cost go , I was trying not to influence this thread and respect what this site is really about The model T Ford , and really is a great site .Nothing I like more than owning and driving an original model T . If you feel you would like more info on this conversion feel free to PM.

[YellowTRacer]

Modify to your hearts content!.........With equipment made prior to 1928 and using methodology of that era. Last time I checked, we are members of a restoration hobby.

Ed aka #4

[Rich Eagle]

Ed, there are some modified T's that are done so well that they surly justify what they have become. Yours is certainly one of them. Care of authenticity and attention to detail make e big difference in my mind.
Spending time working on any T is time well spent but trying to make it the best is good to strive toward.
Thanks
Rich

[perry kete]

I posted the "WHY" and now I know that you did it for safety reasons because of living in a major city and I ment no disrespect.
I live in small town USA and can drive in town or around the area with no problems in a stock Model T so you must relize that I am looking at driving an antique car from a whole other prospective.

[joemac]

I meant no disrespect to the forum or members ,I have been lucky enough to have been around model T's my whole life , I am 60 , My father had T's all my young Life .Learned to drive in fields with my Dads T's .
Would never be without an original car , fortunately I own more than one .