MTFCA Forum

Anyone know what this is? Looks like to hoses attached, I doubt for an air conditioner, but people have done stranger things!

That is an accessory starting motor for a Model T.

The reason OSHA was initiated…

So what are the two things that look like hoses for?

Not hoses, wires for the electricity, it's an early accessory electric starter motor.

Photo date marked is '6.3.12" down by the axle to the left so yes, a very early starter I would think.

Model Ts aren't that hard to start!

A Whiteman wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2024 7:06 am

Photo date marked is '6.3.12" down by the axle to the left so yes, a very early starter I would think.

Yes, many early electric starters were being made for the Ford, that one is external and more developed in early teen years to be placed under the hood for better protection and look.

Here are a few of these in electric, using the newest of storage batteries carried on board.

Eventually Ford came along with a “better idea” in 1919. After a few broken wrists, arms, wrenched backs, and forgetting NOT to over advance the spark the light bulb came on.

And yes if a T is tuned up and running correctly hand cranking isn’t that hard but for some it wasn’t always that way.

Have a look in the Gallery section here for a few more starters: app.php/gallery/album/75/page/27?sk=n&sd=a and the next pages.

I think it’s a combo starter generator

Yes, and with the gas lights, it would not have been an electric-equipped car. It probably IS a starter-generator unit. I wonder where they mounted the battery?

OilyBill wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 24, 2024 12:56 am

Yes, and with the gas lights, it would not have been an electric-equipped car. It probably IS a starter-generator unit. I wonder where they mounted the battery?

I believe I'm seeing a reflector in the headlamp, suggesting that they've been converted to electric.

It's an early hybrid. Toyota copied the idea for the Pious

Bud Delong (RIP) would call that a Self-Commencer!

It's a chunk of awesomeness is what it is! I want one!