MTFCA Forum

I drained my oil this evening and this part came out with the old oil. Had to wiggle it to get it through the hole. I've had a brass rivet and some small pieces of metal come out with the oil before but never seen anything like this. It looks like hardened steel, maybe a bushing? Bearing race? It's possible it's been in there for a while and just made it to the drain hole, or possibly it just happened. Oil was last changed <100 miles ago. Still "fixing up" this car so not driving a lot. Fixing front end, electrical, body parts, but the only engine related work I've done was replacing transmission bands about a year ago.

Can you identify? Any advice on how to diagnose? How bad is this news? (1927 Roadster, if that is relevant)

The inside of the forth main cap center (steel support) maybe? Hate it for you Arthur, good luck on finding the problem.

All the Best,

Hank

Could be the linear trace cap. Check the end play on the fent rod.

A piece of the started drive, the sleeve with the notches that is crimped on the back end of it.

Good news, Erik gets the prize. He was correct identifying my chunk of steel as part of the starter mechanism. It has been reunited with two other pieces of the original single part. I'm not 100% sure I have all the pieces, so I will poke around a bit more. But it looks like I have a relatively simple and cheap repair in front of me.

I'm always amazed how robust the T is, continuing to function without significant parts. Can't imagine how I was still able to use the starter when this part was in three pieces. If I coughed up a piece of my liver this size I wouldn't expect to still be functional.

Thanks to Erik for saving me the trouble of digging where I didn't need to dig!

Arthur, get a magnetic drain plug. I think all of the vendors sell them, good for the rear end too. Cheap insurance. Dave

ArthurB wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:21 pm

I'm always amazed how robust the T is, continuing to function without significant parts . . .

Model Ts don't even need no steenkin' starter !! Got along just fine for ten out of nineteen years of production without one !

Good point on the magnetic plug. I have one, and this chunk was waiting at the drain without much sign that it's been grinding through the gears. I also have a magnet in the transmission screen. It found the tail of the zip tie I dropped while replacing the bands-- the little metal ratchet was enough metal to catch it.