Driving into the garage.

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Driving into the garage.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad budreau on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 02:05 pm:

My two car garage is becoming a jigsaw puzzle. I can still fit our family wagon and the T in the garage. But in order to get get access to my lawn mowers, I need to move my T. Most times I simply put the T in neutral and roll it out of the garage. But to get it back into the garage I start it up and drive it in.

My question - Is it bad to start a T just to drive it 30 feet? How long should I let it warm up before driving such a short distance? Or should I take advantage of the opportunity as another excuse to drive the T.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Robison on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 02:37 pm:

In all seriousness Chad it ain't a problem. If that is the only driving you do then you could be concerned. The problem with not letting the engine "warm up" is that the engine collects condensation on the inside and the water can corrode the bare metal internals over a long period of time. If you take it out and stretch its legs monthly no reason for concern.

Have fun.

Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Budreau on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 03:11 pm:

Thanks Mike! This question always lingered in the back of my mind every time I pulled it in garage.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 03:14 pm:

:-) When I read Chad's question my first thought was that it would be better to roll the T because starting a vehicle is usually hard on the moving parts. Especially the internal motor surfaces that require lubrication. I also thought that rolling it a bit now and then would help stop flat spots on the tires, spread the grease around in the wheel bearings and rear end and help keep the bands and drums coated with oil.

But I agree If you start it -- getting it warm is important!

Since I start my T by cranking rolling it is usually easier than starting it, but I only have to move it forwards and back about 5 feet to get the mower and generator out.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 03:17 pm:

If you are using a starter to start the car every time, you will soon run down the battery. If you crank start it, not as much of a problem. you will get some dilution of the oil from choking the car when it's cold. That will normally evaporate if you warm up the engine, but if you just start it and drive a few feet often, you could be diluting the oil.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Sorenson-Lake Arrowhead,CA on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 03:19 pm:

This is my take on that......Get rid of all the gardening tools.....Let the "Kid" down the street mow the lawn and take your "T" out for a ride in the country......You'll now have room more to put the parts for your second "T".....Then your wife's car will need to go outside so you'll have room to assemble it......simple right ??? Real World,,,,I take mine out for a spin around the block so it will get warm enough to turn the "carb mix " down .....I think its better burn the raw gas from useing the choke....Just how I do it....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 03:52 pm:

Chad - Build a shed in the back yard & put the mower in there. That will also give you more room in your garage to store extra Model T Parts.

My favorite saying is: "It's hard to build a garage that's tooooo big!"

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Budreau on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 04:12 pm:

Ha, great suggestions Carl. And Keith, I have seriously considered building another shed. That will buy me a couple years before I fill it up and end up with the same problem again :-)

I do drive the T a few times each week on trips longer than 30 feet. So I'm not too worried about condensation, oil, or tires.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Townsend ; ^ ) Gresham, Orygun on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 04:13 pm:

Chad-
I put the T in the garage first, then the mower goes in closest to the door. I'd rather move the mower to get the T out that move the T to get the mower out.

Also, my boy can get easy access to the mower...

: ^ )

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 04:14 pm:

Keith, what is toooo Big. My sons built a 40 X 70 metal shed and before it was completed a 20 foot piece was added making it 60 X 70 and it is almost full already and all the walls and doors are not completed yet. They are bigger pack rats than I am.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 04:19 pm:

Sounds to me like it's time to just leave the family wagon outside. :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mike bartlett Oviedo,Fl on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 04:21 pm:

You guys have me confused, WHAT is a mower?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Willie K Cordes on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 04:27 pm:

Mike I am confused also, My mowers have four legs, a head and a tail. The mowers do have a bad habit of dropping something I refer to as "Cow Pies"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Derek Kiefer - Dexter, MN on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 04:40 pm:

With a little creativity, you can enjoy driving your Model T and mow the lawn at the same time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t71C9OqIbxM


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 10:01 pm:

Willie - I said "It's hard to build a garage that's tooooo big". It's hard, but not impossible...

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 09:10 am:

If I only start my T for a short time to move it, I let it sit and run for a few minutes until it gets hot enough to evaporate the condensation and gas remaining in the cylinders. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Friday, May 18, 2012 - 03:36 pm:

Jim,
Not good for the rear main flange. The clutch puts pressure on it and it will wear out sooner and you will lose the magneto. If you want to do that, and I do with one of my cars, jack up both rear wheels and put on jack stands then leave it in high gear while you warm it up.
Norm


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