What to do ?

[Ponyboy]

New to site , wanted a model T since a child , just turned 40 . found this nearby , a TT chassis and running gear . Appears that someone put an earlier cowl on it someone said . Motor and trans are a Sept of 1926 , she was found in a barn and sitting since 46 , the serial number on engine matches number I found on frame . All the information I've learned has been from you guys , from how to find serial number and date it , how to get it ready to run, how to start it and even how to drive it , I put fresh coils in it , new plugs , cleaned the Kingston carb , cleaned and re installed timer , I primed her and then switched to battery, one quick 1/4 pull and she was running, she will give me a cold start after sitting for days with just a quick pre prime , and hot starts several times , ,checked her fluids drained and refilled everything to specs from you guys . The first drive down the street turned into several trips around neighborhood, I never stalled it once and took to driving it like a duck to water . Now trying to figure out what go do next ? Was thinking since no cab , ill build a floor and use an old teens Studebaker seat I have , build a wooden bed and enjoy it for what it is . Next is to fix front wheels , I have several loose spokes and I plan on respoking them (21 inch ) the back wheels are rock solid . Maby one day ill find a decent driving older restoration T, I can afford . But I'm glad I could save this Lizzy from turning into dust . Hoping to go to Charlotte spring car show in a month and find some odds and ends the windshield frame was an add on from a donor car the owner picked up before selling to me . My great grandfather nor my grandfather lived to see me finally get one , I'm sure they would have gotten a kick outof of it , or thought I had lost my mind . My biggest hurdle is building a floorboard with nothing but a bare frame , no risers or pattern or anything.so it will be a learning process. Thanks again for everyone being here and all the information, you guys became instant family .

[Dallas Landers]

9

Her are some photos of how my wood can floor mounts and is constructed . If you need more photos let me know. Glad you saved another one. Put a floor in it and enjoy it until you decide which direction you want to go. Be warned! You had better make room for another model T. They seem to multiply.

[Ponyboy]

Thank you ! I'll start making some sketches and taking measurements

[Rich Bingham]

Wayne, she's lovely !! You made my day with your post. As we say here, "Welcome to the affliction !" You're going to have a lot of fun with that grand old truck.

[Raoul von S.]

I'd say the first thing you need to do is start working up some idea in your head of how
you'd like this thing to end up. Custom cab ? Box cab ? C-cab ? Open (no cab) ? What
sort of bed do you want ? With some ideas in your head, start hunting up parts. Make it
known what you are looking for .... parts are not hard to find. Patience and networking
will scare up the parts you want. Like you, I wanted a T .... specifically, a TT flatbed,
since I was quite young. I saved neat parts I found, but it took me till after I was 50 to
finally quit putting it off and pull the trigger. Welcome to the TT club.

[Ponyboy]

Thanks everyone, it's nice to see people with the same mindset as me , at home I got the raised eyebrow , well I did till the ole TT drove up the driveway and up the street , after that the better half said " well ill hand it to ford , that thing just refuses to die " after that I'm told to go play with my T when I get cranky or have a rough day at work .

[MichaelPawelek]

For your safety one of the first things you need to do is to make sure the thrust washers in the differential are in good shape with minimal play in the axle shafts.....

[RajoRacer]

Appears to be a TT Michael - good to see you onboard.

[MichaelPawelek]

Reading too many posts too fast this morning.......or too much caffeine! Thanks....

[RustyFords]

I NEED that weathered radiator shell.

[Ponyboy]

Don Allen I have a spare that came with it lol .

[JBS]

I HAVE SOME WHEELS UNDER MY HOUSE AND I WILL NEVER USE THEM I LIVE ABOUT 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE CHARLOTTE MOTOR RACE TRACK. WHEN YOU COME TO IT IN THE SPRING GIVE ME A CALL AND YOU COME AND LOOK AT THE WHEELS. E MAIL ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU MY PHONE NUMBER. JOE

[Tom Hicks]

Great find!

Serial numbers: http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/sernos.htm

[Raoul von S.]

With a name like "Looney", you already have such an advantage over all of us. Tell
the wife you're going to attempt a land speed record.

[46woodduck]

Must say I am jealous Wayne. I'll turn 73 in April and hope to Find a TT to play with this year if I can manage to hang in here and keep breathing for a few more years. Have fun with your truck, she's beautiful.

[Ponyboy]

Lol yes the Looney name suits me well , my dad had it worse than me though , my grandmother's maiden last name was witt , my grandfather a Looney , so my dads half Looney half witt lol. I'm so glad everyone likes the TT ill post more pictures to the thread this weekend. I have several antique 50s and 60s cars and was determined never to join any club again because they were so clicky and some people were just down right rude , this whole T network is nothing like that , its like a band of brothers who help each other , enjoy the hobby , and love to rib each other too , I love it, wished I had found a T 20 years ago , most of my friends with cars don't get it ( T ) fascination and have even said how impractical and useless they were , I just ignore them . I personally don't see anyone getting excited about a Honda in a barn 50 years from now just saying

[Tom Hicks]

You have to make it the way you want it, BUT, if it were mine, I would make sure it was in good mechanical shape and leave the rest of like it is. Truly a beautiful truck!

[Ponyboy]

first trip to gas station down the street

[Ponyboy]

First time moving on own power since 46

[Raoul von S.]

Lol yes the Looney name suits me well , my dad had it worse than me though , my grandmother's maiden last name was witt , my grandfather a Looney , so my dads half Looney half witt lol. I'm so glad everyone likes the TT ill post more pictures to the thread this weekend. I have several antique 50s and 60s cars and was determined never to join any club again because they were so clicky and some people were just down right rude , this whole T network is nothing like that , its like a band of brothers who help each other , enjoy the hobby , and love to rib each other too , I love it, wished I had found a T 20 years ago , most of my friends with cars don't get it ( T ) fascination and have even said how impractical and useless they were , I just ignore them . I personally don't see anyone getting excited about a Honda in a barn 50 years from now just saying

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It is hard for an unknowing child to choose the right parents, be it for name or fortune.

The old car hobby is largely set within a paradigm of flash and speed. The more sparkly
stuff or the faster it will go is generally what most old car people consider top attributes
to choosing, or lusting for a car. When your baseline is barn dust, rust, and 20hp, it is hard
to get overly macho and serious about yourself. It's a whole different way of looking at the
hobby. Some people just "get it". Others never will. I have some examples of fast and flashy
that some would be pretty lustful to own, yet the T is far more fun to drive and own, and
draws a far more interesting crowd, wherever I go. I wish I had invested my time and money
in a T 40 years ago, instead of going along with the crowdthink about go-fast and bling.

[varmint]

Congrats!
I would view a lot of photos of TTs and collect the pics in a folder on your computer for planning and ideas.

[HaroldRJr]

Raoul - Still kick'n yourself for letting that '58 DeSoto slip away tho', right?

[Ruxstel24]

Awesome Wayne !!
Hard to beat the feeling of the resurrection of a T (or TT) !!
Ohhh the possibilities

[Ponyboy]

Here's the one I rescued when I was about 30, I was an old soul at an early age, I'm 40 now and more interested in the pre 30s cars , but this one serves me well , the T is for when I want to hit those back roads and dirt roads and she's not afraid to get dirty , that darn Buick has 1000lbs of chrome to polish , I love her too but the T has that grapes of wrath feel , when driving was an adventure and somewhat dangerous , when firing up a car to go to town miles away was a big event and sometimes a few time a year thing , you didn't go crank up your T to run a few blocks for a doughnut, or to grab a doo dad at grocery store , you got your supplies and everything you could haul and made most of trip, then she may get mothballed when roads were horrible in winter and spring and the horse and buckboard came out , my great great grandparents only used the T for special occasions or emergencies and wouldn't drive it to church they took the wagon and team because my great great grandmother didn't want to be flashy ! Lol

[Raoul von S.]

Raoul - Still kick'n yourself for letting that '58 DeSoto slip away tho', right?

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Huatchoo talkin' 'bout, Haroldo ? DeSoto is still in the shop.

[Duey_C]

Gorgeous Buick!
Gorgeous TT! Ultra neat find.
I think it's cool your wife now sees and yep, they are tough little buggers!