MTFCA Forum

As I approach substantial completion on my 1924 c-cab project, I now am in the fine tuning phase, which also highlights how much I still don”t know about these machines. Overheating, timing adjustment , tire replacement etc are all still to address and a common theme in this forum is to find a nearby fellow owner to provide guidance. Being out here in Lubbock, it appears that the closest club is Dallas, just a short 5 hour drive.Any body any closer? Coffee’s on and beer’s cold...

Don’t know how much you had to do get your TT going but looks like your doing a good job. If you are a hands on guy you can figure out what needs to be done as far as fine tuning your truck can be found on the forum. And in the end nothing is a better teacher than using a hands own approach. You probably have the Ford T service manual and maybe some of the MTFCA publications. Hopefully there is someone in your area to help but if not this forum has a LOT of info to be accessed.

Thanks John, I’ve been doing just that. I’ve learned a lot from the forum and by pouring through the Ford literature. I’m sure I’m most of the way there but nothing like the personal influence of someone who has “been there, done that”.
As to what the truck needed, it barely ran when I got it and had been sitting for many years. The body work was showing its signs of age on a poorly done 1970’s restoration and basically had to be taken to bare metal. A rewire job, engine and radiator flush, and lots of body work. The engine sounds good now for the most part but have not had the head off so I may just be hoping against hope that it won’t need as much work as the rest of the truck has.

Howdy Bruce,
I bought my first house in Lubbock back in ‘77 at 2201 28th St. Also bought a TT Enclosed Cab stakebed up in Plainview. There was a young fellow named Paul Ray Martin that restored a ‘26 T touring on a large cotton farm out of Slaton. You have a really nice looking C Cab there. Even has the correct C Cab upper windshield. Those 8 stakes for the bed are super hard to find. Someone will undoubtedly chime in and inform us they’re available from Lang’s @ $50 each. Do you have an accessory transmission behind the T tranny? If so you won’t have any service brakes if you get it in neutral. Very dangerous !! Whatever you need, just sound off on this Forum. There’s “experts” available 24/7... I’m only an 8-9 hour drive SE of you...

As you have probably read on the forum if the radiator is an original it may or may not cool even after a clean up. Hopefully it’s still good but old radiators can fool you even though they may look good. Pulling the head off isn’t all that difficult.
And if you do that cleaning out the water passageways can be done and probably help cooling.
Carefully using a 1/4” drill bit when drilling out the small water passageway holes in the head and block can really help in circulation.
I finally bought a new Bergs radiator after going through 3 old originals and it was amazing running and driving my 24 Coupe and no having a boil over after a few miles of driving. It makes a REAL and enjoyable difference.

George-I actually found the Ford design steel stakes on Macs in the Model AA truck area. Based on my research, this part was common between AA and TT’s. They are only 39” tall which was shorter than I wanted for the look I was shooting for as American Railway Express delivery truck. I do not have an auxiliary transmission and it only has a standard rear end and brakes. I may install higher speed rear end gears later if I can find them. I did buy a set of repo Rocky Mtn brakes when they did a run of TT brakes earlier this year but have not installed yet. As I have learned, these vehicles are for tinkers so I may never be finished but want to get it presentable and drive-able first.

John - I have read about the lack of cooling from original radiators. I actually finished setting the timing this morning so will see if that helps at all before I look at a new radiator. It looks relative clean but the previous owner appears to have left raw water sitting it for some time and it took a bit to deal with that issue.

And when you get it running and up to speed, don’t attempt anything over 18-20 MPH on Loop 289. I just sold a TT 5.25:1 Ruckstell. Someone said a master machinist is reproducing the high speed worm and bronze ring gear for $ 2000..

Bruce I'm in Midland and was raised in Plainview, Went to Tech. Give me a call if I can be of assistance.
Dale McMurry

Bruce left out number 432 559 4130

If you would like.... I could take that truck to my place and spend the next 10 or 15 years fine tuning it for you.