MTFCA Forum

Rusty is ready and waiting for his engine so I am preparing to assemble and install same. I once read of someone doing a hand crank mod and thought that might be fun someday. Well, today is the day and although he is getting his original engine back, he is also getting this radical modification. I will outline it here in case others want to do this or something similar.

After replacing the pan's worn out front bushing with a new steel bushing courtesy of Erik Barrett (who did all the engine machine work) I drilled a starting hole in the front. ... and enlarged the hole whilst also drilling and tapping the crank handle to 1/4-28. Here is the completed modification. Here is what it looks like with the crank being held in the erect position. (to be continued TH)

Here you see a close-up of the complete modification. My bolt was a broken 1/4" AN bolt from my junk pile. After threading the bolt and running it in so it is flush at the top side of the crank the bolt head will rest just above the outer surface of the bushing I need to grind about 1/8" off of this bolt to lower the head. Since this bolt is already drilled I will be putting a safety wire in there. The crank in the erect position. You can let the crank dangle like it normally does. Or by pushing the handle inward you can crank your car normally. Now you can see what I am doing. The N, R and S cars would leave their crank in an erect position, but the T saves on not drilling a notch and not inserting a bolt. The poor little T has it's crank hanging low, where it can ram into piles of snow or mud or just look flaccid. I want to see what Rusty would look like on Viagra! Respectfully submitted, TH

Hi Terry,
It was "Fast Frank" with the proud crank.
I've often thought about it.
Bruce (still drooping)

Frank in crank-up mode.

Seamus has this upright-crank accessory on his 1914.

Steve, Seamus accessory is a bit hard to see. it is interesting indeed!


TH

I just happened to stumble across this accessory on Lang's this morning.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/3664CH.aspx

Kevin

Here's a later model stamped steel "OAKES" Krank-Loc on our '14 - I believe the early ones were cast.

Thanks to Mr. Horlick for explaining the finer points of hand crank positioning. I now know why so many Model T's have that kinky leather jock strap, and the bells (balls?) suspended from the front axle on those cars that are more anatomically complete and correct.

I have one on my 1909, I had never seen one previously so I thought it was special. Now I see they are being reproduced, in brass no less, mine is cast iron.
All my other Ts have a cup and leather strap