MTFCA Forum

I have been given the opportunity to finish a project started by a good friend whose health has severely taken its toll on him. I am, by far, not new to the Model T having worked on my first one over 50 years ago. He was a wonderful man, but mechanical work wasn’t his greatest gift.

I got through school with the motto of “Check your work”. But more, so I believe in “Checking other people’s work”.

I started out worried whether he had adequately set the backlash on the rear differential correctly. Additionally, I worry by the parts that are left over in the bag. So I took off a rear drum and this is what I found.

I also took a quick measurement on the magneto gap and found gap from .010-.065. I attempted to turn the engine over but couldn’t. So obviously, i have to take several steps backward before I can move forward.

Even at that, a lot of the hard work has been done for me.

BTW, if I were to put some plastigauge on the rods and mains, what would you recommend for spacing on newly poured Babbitt and what torque is
recommended?

That rear bearing should not stick out like that. Something is not correct. Hopefully it has nothing to do with the differential.

Frame looks good. Wheels look great. Do you have hubcaps? They are in short supply.

You need the service manual, engine book, and transmission book. Then you are on your way to getting this all corrected.

Good luck.

Sounds like his health issues have affected more than that meets the eye.
Sorry to hear.
Double check everything.
I would bet that some areas of the build are spot on, while other are not so much.
We are all getting to an age that we need prayers and be grateful for what we have and can do.