How far do you drive your T each year and what ignition system do you use?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: How far do you drive your T each year and what ignition system do you use?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warwick Landy on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 06:47 am:

In light of recent discussion on the different types of ignition systems available for for T's, from my reading, it appears that some forum participants that travel many miles annually in thier T's have chosen different ignition sytems over the standard production system. Is there a link between the number of miles driven and the type of ignition system running on your cars?
I estimate I have driven 2500 miles in the last calender year using coils and an Anderson timer. I am curious to know how far others travel in a year and what ignition components they use? Thanks in advance for your participation and are wondering if the response will add any weight to a theory I have formed in recent times!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By doug hauge upstate NY stittville 13469 on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 07:53 am:

i have 10 Ts, that allows me to pick and choose a differant T for the ride i am going to do. this past week i drove my 21 touring about 400 miles, flawlessly. i have bike speedometers on most of my cars to keep track of speed, miles traveled etc. this T has an anderson packed with greese and coil dr coils. i toured on the O2O reunion tour last month with my 14 wide track touring T. the same set up with an anderson packed with greese and coil dr coils, and toured about 500 miles. my 20 roadster has and anderson packed with greese and coils and has been about 700 miles so far this year. the speedster has and anderson packed with greese and coils and has only been about 200 miles this year. the 22 suuside coupe has a vintage bosh dist. and has only a few hundred miles this year, (i only drive it spring and fall when its cold outside) my 15 station wagon has a vintage bosh dist and has been over 300 miles and runs great, i havent driven the 26 sedan much at all this year, but she does have anderson packed with greese and coils. the depot hack and snowmobile have not been out at all this year. i would love to haev the E timer but i can't afford one for each car, and can't by just one because i don't know which car to put it in. i have tried new day, and tiger but to be honest , i have settled into andersons. it allows me to keep only spare parts for anderson in my tool box and i have had minor problems with them but they were serviced and warenteed. i travel with a lot of Ters and everyone has their favorite, and thats fine. once someone finds the timer thats runs best in their car they stick with it. we are all differant and so are our cars.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 08:19 am:

I'm with you Doug "to each there own" and enjoy your hobby.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 08:57 am:

Well lets see, past 12 months:
1912 Touring 350 miles, New Day (original one) John Regan reproduction coils.
1915 Touring 650 miles Tiger Timer, Coil Man coils

1917 Torpedo 400 miles, original cast iron roller timer, coils rebuilt and set up by me on a hand cranked coil tester.

1910 touring 50 miles, two piece timer, RV Anderson set up Jacobsen Brandow coils. Not mine, it was just put

1927 roadster, 10 miles, distributor. This one was brought to me non running, the distributor gear replaces the nut on the camshaft. I had to tighten the gear and set timing to make it run for the owner.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Coiro on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 09:08 am:

I fill my gas tank about ten times each year and run it down about halfway, so I'm burning through about five gallons each time. I get about seventeen miles per gallon, so figure I'm doing maybe 850 miles each year. I run a regular Ford timer and have to clean the black gook out of it about as frequently as I fill the gas tank. I suspect a bad seal behind the timer. That's been on my to-do list for a while, but there always seems to be some more pressing maintenance matter at hand.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 09:55 am:

I moved down the hill so the T is no longer my daily driver. I'm down to aprox. 500 miles a year from probably 5,000 before. (No speedo)

I run an Anderson timer dry on coils (Redone by Coil man about 12 years ago and about to be re-set by me) on a mag. While my car has frequent repair needs they almost never involve these parts.

I have run on distributor (Atwater Kent), New Day, Tiger, battery ignition on occasion but settled in on Anderson style timers and mag as what I like over a decade ago.

TH


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 10:33 am:

I drive over 2000 miles per year and run coils with an Anderson timer. No grease, cleaned once and it's been there since Chickasha 2006.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Walt Berdan, Bellevue, WA on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 12:06 pm:

Only a couple hundred miles on my 26 coupe this year with Anderson timer, Coil Man coils and magneto. Drove it about a 1000 last year. Original works fine on that car. My speedster with a newer Bosch distributor gets a couple 1000 per year and never had ignition problems with it (18 years now). I just can't get excited about what ignition system somebody chooses, several advantages to each type.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Zahorik on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 12:15 pm:

I drive my 1926 TuDor about 5000 miles each year. I have a Fenton and now TipTop Anderson timer. I clean it regular and use vasoline as a lube for it. Seems to work fine. My coils are all rescued coils. I replaced the capacitors and contacts. They were all tested and adjusted on an HCCT. I also have the plastic John Regan coil box replacement wood in my coil box. The engine crank starts easily on mag during the summer, one or two 1/4 turns. Battery works better in the winter. I'm happy with it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Gregush Portland Oregon on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 12:33 pm:

Less then 1000 miles a year, original Anderson timer (for now) Kingston L4 carb, aluminum intake, coils have new condensers but old points, setup on HCCT. I only average about 13 MPG. Old Wards cotton linings and 10-40 oil. I made my own plastic coil box replacement. Oh, Jack Rabbet clutch disks. Magnets recharged using the coil ring when engine was out. Can start on magneto but most of time start on battery. Runs best on magneto.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 12:44 pm:

1922 TT: No odometer, so I'm guessing maybe 500 miles per year. (Remember, this is a stock TT with 7.25:1 rear end.) It has original Ford coils rebuilt by Ron the Coil Man and an Anderson timer.

1918 Touring: Again, no odometer. I estimate it gets 3000 miles per year. It has a set of original Ford coils I rebuilt myself and a Ford roller timer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Kekacs on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 12:46 pm:

around 2500 miles annually. Stock system w/Anderson timer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 01:14 pm:

Approx. 1750 a year total, spread over 4 Model T's, all with original, (meaning vintage), Bosch front plate distributors.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ernest Spittler on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 01:45 pm:

I own seven Ts but put most of my miles on two of them. I easily put 5000 per year on those two and I run an e-timer on both. Love em. I run fenton timers on the other 5. They also work fine


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevin Gough on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 02:15 pm:

500 to 1000 miles a year. Anderson and run coils. Just got the waterproof coilbox kit and haven't installed it yet.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Matthew David Maiers on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 03:32 pm:

I drive my t daily, and not short distances. i have no idea what i put on it yearly.

ignition is a texas T distributor unit. its working good now but ive had alot of problems with it burning points and condensers. I plan to convert it over to coils and get the magneto working again.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Haynes on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 03:35 pm:

1915 Ford.

The car sits outside under a tarp-carport in the alley year round; if it's lucky it gets to sneak into the garage for a night or two if one of the other cars is away on tour.

It starts with a single 1/4 turn pull on the crank 90% of the time, the other 10% it takes a second pull. When I get off work Friday afternoon and get home, it is my go-to car until Monday morning. It usually gets at least 50 miles per weekend and sometimes 100 or more. I often drive it on my 60 mile round-trip commute to work.

The poor thing only has a Ford magneto - no battery on board, magneto headlights work fine, mag horn, mag-powered LED taillights that come on when the engine starts, accessory Yale lock switch on the coil box, Anderson timer, Coil Man coils, Chaffin spark plug wires and used swap meet find Champion X plugs.

1917 Ford runabout in the garage has all the same features and the same results, but I just don't drive it as often as the '15.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 04:19 pm:

I drive mine all the time but mostly short trips.
The '19 touring, '20 coupe and '25 fordor all have roller timers. The '27 tudor has an Anderson timer.
If one is "better" than the other I have yet to notice a difference.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Rogne on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 04:19 pm:

1917 Touring, I have run a distributor 25 yrs. It has a solid state points. I go 500-1000 miles a year. Just got back from the Lincoln national tour. Always fires up first time, no matter how long it sits. I have looked a couple of times under the cap, no adjustments. Also the same plugs.Its a time machine. I have been on 20-25 national tours and many local tours.On the vulture wagon 4 times, never ignition related. Broken pinion 2 times Rod once on Mt Ranier. I run a bb Rajo and a Elmer Lane Warford.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Matthew David Maiers on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 04:54 pm:

Anybody running a magneto. not a model t type but like a Bosch or Eissmann or Splitdorf?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gordon Byers - Rangely CO on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 05:10 pm:

1927 Roadster Pickup, I run coils in a hardwood coil box, Champion X plugs and an original Anderson timer which I smear a dab of grease on the flapper occasionally. The mag works great and since I have had no speedometer to check, guesstamite around 20 mpg and 1500 miles per year. Just ordered a Velo 5 bike speedometer so a year from now will have a better handle on the figures. The only changes from original that have been made were made prior to my buying it in 1967 and are: a Kingston L-4 carburetor, a small drum Ruxtell and, as previously mentioned, an Anderson timer. Of course a number of items have been replaced but with either NOS or reproduction items that are appropriate for the year and model. It is my daily driver for 8 to 9 months a year, at least locally, and has yet to leave me afoot. I plan to go thru the Ruxtell this coming winter and install the bronze bushings, etc. and probably replace the 2 piece valves but as long as it continues to start easily and run well with no oil consumption the original standard pistons will stay. In other words, I'm happy with what I have. I have made it a point in past posts on the forum not to criticize others ideas, when I post I try to confine my comments to my personal experiences.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By markc on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 05:12 pm:

I Drive my T as a daily driver in city traffic. I use wooden bands. New coils from Snyders and Anderson timer no lube. Hand Crank on 6v Battery no Magnito just paddles on flywheel. No speedo but would do about 20,000kms per year on estimate all weather conditions on main roads and freeways. Drive about 50-70kph. Have Rocky Mountian Brakes Very reliable daily driver.

My Model T Daily Driver


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Keith Gumbinger, Kenosha, WI on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 05:39 pm:

Ask Dean Yoder - I think he has an E timer.

I run several thousand miles a year, mostly on 2 of my T's Both have coils rebuilt by the Coil Doctor. One has an Anderson timer and the other has a New Day timer with an "S" on it. I checked the New Day timer today and it's wearing a lot on the bakelight sections between the copper contacts. I plan to replace it with an Anderson timer soon.

Keith


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Barker, Somerset, England on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 05:48 pm:

Over 2000 miles.
Anderson timer (just recently replaced as the old one was fairly worn after about 5000 miles).
Normal Ford coils with 'orange drop' capacitors, and set up by me on a Strobospark.
Magneto power (and 6v for starting)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Harold - Noblesville, IN on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 07:24 pm:

I manage between 1,200 to 1,500 miles a year driving the '27 Tudor all year round. Use an NOS New Day timer on mag and have a six volt battery for starting. Use NOS cotton bands adjusted every two years. Change oil twice a year. My policy is, if it ain't broke, keep my cotton pick'n hands off it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JohnH on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 08:04 pm:

For the last ten years I've owned the car, I average about 2200km annually. Ignition is rebuilt Ford coils with repro Anderson timer. In this time, the coils and timer have not needed attention, although the timer has been cleaned twice. Power source is 6V battery and generator only. Cruising speed is typically 55-75km/h. Flywheel has oil paddles instead of magnets. Band linings are cotton giving around 10,000km of service on low and brake.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 08:25 pm:

I just ran a tally as of Dick Harold's post at 7:24. I took the average of any ranges people gave. I omitted any that didn't give answers for a total year. In other words, I did not extrapolate any data when someone said "500 so far this year" or anything like that. I converted Km's to miles.

Roller Timers- 4300 miles per year
Anderson Timers- 35,275 miles per year
New Day Timers- 1700 miles per year
Distributors- 4500 miles per year
E-Timer- Either 5000 or 10,000 miles per year. I wasn't sure if Ernest meant 5000 per car or 5000 split between the two cars.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 08:35 pm:

Perhaps an average number of miles per year per vehicle would be more meaningful.

Roller- 1075 miles per year on average.
Anderson- 2713 miles per year on average.
New Day- 850 miles per year on average.
Distributor- 1500 miles per year on average.
E-Timer- 5000 or 10,000? See above explanation.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Danial - Veneta OR US Earth Solar System on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 09:38 pm:

I'm only in my second year of owning a T and have driven it almost every possible moment this year since I gave it the tune up.

All short trips, less than 5 miles, but a lot of them.

Bosch distributor....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 10:52 pm:

I run as many miles as I've got time for on which ever of my cars is running. The only thing I haven't had problems with is my ignition system. I run rebuilt coils tested on a stroboscope and Anderson timers. I like to take the timers apart at the beginning of the summer and during the middle of the summer, wipe them out and wipe a light coat of lithium grease on the contacts and the wiper. I have brand new plug wires on both cars. Other than that everything about my T's is as original as I can keep it. I might add, I run motorcraft plugs in both vehicles. I tried autolites and they were worthless. There was no way to keep the porcelain from becoming loose and losing compression.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 11:16 pm:

I guess I admire someone like Royce, who keeps meticulous records on miles driven in each car.

I put maybe the first 10K miles in 1997-8 with a Performance T Parts disturbutor, then switched to a Porsche 914 disturbutor I mounted on an Atwater-Kent front plate. I have 40K to 90K miles on that setup, with almost no maintenance, and zero failures with either. Should sell the PTP clipon.

rdr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 11:19 pm:

No one in this thread has mentioned a Tru-Fire.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 11:45 pm:

Oh, the only change I plan to make is vacuum advance for better fuel economy.



rdr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Tuesday, August 07, 2012 - 11:50 pm:

Dang Ricks, let it all just hang out. Wow. I like em.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Don Lyon, PDX, OR. on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 12:27 am:

Just got my rebuilt engine going in June, have about 350 - 400 miles so far. I run a Bosch distributor on an otherwise stock motor. Don.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Seager on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 12:38 am:

I have a 2dr coupe and a 4dr sedan both have truefires in them and run prefect. Put about 5000 a year on one and 2500 per year on the other. My coupe has over 10000 trouble free miles with the truefire and it has never had anything done to it. Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Borland. Bathurst. NSW. Australia. on Wednesday, August 08, 2012 - 09:13 pm:

G'day,

About 1000 miles a year on the '23 with a roller timer and coils on magnito. Was using the new New day timers, they developed a bad burn on the departure side of the contacts and caused poor performance and loss of power. These are crap and need to be avoided at all costs.

Peter


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By george a wood on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 12:38 am:

I have run at least 1000 miles a year for several years with a True-Fire and no problems.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Borland. Bathurst. NSW. Australia. on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 12:50 am:

PS....

The car runs great on the coils, mag and a roller timer!!!!

Peter


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Clipner-Los Angeles on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 01:32 am:

Late '26 Touring, approx 6000 using TrueFire, no probs and runs strong. TrueFire,280cam,Z-Head,Ruckstel 3/1, FunProjects coilbox rebuild.

George n L.A.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Jablonski on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 03:19 am:

Owned present Runabout since '95, coils various timers, mostly on Anderson timer for about 10K.

Since November 2010, E-Timer, started as beta-tester - purchased unit a few months after. Have about 4K with no problems, engine strong runner & reliable.

Bob Jablonski


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Jablonski on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 03:23 am:

Owned present Runabout since '95, coils various timers, mostly on Anderson timer for about 10K.

Since November 2010, E-Timer, started as beta-tester - purchased unit a few months after. Have about 4K with no problems, engine strong runner & reliable.

Bob Jablonski


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warwick Landy on Thursday, August 09, 2012 - 06:00 am:

Thank you all for your responses and to Hal for collating the data from the responses. A common response and not unexpected indicates that a well tuned set of coils and a maintained roller timer or perhaps an Anderson timer will serve most model T drivers for happy an reliable motoring for most of their annual touring requirements.
Not a big response from the big mile Annual drivers but my theory was that those that do the big miles in their T,s are most likely to and are most accepting of adopting alternative ignition systems such as distributors,true fires and E timers and it is related to to the reduction of timer maintenance during the long mile hauls?.
Anyway,enjoy the system that runs your car and go for a drive this weekend. I am fortunate to have two very different ignitions on two very different T,s and like to drive one a long way fast and the other on shorter tours much slower!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Friday, August 10, 2012 - 11:40 am:

I probably drive around 1000 miles per year. The problem is, I have more than one T, and another on the way. I refuse to run anything other that stock T coils, (the heart and soul of a T). I confess to running New Day timers. I wouldn't run anything else. I've gone as long a 4 years, without even blowing the dust out of them, and I have enough replacements to last me the rest of my life. Getting back to coils, two of my T's are '13s, and have the KW coilbox used only that year. They are extremely reliable, and I rarely have to remove the lid from the coilbox.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Donnie Brown on Saturday, August 11, 2012 - 06:19 pm:

I have always used the New Day with good results. Will go forever if the brush is good and the front seal does not leak bad. The only problem with new day is the repros are not worth a crap. I only use good originals or resurfaced originals. The repros are made of plastic (or used to be)and are useally warped. I have not bought any repros in years so maybe they are better now. I drive about 1000 miles a year in my 22 touring...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Saturday, August 11, 2012 - 07:24 pm:

1500-2000 miles/year, year round on standard coils, mag, anco timer, original champ plugs. 26 touring. Very reliable. 22-26 MPG


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Noel D. Chicoine, MD, Pierre, SD on Saturday, August 11, 2012 - 08:37 pm:

I have a 23 touring that gets 1000-1500 miles yearly and a 26 Coupe that so far is rarely driven until I complete the Ruckstell and brake lights. Both have rebuilt Wally magneto's, Reagan coil box rebuild, Coilman coils, Anderson timers. Both start second pull on battery, maybe a few more starting on Mag. I'm lazy and rarely service my ignition system aside from a little vaseline on the timer about twice a year. I carry a spare coil and plugs, but haven't needed them in several years. The last time I thought it was a coil problem was a rainstorm and it was the coil box before I replaced the wood.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 05:58 am:

Warwick, I suppose I should add my T's for you to compare.

I started with a True Fire when we took the Kamper to the States. Thought not having a commutator that actually had wearing parts ( no roller/wiper to clean or wear) would be a plus. Not so.

It lasted till the Kingman AZ when it failed ( I think due to the heat (it was 100-103F, 3 days driving) managed to borrow some original coils and repo roller commutator Thanks Russ! The commutator got so lumpy by Colorado it was changed to a distributor only because I was chasing a spark plug problem and we put it on to eliminate the coils and Anderson commutator I was going to run. I left the distributor on till Richmond only because I was on holidays and not real keen to work on the car unless I had to and I had the Anderson as back up if needed.

Once at Richmond the Anderson timer and coils were put into service. When I left it in the Museum Ron Paterson stole the coils, rebuilt them and put them back in the car for me - For Free, Thanks again Ron.

When we returned last year I didn't feel the Original Anderson was running well so the distributor was put back on second day on the trip back west.

In Spokane Washington Mark Hutchison swapped me a new Anderson for my sample Anderson (Sold cheap originally for trial purposes) In Seattle I put the Anderson on as the distributor points needed adjusting and drove the Kamper the rest of the way on coils and magneto. The Kamper did a 600 mile trip this Easter on the Anderson. It's going to stay there. THe Kampers speed is comfortable at 45 MPH Can't really tell any difference between both systems. All up we did nearly 17,000 miles in the USA.

The Town Car has done close to 80.000 miles over 45 plus years on 2 original NOS commutators and rollers They have had ball bearing rollers for 20 odd years. The Commutators get alternated as they wear and the spare one is cleaned up on the lathe between swaps. It is so reliable I would never think of using anything else as a ignition system. The TC can be left for 12 months in the garage and will start first pull.

To me the most reliable system is the original commutator and coils. It's easy to carry spares ( a few coils - a commutator.) No need for a battery unless you like easy starts or have fitted a starter motor. You don't even have to stop the car if a coils plays up just remove the lid off the box find the offender and change it, I used to have the kids pass a coil over from the rear seat, now the grand kids will get to do it

If you have a "new" system" you need to carry a spare one -Expensive, or have the coils and commutator as spares or you are stuck as they are not something you can fix on the side of the road. The TF was returned to the maker who said he could find nothing wrong with it but he also stated he added improvements, it sits in a cupboard now??

I should add you need to always use parts that are in top condition, poor worn out or poor quality products are just not worth the trouble.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By keith g barrier on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 09:00 am:

Stock ignition, 5-6k a year, KB


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 12:27 pm:

I only drive around 200 miles a year in my '24 Touring. When I first bought it, it had a Bosch 009 distributor. I didn't like it, so I got rid of it (actually donated it to a museum for a T that needed one) and tried to go back to the stock coils. It turned out my magneto ring was shot, and more than half of the wire on it was gone.

I made a set of electronic coils that run real well off of the 6-volt battery, but look stock to make up for the lack of magneto power. I have been running those with a Crystal Timer with a new aluminum ring and have had no problems. The car runs smooth, starts easily, and is extremely reliable. I keep a spare Anderson Timer under the back seat just in case.

When I have time and money, I'm going to get the magneto working again and go back to stock coils.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 04:20 pm:

Warwick - An interesting thread for sure, however, you made a comment,...."not a big response from the big mile Annual drivers....."

A thought struck me while reading through this thread; something that might just have some effect on this thread is the fact that writing down in black and white how far a person drives his or her Model T's might not be such a good idea. Not sure how things are for you "T" folks "down under", but in our part of the world, some of our insurance "providers" have specific requirements in regard to how many miles the policy holder drives their Model T and for what purpose. Talking amongst ourselves is one thing; writing it down for anyone and everyone for use for any purpose (even legal maybe???) is something else,....for what it's worth,.....harold


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 04:36 pm:

That's weird - my insurance provider does not have any annual limit on mileage. I use JC Taylor. They do ask what the annual mileage is sometimes on the renewal form, but the amount of mileage has no bearing on the premium cost.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 04:42 pm:

I have J.C. Taylor too Royce, partly for the reason you just stated, however, I was thinking more of claim settlement which is certainly much more important than premium cost.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 05:06 pm:

They have been fabulous to deal with every time I have made a claim. Basically they ask me for pictures of the damage, how much it will cost to fix and then send me a check.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Sunday, August 12, 2012 - 05:33 pm:

I have no complaints about J.C.Taylor either Royce. However, that's all kinda' beside the point that I was trying to make with my original comment. Besides the other two or three well known antique and classic car insurance companies, many Model T folks have insurance coverage from many other companies, and I'm sure that there are those that DO place a limit on annual miles driven and such. My point was that I just think that in the good ol' U.S.A., with all our laws and with some of them written with what I call "built-in controversy" which I believe helps keep the more unscrupulous type lawyers and law firms in bu$$ine$$, there are some things that I just don't think it's a good idea to put in "black & white". All you have to do is watch television long enough and take note of the commercials by law firms trying to drum-up bu$$ine$$ in the form of class action law suits which to me, compare with the "ambulance chasers" that I used to see during my 34 years in law enforcement. Like I said, the good ol' U.S.A., where we have people (including lawyers) getting rich on things as stupid as hot coffee at McDonalds!

Okay,....,ya' got me goin' Royce, and I've cluttered up this interesting thread enough!....sorry Warwick,.....harold


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 04:48 am:

G'day Warwick, l looked and found the posting your were discussing this arvo, so here's mine.

- 1913 Runabout - standard set up - about 300 miles

-1913 Touring - not finished yet - but about 200 miles in standard set up

-1926 Tudor - standard set up about 500 miles..BUT after talking with you, may very well change that system to the " not to be mentioned ".

Hmmm thats not many really, l'll have to fix that soon.

cheers David.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warwick Landy on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 06:01 am:

Harold-
I have absolutely no restriction on the number of miles I am allowed to drive under my insurance company. I use a very popular company which many old car owners in Australia are insured with. In fact they are quite the opposite and sponsor many shows and encourage lots of driving.
Thanks Peter for your contribution. It is interesting to note that you have tried pretty much everything and settled on the Anderson and well tuned coils which seems to be the most popular and maintenance free setup. I will continue to recommend this standard set up but I am happy to try other improvements/alterations for comparisons. You can read of my E timer experience under the E Timer feed back thread if you are interested. Thankyou for all the contributions and I hope you have found them as ineresting as I did. Keep touring in your T's.
Warwick.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dean Yoder on Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 10:43 am:

In the past 13 years I have driven my touring 88,000 miles.
less than 1,000 roller
66,000 New day
8,000 Anderson
13,000 E-timer
P.S. I averaged 40 mph 20 mpg By GPS on my way to New London MN.
This year I have been running Kevin Prus Head and E-timer.


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