MTFCA Forum

I got this motor in Mothers Day 1963 for $9. It was stuck , Snow on the ground and cold. I got a frame and 2 axles with it, No radiator and nothing else.
I was 17,no T knowledge and less cash. When I got it unstuck I had to use Model A manifolds and carb as that is all I could find. Parts and a body were found and it was last ran in 1971 in the Gold Discovery Parade at Custer SD.
The choke rod and timer rod were disconnected prior to the pictures. the ring gear is bad so I always started it with the crank which shows a little wear.
How long would the keepers on 2 & 4 intake valves go before they fell out. It still has fairly good compression when pulling on the crank on all cylinders and no stuck valves. I want to put T manifolds and an NH carb on it.
Have a laugh, pick it apart and let us see what can be found. It is always interesting to see what others find in photos.

Very interesting…. Taper leaf front springs and aluminum crank handle that was discontinued on 4 April 14 by Accession 575. But a 1 piece valve cover introduced in early 20s sporting a New and Improved coil box…. Get it ready for the Nat’l Tour this weekend

To me..

That is how an old T should look..

Thanks for Posting..

Cap

I don't see anything to laugh at or pick apart. What I see is a mix and match or not. Some people call it a "parts salad", others a "Johnny Cash car". A bunch of parts and pieces stuck together to perform a task or purpose. That is also a major part of the model T's place in history!
I want to see more pictures of it!

You can't buy anything else for nine bucks that will be more entertaining and enjoyable.

We did what we could with what we had in those days. I think we are better for it. We became resourceful and learned as we went. Much of that benefitted me later in life.
Much has changed since then and some for the better but not all.
Thanks for the pictures and taking me back.
Rich

Looks like either a 26 or 27 car. The sediment bulb is for the under seat tank. You need one which has the bulb at the bottom for your car, It is useless as is because the gas is supposed to go through from the top with the bulb hanging down to catch sediment. So that needs to be replaced. If you use an NH carburetor you will need the rod through the center of the engine between cylinder 2 and cylinder 3 to connect directly from the steering column to the carburetor. Also remove that rod in front of the coil box. See my picture. Norm

The sediment bulb I know was wrong,you cannot see it but the handle is broken and if you saw the other side there is no spring, no washer, no cotter pin and no protrusion to hook any of that to.
That rod and flat bar accross the top of the head is part of the throttle linkage. On the left side there is a small chain connecting it to the throttle rod on the steering column.
Number 14 and 16 household wiring worked for timer and spark plug wires. Also for other wiring. The fan mount was to be on the head but I did not have one. Number one timer to coil wire was hooked to #2 timer post because the rod had to go under the radiator hose and would not reach to timer correctly so move the wires. It worked but I will make a new rod so it will work better as I never had much power so I think a lot of it had to do with the power. I put a Ruxtell under it and the shift lever is an emergency brake handle mounted on the right side.
Needs a little work, e brakes, correct windshield frames,outside oiler, correct front spring, 2 more wire wheels, possibly some type of seat cushion and a couple of other minor things. Got to find my #65 key around here somewhere.
I never want it as a fancy restored rig as that takes the history away from it. I would rather have it as the dakota ridge runner it was as I had to go along a couple of ridges to get home as there was not enough power to go up the main road Hills.
It is for fun not show.

I think we need more pictures! Improvisation saved many old vehicles, particularly commercial and agricultural. I for one think it would be a shame to remove "non T parts" which would rob this important survivor of its past history. Save it as it is for posterity!

I think it is great as it is, a testament to youthfull resourcefulness, heck you made it run with what you could get and it worked !
Get it running again and don't change a thing, enjoy the Ting !

I like this one put up here some time ago by Freighter Jim :

The only thing that I noticed was that your right fender support is missing a bolt/rivet.

This morning I looked at my cowl gas tank sitting on the floor that has no pads for the two metal straps.
I have a vehicle tow strap with damage. So, I cut it up in lengths an hour ago to make do.
My wife started spraying the yellow straps with black fabric spray.

Some of us old children are still living the dream.

Laugh? Why,you made do with what you had and enjoyed it. Glad for you.
Some folks think if a restoration requires more than some gas and a fresh battery it is beyond hope.

I like it, it's the kind of car I'm drawn to wherever there's a collection of old automobiles. Lots of visual interest. The museum-quality restorations are lost on me--makes my head hurt thinking of all the time and money that went into them.
Gerrit

Each Model T owner has a different mind set. Some want a "show car" which is only displayed at car shows hoping to win best car. Others like to have them in close to original condition and drive them regularly on car tours and some daily drivers. Others like to add speed and power equipment. Many like their car to be just as it was found and only fix things to make it run. So to each his own. I do not enter into shows where I have to pay to enter or the cars are judged and given prizes. I do, however like to keep them restored enough to be a good amateur restoration and I do drive on tours and even sometimes to areas in our town. I put them on display at our local museum just to attract some people who see it as they go by and are attracted to come and ask questions. And since I restored one from a pile of rusty parts and did it here in town, it is part of our history. I do, however, think you need to do something about the sediment bulb because as is, it won't work for either a filter or a shut off valve.
Norm

Looks like Model A carb and manifolds, and an interesting throttle linkage. Have I got that right? How does it run on the Model A bits?

the only thing I'd change is replace the spark plug wires with barbed wire so that it can hurt you even when it is not running.

Meant to ask, can you post a photo of the whole car?

Cannot get a photo at present of the whole pickup. The box is bant up a little and I only got the box shortly before I left SD 54 years ago. Have to see if I can find an old picture of it as a flatbed.
It seemed to run OK with the A carb but I believe my lack of power was timer settings. Kicked back a few times cranking it..When I was running it my exhaust pipe and muffler were from a 58 Ford and the pipe was jammed into the manifold and held with bailing wire. It was run with bald adapted 16 inch wheels and tires on the rear and 30 x3 1/2 on the front. Windshield frames were straight bottomed but worked. There is a fuel shut off valve screwed into the sediment bulb. It had no floorboards and an old foam cushion for a seat.
We had a little rat terrier and she would go and jump up in it and sleep on the cushion in the sunshine in the garage on nice winter days. When I ran it in parades as a hillbilly which I possibly was I have never had so many pictures taken. It was a lot of fun. I would take my mother grocery shopping in it.

Excellent, simply excellent. Making do.
Let the correct police soil themselves, the photos are just fantastic!
One of mine was/still is a real mess also. Gosh what a fun car.

No current pictures at this time but here are a couple as I ran it 50 + years ago.

Dennis_Brown wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 19, 2023 9:30 pm

No current pictures at this time but here are a couple as I ran it 50 + years ago.

Great photos, going for the moonshiner look? Or were you in fact a moonshiner back then? I like the stoneware jug. Rear wheel looks similar to vintage VW but probably not. Thanks for posting the pics, here's one for those who don't want to download.
Gerrit

I have a pair of wheels welded up JUST LIKE those! to rusty now to use but wow, a second pair!

Looks like a '36 Chevy wheel (6 lug bolts) or a '30s Plymouth or Dodge wheel (5 lug bolts)

So the car was built in 1971.
That means it has been like that for 52 years.
That makes it 'older' than many of the used parts were when the car was built.
That means it has 'existed' longer than the original cars that donated to its construction.
That makes it a genuine 'correct classic' in its own right