Newbie here

[suley]

Hello List!

I am new here and would like to introduce myself. I recently acquired my first model T (YAY!). It is a 1925 Model T truck with open cab (soft top). Although not a stranger to vintage cars, I am totally new to the Model T and wish to learn all about it.

For starters, How do I identify the model T and make sure it has all year correct parts on it?
Which grease to use for chassis lubrication? I have purchased Valvoline wheel bearing grease and John Deere corn grease. Planning to use shell Rotella T4 as engine oil.

I haven't started the car yet (It was running a few years ago, as per seller). The engine turns freely, but i have a fuel drip from carb bowl nut and some side to side play in the distributor which I have to troubleshoot. The coils were replaced with a VW distributor, flame thrower coil and electronic point by the PO. It is still 6 Volts and has a starter.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Suley
West Hills
Sunny SoCal

[Hudson29]

Please shoot a number of pictures showing the car and bits & pieces of it such as the engine. Help really has to start with the pics.

Paul

[Steve Jelf]

How do I identify the model T and make sure it has all year correct parts on it?
Which grease to use for chassis lubrication? I have purchased Valvoline wheel bearing grease and John Deere corn grease. Planning to use shell Rotella T4 as engine oil.

Paul's advice is a good place to start. For a little guidance on what pictures to take, see "Selling a Model T" here:
https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG52.html

Other articles listed there may prove useful. Let the titles be your guide.

[speedytinc]

First step is to buy the T1 service manual. It covers all repairs & service.
All the parts suppliers sell them.

[Norman Kling]

Welcome to the hobby. To begin with, you should find a local club in your area. I am not sure just where West Hills is but think you would be near Los Angeles or Orange County. So I would suggest you look at the directory of local clubs and find one near you and attend meetings and meet some of the members. There might be someone who lives near you who could help you to identify these things and help you with any problems. Of course we don't know what internal parts are not correct either, but your ignition system is not correct. If the car has been setting a long time it is likely that the float in the carburetor might be leaking. Our California gas tends to get like shellac when it sets a long time. Anyway, good luck.
Norm

[Steve Jelf]

Our California gas tends to get like shellac when it sets a long time.

There's a good cure for that. Don't let it sit. Drive so much that you use it up. Fresh gas will be fine. What kind? I have no trouble with the least costly E-10.

[suley]

Thanks for all the replies! Checking out the link and have already purchased the service manual.

I am located near Los Angeles and online research tells me there is a chapter of MTFCA in Long Beach and Orange county. Both are a significant drive but i will check them out.

I got the truck from an auction in Illinois and had it trucked to California. I have been told it was started a few years ago like in 2021.

Thanks again!

[Oldav8tor]

Suley,
To better help you some photos would be a start. Also, do you have the engine serial number? You say you have a truck. Is it a Model T truck or a Model TT Truck. If you're not sure, a photo of the rear differential would answer the question.

This forum is a great place to get help and just remember, we were all newbies once.

Welcome to the hobby!

[Darin Hull]

Use this forum as a valuable resource for learning!

Go to a search engine like Google and type in “MTFCA discussion forum” followed by keywords related to the topic or question you’re interested in. Chances are, your question or topic has been discussed extensively, and you’ll find numerous results with insights and discussions from forum members.

This approach was one of the key ways I accelerated my Model T learning journey.

Darin

[suley]

Wow! I love an active list!

I am not sure if it is a model T truck or a TT truck. I do have the engine serial number and will try to date it as soon as I am done typing this. Here are the pictures of the differential, truck bed and engine.

TIA!

[KWTownsend]

It is not a TT, but a standard chassis truck.
Looks nice. It may have a TT cab on it.
Need more pics...

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Yes. More pictures please. I would suggest that at some point, you install a complete new wiring harness. For now, however, if it works fine, that could probably wait a while.

[suley]

Really appreciate all the help!

I have created an album with more pics. I do have to do a photo shoot to get some nice ones. the pics so far are just hurried pics since the truck was purchased.

So stay tuned!

[Oldav8tor]

Definitely not a TT rear end. Please provide some shots from the side and front view. I suspect the car is made of a conglomeration of parts but don't let that bother you. Unique is fine

If you aren't able to pin the serial number down to a specific day, post it here and I or someone else will look it up. Serial numbers are not necessarily definitive - the engine could have been swapped at some point.

Did you get the 1925 date from a title or other source?

[suley]

Yes a full rewire is on the cards... Also might paint the head as repainting and finishing has to be done...

I got the 1925 year from the PO and confirmed with your guidance and the database on fordmodelt.net. it was made April 24, 1925.

Right now I want to start it and am still waiting for the carb and oil change parts to be delivered. At least the battery is charged and I have found out that there is no engine oil leak. It was one of the petcocks which was not fully closes and was dripping oil. The non original distributor is bothering me and I am seriously wanting to revert it back to the timer... but one step at a time.

Also, there is no sediment bowl under the gas tank... the fuel line runs straight to the car with a valve just before the carb elbow. it is all copper with a piece of rubber line connecting it to the tank.

Here are some more pics...

[A Whiteman]

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the hobby!

She looks a great old gal

The cab is 'home made' or at least aftermarket - but hey, that is not unusual and it looks great.

All the best and enjoy the drive

Adrian

[Oldav8tor]

It's a good question what body your car originally had. The current body is a homemade pickup. You can keep it as is or rebuild it as whatever you want. Factory bodies become available, or you could build a speedster, Depot hack, piewagon or whatever. I suspect you'll have a lot of fun, regardless!

One safety item you should check - grab the spokes and see if they are loose. If any are, it's probably time to consider having the wheel rebuilt. Wheels are one item you shouldn't fool around with.

[RecklessKelly]

Looks like a neat truck. It definately has some history behind it. The distributor may have been added due to a broken mag, but should be fine.
Before you start it, you may want to put a teaspoon of oil in the cylinders and hand crank it slowly to distribute the oil. You can hook up the plugs and rest them on the head and check for spark.
You may find all of the oil leaks after its been run, which is when they leak the most. You may want to do the inevitable before you put gas in it, clean the tank, fuel line, carburetor with fresh gaskets.

[big2bird]

Get it started, then drive it awhile. Then you will have a better idea of what it needs, then decide refurbishment.

[suley]

I am so glad I joined this forum! Thank you so much for all the insights.... I am excited that the carburetor parts arrived last night, just in time for the weekend! Hoping i hear her come to life this weekend.