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What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 9:03 am
by Graybeard77
When the rain stops I hope to finish 'Lulubell'. I fell a couple of weeks ago and cracked a rib and then came down with the flu. I have to get her ready for the Kansas tour .

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 9:28 am
by TWrenn
Sorry to hear of your incident. Just thought I'd mention that with cracked ribs, and now the flu (unless you're over it already) keep in mind you are also susceptible to pnuemonia. Having just gotten over pnuemonia myself I can say you sure don't want that.
So take good care of yourself!! Hope you make your tour.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 1:07 pm
by TheSaintDiscJockey
Enjoying the last of the wheel rebuilds.
Began last October. Done!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 1:24 pm
by Mark Osterman
Now that the snow and salt are behind us in Rochester I’m driving the T to work every day.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 1:33 pm
by RustyFords
We're putting in new floors in the house and painting the whole interior....that's consuming a lot of time.

However, my goal is still to get the T running before the end of the summer. So I'm purposefully going to make some T time this weekend to move things forward.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 9:13 pm
by D.Yoder
Bored 40 over, hard seat installed, valve and lifter guides reamed oversized. Babbitt comes next.
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 11:29 pm
by Allan
Brooks, now all you need is correct rims. The wheel you show is the type with the notch in the felloe at the bolt hole. it should have a loose lug rim which has the U shaped piece held in place by a flanged wheel nut. Fixed lug rims will go on, but they will not wedge on the felloe. The load is all on the 4 bolts.
The photo shows what I think is a Hayes lugged rim. It does not appear to go right to the back of the felloe, and looks like it sits well off the outside. This is caused by the 'foot' on a Hayes lug needing a relief in the felloe edge to allow it to go fully on. If this is the case, your is the lest desireable combination.
Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm, but it may become a safety issue, and should be addressed one way or another.

Allan from down under.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 11:46 pm
by fbergski
Today was finally a sunny day in Ventura county CA, took the coupelet to our local cruise night, she ran flawlessly.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 01, 2019 11:52 pm
by Erik Barrett
I threw some trash in my TT dump truck today.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 12:56 am
by Steve Jelf
Yesterday my speedometer was skipping around to all sorts of crazy numbers (26, 52, 47, 19, 300, etc.).

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I found that in a hard right turn the bracket holding the sensor was pressing against the axle. This forced the tube covering the sensor against the wheel (thus the scratches on the spokes), and the covering was now gone, with the sensor hanging loose.

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So today I narrowed the bracket so it wouldn't contact the axle....

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...installed a new sensor cover (3/8" brass tubing), and sealed it with Ultra Black.

Later I drove up to the county seat to renew my driver's license (a round trip of 37 miles), and the speedometer worked perfectly. I checked it against the "Your speed" sign in Winfield.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 1:09 am
by AdminJeff
I recovered from yesterday’s electrical fiasco during the tour. I’d previously installed a 6v regulator from Birdhaven and it turns out it was defective- no charge at all even though the generator was set at full output. So, I “borrowed” a cutout from a fellow T tour participant but I didn’t dial back the generator so Excess voltage burned out both headlights, the 6v blinker turn signal flasher, and caused general mayhem. Chalk that up to yet another thing I’ll never do again. Trial by fire for sure.

And the starter also failed. Completely. Shorted out to ground - probably somewhere in the field coil winding wiring. So now my left forearm is sore as hell from crank starting the stubborn bitc$$$@; it isn’t a simple start. But eventually I get it going and it runs great until I shut it down and start the process over.

Is this T bliss or T hell? Perhaps a little of both. I’m still having a blast on the tour.

Beach tomorrow. With sunshine all day!!

Jeff

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 1:24 am
by Erik Barrett
Jeff, good thing you don’t have that high compression head on there yet. Or do you?

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 7:38 am
by RustyFords
Steve...I would've just left it as is and believed the 300 mph number.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 7:42 am
by Chuck Stevens
replaced the old tack rail, new seats to arrive next month.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 8:06 am
by AdminJeff
Erik Barrett wrote:
Thu May 02, 2019 1:24 am
Jeff, good thing you don’t have that high compression head on there yet. Or do you?
No, Not yet!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 9:00 am
by Tom Hicks
I got Ellie Mae's rear gate on...

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 11:36 am
by Steve Jelf
Hauling livestock, Tom? :)

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 11:54 am
by Scott_Conger
AdminJeff

While this is addressed to you due to your troubles, it is really a posting for other folks new to the hobby...a bit of a cautionary tail of what not to do with a generator...

for what it is worth, setting the generator to full output is not setting the voltage, it is setting the current (and you have found out that in this case just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD)

When you had "no output" with the birdhaven voltage regulator and generator set for "full ouput", you unwittingly did the exact thing that the directions expressly warn not to do, or expect to suffer failure (setting generator for excessive current output). With a voltage regulator, a failure for any reason (open circuit or excess current) in the charging system will cause the regulator to fail to ground......you were actually lucky that it is designed to do so as that saved your generator. When you replaced the voltage regulator with a cutout and then blew out the lights, that was indication of a voltage runaway and is not due to the generator being set to max, nor the cutout (although unlike a voltage regulator, the cutout will pour all the voltage out that the generator will create) and with no battery to recieve the voltage, all the generator's product will simply become heat...until it fails. The combination of your two failures all point to (less likely) not having the battery grounded properly, or far more likely, a loose connection somewhere between the battery and the generator...probably at the barrier strip on the fire wall. It is the battery that determines the voltage output of the generator (no battery and the generator trys to go to infinity). In fact the generator, with no modifications, will charge a 6V, 8V or 12V battery with no modification other than placing the proper cut out on it. The cutout is a simple backfeed preventer that keeps the battery from motoring the generator...opening only when voltage at generator exceeds battery voltage and then allows current to the battery.

You have by now likely found that you NEVER want to set the output for more than 4-5 amps, and always have a healthy functionaing charging circuit.

Very sorry to hear about all your drama.

Hopefully your bad luck and this post will save someones generator in the future!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 4:11 pm
by Steve Jelf
...you NEVER want to set the output for more than 4-5 amps...

Now I'm confused. The Service Manual says the charging rate should be set at 10-12 amps (Page 226). I checked mine while driving yesterday. At 20 mph (recommended by the book) the ammeter showed about 7 amps, and at 30 mph it showed 10-12 amps. According to the book mine is set low, but it's still more than 4-5 amps. :?

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 4:42 pm
by RajoRacer
If you run your amperage at 10 - 12 amps, run with your headlights on or you will boil your battery.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 4:50 pm
by Will_Vanderburg
What am I doing to mine? Driving It!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 4:54 pm
by Scott_Conger
Steve Tomaso is correct!

Steve Jelf

given the very low speeds the T saw when new and the low mileage they tended to get on a per-trip basis, 10A was probably OK. When we drive 30+ MPH and for sustained periods, over 100's of miles to boot, and using a cutout, you're cooking off the battery electrolytes as well as shortening the life of the generator. It takes very little driving at 4-5A to replenish the battery from use by the starter, and you can drive for hours and hours (and hours) with the lights on, with only slight loss to the battery at a net 4-5A drain with the lights on.

With respect to the Voltage regulator for T's, the instructions are very specific as to how to set the generator amperage, and why, in order to maintain its integrity.

The voltage regulator is one of the best things you can purchase for your car (I have zero financial interest in making this statement). It will save your generator and it will save your battery...two very expensive individual components of a T.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 6:11 pm
by Tom Hicks
Steve Jelf wrote:
Thu May 02, 2019 11:36 am
Hauling livestock, Tom? :)
I like the way you think! It is a long way from Tennessee to Beverly Hills, so we will probably take some laying hens for eggs along the way. Those, plus the roadkill and a huge mess of biscuits Granny is cooking up should get us through.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 6:15 pm
by BobD
Drilled hole in right differential housing and tapped for 1/8”- 27 pipe thread and installed 1/8” brass drain plug. :)
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 6:37 pm
by J and M Machine
We just this one cleaned.Believe it or not no cracks for a 1915 engine.
Surprisingly in good shape.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 6:45 pm
by Scott_Conger
Michael

very nice!

and welcome!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 02, 2019 10:07 pm
by Jeepbone1
Got the speedsters body partially mocked up! Summer here we come!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 4:03 pm
by Ruxstel24
Received my Viton tipped needle valve for my Stromberg OF yesterday from Bruce. Beautiful !
Rainy day and I put it in and adjusted the float level....no more drippy drippy !!! :D
Hopefully it'll dry up and I can drive it later.

Set my toe-in after a spindle swap also.

I did go for a nice drive yesterday evening.
Of course Saturday is a good day for more rain... :roll:

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 6:43 pm
by CudaMan
After seeing Larry Smith's photos of original Ford side curtain rolls, I decided to take some black vinyl material that I had on hand and make one of my own using Larry's dimensions.

I sewed a double seam on the sides (instead of the factory single seam) for extra strength and cut notches in the corners so that my machine wouldn't have to sew through more than two layers of vinyl at a time. I also used spray contact cement to hold the seams in position for sewing on my 1948 Singer 15-91 sewing machine.

It took me a couple of hours total, which included measuring and cutting the material, contact cementing the seams, then sewing them. I also sprayed the back of the material flat black to match the original (my vinyl material had white cloth backing).

The original Ford workers would have received pre-cut material and would have just held the seams in position while sewing them. I wonder how many side curtain rolls a typical Ford worker was expected to turn out in a single shift? :)

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 8:09 pm
by 70shovelhead
Teaching the wife to drive the Runabout.
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 8:16 pm
by Darren J Wallace
Installed the correct style coil box in my early '13

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 9:15 pm
by Graybeard77
The rain has stopped. Hope to get the 'T' running tomorrow. The week has been long. This was my first rib injury and I hope my last. Haven't driven the 'T' since Florida tour. Hope for good news tomorrow.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 9:40 am
by Dennis Prince
Driving it to the vintage motorcycle races (trials today and motocross tomorrow). I use to ride back in the day, so it is a trip down memory lane and the weather is going to be great.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 9:54 am
by Divcoone
Where is the voltage regulator available? I’m about to have my generator rebuilt and the shop asked me if I needed a new cutout.
divco100b@icloud.com

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 1:13 pm
by Tom Hicks
Ellie Mae and I went to Cars and Coffee at Regency Square in Richmond. She made some new friends!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 4:47 pm
by Ruxstel24
Took a fellow for a ride today, who's building a 24, but not a lot to experience driving one. He was asking questions about the Ruckstell, "show and tell" is easier and way more fun !! :D

After setting the toe correctly and the spindle being tight...straight down the road. I even let go of the wheel for 10 seconds or so !!
(I don't recommend or condone this behavior) :lol:

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 04, 2019 4:52 pm
by Dallas Landers
Started this morning with this
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After a wrastlin match I had this
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Then the next logical step was mounting these
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And wound up here
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Now I getting rear wheels ready for paint on the TT

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 3:56 pm
by Ruxstel24
Brought a friend over for my T to visit with, same age so they hit it off good. :lol:
I let Bill borrow my headlight adjustment tool as his right one was coon hunting in the trees !
Looks close now, but darkness is needed to be sure. Nice and sunny today. 8-)
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Holding down the trash can, shootin the $h1t...
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 4:31 pm
by Dallas Landers
Rear wheels done
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 7:35 pm
by RustyJazz1938
Finally got the motor into Virginia, my speedster. There hasn't been a motor between the frame rails since 2016. Life and other projects have gotten in the way, but the time is now!

Zoom zoom!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 12:41 am
by Mike Robinson
Picked up my 26 T Roadster pickup from the paint shop Friday.Im very happy with the results. Now the real fun begins!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 1:20 am
by Steve Jelf
When the brake lever won't stay put it's at least annoying, and in some circumstances it can be dangerous.

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The pawl was worn down to such a little nubbin that it wouldn't catch on most of the quadrant teeth.


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Milt Webb's recent piece in The Vintage Ford suggested welding it up and grinding to fit, which is what I would have done anyway. Not having a good pawl for comparison, I overdid it a bit. When I installed the lever it had gone from moving too easily to not moving at all. I had to take it off and grind some more, reinstall it and try it, take it off and grind some more, etc. The third grinding got it right. With some filing on the quadrant and the pawl built up, my brake lever now stays where I put it.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 06, 2019 2:22 pm
by HaroldRJr
Steve - Just solved that problem on one of my T's! The hand brake lever pawl/quadrant thing,.....that's kind of a common problem that needs attention on many Model T's. I know you are aware of this Steve, and me too,....but my bit of knowledge on this subject is one of many of the things I've learned,....just by experience (some good and some bad) and by long-time reading of this forum.

It's pretty simple really,....proper use of the hand brake lever can all but eliminate problems, but I had to learn the hard way. When something wears over time, either the once sharp point of the pawl becomes rounded, or the the teeth of the quadrant wear and become rounded, or a combination of both. Makes one wonder which is harder metal, or, more specifically, which "SHOULD BE" harder metal, the point of the pawl, or the teeth of the quadrant. As we know, when either (or both) become rounded from wear, the hand brake lever can get to where it eventually will not "hold" when hand brake is applied, and this is "inconvenient" at best, and actually dangerous at worst. Actually, I'll try to explain why any hardening of either the pawl or the quadrant teeth is really a "moot" point if the hand brake is regularly applied in what I believe is the proper manner:

What I have had to learn (the hard way) is that the whole problem can be avoided regarding good quadrant teeth and a sharp pawl, just by making a habit of squeezing the latch while you set the hand brake, instead of just dragging the lever back and hearing the clicking of the pawl against the quadrant teeth as you set the hand brake. I'm of the firm belief that that "clicking" of the point of the pawl against the quadrant teeth is you hear as you move the hand brake lever back is what causes most (if not "ALL") of the wear of the pawl & quadrant teeth, and it is completely unnecessary and can be completely avoided by just squeezing the latch as you set the hand brake, and releasing the latch only when the hand brake lever is pulled all the way back. The point of the pawl will never wear just from a stationary position when engaged between two quadrant teeth, but I guess most people just like to hear that clicking or "buzz" of the pawl clattering against the quadrant teeth as the hand brake is applied.

Much too "wordy" here as is usual for me, but I really believe this is an important issue and just one other good Model T driving habit that can totally eliminate a common and sometimes even dangerous problem,....FWIW,.....harold

P.S. And to keep this in keeping with this topic in line with the subject of this forum subject title,...."What have you done lately", I just sharpened the rounded pawl point with a file on one of my T's that was apparently worn from the previous owner of one of my Model T's, and I also installed one of the new type hand brake lever pawl springs that I got from Langs awhile back. (....that spring is a great design improvement,....cheap, easy to install, and they work great!)

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 1:59 am
by Mark Gregush
I am thinking about using the 25 for the parade here in North Portland as it's only about 1 mile travel. It has been sitting all fall thru winter now into spring. Put water in it, fresh gas, coils and a battery. When I turned the key to battery side, nothing. So turned the lights on to check meter, LOL the coils are buzzing! :oops: Decided to try starting it any way. Turned the crank to check for spark at all the plugs, turned the gas on, gave it a couple of prime cranks. Turned the key, I mean lights on, first 1/4 turn she started. This is an old tired engine with cast iron pistons. Had taken the rods up when I got her and installed 2 1/8" rings in each of the top grooves so she has nice compression. Oh I figured out what happened, some how when I put the wires back on the switch backing plate after fixing the pins I swapped the coil box wire with one of the light wires. Here are some photos from last years parade;

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 9:03 am
by MWalker
I'm fixing to start building another one.
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 6:43 pm
by Rich Eagle
That brings back some great memories Mike. Have fun with it.
Rich

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:08 pm
by Bob McDaniel
Not my T anymore because we sold it a year or so ago but I helped the owner install a new top on the 27 Touring that was my wifes car before she opened her mouth and said she was going to sell it whenever we get her 26 done. The 26 is still not any farther along but that 27 is looking good. :lol:
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This was before we finished the front. The hammer helped stretch it in the sun so it would fit better.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 9:12 pm
by Ruxstel24
The last tire that I hadn't touched yet was low today and I heard a leak.
Put one of my new Hartford tubes in it...from jack up to jack down, 20 minutes !! :)
Didn't check the old tube, but ran my hand around inside the tire and wasn't bleeding.

Went through the park and checked out the lake.
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The shadow knows...it's spring !! :lol:
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 11:45 pm
by Steve Jelf
Today I cured my 1923 touring's hard starting. I set up the plug tester and checked all the spark plugs. They were sooty, but all tested good. So I cleaned them and put them back in. Still no start. Next was the timer. I took it off, cleaned it, and reinstalled it. No start yet. In a dozen pulls of the crank it was easy pull a few times, as if it wanted to fire, but no go. Next was the carburetor. As I was removing it I got a hint of the trouble when a little bit of gas ran out of the throttle end. Sure enough, when I removed the bowl and checked the float level I found it set way too high. The service manual calls for a setting of about ¼". It was at only ¹⁄₈" . So I set it at ¼", put the bowl back on, and reinstalled the carb. Problem solved. With the float reset the car starts easily. The problem all along was flooding. Now it starts easily with one pull of the crank on battery or one or two pulls on magneto. I am delighted. We don' need no steenking starter. But apparently I fixed that too when I took the switch out and oiled it. After reinstalling the oiled switch I found that I could start the car easily with the starter or by hand. Now I am even more delighted. The forecast claims we're about to have a few dry days, so I can get out and do some Model T cruising.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 1:18 am
by George N Lake Ozark
ATTA BOY STEVE !!!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 1:44 pm
by Mark Nunn
I finished rebuilding my steering column. I replaced the gear case and cover, steering shaft, bushing and all gears. I also welded and filed the control rods and quadrant. It's ready to go back in along with the Ford NH that I just finished building.
Steering column.gif
I started to disassemble my spare rear end and torque tube. I've already salvaged a couple usable parts and now I found a near-perfect pinion gear to replace my current paperweight. The bearing is worn only about .001" to .002" but I plan to install a Fun Projects sealed bearing.
Pinion gear2.gif
Thanks for the parts Dave and Tim!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 09, 2019 10:53 pm
by Steve Jelf
Took the front axle off my runabout today. I'm going to Tulsa tomorrow for an engine/transmission reassembly session, and will take along the axle to install the spindles with new bushings, as Mike has the proper tools.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 11, 2019 10:20 am
by Steve Jelf
Change of plans: I'm going to look for a better axle. For my work day at Mike's I did mostly grunt work, sandblasting and cleaning. Mike handled the jobs that take skill and knowledge. :)

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Machinist at work.

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Taking off a sharp corner.

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Removing old gasket and sealer.

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Checking the pan. It was straightened a few years ago, but is a little off now. I wonder if that big pothole in Chicago bent it. I suspect that very few Model T's that get driven have perfectly straight pans.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 11, 2019 10:31 am
by Susanne
While I ws gone for meetings last week, my parts came in... including the BRAND NEW TOP BOWS!!! YAY!!!!

Guess what I'm doing this weekend? --heh heh heh--

Need to figure how to shape the ends to fit the sockets and such, but this is a huge step forward!!! It's been no fun having a "tourabout" in bad weather... I think Tourabout is short for Tour About 10 minutes in bad weather then call it off because everyone's soaked like rats!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 11, 2019 6:35 pm
by DaveD
I got the clock to work :shock:

Had a work day!

Posted: Sat May 11, 2019 8:59 pm
by GJScholz
Model T Work Day.
Today was Model T work day on our 1914 Ford Touring. I was assisted today by my lovely daughter Summer.
We replaced the fan belt, and adjusted the fan to work with the new belt. This meant we had to move one washer from the back of the fan mount to the front, for fan clearance with the new belt. We replaced the battery, and cleaned the battery ground connections to have a sure ground on the frame. We added the leather components of the saddles which hold the top when it’s down. Including the saddles and new belts. We put a new license plates. We removed and cleaned the spark plugs gave them a good wire brushing, and reinstalled them.
We drained the water out of the sediment bowl under the gas tank. We filled all the oilers with oil, and did a lot of work on the grease cups filling, turning, filling, turning, you know. We removed everything from under the backseat cleaned, and organized it all, and replaced it if we felt we needed it in the car. Summer reinstalled the newly repaired water tank for the headlight generator. I changed the oil. We refilled the radiator with water because it was empty all winter. After running the engine a while to warm it up, I tightened up the head bolts and thereby removed the chirp that we had.

After all of this some of us took a little cruise to get gas. It was a wonderful day.

https://lovat4.wixsite.com/gregscholz/s ... T-Work-Day

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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 12, 2019 10:15 am
by thom
We plan to finish the top install and drive it! :D :D :D

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 12, 2019 10:30 am
by vech
I put the top down, on our 1915 touring car, and repacked the car with everything I thought we might need, and loaded it in the trailer between rain storms, in anticipation of leaving this coming week for the Tennessee T's Reelfoot lake tour.
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Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 12, 2019 11:10 am
by FordFool
I love those WHITES

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 12:23 am
by Steve Jelf
Mike Bender suggested I replace the bent front axle from my runabout with a better one, so this morning I went to the parts pile out back and found a straight one, then spent the day removing rusted-on parts: farm wagon tongue accessory, wishbone, spindles, perches. Pretty tough going. One perch left to do.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 8:10 am
by mtntee20
My son and I finally got the engine out of Nellie and onto an engine stand. We pulled the head off and found a dead/mummified mouse in the water passage. Grossed my son out. We were both totally surprised by the condition of the cylinders. They are in next to perfect condition. We both agreed that an honing would be good enough. Mic'd them at barely over 3.750" thus these have never even been machined since new. The head is in very good shape. We pulled the inspection cover off the pan and pulled the pistons out. The Babbitt is shot. Funny, the Babbitt is totally worn but the cylinders and pistons show very little wear. Original iron pistons but one has a monster chip out of the top ring groove at the top of the groove. Must have had little compression loss there. Valves came out and they were far from seating even with the monster clearance between each one and it's lifter. All in all, she may have run if we had tried it, although, not very well if at all. The hog's head is next.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 9:57 am
by Bobbbenner
Recently figured out how to tighten the fan belt as it has been jumping off the lower pulley. (Hope that will fix that problem). Made a exhaust bolt retainer and installed it, should work. Found out where all the oil was coming out. Seems the bendix retainer bolts had let go and somehow cracked open the cover. Now waiting for parts to attempt repair. Still thinking through seating and truck bed configuration. Will install Rocky Mountain brakes first..

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 7:44 am
by Jim_PTC_GA
Been out of action for a while. Finally got the T out and gave her a bath. It's been a long winter for me personally, I've spent too much time working on my other T and haven't taken any time to drive Katherine pictured here.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 10:53 pm
by 1925TT
IMG_20190505_140606.jpg

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 15, 2019 10:54 pm
by 1925TT
The tow truck is coming together. After some body work on the fenders it should be hitting the road. It's been 5 years in the making.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 2:57 am
by Tom Hicks
1925TT wrote:
Wed May 15, 2019 10:54 pm
The tow truck is coming together. After some body work on the fenders it should be hitting the road. It's been 5 years in the making.
Tow TT's are neat. What type of wench? Pictures are always nice.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 7:21 am
by 1925TT
It's a Holmes 490. Hand operation or cone clutch.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 7:37 am
by Dallas Landers
How cool is that. Nice job!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:07 am
by Tom Hicks
Wow, looks like a first class rig!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 10:48 am
by George Andreasen
After almost three months of part time "tweaking", I finally got my flywheel magnet clearances correct. It was a long haul, involving the correction of original Ford machining errors that were discovered during assembly. Now perhaps I'll get some "juice" to the ignition!

This morning is the start of final assembly of the engine.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 11:56 am
by 1925TT
Tom Hicks wrote:
Thu May 16, 2019 8:07 am
Wow, looks like a first class rig!
Thanks

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 12:05 pm
by Graybeard77
Finally, Lulubell is running. I drove it and believe it is still off on timing. Will try to adjust it some and go for another drive. Getting close to running well.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 5:17 pm
by Tom Hicks
Procurement for Ellie Mae. She is not ready for all of her accouterments yet, I am still road testing, but an auction came along so I bought some old stuff. I think she will look good with a cross cut saw hanging from her side, a milk jug, a whiskey jug of course, a couple of cow bells, some lanterns, and a barrel roped to the fender like Jethro had. I ended up with a lot of other stuff, most I don't need, and some I don't know what it is for. But Ellie Mae will be well decked out!

The guy lived in Amelia Va. and had stream across the back of his property. He was on the edge of the mineral belt which runs through central Va. A guy at the pickup told me that the owner used to get a lot of tocks out of that stream and found an area where Indians used to make arrowheads. The picture of arrowheads is just a few of the many I found in the various boxes I bought at auction. I know nothing of arrowheads, but they are neat.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 7:14 pm
by Dallas Landers
Nice treasure Tom. Its gonna take a long time to fill the C ment pond with that little red pump.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:47 pm
by Ruxstel24
My cousin is in from Vegas (originally from Columbus).
Took her for a drive this evening, first time in years for her. Beautiful evening too !! :D

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 18, 2019 5:46 pm
by Dallas Landers
Finished the top on the MP cab
20190515_154920.jpg
Final paint on the 8in1
20190517_170936.jpg
Mounted tail lights while paint dries on the 8in1
20190518_093739.jpg
Took it down the road for the 1st time with a cab. The chicago 3 speed and high speed rear with the rebuilt engine makes it a screamer for a TT!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 18, 2019 6:08 pm
by D Stroud
:shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: Dave ;)

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 10:43 am
by Steve Jelf
Part One

Friday I went for another work day at Mike's. We spent half the day trying to get rid of main shaft run out and never did get it under .002". So we decided to take a break from that and do spindle bushings instead.



IMG_2934 copy.JPG
I'm using a "new" axle in place of the bent one that was on the car. It's nice and straight and has good threads, but the top holes were wallowed out and we used the Stevens tool to fix that.


IMG_2932 copy.JPG
The fix is a tapered bushing that the spindle bolt will fit.


IMG_2938 copy.JPG
A tapered cutter adapts the hole for the bushing to fit, and a screw at the bottom takes up the slack and keeps it aligned.


IMG_2940 copy.JPG
The cutter has to go in all the way. In fact, more cutting was required to make the bushing fit into the hole. Luckily Mike had a bigger cutter to finish the job.


IMG_2941.JPG
The bushing stands a little proud so the bolt will press it into the hole.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 11:07 am
by Steve Jelf
Part Two


IMG_2942.JPG
Pressing new bushings into the spindles.

IMG_2944 copy.JPG
The spindle bushing reamer is really two in one. The bottom one cuts the bottom bushing to pilot the shaft, and the larger upper one cuts both bushings to fit the bolt.

IMG_2945.JPG
This shell cutter flattens the surfaces where the bushing faces will fit.

IMG_2948 copy.JPG
That's flat enough.

IMG_2949 copy.JPG
The final step is cutting the bushing faces to fit.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 11:12 am
by Steve Jelf
Part Three

IMG_2952_1.JPG
The axle is back on the car awaiting more reassembly.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 11:47 am
by Ruxstel24
Life is good, when you have the right tools Steve !! Good job :D

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 12:14 pm
by Steve Jelf
Life is good, when you have the right tools...

That's why I took the axle to Mike's shop. :D

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 2:05 pm
by NealW
[image][/image]I have been able to make good progress so far this month on my 15 runabout restoration. Progress includes:

Getting my non demountable wheels back from Stutzmans. They finished them in less than 3 weeks. They do beautiful work! Current pricing is $190/wheel for correct year spoke and felloe shapes. I provided the wheel hardware and splice plates. I used appliance epoxy paint on the hub parts and bolt heads, but left the rims in primer because, based on past experience installing tires, I will likely nick them up a bit installing the new tubes and tires!

Got my fenders, headlights and splash boards low pressure/high volume media blasted by a company specializing in this process. Very reasonable price with no damage to the parts. I've since etch primed them. This was a very old original restoration, and there is some lead work on the front fenders around the area where the three rivets attach the brackets.

Finished removing everything from the body. I felt like I was working on an old piece of furniture instead of a car when I removed the upholstery and top. It is amazing how small a runabout body is once everything is removed.

Also got my running boards and leaf springs back from the blaster/powder coater. Reassembled the springs after applying slip paint between the leaves. After mostly disassembling for the last two months, it was nice to finally have something restored and finished!

Mike Bender has also been making progress on my engine, with getting the babbitt poured and the block and head machined.

We are working hard to get the restoration complete by the car's 105th birthday at the end of September.

Neal

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 2:37 pm
by Dallas Landers
Looking good Neil!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 5:40 pm
by 1925TT
All of the blue is Done. Now to finish up the body work that will be black

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 7:02 pm
by Rich Bingham
Bi-weekly trip to the co-op for feed and fuel. I almost grabbed a bungee cord to secure the gas can to the runningboard carrier, then thought it would be better to be "period correct". A length of sash cord not only worked better, but looks better !

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 7:08 pm
by Tom Hicks
My wife says my mood is determined by how well my T's are running. She is probably right! And right now I am happy, Ellie Mae is apparently mechanically sound and road ready. I plan another shake down cruise tonight, maybe four hours on various roads. I expect to be in a good mood tomorrow too!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 20, 2019 6:18 am
by EricMac
I drove my 26 in the Gilmore Museum tour. A photographer along the route (Museum volunteer John Lacko) shot this photo of me and passenger, Museum Education Director Fred Colgren.Folks, this is a do not miss tour.
26 Touring on the road
26 Touring on the road

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 12:41 am
by ClockDoc
I started to rebuild my generator but ran in to a problem right off the bat. I did not have the correct tool to remove the field pole screws and I made matters worse by using the same method as the last guy, a punch and hammer!
IMG_8035.jpeg
I did manage to get one loose, but the others would not budge. So I sacrificed one of my extra chisels to make a "tool" that would work and fit the new screw correctly to reinstall.
tool.jpeg
Fit.jpeg
I then put it in my vise to hold the tool tightly to the screw.
vise.jpeg
I tried using the 3/8" end wrench that fit the shank but I didn't have enough leverage. So I added some vise grips and a piece of 3/4" EMT conduit for added leverage.
leverage.jpeg
SUCCESS! the rest broke free easily. Now to get every thing cleaned up and ready to assemble.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 9:37 pm
by Original Smith
I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I'm going touring!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 10:09 pm
by Randall strickland
NealW wrote:
Sun May 19, 2019 2:05 pm
[image][/image]I have been able to make good progress so far this month on my 15 runabout restoration. Progress includes:

Getting my non demountable wheels back from Stutzmans. They finished them in less than 3 weeks. They do beautiful work! Current pricing is $190/wheel for correct year spoke and felloe shapes. I provided the wheel hardware and splice plates. I used appliance epoxy paint on the hub parts and bolt heads, but left the rims in primer because, based on past experience installing tires, I will likely nick them up a bit installing the new tubes and tires!

Got my fenders, headlights and splash boards low pressure/high volume media blasted by a company specializing in this process. Very reasonable price with no damage to the parts. I've since etch primed them. This was a very old original restoration, and there is some lead work on the front fenders around the area where the three rivets attach the brackets.

Finished removing everything from the body. I felt like I was working on an old piece of furniture instead of a car when I removed the upholstery and top. It is amazing how small a runabout body is once everything is removed.

Also got my running boards and leaf springs back from the blaster/powder coater. Reassembled the springs after applying slip paint between the leaves. After mostly disassembling for the last two months, it was nice to finally have something restored and finished!

Mike Bender has also been making progress on my engine, with getting the babbitt poured and the block and head machined.

We are working hard to get the restoration complete by the car's 105th birthday at the end of September.

Neal
Hey Neil ,would you mind posting a picture how the body panel behind seat fastens to the side panelsand what screws or bolts were used ?I have one thats apart and need to know what size screws or bolts were used. Thanks Randall

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 11:13 pm
by Steve Jelf
Yesterday and today I worked on an instrument panel for my 1923 touring car. I installed it this evening, but I still need to do the wiring.

IMG_2955 copy.JPG
Under construction. Making the thing is the easy part. Mounting it behind the dash is something else. Working on anything behind the dash of a car is torture.

IMG_2957 copy.JPG
On the left is a switched outlet for a phone charger. The switch on the right side is for a speedometer light. There's room for more switches if I want to add more accessories.

IMG_2958.JPG
When it's not needed it flips back under the dash out of sight.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 8:57 am
by SVibert
Havent touched the touring car but I did put new brakes under the 1929 Packard 640 roadster

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Fri May 24, 2019 10:35 pm
by EricMac
I drove the 13 Touring for the first time in nearly 2 years. It ran great righf until the throttle level snapped in two. This is a car that is in the middle of a full mechanical overhaul. Lots of time an money but it's worth it.
13 running
13 running
Nice Packard there by the way!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 8:50 am
by Bobbbenner
Over the past month we’ve found all kinds of fixes for the TT. The last was the rod that connects the choke control in the cab with the carburetor. Seems when the carburetor was replaced with a Holley G, the rod was connected to the top arm and not only would not “choke” the carburetor but also wouldn’t open the butterfly completely! Also someone tried to sharpen the main jet and left it misshapen. After reshaping the jet and making a new rod to run from the choke control to the bottom arm, it now can choke completely and open completely and gives a lot more control of the main jet adjustment. Bottom line it now starts beautifully using the choke and purrs after adjusting the jet!
As I tinkered with the TT with the help of George Reamy and Tom Pilz I realized how much fun this ‘hobby’ and big toy is. I immediately called my thirteen year old grandson to book a week or so of refurbishment of the truck. Can’t think of a better way of hanging with him!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 4:16 pm
by Tom Hicks
I have been doing test drives with Ellie Mae. Testing my ability to drive safely and testing her ability to perform. I am not finished, but very pleased with the results so far. With 5:1 rear, Warford, and Ruckstell she will run 45, and is actually pretty smooth, but even with front disc brakes her stopping ability does not make me comfortable at that speed. I think 35 will be her top speed with me driving, and she likes all speeds. I mostly drive with the Warford in direct, the Ruckstell in underdrive for neighborhoods (most of my driving), or Ruckstell direct on the open road. It does not take much throttle for her to cruise at 25 and it is a sweet sound as she smoothly moves down the road. Steady low RPM. I think the Z head helps.


I took Griffey to the park today for a walk. 90*, but we were on a shaded trail in the woods. 1.7 miles, 28 minutes to cover it! He loves riding in Ellie Mae, wind in his face. It was not too hot on the road except for stop lights. He wouldn't drink at the park, but when we got home he went straight for the pond. I will give him his spring haircut tomorrow! I had to get him out of the pond and back into Ellie Mae for the pictures, he likes Ellie Mae but at that point he preferred the pond.


We look forward to many more rides to the park together!

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 4:56 pm
by CudaMan
I had to replace two cracked exhaust manifolds on my 1971 Plymouth GTX last week, so I didn't get a chance to drive Betsy, my 1924 cut-off touring car.

I finally finished the job on the GTX yesterday, so I was able to drive Betsy today for the first time in a week. Turned on the gas, gave two pulls on the crank to prime, turned the key, and got a free start! Life is good. :)

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 6:52 pm
by GJScholz
Took T to Walmart for potatoes and lamp oil. Got both. Headed back home. ~ 6 miles one way. Good trip.

Tried to post a pic, but my right side up pic on my iPhone looks upside down here.

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 9:01 pm
by GJScholz

Re: What are you doing with your "T" in May

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 9:33 pm
by babychadwick
I've been working on putting together what in my mind is an ultimate speedster trailer as it will be small easy to tow and allow access to the car once inside. I also bolted on some of the pieces for the speedster to see how things were lining up.