A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
J1MGOLDEN
Posts: 944
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
Location: Bowie, MD
MTFCA Number: 14294
MTFCI Number: 13562

A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Tue Oct 27, 2020 7:43 am

There are several opinions on the best way to start a Model T engine.

Are there also several procedures for the best way to stop and store a Model T engine?

I have collected Model T books for 40 years and have about 40 of them, but I have not found one!

A local procedure in Maryland is to turn off the gas and let the engine run until it stops.

That one does not appear wide spread or very functional, as the valve sticks shut and then requires a few raps on the carburetor each time the engine is started again, especially if the T sits in the garage for a few weeks.

Some times the valve sticks open and requires a few raps on the carburetor to stop the carburetor from boiling over.


Kerry
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:42 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: van Ekeren
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 touring, 1916 pick-up, 1924 coupe, 1926 touring, 1927 touring
Location: Rosedale Vic Australia

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Kerry » Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:01 am

Turn the key off :D


Bud Delong
Posts: 468
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2019 9:09 pm
First Name: Kenneth
Last Name: DeLong
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 touring,1915 roadster
Location: Wheeler, MI

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Bud Delong » Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:04 am

I like to retard the spark and count to five. 1 You never forget to retard the spark. 2 You get more free starts. 3 Nice if you have a stem winder. Bud. :D


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Les Schubert » Tue Oct 27, 2020 11:05 am

I use the turn off the gas with the engine on fast idle. I’ve never had any float valve problem

User avatar

Humblej
Posts: 1690
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:23 pm
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Humble
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian built coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, survivor 1924 roadster
Location: Charlevoix, Mi
MTFCA Number: 28034
Board Member Since: 2006

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Humblej » Tue Oct 27, 2020 11:14 am

You can lean out the fuel/air mixture to shut down the engine, that's how its done in airplanes, eliminates blown apart mufflers that way.


Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Rich Bingham » Tue Oct 27, 2020 11:49 am

This is a great topic !! If you think about it, shutting down has almost as much to do with starting up again as anything one might do starting up. Aside from shutting down for long storage, the individual Lizzie may respond well upon reviving to the things one does when shutting down.

I like Bud's procedure. That does seem to yield a greater number of free starts !

My own case, '13 with a Holley G carb, doing that plus adjusting the mixture needle yields good results. It somewhat depends on the weather. Generally I'll open the needle 1/8 turn from the optimal lean running position unless it's really hot. Cold weather start, open a little more. When it's really hot, I leave it in the "lean running" position, and no choke.
"Get a horse !"

User avatar

Mark Gregush
Posts: 4956
Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Gregush
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
Location: Portland Or
MTFCA Number: 52564
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Mark Gregush » Tue Oct 27, 2020 12:34 pm

Turn the key off, retard the spark lever, lift hood shut off gas. I have never worried about long term storage as I generally try and run the cars up to temp at least once a month and drive them some too. The only snake oil in the gas is what came out of the pump. ;)
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup


Allan
Posts: 5201
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Allan » Tue Oct 27, 2020 5:07 pm

I'm with Frank. Turn the key off. Then, retarding the spark becomes part of starting, and that is where it matters most.

Allan from down under.

User avatar

Novice
Posts: 584
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:25 pm
First Name: Jim
Last Name: Davis
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring. 1923/26 Open Express. 1920 depot hack
Location: Tomball,Texas
MTFCA Number: 49832
MTFCI Number: 24686
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Novice » Tue Oct 27, 2020 5:41 pm

I throttle down the engine. turn off the key. Retard the spark and finally open hood and turn off the gas at the carburetor. Thinking about installing a electric gas valve to reduce wear on hood latches. I have had the float stick in both the truck and the touring when the carb was run dry. and when I tried to start it up next time float was stuck and flooded the floor with gas. You don't notice it right away when You are in the drivers seat cranking. hopefully You smell or notice it before You have a flood or worse with water heaters and other flame sources in the vicinity.

User avatar

Oldav8tor
Posts: 1929
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Juhl
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
Location: Thumb of Michigan
MTFCA Number: 50297
MTFCI Number: 24810
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Oldav8tor » Tue Oct 27, 2020 7:00 pm

The advice given by others is fine if you will be driving the vehicle again in the next few weeks. I shut mine off with the ignition but then turn the fuel off at the carb. My carb does not appear to leak but some old carbs sometimes have leaky float valves and it can be a problem. I prefer not to chance it.

If you are talking about long term storage (over winter) I'd suggest filling the tank and adding fuel stabilizer then switch off the fuel to the carb and let it run until it stops from fuel starvation. When I've done that my T starts right up the following spring. I also keep antifreeze in it year around and over winter set it up on jack stands. It also doesn't hurt to do a fresh oil change just before it's winter sleep to remove contaminants in the oil.

My T will soon be getting that treatment as winter is just around the corner here in Michigan.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor


rich from pec
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2019 8:28 pm
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Peterson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Pickup, 1923 Roadster, 1923 Touring
Location: Illinois
MTFCA Number: 20548
MTFCI Number: 6263

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by rich from pec » Tue Oct 27, 2020 7:28 pm

When I shut off my T I put the brake lever forward to relieve pressure on the spring and clutch pack, recently went to start it and forgot to pull the brake lever back----guess what --- got a free start and almost went through to garage door.

User avatar

Susanne
Posts: 1045
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:06 pm
First Name: Susanne
Last Name: Rohner
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Late '15 touring, "Angel".
Location: Valfabbrica, (central) Italy
MTFCA Number: 464
MTFCA Life Member: YES
Board Member Since: 1999
Contact:

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Susanne » Wed Oct 28, 2020 3:58 pm

Long term (like over a month), I'll shut off the gas and let it drain the float bowl. Short term, I'll push both levers up, and turn off the key, THEN turn off the gas. That way I have a float bowl full of gas ready to go.


noelchico
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:42 pm
First Name: Noel
Last Name: Chicoine
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1920 roadster, 1923 Touring, 1926 Coupe
Location: Pierre, South Dakota
MTFCA Number: 25420
MTFCI Number: 22686
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by noelchico » Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:17 pm

I add a small amount of 2 stroke oil to each tank. Maybe 4-8 ounces. I think it helps lube the top end, the cylinder walls on upstroke, the valves, and the float needle to prevent sticking. "Your mileage may vary"
I get the oil for a song at auctions, and am tempted to try ATF which is I believe is mostly mineral oil. Again, it's cheap at auctions


big2bird
Posts: 205
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:57 pm
First Name: Jeffrey
Last Name: Hausey
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Early 23 Touring
Location: Anaheim, Ca.
MTFCA Number: 51193
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by big2bird » Wed Oct 28, 2020 8:32 pm

Shut off gas. Let in run till it dies. Turn off key.


Topic author
J1MGOLDEN
Posts: 944
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Golden
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
Location: Bowie, MD
MTFCA Number: 14294
MTFCI Number: 13562

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by J1MGOLDEN » Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:44 am

I never was sure which type of transmission fluid was supposed to be added to the engine oil.

A long time ago, I added just a full cup of Marvel Mystery Oil to my transmission.

That oil made the bands so slick that Low and Reverse were somewhat still functional.

The brake would not stop the T at all.

Fortunately, I was not going fast or tail gating when I made the discovery and was able to limp back home to do an oil change.

User avatar

RustyFords
Posts: 1554
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:16 am
First Name: Don
Last Name: Allen
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
Location: Houston, TX
MTFCA Number: 50001

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by RustyFords » Thu Oct 29, 2020 3:11 pm

I find that if I turn off the key with the engine revving a bit and the timing somewhat retarded, I get free starts more often.

Also...I added this little remote fuel shutoff valve so I don't have to climb under the car. I removed the shutoff at the carb because it was so hard to turn and had a constant drip.
Attachments
2019-11-30 15.06.32-1.jpg
1924 Touring

User avatar

KWTownsend
Posts: 1121
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:51 pm
First Name: Keith
Last Name: Townsend
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: late 1911 touring, 1915 runabout, 1919 touring, brass speedster
Location: Gresham, Orygun
MTFCA Number: 14778
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16305
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by KWTownsend » Thu Oct 29, 2020 3:22 pm

If shutting the car off only briefly, I turn the ignition off and open the throttle as the engine stops, then retard the sparkand put the brake on. When I come back to stem-wind the car, there is already a "charge" in the cylinder.

If I am parking the car for a long period of time, I will switch the key off, retard the spark, and leave the car in high gear. That will compress the clutch plates, so when I am starting the car in the future, I put the brake on, which separates the clutch plates making it crank much easier than when the clutch plates have cold oil in between them.

: ^ )

Keith


Mikey1968
Posts: 229
Joined: Fri Mar 01, 2019 9:08 am
First Name: Michael
Last Name: Jewell
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Touring
Location: Northern Virginia

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by Mikey1968 » Thu Nov 05, 2020 4:12 pm

My understanding with an Anderson timer is to retard then shut off ignition, correct?

User avatar

RajoRacer
Posts: 4308
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Tomaso
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
Location: Longbranch, WA
MTFCA Number: 14972
MTFCI Number: 15411
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: A Procedure for Stopping a Model T Engine

Post by RajoRacer » Thu Nov 05, 2020 4:19 pm

Yes Mike - retard prior to shutting down.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic