1908 Model S

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Neversurrender
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1908 Model S

Post by Neversurrender » Wed Mar 22, 2023 12:52 pm

Hi I recently bought a 1908 Model S from an estate. The owner bought it in 1959. The car was loved its whole life BUT I know nothing about it. Any help would be great, I would like to start it and give it a drive. The family wanted me to own it so it would be cared for.

I collect cars but not this old. The car needs to be freshened up and has a long history and lots of local Trophies. I joined this club to get the car sorted out and on to a owner who will enjoy it. Even has a 1908 License plate that went with it.


KMcoldcars
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by KMcoldcars » Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:04 pm

Your best bet may be to go to the Early Ford Forum, although people here4 will help with info and advice.
https://earlyfordregistry.com/
I own a 1936 Packard convertible sedan, 1962 Thunderbird, 1991 Corvette, supercharged, a 2000 Corvette convertible and a 1916 coupelet.

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Rich Eagle
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Rich Eagle » Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:14 pm

We would love to see some pictures of it if you get time. So would the Early Ford Registry. I have loved them since the VF had coverage of one 50 years ago. They are wonderful.
Here are some I have of one 40 years ago.
BoveyS1.jpg
BoveyS2.jpg
I am envious but will never have one.
Rich
When did I do that?

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Rob
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Rob » Wed Mar 22, 2023 3:00 pm

Larry,
Hope to see you on the EFR site. We also have a weekly Zoom meeting that might be helpful if you care to join us sometime for one.

Early Ford Registry discussion forum:
https://earlyfordregistry.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=3

You don’t have to be a member to post, just register for free.
Hope yo see you, and your car there,
Rob


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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Joe Bell » Wed Mar 22, 2023 4:52 pm

Just sent a set of repoured rods to Valley City Ohio for an S, I guess it got a new crank.

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JvanMaanen
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by JvanMaanen » Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:21 pm

Laryy, Pate's early ford encyclopedia is also a wealth of information and comes with a cd containing the operating manuals supplied by Ford to new owners. It also has reprints of parts books that really help seeing how things go together


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Neversurrender
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Neversurrender » Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:11 pm

IMG_2600.JPEG
Not sure what That Brass thing is?
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Herb Iffrig
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Herb Iffrig » Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:22 pm

The brass thing on the running board is a carbide generator. It makes acetylene gas to burn and make light in the headlights.

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JvanMaanen
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by JvanMaanen » Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:45 pm

It is an SR meaning S Roadster, has the metal cowel mother in law seat. Top was an option so not on this car. looks pretty clean and complete.


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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Wed Mar 22, 2023 8:53 pm

Nice model S Roadster!
A lot of people on this forum will love it! The crowd on the EFR is much smaller, however they would REALLY love it!

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Rich Eagle
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Rich Eagle » Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:10 pm

What a beautiful car. It should be tons of fun.
Thanks for the pictures.
Rich
When did I do that?

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Rob
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Rob » Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:40 pm

Larry,
Very nice 1908 S Roadster! Do you happen to know the engine number? If you have any engine pics, it’s on the left or passenger side just behind the camshaft/oil pump drive pulley on the aluminum crankcase. Thank you for posting,
Rob

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Duey_C
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Duey_C » Thu Mar 23, 2023 3:36 am

Oh drool. What a cutey!
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated


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Neversurrender
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Neversurrender » Thu Mar 23, 2023 7:41 am

Thank you for all the useful information hope to get this up and running this spring


Topic author
Neversurrender
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Neversurrender » Thu Mar 23, 2023 7:47 am

THANK YOU Herb we have been wondering what the heck that was!!! We guessed everything from a heater to keeping water in it!! So glad we finally know!


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Neversurrender
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Neversurrender » Thu Mar 23, 2023 7:55 am

IMG_2623.JPEG

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TWrenn
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by TWrenn » Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:38 am

Neversurrender wrote:
Thu Mar 23, 2023 7:47 am
THANK YOU Herb we have been wondering what the heck that was!!! We guessed everything from a heater to keeping water in it!! So glad we finally know!
Larry, you were on the right track about the carbide generator. The top part comes off as you probly know by now, and yes it has the water in it, and you put carbide pellets in the basket in the bottom. You regulate the flame of the lamps by adjusting the "lever" on the top, clockwise reduces the amount of drips so your lamp flame will be smaller. The engine looks pretty good to me but I"m not as educimated on these as would be Rob Heyen. But I don't see a carb adjustment rod attached to the "T handle" but then I don't know if NRS's ever had them anyway. Sooner or later someone will let ya know. What a nice car, lucky you!!

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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Rich Eagle » Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:56 am

I like the layout of those engines. The oil pump is a later replacement as is the breather on the inspection plate. I'll bet the Model T carburetor works well on it.
Thanks again for sharing the pictures.
Rich
Last edited by Rich Eagle on Thu Mar 23, 2023 3:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
When did I do that?


Dave Sullivan
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Dave Sullivan » Thu Mar 23, 2023 11:45 am

I think the pump is an oil pump, reminds me of a Stove Bolt pump. Dave in Bellingham

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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Rob » Thu Mar 23, 2023 11:50 am

Thank you for the photo. If it’s the original motor, and if I’m seeing it correctly (26XX), then I think it’s a late June early July 1908 car (Trent Boggess ledger database).

Is that by chance an oil pump? It looks like the original McCord oiler isn’t on the car (it would drive from the camshaft end to the right side of the motor, the same shaft currently driving the device on it now.

Hope to hear more on the EFR site if you come over. We have several members and participants with NRS who may be able to help with any questions or parts.
Cheers,
Rob


English bodied chassis:
24ACFDD3-E194-489E-93BA-C099B8B463D2.jpeg


TrentB
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by TrentB » Thu Mar 23, 2023 2:08 pm

It does appear that the original McCord mechanical oiler has been replaced with a more modern oil pump on this Model S roadster. If I am seeing it correctly, the modern oil pump is drawing oil from the bottom of the crankcase and pumping oil to the right hand side of the motor. Originally, oil from a mechanical oiler was fed to three location on the motor and transmission. One feed went to the front main bearing, a second feed went directly to the side of the crankcase, and the third feed went all the way back to the rear of the transmission frame.

One wonders what the right side of the engine looks like and where does the oil line go to. An additional question would be if there is a supplemental oil tank somewhere? Model NRS engines had a total loss oil system. Oil escaped from the main bearings, past the piston rings, out around the push rods, and from the rear transmission bearing. The lost oil had to be continuously replaced.

The oiling system differed between Model N cars and the Model R and S cars. The Model N used a pressure fed oiler. Gases from the exhaust manifold pressurized the oil tank forcing oil to drip into two lines, one back to the crankcase and the other to the rear transmission bearing. The quantity of oil flowing was adjusted through needle valves on the side of the tank. The operator measured the oil flowing through the two lines by counting the drops per minute through two sight glasses on the oiler.
8568FB1F-46F7-4067-B3EF-B6D3EAB96E43.jpeg
The oil tank on the pressure fed oiler had to be replenished regularly.

The Model R and S cars used a more reliable mechanical oiler. This oiler was powered by a steel spring belt, that looked like a screen door spring, from a pulley at the front of the camshaft. Integral with the mechanical oiler was the supplemental oil reservoir. Oil was fed through three lines, as mentioned before, to the front bearing, the crankcase, and the rear transmission bearing. The flow of oil going to each line could be adjusted individually.
4A87D045-3F7D-40E0-9C14-C27BC3351136.jpeg
As in the Model N, the oil in the mechanical oiler had to be replenished regularly.

You might want to ask where does all the oil on a NRS car go? The answer is everywhere! Oil leaks flown the side of the crankcase to a drip pan. The operative word there is drip. Oil from the rear bearing leaks onto the exposed timing gears. Oil from the rear transmission bearing leaks down the driveshaft tube towards the rear of the car. Oil leaking from the motor is joined by semi-fluid grease leaking from the transmission, which results in oil all over the underside of the car. It is not uncommon for an NRS car owner to have to spend an hour of cleaning and maintenance for every hour of run time of the car.

Respectfully Submitted,

Trent Boggess


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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Luke » Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:23 pm

Good to see the steering wheel is on the correct side of the vehicle :mrgreen:


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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by MichaelPawelek » Thu Mar 23, 2023 7:50 pm

I really like the vintage Diet Coke can in one picture. Must have been hard to find! 😊

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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by TRDxB2 » Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:06 pm

Luke wrote:
Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:23 pm
Good to see the steering wheel is on the correct side of the vehicle :mrgreen:
If Ford made a right hand drive for the Colonies, he must have made a left hand drive for the Commonwealth :o
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Neversurrender
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Neversurrender » Fri Mar 24, 2023 7:43 am

Everyone has been so helpful with the information on this Ford Model S not sure how this will look in my collection of 1956 Jaguar XK 140, Dodge Viper and Aston Martin & 1960 Indy car but it will be an interesting comparison on how far cars have come.

I just want to thank everyone again

Larry

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TWrenn
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by TWrenn » Fri Mar 24, 2023 9:37 am

Luke wrote:
Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:23 pm
Good to see the steering wheel is on the correct side of the vehicle :mrgreen:
:lol: Wonder how many "points off" judging that caused? :lol: :lol:

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TWrenn
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by TWrenn » Fri Mar 24, 2023 9:38 am

Neversurrender wrote:
Fri Mar 24, 2023 7:43 am
Everyone has been so helpful with the information on this Ford Model S not sure how this will look in my collection of 1956 Jaguar XK 140, Dodge Viper and Aston Martin & 1960 Indy car but it will be an interesting comparison on how far cars have come.

I just want to thank everyone again

Larry
Ha ha Larry, I would say BETTER!! No offense to those otherwise pretty cool cars. They're just too modern for my taste! :lol:


Luke
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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by Luke » Fri Mar 24, 2023 3:36 pm

TRDxB2 wrote:
Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:06 pm
Luke wrote:
Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:23 pm
Good to see the steering wheel is on the correct side of the vehicle :mrgreen:
If Ford made a right hand drive for the Colonies, he must have made a left hand drive for the Commonwealth :o
Frank, that's cheating! :D


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Re: 1908 Model S

Post by TXGOAT2 » Fri Mar 24, 2023 7:33 pm

Antique stationary engine people might have some early McCord oilers.

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