Today made it all worth it
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Topic author - Posts: 1959
- 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
Today made it all worth it
Today, 11 months and 3 days after taking delivery of my 1917 Model T I started and drove it for the first time. The car had sat for at least 30 years before I got it so I went thru everything! I learned a lot along the way and faced many challenges, both physical and mechanical. I made new friends and reconnected with some old ones. All and all it has been a rewarding experience.
There are lots of things remaining to be done to the T but at least I can drive it now The attached photo is from a frame of video and shows my friend and partner in the rebuild, Gene, driving and my wife Joan in the back seat.
I'm going to try to put some miles on it over the next two days and if there are no problems, I'll be off to Sault Ste. Marie next week to participate in the Michigan Jamboree. Wish me luck!
There are lots of things remaining to be done to the T but at least I can drive it now The attached photo is from a frame of video and shows my friend and partner in the rebuild, Gene, driving and my wife Joan in the back seat.
I'm going to try to put some miles on it over the next two days and if there are no problems, I'll be off to Sault Ste. Marie next week to participate in the Michigan Jamboree. Wish me luck!
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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- Posts: 463
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 12:32 am
- First Name: Erik
- Last Name: Barrett
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 speedster 1924 touring 1925 dump truck
- Location: Auburn, Ca.
Re: Today made it all worth it
Well done! The best is yet to come, you have many good times to look forward to. Your model T will often require your attention but will pay it back many times over. Any time you have trouble there is help here.
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- Posts: 176
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:18 pm
- First Name: James
- Last Name: Fisher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924, 1925-ish
- Location: Pine Mountain Georgia
- MTFCA Number: 31822
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: Today made it all worth it
Beautiful.
Just give me time to Rust and I'll be good as new. Wabi-Sabi
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- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:26 pm
- First Name: Dallas
- Last Name: Landers
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 Rpu, 23 TT, 24 coupe,
- Location: N.E. Indiana
- MTFCA Number: 49995
Re: Today made it all worth it
What a great feeling Tim after a long project and your setback. Now the fun part begins. The best part is if the T gets an attitude you know how to straighten it out. Thanks for taking us along on the journey to see another T on the road. Photos of your travels will be expected!
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- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:41 pm
- First Name: Bob
- Last Name: Coiro
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Touring
- Location: Commack, NY
- Board Member Since: 2009
Re: Today made it all worth it
Heartiest congratulations! The car looks gorgeous.
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- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
- First Name: Henry
- Last Name: Lee
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- Location: South Pittsburg, TN
- MTFCA Number: 479
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Today made it all worth it
I do not see anyone holding an ice cream! What gives?
Nice Job!
Hank in Tin-A-See
Nice Job!
Hank in Tin-A-See
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- Posts: 375
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:58 pm
- First Name: Hap
- Last Name: Tucker
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 cut off touring; 1918 touring; 1922 Speedster
- Location: Sumter, SC
- MTFCA Number: 100
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Today made it all worth it
Tim,
Congratulations! And yes, be sure to drive it as much as you practically can before you take it on a long trip. (Actually -- if you have your wife or someone else follow with a trailer -- you can take a long trip and if it something happens you can fix it or trailer it. My wife has rescued me several times after we have done some major work on a car or when we are "sorting out" another car that we are not familiar with yet. Usually minor issues, but if it won't drive it is usually nicer to trouble shoot it off the major road rather than on a tight shoulder or backing up traffic. ) Of course cell phones and AAA etc. have reduced the need for a safety trailer.
Related item -- how much experience do you have driving a T? Safety folks in the 1980s (it has been a while since I've been in a safety job) said it took about 50 hours of flying the new airplane before you would perform the emergency procedure quickly and correctly. They often used the illustration of the person who learned to ride on a coaster brake bicycle as a kid. They learned to pedal backwards to stop. And in the 1980s lots of those kids were now adults who purchased their first 10 speed bike. If they were still very new to the 10 speed bike and a car pulled out in front of them -- they would instinctively pedal backwards -- and often hit the car. Good news -- they weren't going very fast in most cases -- better news -- most of them had a narrow miss that only scarred them and help reinforce that they needed to use the hand brakes.) So if you are very new to driving a T -- be careful and don't try to jerk the steering wheel hard right or left while you are going at speed to dodge a pot-hole etc. The front wheels can quickly go to full lock and the T can roll. Also don't back up quickly -- as the front wheels have a negative caster when going that direction and can go full lock one direction or the other. And when I was learning to drive the T -- I often stalled it when the light turned green. Ah the joys of jumping out, starting it (did I remember to put the spark up... another thing that is easy to forget when you are in hurry etc.).
OK -- off the safety soap box... You have done a beautiful job getting the car ready. It will bring you, your family and others years of enjoyment. Good luck and have fun and post photos!
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
Congratulations! And yes, be sure to drive it as much as you practically can before you take it on a long trip. (Actually -- if you have your wife or someone else follow with a trailer -- you can take a long trip and if it something happens you can fix it or trailer it. My wife has rescued me several times after we have done some major work on a car or when we are "sorting out" another car that we are not familiar with yet. Usually minor issues, but if it won't drive it is usually nicer to trouble shoot it off the major road rather than on a tight shoulder or backing up traffic. ) Of course cell phones and AAA etc. have reduced the need for a safety trailer.
Related item -- how much experience do you have driving a T? Safety folks in the 1980s (it has been a while since I've been in a safety job) said it took about 50 hours of flying the new airplane before you would perform the emergency procedure quickly and correctly. They often used the illustration of the person who learned to ride on a coaster brake bicycle as a kid. They learned to pedal backwards to stop. And in the 1980s lots of those kids were now adults who purchased their first 10 speed bike. If they were still very new to the 10 speed bike and a car pulled out in front of them -- they would instinctively pedal backwards -- and often hit the car. Good news -- they weren't going very fast in most cases -- better news -- most of them had a narrow miss that only scarred them and help reinforce that they needed to use the hand brakes.) So if you are very new to driving a T -- be careful and don't try to jerk the steering wheel hard right or left while you are going at speed to dodge a pot-hole etc. The front wheels can quickly go to full lock and the T can roll. Also don't back up quickly -- as the front wheels have a negative caster when going that direction and can go full lock one direction or the other. And when I was learning to drive the T -- I often stalled it when the light turned green. Ah the joys of jumping out, starting it (did I remember to put the spark up... another thing that is easy to forget when you are in hurry etc.).
OK -- off the safety soap box... You have done a beautiful job getting the car ready. It will bring you, your family and others years of enjoyment. Good luck and have fun and post photos!
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cut off
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- Posts: 6435
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Conger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
- Location: Clark, WY
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Today made it all worth it
My heartiest congratulations!
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
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- Posts: 1559
- 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: Today made it all worth it
Congratulations!
I hope to take my first drive soon as well.
I hope to take my first drive soon as well.
1924 Touring
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- Posts: 366
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:25 pm
- First Name: Dick
- Last Name: Fischer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Touring
- Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Re: Today made it all worth it
Congratulations and well done, Tim. One of the next rewarding events in your Model T career will be to perform your first "one-car car show" at the local ice cream parlor.
And as Hap said, give yourself some time to get the hang of driving it. It's a little like your first tailwheel airplane.
Dick
And as Hap said, give yourself some time to get the hang of driving it. It's a little like your first tailwheel airplane.
Dick
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Topic author - Posts: 1959
- 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: Today made it all worth it
Thanks all for your kind words.... I'm sure there will be much excitement and frustration ahead. As to experience driving a T, just what I did yesterday It actually went pretty smoothly - no stalls, or serious missteps. I've read a lot about technique, watched youtube, talked to drivers and the rest, absorbing as much info as I could and it seemed to work. I didn't have to think too much about what I had to do with my feet.
Over the next couple of days I'm going to pretty much stick to back roads and the local school parking lot as I practice, practice, practice.... I've read about some of the "dangers," studied T-related accident reports and the rest. I do not plan to push beyond my comfort zone.
As to the airplane comparison, I was/am a flight instructor and had to learn many types of airplanes in order to teach in them - as a result, I tend to pick up on the quirks of mechanical conveyances pretty quickly....I'm hoping this will be the case with the T but am proceeding with caution...I don't want to be a danger to anyone else.
Over the next couple of days I'm going to pretty much stick to back roads and the local school parking lot as I practice, practice, practice.... I've read about some of the "dangers," studied T-related accident reports and the rest. I do not plan to push beyond my comfort zone.
As to the airplane comparison, I was/am a flight instructor and had to learn many types of airplanes in order to teach in them - as a result, I tend to pick up on the quirks of mechanical conveyances pretty quickly....I'm hoping this will be the case with the T but am proceeding with caution...I don't want to be a danger to anyone else.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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- Posts: 6496
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- MTFCA Number: 16175
- MTFCI Number: 14758
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Today made it all worth it
It's always a good feeling when you fix something and it works the way it's supposed to.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Posts: 2998
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
- First Name: Jerry
- Last Name: Van
- Location: S.E. Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 24868
Re: Today made it all worth it
Congratulations Tim! See you in the Soo too!
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- Posts: 248
- Joined: Thu May 23, 2019 12:21 pm
- First Name: Joe
- Last Name: Reid
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Coupe, 1920 Roadster, 1923 Touring, 1924 Roadster, 1913 Racer
- Location: Almond WI
- MTFCA Number: 52067
- MTFCI Number: 22088
- Board Member Since: 2007
Re: Today made it all worth it
Congratulations Tim, the car looks great. Best of luck to you in the Michigan Jamboree. It is really fun, I went to Harris, Michigan a couple of years ago. It was a very nice group of people.
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Topic author - Posts: 1959
- 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: Today made it all worth it
I spent half a day tweaking the T then took it out for a couple of spins, bringing my total to 80 miles so far. I intentionally sought out challenging roads, hills, etc., just to see if it and I could handle it. Satisfied, I loaded up my wife and our little dog and went for ice cream
Tomorrow I'll adjust the bands (again) install the horn (had to make a spacer) and put a few more miles on it before loading it in the trailer. One plus of going to the Jamboree will be that hopefully I can get some more experienced guys to look it over and take it for a drive and give me some advice.
Tomorrow I'll adjust the bands (again) install the horn (had to make a spacer) and put a few more miles on it before loading it in the trailer. One plus of going to the Jamboree will be that hopefully I can get some more experienced guys to look it over and take it for a drive and give me some advice.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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- Posts: 464
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:30 pm
- First Name: Mike
- Last Name: Kossor
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Touring
- Location: Kenilworth, NJ 07033
- MTFCI Number: 22706
Re: Today made it all worth it
Great story and success. Congratulations.
I-Timer + ECCT Adjusted Coils = Best Model T Engine Performance Possible!
www.modeltitimer.com www.modeltecct.com
www.modeltitimer.com www.modeltecct.com
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- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:26 pm
- First Name: Dallas
- Last Name: Landers
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 Rpu, 23 TT, 24 coupe,
- Location: N.E. Indiana
- MTFCA Number: 49995
Re: Today made it all worth it
Are you going to OCF??
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- Posts: 1518
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- First Name: Duane
- Last Name: Cooley
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- Location: central MN
- MTFCA Number: 32488
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Today made it all worth it
You know exactly what you're doing Tim.
Was there 21 years ago as I set out, down The Hill with my wiggling/flexing T. Dared a Hill right away. Had to. Any way to get to a road for me is to conquer The Hill. I have complete faith and I didn't even have any tube clips then. Read how to operate him and then tweaked it like you do.
Nice Touring!
Was there 21 years ago as I set out, down The Hill with my wiggling/flexing T. Dared a Hill right away. Had to. Any way to get to a road for me is to conquer The Hill. I have complete faith and I didn't even have any tube clips then. Read how to operate him and then tweaked it like you do.
Nice Touring!
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated
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- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
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- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Number: 121
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
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Re: Today made it all worth it
What a rewarding experience for you! Model T's have been my pleasure since I was 17 years old, and I'm still at it. Never quit. We have our problems from time to time, but touring is what gives me the most pleasure. If you leave your car pretty much the way Henry designed it, you will have years of trouble free driving ahead.
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- Posts: 242
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:49 pm
- First Name: Edward
- Last Name: Baudoux
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Fordor 1926 Huckster 1930 Fordor 1930 Tudor
- Location: Grayling Michigan
- MTFCI Number: 24216
Re: Today made it all worth it
That's a great looking Ford. I am looking forward to seeing you this week!
Grayling Michigan
1927 Fordor
1926 Huckster
Founding member of Northern Michigan Drone Skeet Shooting Club
1927 Fordor
1926 Huckster
Founding member of Northern Michigan Drone Skeet Shooting Club
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Topic author - Posts: 1959
- 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: Today made it all worth it
I made it to the Michigan Jamboree although it was not without some frustration. The car starts and idles great but stumbles when you increase RPM. I made the first days tour (185 miles) but skipped the other two---things just weren't right. Ed Badoux was there and checked my coils - some new friends from Wisconsin (Denis & Gary) checked the valves, timer and carb - Dan Treace and Brian Dowell spent a couple of hours on it and Steve Shotwell loaned me his "lucky" carb to try and so on ---- I found out the easiest way to meet new people at a Model T tour is to open the hood and look perplexed
Guys much more knowledgeable than me checked out just about all the possibilities. The one thing we couldn't check was for "carbon tracks" in the old wood of the coil box. To eliminate that possibility I have a fun products plastic rebuild kit on the way from Birdhaven....fingers crossed.
Jamboree was frustrating but I really had a great time. I'm convinced there are no better people in the world than T people - everyone was so open and friendly and free to give of their time, tools and expertise. This was a good shakedown tour and I'll get it right for next time. Thank you all for welcoming me into such a wonderful hobby.
Guys much more knowledgeable than me checked out just about all the possibilities. The one thing we couldn't check was for "carbon tracks" in the old wood of the coil box. To eliminate that possibility I have a fun products plastic rebuild kit on the way from Birdhaven....fingers crossed.
Jamboree was frustrating but I really had a great time. I'm convinced there are no better people in the world than T people - everyone was so open and friendly and free to give of their time, tools and expertise. This was a good shakedown tour and I'll get it right for next time. Thank you all for welcoming me into such a wonderful hobby.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:26 pm
- First Name: Dallas
- Last Name: Landers
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 Rpu, 23 TT, 24 coupe,
- Location: N.E. Indiana
- MTFCA Number: 49995
Re: Today made it all worth it
100% right Tim!
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- Posts: 1011
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:18 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Osterman
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 runabout
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Contact:
Re: Today made it all worth it
Well, you were brave to do the tour without driving it around your own turf for a few hundred miles first. You never know what kinks there are to straighten out when you first get an old car up and going.
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- Posts: 3419
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Wrenn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
- Location: Ohio
- MTFCA Number: 30701
- MTFCI Number: 24033
- Board Member Since: 2019
Re: Today made it all worth it
Congrats & good job Tim! It'll keep getting better. I bet the FP coil box kit will make a difference. It did on both of my cars that I put it on. Other thing to check is the nuts on top of your coils...I hear they can work loose causing a bit of a hiccup in high gear. Friend of mine had one that was loose and once tightened problem solved. Enjoy the ride!
The other Tim
The other Tim
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- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 7:28 am
- First Name: Craig
- Last Name: Raynor
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 touring
- Location: Southampton NY
- Board Member Since: 2017
Re: Today made it all worth it
Nice looking car congratulations!