Reverse Trouble

[Tadpole]

I have enjoyed driving my T for half a year now with new Kevlar bands. It took me about a month of driving and adjusting to break them in, and I am decently confident they are adjusted correctly as all three pedals have a good firm bite when pressed and no resistance on the engine when released. The trouble I am having is backing Lizzy up an incline. I can get what I think is a good bite on the drum but unless I am on level ground or backing downward the engine's power is not getting to the wheels. Could it be a clutch problem? Or is my band slipping despite my effort on the pedal?

[TWrenn]

It is possible the reverse pedal needs just a little more tweaking. But just do it in small amounts..I learned that I had mine a bit too tight and the drum was showing heat on it, fortunately no cracks. Also, are you sure you're fully depressing? 'Cause we all know that the reverse pedal is a B--h to get at in between...you may wanna also put on one of Tom Stricklings great reverse pedal extenders. All the vendors sell them. I have one on my Fordor and love it. The torpedo gets one next!! Cost around $30

https://www.modeltford.com/item/3439EX.aspx

[Oldav8tor]

I second the other Tim on the reverse pedal extender. Without it I'd never get my size 14 tugboats on it. I actually have extenders on all my pedals for that reason <https://www.modeltford.com/item/3439-40B.aspx> Personally I found reverse more difficult to get"right" than low. Do as Tim says and make small adjustments. You'll eventually find the sweet spot.

[jsaylor]

Make sure you have a good "free Neutral". You may be dragging against the high speed clutch or emergency brake. Learn that brake lever sweet spot.

[Craig Leach]

Hi Tad,
The clutch is not in play in reverse. If the clutch was not releasing I would think reverse would kill the engine. If the peddle feels firm to hard when depressed all the way and not on the floor boards with no firm drive to the wheels you may want to check to see if the spring is binding and stopping the band from making good contact with the drum. Also check the notch to make sure it's not loose or worn out.
Craig.

[Norman Kling]

Are you pulling the parking brake lever into the neutral position, or trying to use both feet on low pedal and reverse? It is easier for me, anyway, to pull into the neutral position which will hold the neutral and then use only the left foot for reverse and the right foot for the brake. Also, try to anticipate the speed the engine will need to be running so not to kill the engine and then push the pedal all the way down just as you would do in low. It takes a bit of practice and works best with the engine warmed up and the fuel adjustment in good adjustment. If you need to back out of a driveway when the engine is cold, you might need to warm it up for a while, or back into the driveway if you are able to do it safely, then you can pull out forward when you start up. Be sure to chock the wheels if the car is parked with the back downhill.
Norm

[John kuehn]

I recommend the reverse pedal extenders. They really do help and makes navigating and helping tip toeing around Model T pedals. It makes my size 13’s easier to live with!

Yes I know there are big footed folks not having much trouble with the pedals. I imagine the folks that have number 10’s and less wouldn’t care either way!

[Tadpole]

Many thanks for all the replies! My first reaction was to tighten the band but a half turn of the nut actually caused reverse to begin to engage. I also only use reverse with my brake lever set to neutral before the parking brake engages. I think I will try checking for any problems with the cam and spring as Mr. Leach pointed out, as well as trying the reverse extension. I have to lay down reverse with my boot sideways, maybe I'm not getting as much force as I think.

[Moxie26]

Tad .., most of us today are wearing wider shoes than what the average man wore back when the car was made.

[speedytinc]

Many thanks for all the replies! My first reaction was to tighten the band but a half turn of the nut actually caused reverse to begin to engage. I also only use reverse with my brake lever set to neutral before the parking brake engages. I think I will try checking for any problems with the cam and spring as Mr. Leach pointed out, as well as trying the reverse extension. I have to lay down reverse with my boot sideways, maybe I'm not getting as much force as I think.

A conservative approach to tightening kevlar bands is healthy. You have a handle on that.
Be sure to only engage reverse pedal & not unknowingly 2 pedals @ the same time.
Norm is correct about putting the brake lever in neutral. This is something I do automatically.
My # 11's fit ok , so I dont have an extension.

A few years back, A friend kept wearing out tripple gear bushings. I thought the pins might not be perfectly located or the bushings were soft. Couldnt find a reason. As he backed out my driveway on his 3rd new set of bushings(& 2nd set of tripple gears & pins) I got the answer. The transmission was screaming for mercy. This fellow didnt realize his big feet were engaging 2 pedals @ the same time every time . With this realization & correction, The T has had no more transmission issues.
In a more recent customer with the reverse pedal extension, same situation of 2 pedals @ the same time. He didnt realize until I pointed it out.
You would think all that extra transmission scream would be enough. He also doubled the extension length with a wood block. Very wide feet.