MTFCA Forum

I don't think anybody else has done it, so I'll kick off this month.


On the first day of this year's OCF trip I wasted a couple of hours in a Coffeyville parking lot removing, cobbling back together, and reinstalling my runabout's muffler. By last week it looked like this. Today and this evening I reassembled it and added some weight. It's not a pretty sight, and I will never be accused of being a good welder, but I expect this will stay together awhile.

Steve- have you figured out why your car has been back firing?

As always, I've DRIVEN them! Luckily they're all in good running order, (knock wood!) got the front axle on the Torpedo all repaired and remounted, plus 4 new tires put on her the last week of Oct. So today she's off to tour with some club buddies this afternoon. Gonna be an excellent day about 70 degrees, full sunshine, light winds. Perfecto mundo!

Light winds and moderate temperatures really improve the Model T experience. If you drive over 30 to 35 MPH, a headwind can really be a nuisance. My car handles crosswinds pretty well, but headwinds make a definite demand on power. If I was Elon-rich, I'd commission a custom, brass-framed windshield that could fold flat, like the ones on them fancy Packard roadsters.

Steve- have you figured out why your car been back firing?

Nope. I'm not sure I would call it backfiring. Just a mild little pop occasionally. No big bangs.

Steve

with that reinforcing, don't worry, you'll have a big bang soon enough!

Steve, if you ever end up having to replace that muffler, check the Encyclopedia for the correct configuration for 1915.

Put a spring loaded door on it to vent excess pressure.

Time for a tractor muffler from a farm supply store.

TWrenn wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 03, 2022 9:30 am

As always, I've DRIVEN them! Luckily they're all in good running order, (knock wood!) got the front axle on the Torpedo all repaired and remounted, plus 4 new tires put on her the last week of Oct. So today she's off to tour with some club buddies this afternoon. Gonna be an excellent day about 70 degrees, full sunshine, light winds. Perfecto mundo!

As mentioned earlier today...got in a nice little 63 mile tour out in some new areas even I haven't traveled this afternoon. The weather was perfect with a T shirt under a sweatshirt. Could only manage to get one pic to mark the occasion. Was 3 cars today, my '11 Torpedo, Art's '23 Touring and Jim's '26 Runabout. Really enjoyed it! Gonna take Izzy out after supper for fuel since next two days gonna be super windy. Fordor time then!!

../if you ever end up having to replace that muffler, check the Encyclopedia for the correct configuration for 1915.

Yes, I know it's 21-27. The price was right ($10). The correct one costs $215.

You need one of these Steve. Apco explosion proof muffler with cutout. Only had one backfire due to a bad ingnition switch. When you really want to add power, just open the cutout. The add says you gain 2 hp. Not much but thats 10%? If you believe everything you read. I have one on my TT for cool factor.

I painted the body platform on my 1912 commercial roadster with DP90 getting it ready for the painter to finish up. The body was made by Rootlieb many years ago. The body is mostly sheet metal but the seat riser is wood paneling front and rear. The wood trim is made from steam bent oak
The body was rusty from sitting for 20 years and the varnish on wood pieces was deteriorating.
I sandblasted the sheet metal and sanded off the varnish. I filled the open grain with wood filler after applying a sanding sealer. After sanding it smooth, I painted the wood panels and trim with a wood primer and caulked the spaces between the sheet metal and trim. After everything was sanded smooth I shot it with two coats of DP 90 automotive primer/sealer.
I think I tried every product on the market for filling the wood grain and the spaces between the sheet metal and wood trim. And probably made every mistake in the book, having to redo things a number of times. Thank goodness it came out good in the end.
Like a lot of restoration work, you look at the finished product and wonder why it took you so long!

...you look at the finished product and wonder why it took you so long!

One of the corollaries of Murphy's Law states that
Everything takes longer than you think it will.

Richard,

I love the dark grey you are using. I would suggest you add an extra piece of wood so you can tilt your seats back a few degrees. You will be a lot more comfortable, especially on long journeys. Did you put a hinge on the seat platform?

We took some T's down to an elementary schools and showed them to 4 classes. The kids liked them and asked questions. That is me with the mike wearing a yellow jacket.
Norm

Made the second trip to Dean’s in the last week and watched (ok, tried to help) him finish putting the rebushed and aligned transmission on the 1910 Ford Special racer motor. It’s coming together. We’re going with the much lighter Model T flywheel instead of the much heavier larger one, that came apart from the drive shaft last year.

Steve, so true, so true. I remember having the same thoughts restoring a brass windshield. When you look at the finished product, it looks like something someone would knock out in a couple weekends!
Dave. What you see covering the the top of the seat riser is taped cardboard to shield the inside wood from paint. Your idea of moving the seat back or tilting it for comfort is something to consider.

I installed my speedometer head at the end of August, but sent the swivel to Russ Furstnow for repair. Today I installed the swivel and the cable. Everything seems to work with the right front jacked up and the wheel spinning, but an actual test drive will have to wait for a break in the weather.

It's nice to have a working speedometer

It's nice to have a working speedometer

Agreed. The bike speedometers were always great for awhile, but I never had one survive an OCF trip.

The last trip out was to get a unit of 3/4" T&G plywood to deck my
attic, before framing the roof. The latter has kept me occupied 16-
18 hours a day since. No time to do anything but walk by the truck
as I go about my work.

Dallas, is that muffler your secret advantage when racing the Amish in the TT?! How’s the racing series going? Inquiring minds want to know!

Burger, I hope that lumber yard is close to your home! The TT would be very slow on the road.
Norm

Installed new bushings and front shackles primed and painted in place. Reassembled the rear spring pack after removing rust then adding slip plate. Primed and painted. I will install it after the paint cures then on to the next thing. Probably spindles
Still having fun

RGould1910 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:20 pm

It's nice to have a working speedometer

Yep. That's why I finally sent Clara's in to Russ also...got tired of it sticking every time the trip odometer rolled over 99 to 00. So far, the things a mess! He's got his work cut out for him! It's in good hands tho.

Norman Kling wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 05, 2022 11:12 am

Burger, I hope that lumber yard is close to your home! The TT would be very slow on the road.
Norm

====================

Badger Lumber, Post Falls, Idaho. I live in Spokane, Wa. The product was
better, the price far better, .... and this is what I own the truck for. I can
drive 35-40 all day with this truck.

Just one small step in the reassembly of the 1927 coupe; that is, getting ready to install the new steering shaft. I wonder if the little symbol on the face of the end of the new shaft has any significance.

I can't speak to the markings, but double check the pin spacing vs. the old shaft to make sure they match. The number 5 on the old shaft likely means it is for 5:1 gears.

Burger in Spokane wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 05, 2022 1:14 am

The last trip out was to get a unit of 3/4" T&G plywood to deck my
attic, before framing the roof. The latter has kept me occupied 16-
18 hours a day since. No time to do anything but walk by the truck
as I go about my work.


IMG_2982.jpg

Burger,

I love the fact that you use your truck for actual hauling!

Bruce - the funny little cartouche is TTP - Texas T Parts - the number 5 is the ratio.

The T brought me to the polling place up the street. Choosing a candidate was difficult. None of them published their stance on the important issues: water pumps, MMO, oil preference, 6v vs 12v, etc.

Dan

you're a great addition to the Forum

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 08, 2022 12:37 pm

Dan

you're a great addition to the Forum

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 07, 2022 8:12 pm

Burger in Spokane wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 05, 2022 1:14 am

The last trip out was to get a unit of 3/4" T&G plywood to deck my
attic, before framing the roof. The latter has kept me occupied 16-
18 hours a day since. No time to do anything but walk by the truck
as I go about my work.


IMG_2982.jpg

Burger,

I love the fact that you use your truck for actual hauling!

======================

That is why I own it. A goal since childhood to drive and use one
like it is still 1933. No car shows or fluff, just an old truck out there
doing what it was built to do, perhaps stunning a few passersby into
a curiosity to consider doing it themselves ? You know, ... the old
"poison the minds of youth" idea. Just today we stacked a huge load
cured firewood onto it and backed it into the shop for the winter. I
did not get a pic, but this was last year, and it looks exactly the same
tonight.

.... "Choosing a candidate was difficult. None of them published their stance on the important issues: water pumps, MMO, oil preference, 6v vs 12v, etc."...

A good many of them have expressed their views and intentions concerning internal combustion vehicles and other equipment and the several industries that support them.

As for MMO, it is clearly a plot against the Workers!!

After almost 8 months of work, I took our newly restored 1911 touring out for its first drive. It is the first full restoration that the car has ever had. It was built in November 1911. The exact date unknown due the records being lost in the Ford fire some years back. Technically it is likely an early 12 model year, but it has the stepside body which I like, but was a lot more of a pain to paint and color sand. I painted it black because the "forensic" data of the car when taken apart showed that the original paint was black. If it ever was "midnight blue", then it faded to black in the hidden areas too.

It was my second frame up restoration, but the first where I rebuilt the engine and rear axle. The car easily starts on the magneto, even though it is still a bit stiff from the rebuild. The Corey W rebuilt the Holley H1 and the car runs nicely on it. I cheated and am using brass top KW coils that I rebuilt and put in a "Heinze" box sized for KW coils. I used Mike R's ECCT to tune the coils, and they work nicely.

I still need to install the Russ F rebuilt speedometer and cable, as well as the plumbing for the acetylene lights. I'll do the latter next spring, when I also plan on restoring the Baudette built front doors that are not original to the car, but do fit at least.

Neal

On advice from Russ, I disconnected the cable from my malfunctioning speedometer. That leaves me with a NavPal for speed, but no odometer.

I drove down to the Gasino to fill up. The price is 25¢ cheaper per gallon than in town. When I go there by T I use the former US 77 to avoid high speed traffic. My dad told me that when he came to the big town of Arkansas City (about 1921, I think) his first job, or one of the first, was pouring concrete for the new highway to Winfield. A few years later, when the national highway numbering system was introduced, the new road became part of US 77. I think this Oklahoma part of the highway was also poured in the early twenties.



Shorty likes to ride in any car, but I think she especially likes going in a Model T.

I took advantage of the warm weather and took a ride to the Maywood Environment Park to watch the last of the salmon spawning in the Pigeon River. Drove past the only round barn in the county on the way home.

Got some more work done on the Delivery Car. Working on my seat risers, seat frame, and seat back. You can also follow the build on the Forum here https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=29136

Also you can follow the build on YouTube https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCrzL-ackSP446Tp6OJLwv-w

Sun Country Model t Club Attended the Veteran's day Parade in Phoenix Az. as we have since the parade started in 1997 carrying grand marshals & and other dignitaries. In the event attended by 45,000 on a beautiful fall day. Thank all our vets and their families for there sacrifice & dedication to our freedom, safety & way of life. God Bless you all.
Craig.

More pics. craig.

My son and I decided to order a bunch of "shipping nightmare" parts from Snyder's and drove from Michigan to almost Pennsylvania to go get them. We figured we spent the shipping money we saved on gas, tolls, and Quaker Steak but we all had a nice time.

We took along a guy who is new to the hobby. He owns a '28 Roadster and we preached the beauty of the Model T all the way there and back. John looked at the Snyder for sale board while he was there. He looked at my cars afterwards and said he may join the three pedal club. He's definitely planning on being at the Old Car Festival in 2023.
We also got to meet Don Snyder Jr. and see his cars.

I know exactly how you feel. I look for an excuse to drive to Lang's. I feel like a kid in a candy store each time I go.

Today's project in the shop was getting a couple of timers ready to carry as spares.


These are all originals. The two on the left are good to go.The one on the right didn't make the cut, or at least it hasn't yet.

A view from the front.

What's wrong with this one? The arrows show where there are still divots in the case. These do'nt look very deep, so I may be able to grind them out eventually.

Repaired a damaged hole in an Automatic windshield using the same basic technique used in installing a crank sleeve in a crankcase. I fashioned a plug by center drilling, tapping and tapering one end of a punch. By tightening the bolt I pulled the tapered plug through the damaged hole. Successive annealing and careful work yielded a successful outcome.

In Michigan the weather was good the first half of November…so I drove my car to work every day and even did a little off road driving to look at the fall colors.

Put 'em all away for the winter. Clara's resting comfortably in her heated trailer, poor Isabel gets to "reign high up on the lift" in the cold barn, and Stanley gets the moderately warm house garage. The salt demons came out late last week and finished our season. Around here they love to put down more salt and brine than what there is of snow. When the roads dry, you'd think we were in a dust storm from all the salt dust being kicked up.

bdtutton wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 24, 2022 1:45 am

In Michigan the weather was good the first half of November…so I drove my car to work every day and even did a little off road driving to look at the fall colors.

Nice that you got the extra driving in before the weather went south. Your pic didn't load til after I posted mine above. Nice looking '14 and also nice to see you're probably also a member of "keep the stupid top down" club! I never have mine up except for super hot sunny and long tours and when the wife's with me. For that though, it's the '11 Torpedo's department. I try to keep the '13s down all the time.

I hate road salt. Period.

I have a 4A fuse at my coil box because I have an E-Timer. The fuse keeps blowing lately every few minutes. My analog voltmeter needle wavered when I connected it to the fuse holder. It fluctuated between 5 and 6 volts. The needle wiggled with the key on bat and coils removed.

I opened the ignition switch and found a mess and what looks like metal shavings. I hope to finish repairs this weekend.

Awe, Come On! I reinstalled my rebuilt and tested ignition switch. I hand-primed the car and turned on the switch. I almost got a free start. I pressed the starter button and just as the engine fired there was a loud bang. I pressed the button again and heard the starter zing away all by itself. Bendix failure? Probably, and I blew another effing fuse.

Bryan, that's a REALLY nice looking car

Probably a Bendix problem, but there is a chance the pinion failed to engage the flywheel due to sticky oil or band lint on the pinion shaft. Starting the car by other means and letting it warm up might fix the problem. If it does, an oil change might be in order. It would be prudent to inspect the Bendix and look for damage and account for any loose parts before proceeding.

I removed stuff from my Fordor to get it ready for a trip to Don Booth's place.

My Bendix bolt and spring broke. The good news is the broken bolt was in the Bendix cover.

While looking at my flywheel, I noticed that I have a magneto ring but there are no windings. Go figure.