Electric Model T Conversion

[1194668jc]

You gotta love 'em, those rattling T's. But one day, using gasoline will no longer be cheap enough; electric cars are taking over! While I doubt gasoline will completely cease production anytime soon, Model T's might one day face the wrath of electric cars. However, I am sure that the far future generation might be interested in using Model T's still, even if just for fun.

Now onto my question: is it possible for the engine portion to be removed and replaced with an electric motor, keeping the transmission section and everything just the same?

[Jem]

There are several forms offering 'drop-in' packages to replace the motor on conventional cars, but to retain the T trans would require some extra engineering since it is built-in to the motor and relies on it for lubrication. Electric motor doesn't need the gearbox, I'd hook up direct to the axle. You can get Reverse by running the motor backwards.

[TRDxB2]

Now onto my question: is it possible for the engine portion to be removed and replaced with an electric motor, keeping the transmission section and everything just the same?

Its was first done in 1913 http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1291124879
and most recently https://electricss.com/qa-converted-model-t/

Found several other examples and there are more
One was for sale on eBay claimed to be an original prototype https://www.ebay.com/motors/blog/green- ... d-model-t/

Speedster versions http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1291124879

This one is for sale http://topclassiccarsforsale.com/ford/6 ... ctric.html

Not sure if this is available for purchase or if plans are available

[dmdeaton]

Above looks like just a gear reduction with a disk brake. Very cool and I love this stuff. My background is industrial motion control and I am very interested in building a electric conversion

[RajoRacer]

One of our Carbon Canyon Club members converted a mid 20's Runabout to full electric - was rather ingenious !

[dmdeaton]

Does anyone have a link for the above picture? Or a link for more information on it? I am liking this a lot

[ewdysar]

I am interested in the original question. Does anyone have an idea of how to graft any motor/engine that will not share lubrication to a Model T transmission to retain the Model T pedal experience while keeping the transmission lubrication intact?

I’ve already built a number of electric conversions (S-10, 914, etc) back in the 90’s, but always preferred keeping the original clutch and transmission operable.

Eric

[dmdeaton]

Don’t know why you couldn’t do it. You would have to machine a plate with a seal and bearing to mate with the hogshead, then modify the pan accordingly to seal to the new plate. Ball bearing 4th main and a new input shaft that the flywheel will bolt up to. Just to spin the oil. Or do away with the flywheel and use a oil pump. All of which uses energy and takes away efficiency.

[John Codman]

Retaining the original T transmission would be a bad idea. An electric motor develops it's maximum torque at 0 rpm, so a low gear is unnecessary. An electric motor - unless carefully selected to develop no more horsepower and torque then the original 20 hp T gasoline engine, would overstress the model T drive axle and differential. While it is possible to overcome this problem, what you now have is a hot rod, which is precisely what most model T purists hate. I think that updating a T to electric power is a great idea, but we want to be sure that what we wind up with is still a model T.

[Sarikatime]

I think I saw Tesla motors on eBay that are ready to install, in a T. As John stated, the rear axle may get too much torque so you would have to put a gavernor on it. Can you imagine, a T coming off the line at a red light and going 60 mph within 5 seconds? Insanely dangerous, but it sounds like a neat idea. Frank

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Well, this is one way to get around the problem of no new gas tanks being available.

[ewdysar]

Thank you John, for making my point. I would not want to create an electric hot rod, I would like to replace the Ford engine with an electric motor while retaining as much of the original Model T driving experience as possible, down to keeping the throttle lever on the steering column and most, if not all, of the pedals operational. If I wanted to build a hot rod, I would probably go with some more like putting a 327 into a 914, wait a minute, I already did that...

Since I’ve converted an number of cars (and my 30’ sailboat) to electric already, I understand tailoring the installation and electronics to protect the existing mechanical components. For me, that part is easy. But I was asking about the modifications needed to run the transmission without the original engine attached.

That said, a self-contained unit like the one with the blue motor and the internal brake posted earlier in this thread might be a suitable alternative, although I would probably work harder at getting any pedals positioned like the originals. That one appears to include a socket for the wishbone, which makes it more of a “bolt-in” replacement.

And Danny, if efficiency was one of my priorities (like it was for my 914 and CRX electric conversions back in the lead-acid era), I would not start with a Model T...

Eric

[DanTreace]

The Dept. store magnate, Mr. Gilmore, in Kalamazoo MI made such an electric powered T in the gas shortage days of WWII.

His T is on display at the Gilmore Museum.

[thom]

The thought depresses me.
But then, I don't like any modifications.
I like 'em the way they came.
I can't believe I've left the waterpump on our '21 Touring for 5 years, and put a solenoid on it. Shame on me.

[dmdeaton]

Eric,
I’m with you on your thinking, I would like to get a few more miles per charge than what I am reading in specs for this stuff. 50-60 miles won’t get it. I don’t want to drive 400 miles but don’t like the idea of running out of juice. I have a electric outboard with lithium and solar panel on my sailboat also and love it.

[Charlie B in N.J.]

Some years back in Califunny Toyoda or Honda ran an experimental fleet of hydrogen powered vehicles. Don’t recall the exact details as to wether they were rentals or what but they were regular style piston engines modified to run on hydrogen. They had a number of fuel stations set up too. They operated exactly as a gas powered car with all the bells and whistles and had the range of gas vehicles too. All that came out of the tailpipe was H2O. My point is that this would be a really nice set up for T’s and other collectibles in the future. The fueling up took no longer that a gas station stop.

[TRDxB2]

--- All that came out of the tailpipe was H2O

That is an issue, with lots of cars slick roads and in the winter when its below 32F! but they'll fix that. Currently, there is a Automobile Manufacturer not far from here, NIKOLA, in Normal Illinois working on its Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered Truck called RIVIAN. NIKOLA is/will be producing other models as well. The company is battling some issues (similar to TESLA when it started up). Range is estimated at 500 miles.

[Ron Patterson]

The man sitting in the electric Model T chassis with wire wheels in the third post from the top of this thread is Fred Allison.
He worked in the Ford Highland Park Plant Electrical Engineering Department and developed the Ford FA (Fred Allison) Starting and Lighting System introduced in the Model T in Late 1918.
Ron Patterson