Hello all ...
I joined some time ago, but haven't viewed the forum in some time. My dad passed away about a year ago, and I just got his '24 roadster to my house this last weekend. It was a bitter sweet moment when we got it started , drove around the yard once, and lined it up to put it on the car hauler. Now it's at my house in it's new home .. while my daily driver sets outside. Age before beauty, I guess .. :-)
It's no show piece, but it fits me perfectly. I hope to do enough repairs on it to keep it as safe and dependable as is reasonable, but no real restoration planned. I prefer to have a vehicle I, the kids and grandkids don't have to be afraid to touch. We'll be gently USING it.
I've read many of the threads on pulley alignment, leather belts, etc, and I will be giving some of those adjustments a shot. I'd like to verify ... this is apparently an original or early model water pump?:
http://www.youraccordion.com/images/FordModelT/6_11_12/index.php?pic=FanPullyDriversSide3.JPG
I'm not finding an engine number on the boss above the water inlet, but apparently this pump is covering up the normal place for an engine number, anyway. Can anyone offer any hints as to the accuracy of my title? (More photos in the folders listed below.) It claims a '24 T Roadster with an apparent engine number in the VIN location: 7133675. I've not found that number anywhere on the beast yet, but will look more in some of the other locations mentioned elsewhere in this forum.
Thanks for having such a great resource! Once I get a few $$ lined up, I'll need to join the club .. and/or a local one, once I find someone around here.
I'm in Petoskey, Michigan .. about 30 miles south of the Mackinaw Bridge .. 4+ hours NW of Detroit.
I'll post photos in these folder, as I get them:
http://www.youraccordion.com/images/FordModelT
Thanks!
Well.....it IS an original......but not to the car.
I have one JUST like it that came with the '27 Tudor I got yesterday.......
It's in a box.......but not for long...... ;)
What Craig says...original pump, but not to the car. Model T's, except for the first 2500, did not have water pumps on them from the factory.
Some people swear by them, some swear at them. You decide what's best for you.
Your serial number indicates a build date of February 1923.
Yes, the water pump is hiding the serial number. Its presence suggests a cooling problem. The addition of a water pump to a T is often an attempt to cure an inefficient radiator which may be OK and just need a thorough cleaning, or may be toast and need replacing. The serial number 7133675 dates the engine to Monday, February 12, 1923. That is not a surprise. Cars of this vintage are often registered with the wrong model year. You can confirm the year of this car by measuring the radiator shell. On a 1923 the shell measures 19.5" from the "feet" to the top. On a 1924 it's 21.5".
I also notice that your car has a starter AND cowl lights. That's not common, as cowl lights were not usually offered on starter equipped cars.
The only place the serial number would appear is on the boss above the water inlet (where the water pump is).
The car appears to be a 1923, high hood. Accessory speedometer, too!
Hi Dennis. There is a local club near you that is very active, the Crankun T's. They do a lot of touring, and have several very knowledgeable members as well. There roster lists a Joe Hoffman in Petoskey at 231-347-6823. I'm sure he could be of some help. Good luck!
I'm sort of a minimalist as well ... so the pump comes off and will likely stay off, should it give any more trouble than a few drips of coolant, and greasing.
Thanks, Joe ... I'll give Joe a call!
Craig Anderson--We have a club in the area. You should join us sometime. Twenty eight members from Wausau, Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Nekoosa, Princeton, etc.
We meet on the 3rd Wed. @7pm.