MTFCA Forum

Too many irons in the fire right now.
I'm pressed to put in gas, charge the battery and make the '18 Runabout ready for a class reunion next door for rides. Again.
I fussed with him a few years ago and woke him up. Poor old bugger hasn't had body work/paint done since the 70's but he'll soldier on. An '18 with a '23 unit power-plant. Tin Cup, the.... aww shoot, cant recall what I've called him.
No-nonsense Ford.
That's the funny thing, even the most neglected model T's are ready to go If in half-ways shape or worse.
EDIT: Psychodelic! That's the word. Took me all day!

Finished reinstalling the rebuilt rear end on my 27 Coupe. Made sure everything was OK and put new thrust washers, bearing sleeves, seals, and brakes on. Much better. Now I am trying to finish working on the visor frame, just welded a new tab on to replace a missing one. Have to make the corner brackets now.

Washed the ‘26 tudor and serviced it in preparation for this years Texas T Party in Halletsville TX. Haven’t driven it in years. I’d like my wife to go with me and she won’t without the Shih Tzu. The dog rides in her lap and since the 2 roadsters and C Cab doors are ‘lap high’ shes afraid the dog might be somehow flung out. So we have to have a practice drive with the hundt.

Took the girls out for a test ride. Have had covid and needed to get out of the house for a bit.

Wives and dogs are our favorite joys and headaches. Do I hear an amen?

Ordered a carburetor spider and wheel studs. Seems like I'm ordering something every week!

. Amen !! Richard ... but sometimes ice cream in a Model T makes up for it.

George House wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 01, 2022 1:47 pm

. Amen !! Richard ... but sometimes ice cream in a Model T makes up for it.

As soon as a test comes back negative so we can be around people again we have one even better than ice cream, We have a frozen custard! Covid killed last weekend which was to be filled with T model, Grandkids and frozen custard.

Moving along with the sorely overdue reassembly of my 27 Roadster (post-bodywork and painting), today I assembled the hood. I have been dreading this, overthinking how it would come together, but after suffering to get the radiator apron to fit last week (see post "1927 radiator mounting studs and apron" for details) the hood went right together.

The stainless rods went right in, forming the 3 hinges and the little leather protectors look so nice on the back corners. It fits as I remember it did when I took it off in 2014 and only needs the center rod cut down a bit so the radiator can tilt back a little more. I'll do that tomorrow, but tonight I'm a happy camper.

Hey, George,

What do you mean: SOMETIMES?

AMEN!

Ha! ...ALL the times...I haven’t driven the ‘26 tudor in years-since a wedding reception that I found help on the Forum getting my right headlamp to work. As previously mentioned; I washed it, topped of the radiator and aired up five tires yesterday. This morning I dumped 5 gallons of gas into the tank, opened the sediment bowl valve, choked it and cranked it 4 times like Royce taught me, set the spark and gas levers, turned on the key and was rewarded with a compression start !! The 2 mile drive went beautifully and I never got out of Warford direct. Black oil is now draining and will be replaced today

Took a top down ride with my boy in the roadster pickup tonight

Great picture, David.

I had to put a new fuel tank and lines in the dump truck. It seems like every year I have to do something to that thing. Last year I had to clean out the timer.

I have started teaching my 12 year old daughter to drive. She did pretty well.

I put in new spark plugs, and rubber pedal covers.

Installed a new outer grease seal. I did only the left one because, unaccountably, I had only one new seal in my parts drawer.
While I was doing that, uh-oh...
Fortunately, I found a good one in the parts room.

This dash light was new when I built the Tudor 20 years ago. It worked intermittently for a while and then not at all or on all the time. The bulb fits loosely in the socket. I made a new spring (red arrow) to hold the bulb away from the contact when not on. That and making sure it had good ground have solved the problem. These were not made as well as original ones. I had removed the passenger seat to work on the transmission so it made it easier to work under the dash. Two switches were installed earlier. One to cut off the generator if needed and one for the dash light. I don't care for extra switches but these don't show. While my "electrical" hat was on I fixed my trouble light. It has annoyed me for some time but I was too lazy to fix it. A wire had come loose.
I also hooked the headlamps back up after removing them.
Rich

Got the new wheels on the Fordor and cleaned up the spark plugs after a nice long ride.

With a new axle seal installed I figured it would be safe to clean the old oil and road dirt off the wheel.

Engine degreaser should work, right? Just spray it on, let it soak for five minutes, and hose it off. Easy as pie.


Nope. Even rinse and repeat didn't budge the worst f it. The final answer was gasoline and a wash cloth.

I ran out of gas on the way back from breakfast. The Coupe began sputtering and I swerved back and forth to make it home. Gee that tank went quickly.
Then I took a nap.
Rich

Rich Eagle wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 07, 2022 2:17 pm

I ran out of gas on the way back from breakfast. The Coupe began sputtering and I swerved back and forth to make it home. Gee that tank went quickly.
Then I took a nap.
Rich

Puttin in 50 cents @ a time dont take you as far as it used to.

I picked up my 22 pickup yesterday at the port and got it going for the first time in 7 years. There is a short punch list to get everything up to snuff, nothing major so far. My 8 year old son and I took it around the block and put it in the garage. Now it’s time for me to practice driving.

Nothing, due to high fuel prices in Commfornia I've decided to decommission my t for a few months. I have eight vehicles total so one has be put to rest for a term.

fbergski wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 07, 2022 10:15 pm

Nothing, due to high fuel prices in Commfornia I've decided to decommission my t for a few months. I have eight vehicles total so one has be put to rest for a term.

NO!, dont let those of questionable parentage win.

Still buttoning up the re-built engine install for Dixie.

Hope to be done this month, whew...we have been to two grandkids high school grads, and family fun, and ...and..... so just now ready to install the radiator, then the intake and exhaust systems, getting closer.

But, when fitting the horn bracket to the water inlet, that bracket age cracked away at the front mounting hole, sure would like to find one of the 26-27 improved horn brackets that were made by Fun Projects, Dixie will be in without a honk til then!

After ten or so iterations of flywheel on, flywheel off, I finally have the magnet clamp/coil ring gap set 0.030 to 0.040”. So before using locktite, torquing, and safety wire to attach everything to the block I decided to build a wood stand to finish the build and test run my motor.
I used the info HalSched posted here: viewtopic.php?t=17080
And used some scrap 2x10s I picked up from my neighbors scrap pile.

Took the engine out of my 1910 to change band linings While it was out, I polished the drums, painted.the block and head and lapped the valves. The bottom end was fine. This week I'll install the linings and put it all back together.

I had my wife start the model T for the first time with instructions sent to her via email. Started right up! She’s a treasure.

Finally got around to repairing a vital accessory that's been waiting for about three years. The spout came off one of my Boyco cans and when I tried to solder it back on it melted. Turned out to be aluminum, not steel like the rest of the can. So I've been using a big cork while I searched all over creation for a spout and cap of the same size. The search was in vain.

All the spouts and caps I could find were too large or too small. I decided to go with too large. Today I cut the spout out of a gallon thinner can and soldered it onto my Boyco.

It's not the prettiest piece of work ever, but it doesn't leak, so I'm satisfied.

Looks like a real good job!

Good job Steve! Now save that cut-up can as a source for sheet metal.

Steve,

If you hadn't posted this and told everybody - NOBODY would have ever known since you did such a good job. Painted over, it would look like a factory installation.

Nice Work My Friend!

Cheers,
Terry

Everything looks better in pictures.

I do keep cans like that for sheet metal for shims and patching holes. One patch job of that kind was getting rid of the license plate holes in a pair of tail lights.
Another use of those gallon cans is to cut off one of the sides and use them as parts drawers.

Glued neoprene pads on both sides of the middle can so maybe the cans jiggling together won't wear holes in each other.

An unseasonably late lingering rain has me working in the shop
and just enjoying the ambiance of it there. The firewood is
unloaded and we are ready to go, as soon as the rains stop.

Enjoyed it! Our club was invited again to partake in the annual NMRA races at Norwalk Drag Strip a.k.a. Summit Motorsports. Was to have about 8 cars, issues resulted in only 3 of us having a car, but 5 guys attending. Still a great time.

Oops...forgot the pics!!

Here’s my story. Been a car nut my whole life and bought a 1942 Ford GPW jeep a loong time ago and restored it. Someone asked if I was interested in another Ford GPW and I asked how they knew it was a Ford. “Because it says Ford on the back.” Didn’t take me long to buy that one. Got it running (had the original matching number engine rebuilt) and was happy with life. Not a thought about a Model T. Then a close friend saw a rusty 27 Tudor in a barn and thought of me. It was covered with bird droppings, but looked like it had good bones. The T bug had bitten me. Found a different one shortly after that, a 26 Touring, and bought that one. Eventually bought the 27 Tudor. Problem? I had never driven a model T. AND had never even heard the sound of one. So after a year and a half of working on it, this past Thursday June 9, I drove the 27 Tudor for my first ever drive in a Model T. Do you all remember when you FIRST pressed down on the clutch and the T started moving? I was so nervous/excited. I then had my son drive it. He was over the moon! It was a great day indeed. Now I have to figure out how to do a bunch of repairs that caused it to be stuffed in that barn 50 years ago. Thanks, Model T Ford Club, for all the help and suggestions. I couldn’t have done it without you.
John

Congratulations John. I sense your excitement and newfound energy. Its even magnified when enjoyed with your son. You’ll receive a lot of important-albeit unsolicited- advice here. Good looking ‘new and improved’ tudor.....

Got my horn wires and button in and a working battery horn. Took about 2 years of looking, next time I'll ask Brent Mize to locate me one... he found one in 2 day

I just love the sound of that duck under the hood.

My brake rods have run out of adjustment and there is plenty of lining left. I didn't want to cut any off of the threaded ends so I made new, shorter brake rods. A "U" was bent and drilled. Then the rod was mushroomed so it can't go back through the hole. I silver soldered the inside of the U. This should last a few more years and I have the original rods for new lining when the time comes.
These are '26-'27 brakes on my '25. The Tudor is authentic except for that.

Finished the Coupe's interior with the help of those on this forum, and saw this sternwheeler on the Ohio.

That's a beautiful scene.

I had the headlight reflectors recovered with an aluminized finish. They look fantastic. I've never seen such a clear pattern from these headlights. Now it looks like the picture in the shop manual. I have yet to focus the beams but I took a shot about 3 feet away just for grins. For now I'm going to run the 32/32CP incandescents but since I always run with headlights on, day and night my ultimate goal is to put 3000k led bulbs in.
Mounting the headlight bar required loosening the bracket bolts and pushing both fenders down hard. The bar bolted on but the fenders contacted the bolt head, the one that sits at a 45 degree angle, and it cracked the paint. I removed these bolts and cut the head down to 3mm thick so hopefully it won't contact the underside of the front fenders any more. Now I'm trying to finish putting the light switch together. The key tumbler is broken where it fits in the fiber ignition switch contact. I bought the replacement tumbler and have worked the diameter down to where it finally fits, but I would really rather use the original key for my own sloppy, sentimental reasons. I have made a kind of mold and applied JB Weld which is hardening as I write, but it's looking complicated so I now have an ad in the classifieds (WTB: Ignition switch parts 26-27). If anyone has tumblers and/or the little gates (not sure what they're called) I could give them a new home in a 27 Roadster
Things are coming along. Thanks to all of you who tell us about your projects and share helpful hints - you don't know just how much it helps.

Reno Speedster wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 07, 2022 7:58 pm

I picked up my 22 pickup yesterday at the port and got it going for the first time in 7 years. There is a short punch list to get everything up to snuff, nothing major so far. My 8 year old son and I took it around the block and put it in the garage. Now it’s time for me to practice driving.

Update on the 22 project. Since I got it into the shop, I have been setting some things to right. I have replaced some of the wiring that was a bit frayed (possibly shorting) and not properly routed, I will be doing some more this week, I replaced the leaking freeze plugs with brass ones, I have flushed the cooling system, separated the new flat tube radiator and am currently soaking the block/head with vinegar to remove some crust, removed a leaking and stiff water pump (changed the inlet and fan belt etc), and have ordered more small parts including a late brake switch so I can install some brake lights. Nothing too major, just working through a punch list after it sat for a number of years. I hope to have most of it done so I can drive it on the 4th of July. Maybe in the parade if I am feeling lucky.

I finally got around to getting the 1919 registered. I tried to get a custom plate in order to honor my father but it wasn't available. Now to get the fuel tank painted and find some good Indy 500 stickers to put on it.

Bryce

I readjusted my low band after the lock nut on the adjuster was loose. I used the method of adjusting until the pedal was 1 inch from the floorboard. My first drive was this morning and it felt and sounded like the band was too tight. I stopped at the auto parts store before returning home and bought a 15/16" wrench. I adjusted the band in their parking lot. I used a method I read recently (by John, I think) where I tightened the adjuster until I began to hear the triple gears, then back off 1/2 turn. My drive home was much less stressful on the driver.

The last few days have been really nice so instead of working on the Ford, I used up those days working on a special OT.
It's warming up bad here for the week so this evening filled the Kero for the parking and O lights.
People sure love those lamps! Funky, the O tail light was mostly full of water and crud.
Good grief, the first unfolding from under the cover and what do I see? A silver dollar sized spider! One of the four or so varieties here.
Harmless but it got three doses of brake cleaner before bouncing and toddling off to hide! And die! Hate big spideys.
Hose it down with bug spray is on the list. No surprises.
Pulled the seat spring, tank cover, the folded rag that covers the gas cap, put the Manitowoc Oil gas gauge in and what do I find?
2-1/2 gallons of 1 or 2 year old gas that smells just like it should! So I'll put in 5 more gallons and run it. Non oxygenated gas.
More to do on the list. Time stand still! I can't keep up.

Duane, I think you can be charged with T neglect?
I almost could be this year. Took the TT to beakfast this morning for the 1st time this year. My Amish neighbors seen me and want to go for icecream this evening. Its gonna be a good day.

Finished the front wheels. New paint, new tires, reinstall.

I wish I could tell you I was off enjoying a great tour but the attached photo says it all. In short, cracked drum and tranny issues...surprise!

Well today I got some quallity TT time. We got our icecream on a 20 mile round trip. 15 of us total and my buddy and his wife followed in the modern car, model A tudor. The kids had a blast in the "Big Green Truck". Smiles , laughter , good friends and icecream. What a great day.

I drove my speedster from Moorhead MN to Glendive Mt so I could see what the Montana 500 is all about. It was about 450 miles on the way out. I stayed on I94 the way back, about 420 miles. Caught a big tail wind coming home, was cruising nicely at 65-70 MPH. The first day there I road with Brandon, the second day Tom.

Dallas,

Photo #3 belongs on the cover of the Vintage Ford.

Dallas, I don't remember those seats in the back of your TT when I saw it at the OCF a few years back. Was it always that way? Looks like your passengers are having a great time!

Yes Tim, it makes into 8 different beds. 15 to 20 mph on a sunny day is great fun for all.

Our club attended an event at the local train museum. Nice day and plenty of people to talk to.

I love that little RPU!

My friends, some really neat images! Happy for you.
Dallas, I remember a pic of your friends gingerly seated in the back of that truck box when you first got it.
Looks like great fun! Good neighbors are good friends.
Guilty as charged. Neglect of a model T on counts 1, 2 and 3. Fifty lashes or more. I'm due/I'm deserving.

Cleaned up slightly and actually gapped the 35 yr old new X spark plugs last night. They mostly looked very good! 'cept 2.
Bat charging, opened the needle a bit, pulled the throttle down a bit, other ear up, gas ON, pulled the choke and hit the starter.
Tough little Fords, he popped right off. Ran good! Jeez, should've checked plug gaps a few years ago... Happy.
Mark, wonderful images! Train bits and T's with rotarys right there! Sweet pic!

I drove my 1925 Truck for 6 days last week on the Natchez Trace covering over 650 miles with 3 other T's.

I pulled the steering column, dash and gas tank out of the 26 Roadster and replaced the cowl seal and tank strap pads. Next is installing an uncut dash panel and rebuilding the steering column. Then I can get back to finishing the installation of the rebuilt engine.

Put new linings on a set of 1926-27 brake shoes. Not a biggie, but glad to get it done. My process consisted of C-clamping the lining to the shoes and squaring everything up before drilling the first hole through the lining. A screw (#8) was installed to keep anything from moving while I drilled and secured the other eleven holes. The lining was removed and the holes counter-sunk to lower the rivet heads below surface level. All the screws were then reinstalled when attaching the lining back on the shoes for riveting. One by one the screws were replaced with rivets. I did some filing of the lining ends to bevel them so their tips don’t stand up so high. Not yet sure if they’ll need more, or not. Refer to photo one to see where the lining rises above the shoe.
Rich C.

Rich when I did mine recently the originals were cut back a bit at the ends. They did not go all the way out to the end of the band which makes sense because the lining will never lie flat there.

Finished installing bands with the engine out of the car. While it was out I ground the valves and checked the rods. Put it back together and installed it in the car. I have help coming to finish it up this weekend. I have a solid copper head gasket arriving tomorrow. I'll report on its effectiveness.

I ran across the original one of these when looking for something else, so decided to make the two needed for my 22 project. The required thin material was cut from a 4 gallon thinners can. The pieces were hand formed around a piece of 3/4" flat bar. I have never seen them offered by tge vendors.
Allan from down under.

I like 1910s and all "open valve Ts" It would be fun to start an "Open Valve Club" I would be willing to try to form one. Send me: name, address, email address year & body style and month of engine build. You could list part or all fo serial number. I would complie and share with members. No dues at this time, just fun and data. Once formed and at my age, I would turn data over to someone younger when necessary.

Earlier this month I drove to Oregon to pick up my daughter after her last final and we stopped at Matt’s to pick up a motor. (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28899). We put a crank on it and found it frozen so we took the head, hogshead, and valve covers off to have a look. The head was full of spare nuts. I set the handle on a jackstand and squirted Liquid Wrench in it every couple of days. Today I found the front wheel on the ground and the engine turned very smoothly. There’s an ominous kerclunk kerclunk kerclunk that means we’ll need to drain the rest of the oil and move it to another stand so we can take off the crankcase.
That’s a fun distraction from my goal of completing assembly of the August 1920 motor. We finished assembling the transmission and installed the crankcase and temporarily installed other parts while we wait on bands, timing cover alignment tool, a new set of points, a fan bet that fits, some form of a radiator, … We also test fit a set of Dreadnaught tire chains that Matt had in his collection of parts. Looking forward to winter.

Today Bell will carry the bride, Dad and Mom to the ceremony in style. I offered Mom flowered garlands but she refused, stating that would hide the beauty of the car. Yup!

Took the RPU to beakfast this morning. Right across the road from the old Ford dealership building.

Back in august 1918, a couple of teeth broke of the center solar wheel in thetransmission, effectively blocking it in what appeared to be (like9 high gear.
Now almost 4 years later, I finally got the engine and transmissuon back in the car with a repaired transmission, ballanced flywheel and rebuild generator. With a little help from a couple of local T-buddies.
Looking forward to get it back on the roads again.

Wow! You young guys are energetic. I oiled up the axles and checked the coolant and pumped up the tires for my monthly visit to the local museum. We have open house the last weekend of each month and I take one down for display. This one is 100 years old this year. We also plan to go to Coronado for the 4th July parade. That parade is the largest in the county. Goes from one end of town to the other ending at the Hotel Del Coronado (Some like it Hot).
Then July 30 to Pine Valley for another parade. Hope it is a cool day July 30 because I don't want to overheat in the parade. Attached a picture of the car at the museum
Norm

I just finished my first National Tour, the Wonderful Wisconsin Tour.
464 miles of fun!
It's hard to say good bye to the new friends.

Best of luck on the '22 Perry. I know how hard it is to keep at it. My Tudor has been a day away from being finished for a month now. Your Coupe pictures were such a help when I was working on mine. What a great car.
Congratulations Ken. Aren't those National Tours great? We are in Jackson Hole WY and the Tetons where we went on our first National Tour more than a dozen years ago. What a shame not to have a T here. We forget how beautiful it is.
I'm looking forward to getting home and more active on the Forum.
Rich

Took the '23 Speedster on it's first tour. It's a great way to see the country around Lewistown Montana.The newly installed OF really made a difference, lots more pulling power.

A minor little convenience:

I installed a King Oscar sardine can under the seat, beside the terminal board, to hold spare fuses. Terminal board in a 1915? Yep, for auxiliary tail/brake lights and turn signals.

I have been working on getting this one on the road and worthy, close enough for a parade on Monday.

Really nice looking truck. Love it

We continued assembly of our August 1920 motor, installing and aligning the timing cover and adjusting the Anderson timer with some great resources from the forum.
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/5 ... 1471968028
I also cleaned a set of transmission bands then riveted on Kevlar linings before squirting oil on them and doing a dry run install with the rebuilt hogshead. This is the first time I’ve installed bands with the hogshead off so I thought I would use the nifty Star Tools band tool. Unfortunately it wouldn’t open wide enough to fit over Kevlar lined bands. I’ll be pulling the hogshead off one more time then sealing it up with gaskets and Ultra Black RTV.

Finished putting the engine back in the car after changing bands. Just beginning the tedious job of polishing the brass.

Just getting started bringing the old girl back to life. Done in June.

1) New tires and tubes
2) fresh gas
3) oil change
4) fill with coolant (radiator leaks like a sieve)
5) New Battery (turned out the new battery was bad)

So now it's back to Tractor supply to get a new battery. I'll be out of town for the long weekend but hopefully the first week in July will see the old girl turn over and start.

My '23 touring is 99.9% finished, running perfectly, and super fun. In June I have enjoyed the heck out of it!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sold my all original, unrestored 1926 Fordor to a buyer who lives only 2 hours away. He restored a T in the early 80’s, kept it a short time and sold it. He always regretted selling it and since then, always wanted another one. He picked it up the last weekend in June and plans to restore it to original showroom condition. I don’t think I could have found a better buyer to ensure this Model T continues on as a Model T and not as a rat rod. Jim Patrick

Excellent posts!
I realize I’m sliding hard into July yet wanted to update and to give a thank you.
The Ford didn’t make it to the class reunion. A blast of water in the tank. Drain the bowls and repeat.
Rich C, your brake lining pics are neat. Much appreciated!
I need to do a brake job on a slow-speed OT AGAIN and you provide very good food for thought and methods for dealing with that tough material. 3/16 x 2 x 38 lining and reversed. Lining on the inside. Rivets would go OUT.
Perhaps you got your material from one of our fine vendors, I have to go back to McMaster-Carr and stuck using split rivets (like Crescent S-8, 3/16 x 1/2) per original.
Silly or sentimental but I should really adopt your method as it’s far better.
Wrote that several days ago and still pondering tubular rivets and counter-sinking for this brake job.
Hope that’s OK to put this here.
The screws to hold that lining BEFORE riveting are gold! Gears turn in my noggin.
Back to Rich’s July post!