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What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2019 11:26 pm
by Bob McDaniel
Since it looks like cold weather has slowed the progress on most of our T's I guess I will start it this month. I decided to double check my 09 coolant and since it was a little low and could not check it I decided to start the car and add some more and let it warm up so it would mix well before checking it again. Now I know it is good for the rest of the winter and I got to crank start the car in the cold after sitting for a couple of months and it took off easy as always,......when I remember to turn the gas on.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:48 am
by Scott C.
I finished rebuilding the rear axle on my 26 roadster. I got it back in the car today.
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2019 12:07 pm
by RajoRacer
I was looking for this thread the other day - Duh !

Anyway, I've had this belt drive alternator kit for years and finally got to work on my own T's - typical mechanic - last rig to get worked on ! Had some "minor modifications" to do but all in all, turned out O.K. - I'm upgrading the lighting for those that are wondering. This was a self-starter that I added for an elderly fellow (see Bud's "thoughts" thread) years ago so I'm finishing up the job for me !

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2019 1:22 pm
by RajoRacer
Oh ya - thanks to Jeff S. for the fancy Sherman head - Zoom - Zoom !

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 7:53 am
by gcomo
Unfortunately, I put it in the trailer for the winter.
Unfortunately, I put it in the trailer for the winter.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 7:59 am
by Jeff Perkins
Complete rebuild of the front suspension on my 1913 Runabout.......

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 8:08 am
by Mark Nunn
I discovered why my parking brake doesn't work.
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:59 am
by James_B_NC
I got it stuck in the mud

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 12:14 pm
by Dallas Landers
James, lace some rope on the rear tires and drive her home!

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 12:59 pm
by NealW
Finished installing the upholstery and top on my 15 runabout restoration project. Also finished installing new trunk boards shown in the pictures. I decided to leave my mark for some future caretaker if they ever take the trunk off for some reason.

Next step is to get my rebuilt engine and rear axle back from Mike Bender! He's done with the engine, and working on the axle now.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:05 pm
by Jeff Perkins
Great idea Neal! The person who restored my Model A 25 years ago did something similar.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 3:09 pm
by dunoon
I have been working on my 26 coupe for a couple years, the mechanics are finished the body has been completely restored with a partial replaced sub=frame and quite a few patch panels. Repainted so the body is completely finished. Last week the fellow that is installing my interior and upholstery called and said he had room to take my car so I drove it on a trailer and hauled it about 50 miles to the installer. He's also installing the roof and covering the sun visor, all the upholstery and top are kits from classique, my installer has never installed any classique kits but, has heard good things about them, so we'll see what he thinks. I was going to install the roof but, the instructions recommended to do it on a hot sunny day or in a heated garage, the hot sunny days are gone for a while and I don't have a heated garage, so I figured just let him do it too. When I get the car back all I have to do is install the fenders, shields and running boards, hood and sun visor. The last thing will be installing the lights. I'm going to have a right tail light also with brake lights probably LED. I'm going to install a SMV sign in the spare tire carrier and a flashing red light. I live in a very hilly and curvy roads area and most folks drive way to fast so I want to help them see me putting along, so I don't get rearended.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 3:14 pm
by James_B_NC
Dallas Landers wrote:
Mon Dec 16, 2019 12:14 pm
James, lace some rope on the rear tires and drive her home!
Would have given it a try, but chains and an F150 got me out

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 4:05 pm
by Allan
Gary, how much clearance do you have between the roof of your car and the trailer roof? From the photo, I would be concerned about the car bouncing on its suspension over road undulations and coming into contact with the trailer roof.
It could be tied down by the frame to limit travel, but your photo does not show suitable tie down points in the floor.
Allan from down under.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 5:06 pm
by dmdeaton
Start putting all my parts together I snagged from Hank😁
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 9:42 pm
by MWalker
I installed my new KC Warford!
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:16 pm
by MHSprecher
I want to see if I can get my garage find running. In October and November I cleaned out the carb, removed two of the very flat tires and removed the old tires from the rims. I replaced the starter cable. Yesterday I took the other two rims off. I decided that I had best put new tires all around rather than remount some rollers. A couple of the 60+ year old tubes were bad. I attached the new ground strap and put some liquid wrench on the bolts that hold the gas tank in as I would like to take the sediment bowl off of the tank to make sure it is clean. The tank is empty and clean, so I suspect the sediment bowl is, too, but I figured better to be safe than sorry. Removing the sediment bowl under the car doesn't seem like a good idea. I also cleaned the wire connections. The wire is ancient, but I will see if I can get it going first and the decide next steps. A lot to do, but having a good time and learning a lot.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:26 pm
by Mark Osterman
Spent a couple of months looking for a good solid passenger side low hood type front fender. Failed several times despite the efforts of a few good people who tried to help. Frustrating. On the other hand I finished installing my seat upholstery. Now I need to work it in. Looks like when you get new sneakers. 😄

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 6:52 am
by gcomo
Allen,
I have 3 or 4 " of clearance when in the trailer. Only 1/2" at the door. I have some e track and tire baskets that I will install prior to hauling. This is just being used as garage space until the weather warms back up.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:19 am
by Henry K. Lee
Absolutely Nothing! My bride slipped on black ice at the back steps, ass over tea kettle, bruised, broke her left wrist in two places. Double Duty for me! What is good for dish pan hands folks, any recommendations?

Hank

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:23 am
by Dallas Landers
Sorry to hear that Hank! Dishsoap gets the oil and grease out of your skin. Now you have to start over. Hope your bride heals quickly. Whats for Christmas dinner ?

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 8:59 am
by Mark Osterman
Henry,

Sorry to hear of your wife’s mishap. That takes awhile to heal. For you .... dishwashing rubber gloves.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 9:38 am
by Kaiser
Hank, sorry to hear about your wife, hope she gets better soon, in the mean time get your hands in some 30W or even better MMO ;)

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:46 pm
by Mark Osterman
A little while ago someone posted a craigslist listing in Iowa for me that had two front fenders for sale. Now I can’t find it. Can someone please repost that link or send it to my email mosterman@eastman.org

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:50 pm
by Mark Nunn
Mark Osterman wrote:
Tue Dec 17, 2019 12:46 pm
A little while ago someone posted a craigslist listing in Iowa for me that had two front fenders for sale. Now I can’t find it. Can someone please repost that link or send it to my email mosterman@eastman.org
Email sent.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 2:05 pm
by Mark Osterman
Finished reupholstering the seat cushion and back on the ‘23 runabout.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 4:48 am
by abcarswell
Took advantage of a warming spell to get some black sprayed. .

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 9:18 am
by Jim_PTC_GA
Still working on the fame for my Hack / Delivery. I've never been a good carpenter so everything has been 3 steps forward 2 steps backward building this. This week I'm painting the wood structures. Limited space is a big problem as I can only build so much then paint, install, so I can build the next piece.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 9:26 am
by HPetrino
Hank,

Very sad to hear of your wife's mishap. I wish her a quick and complete recovery.

Work on your T first, then do the dishes.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:41 am
by Mark Gregush
Started getting my Chevrolet disk wheels ready to mount. Got the hubs cleaned, spacers made, all the holes are drilled. Disk wheels are painted an off while/tan color and the centers will be red. Still have to round up the rims. The photos are before cleaning and painting. More later when I get them closer to finish. The adapters are about 6-3/8" in diameter and 7/8" thick plus support for center of disk wheel.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 12:58 pm
by Ruxstel24
I got my floating hubs apart from my Ruckstell...
After Christmas I will get parts needed to reassemble the axle and hubs.
Waiting also for a pinion gear from a true team player, after he swaps it for another ratio. :D
Weather is not gonna be any good for a long time now. Roads are white with salt... :(

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 4:05 pm
by Rich Eagle
It's great to see what y'all are doing. I don't work on the cars much in the Winter. I did bundle up today and tightened some hose clamps on the Tudor. It has been leaking antifreeze. The leaks come and go. I couldn't detect any so it should be OK for the Holidays. There will be more passengers that the Coupe will hold.
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I also checked the Coupe tire experiment. These are the tires I bought in 1964. I have been driving on them until they blow out. The cracks are giving me some traction as the tread is mostly gone. Advice not to drive on them was well taken 4 or 5 years ago by the more safety conscious but I vowed to test these for the curious like me. Driving at town speeds and lower pressure I have still been surprised they are giving good service. I have had one flat due to a bad tube but no others. I am not sure the newer tires I have on the better cars well do as well.
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Stay tuned for more details as the years go by.
Rich

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:22 pm
by John Illinois
I painted wheels and rims and put on new tires. Seem like tires were easier ten years ago on my first T ,must be I am ten years older. Next up install wheels and bearings. Then I can have it on all four feet and start on transmission. It was 12* last night,but my shop is warm.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2019 10:19 pm
by Nv Bob
Well my 32nd model T restoration prodject on wheels
Motor will go back in after xmas just gotta put bands in

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 3:59 pm
by Oldav8tor
The temperature hit 47° today so I preheated the engine for a couple of hours and then took my '17 Touring on a 35 mile round trip to the county seat (Sandusky, MI) and back. I stopped for coffee and some hot soup at a mom and pop restaurant across from the courthouse. The snow from Thanksgiving is all gone and none is in the offing before Christmas. This will be my last trip of 2019 and although cool, the bright Sun and blue sky made the ride most pleasant. Since winter only officially began last night I suspect there will be plenty of snow, cold and gloom before spring returns and I can get behind the wheel again.

May you find peace and joy in this holiday season and may it carry thru 2020 and beyond.....
Tim
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 7:21 pm
by Scott C.
After setting for over 2 years waiting to get the time, I finally tore down the rear end on my 26 Coupe. It sounded like a rock crusher when it let go. Some one had been there before and cobbled it together. The torqued tube had been broken and welded back together and of course was broken again. Pretty much everything needs to be replaced.
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 8:33 pm
by Bill Dizer
Scott, glad to see you are finding time to play a bit! I never did find time for the depot hack or the coupe this year! I went back to work full time which sure cuts into the play time! I had the place logged this fall, and have been cutting and cleaning up a big ash top in the front yard. Then had problems with a couple of the modern cars, worked on the house some too. Time flies when you are having fun!

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 8:29 am
by Mark Nunn
I finally extracted my rear assembly for a rebuild. The idiot who put the chassis together didn't seem bothered to use cotter pins or safety wire. I was able to remove both nuts from one shackle with just my fingers. No tools! And, three of the bolts holding the torque tube spool to the rear assembly were finger tight too. I never met "Bo", who assembled the chassis. I think he goes by "Bo" because "Bob" has too many letters to remember.

I split the housing over a drain pan to catch the soup. That was a waste of time since there was no axle lube in it. The differential was covered in grease. The only things that fell into the pan were remnants of a thrust washer.
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The axles are shot. One has grooves from the bearing and the other appears to have been built up with weld and reground.
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I guess it's time to open up my spare rear end and see if it has usable parts. I already rebuilt my spare torque tube and it's ready to bolt up.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 5:34 pm
by John L
I drove my 23 T coupe today .we drove through IGMR military cemetary in Pa.to see the wreaths on the veterans grave.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:09 pm
by Scott C.
Mark, I think the same guy worked on mine too!!
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 11:02 am
by ABoer
This morning I mount a rearend under a 1913
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Toon

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 1:22 pm
by critterpainter
I made a 8 hour round trip in one day to pick up my repaired 14 engine. Its been in the engine hospital for over a year after an unwanted downgrade to a 2 piece crank. New counter-balanced crank, new bearings and new pistons. Engine is now back in the car, but have to wait til 2020 to button it up.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:45 pm
by AndreFordT
Last week we were in Egypte for a wee live a board and scuba diving.
Yesterday I statered the rebuild of a coil ring. Finished it this afternoon.


Andre
Belgium

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 3:55 pm
by DHort
Andre, that ring looks super. Did you get a ride on the cycle?

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:04 pm
by perry kete
I finally took time to get the '27 Touring out yesterday and I took a nice long ride. Enjoyed it very much as I hadn't had too much time this year to ride. The weather looks good for tomorrow too! Planning on it but who knows what will come up. It will be more fun then just staring at the wall.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 3:33 pm
by Dallas Landers
Merry Christmas to me! We had the family over yesterday so today my wife and I sat around looking at each other today. She got tired of that and sent me to the shop. I rebuilt a coil box for my 26 runabout pickup. I was very pleased at its quality. The holes and notches for the contacts were all perfect. No grinding and whitling to make it fit. The contacts were very good conditing and not all bent up. A little scotchbright and cleaning on the nuts and bolts and I was finished. This is the last part of the electrical system that needed rebuilt. Installation will come when I install the rebuilt engine. Hope to get at that soon, work permiting.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 5:31 pm
by Scott C.
Same here , spent the day at home in the shop. Repaired a set of brass top coils for a guy at work that inherited a Model T from his late father.
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Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 7:01 pm
by Kaiser
Andre, any clue to what bikes they were, looks WW2 british, BSA M20 , Matchless G3 , Norton 16H ? looks like a whole shipload sunk there, please tell us more... ;)

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Wed Dec 25, 2019 9:01 pm
by Steve Jelf
All I did was air up the tires and go shopping (yesterday) and go to town with Shorty for dinner with cousins Pete and Wally (today).

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Soon I'll tear into it to fix some things that need fixing. With a close look you can see what a couple of them are.

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Whenever a Model T starts up, she's ready to go.

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Feed us! Now!

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:03 am
by AndreFordT
Leo,
during the trip we made two dives on the SS.Thristlgrom. A British cargo charged with supplies for the British army during WWII and went down in October 1941 during an attack of a German Henkel. It took two boms in the third cargo place and machine room.

His cargo were Betford, Leyland and Ford trucks and dessert vehicles. One cargo room was filled with Enfield, Norton and BSA motorcycles.
The other cargo were army supplies and spear parts.

Andre
Belgium

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 2:25 pm
by Kaiser
Some adventure, great trip ! thanks André

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:44 am
by Mark Gregush
I did run the 21 up to temperature yesterday just to keep the motor exercised. Also did some maintenance on the Kohler L600 generator. Cleaned wire joints etc, added gas and after about 2 years sitting started right up. Have some more adjustments to make and add a muffler. This one is an 1800 RPM flat head engine, magneto and gravity feed so it's kinda T like! :D

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 2:04 pm
by richc
I replaced the bushing in my steering bracket which will eventually get bolted to a 1914 roadster chassis. The original bushing was the long one piece style and it wasn’t wanting to let loose of its host. A bushing driver didn’t budge it nor did tapping one end of the bushing with a ½” NPT tap and inserting a pipe plug to hit against. Finally I took the hack saw and carefully cut two strips lengthwise inside the bushing about ¼” apart, being careful not to cut into the casting. After prying one end of the strip between the cuts up off the casting I found that the bushing driver was then able to move the bushing out. Hooray! Two of the shorter replacement bushing were pressed into place and with a slight reaming the steering shaft fit perfectly without any wobble.
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Rich C.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 3:01 pm
by Scott_Conger
Rich

that's an often overlooked or ignored item. It will no doubt improve things.

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 3:14 pm
by Darren J Wallace
Got a nice late 1912 original Heinze coil box looking like it belongs on my "not so mint" early '13 with everything functional :)

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2019 7:48 pm
by spadpilot
I'm not working on the Speedster today, but I did install a rear end in my recliner.

Hope Everyone has a Great New Year!
Dave

Re: What have you done to your Model T in December?

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:08 pm
by ewdysar
Friday, I aired up the tires, added a gallon of gas, checked the oil and water, and pulled her out of storage. She fired up on the third pull, so we set out to visit some relatives about 10 miles away. Everything went well, so I put her away until Sunday and the Holiday Motor Excursion. Sunday was easy and we logged about another 40 trouble-free miles.

Keep crankin’
Eric