I have had this 14 roadster for many years and have really been thinking it is time to do something. My wife thinks i am nuts but what's new.
Who would be a source for wood plans? It's hard to decide where to start first. May be rear end and go forward.
I think a great start would be to trailer it up here and let me mull it over for awhile. You know, just to help maintain the peace in your family.
I know, I know. You're thinking, "Wow, what a generous guy he is."
My better half tells me to just start someplace. I see there is another T over there under the "tent" so you have indeed placed yourself between "Scylla and Charybdis". Good luck moving forward....I'd choose the '14.
That T under the tent is my rolling frame to test run a couple engines i have. With having the 15 for our driver.I figured now i can enjoy playing with the 14. Now all i need to do is sell the wife's 26 roadster pick up. She inherited a 68 GTCS Mustang so she said the 26 can go. Need the the storage space. Are there any wood kits or plans available for the 14? My wood is mostly gone.
Thanks Bill
Check with Jill Miller. www.modeltmel.com
Question, I have a '14 that was originally a Touring car, but my radius rod is connect to the underside of the front axle, not on top with the perches going through. I recently cleaned and rebuilt the APCO springloaded cap for the radius rod ball, so that's why I noticed yours. Mine was super loose at the transmission but my steering and tiny bit of shimmy disappeared after I got the ball tightened up.
Is one way or the correct in terms of where the radius rods mount to the axle? Does it matter? There's so many things that have been tweaked or changed on my car that I can't assume the way I find it is correct.
Thanks!
Also, ya'll are obviously much more experienced with this than me, but having recently gotten mine into driving shape I'd definitely do some things differently in terms of where to start and what order to work on things.
With the stage the car is in now is a great time to paint the frame . . .
But I'd go from the tires in. Tires, spokes, bearings, brakes, suspension, steering, rear-diff, drive shaft, trans, hand lever brake, then engine: fuel system, electrical. Once I hit electrical I'd do all the wiring throughout the car. After that you have a drivable car that just needs a body, seat, and windshield.
Bill,
I just finished my 15 that I did differently from any other I've done. Since my body was in such sad shape, I started on it first. I've already got 2 speedsters ,a Hack, and a homemade pickup, so I didn't want another T I had to create some kind of body for, in case I couldn't salvage the body. After stripping it down to where you are now (minus the motor/trans), starting with the correct firewall, I tweeked the wood, constantly refering to the "MEL MILLER PLANS" I bought years ago (his daughter's name is Jen, not Jill). I replaced the body and seat frame parts that were beyond repair and repaired what I could and got the body finished completely--including final painting. I then removed the body from the frame and stripped down the frame. I sandblasted and powdercoated all I could. While the frame, axle housing, spring leaves, front axle, and other small parts were at the powdercoaters, I installed the upholstery and top, and finished the assembly of my engine and trans. While all this is going on, I had a bunch of small jobs in my basement for when the weather was too bad, or nothing on TV at night. That's where the carburator and coilbox rebuilding took place as well as building the headlights, tail and sidelights, cleaning all the brass parts, etc. After getting all the "subassemblies" done it goes together real quickly. If you start with the hardest part and get that done, it's all downhill from there!
Seth,
I would go with radius rods underneath.Ford went to that style i think in the later teens.To be period correct the rods were on top. They found out with the radius rods on top was a weak point of the front end.
Bill
I agree with Bill. If this were a museum car or a show car (trailer queen), you'd want the correct perches with the wishbone over the axle. For a car that's driven, the later style is safer.
Thanks for the info. That's how the radius is now, mounted underneath.
Bill
If you need rewooding plans for your 1914 roadster I have them with over 30 pages of details and pictures.Send me an e-mail. Leon ford1914@bellsouth.net
I would start with overhauling the engine and getting it running. It is such a thrill to hear it start for the first time after many years and without a motivating force sometimes one can get discouraged and there is nothing more motivating than a running engine. With a nice running engine, if you ever get discouraged, just crank 'er up and listen to her purrr and it will recharge your batteries and make you anxious to get 'er done so you can drive her around. Good luck. Jim Patrick
The only thing I would put ahead of the engine is the rear end. Make sure those Babbitt washers are gone. Otherwise, it can be easy to sidestep it later, and usually, the rear end doesn't take long.
From those photos, it could almost be my place. One restored car in the background, multiple storage, garage, and shop buildings plus an improvised shelter along with multiple project cars. Crazy? Well, I know I am.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Thanks to all, Yea i do have to much stuff and no place to put it. Need to unload some items. After a light look over the engine looks pretty good . Very little carbon on standard pistons and valves clean . Need to drop the bottom and check around there next. So engine first then rear end and inventory to find out what parts i do not have. The car came with new fenders ,splash aprons ,good brass radiator and many more parts. So as long as things go ok this project is one i finally get to enjoy. Bill