I'm just about ready to start

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: I'm just about ready to start
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 07:36 pm:

The weather turning cold and we can't be too far from having snow that's going to stick with us. We've had snow but it warmed up enough to get rid of what little bit that fell. So today I put the Touring car in storage and the sedan in the shop. And during the next couple days I'm going to be tearing into the sedan. And this is where I need to stop and ask the question; where do I start? The entire running gear needs some help. Do I pull the engine out and start on it? Do I pull the rear axle out and tear it down? I think it's important to tear only one major component and rebuild it before moving on too the next part of the car. My goal is to of course have it up and running and ready to go. I couldn't help but snap a photo today of my cars. The sedan is the good looking one.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 08:00 pm:

I don't suppose it really matters whether you start in front or in back, but maybe starting with the rear axle would be good for practice before you get to the engine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 08:15 pm:

Mike,

If you are going to send the engine off to have the main bearings poured, cylinders bored, etc. I would pull it first and send it off. While I waited for the engine to return, I would work on the transmission or if I sent the entire engine and transmission off to be rebuilt then I would start on the rear axle while the engine and transmission were being rebuilt.

It is a good policy to not just take it all apart (that is easy) but to do a section at a time. But if you will be waiting for engine machining etc. you can use that time for other repairs. If you are doing everything yourself -- and have experience at it -- I would still recommend doing the engine and transmission first. Get the hard part done and then it is easy to do the rear axle. If you have very little experience rebuilding the mechanical parts -- I would agree with Steve start with the easier part and work your way up to the harder part.

Again, depending on your experience level you may already have a good grasp of it. But I've found that the MTFCA videos, books, etc. such as:

The Ford Engine, Repairing and restoring the Model T
http://www.modeltford.com/item/RM3.aspx

Rebuilding the Ford Power Plant, book
http://www.modeltford.com/item/T-RFP.aspx

Restoring the 'T' Transmission. Part I.
http://www.modeltford.com/item/DVD-2-4.aspx

The Model T Ford Front And Rear Axles
http://www.modeltford.com/item/RM7.aspx

etc. pay for themselves in saved time and cost. Many of the local clubs have a library that you can borrow items like that from. If not – you may want to help them get one started. Many of us will only do it a couple of times and we don’t need the books the other years when things are going fine.

And if there is someone nearby who has done a few before -- they can be a great help when you hit a question or two.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 08:21 pm:

I'm inclined to agree with you Steve. If I get the rear axle done I'll be able to roll the car around if I have to when I'm rebuilding the rest. Thanks for your response. I've been lucky enough to have done most what needs to be done except the rear end and that's gonna be my greatest challenge. I just wondered if it would make sense to start and do it in any certain order. Maybe I'm asking a kind of a dumb question. I was able to post a picture though and I think that might have been part of my reason for the thread too. Not the only reason, but maybe part of it. So if I'm causing any reason for aggression please forgive me.And now the movie "Sergeant York" is on and I gotta go.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 08:31 pm:

Good advice Hap. I'm tossing the idea around yet of whether I'm going to send the block out or not. I'm leaning towards doing it. My one concern is the same as everyone else's. Money!!! Being retired and on a fixed income makes things a little rough. Although I read somewhere in the last couple days I might be in line for a "cost of living" raise of 1.5 to 1.7%! I've already purchased all the books while getting my touring car all rebuilt and running good. And I'm part of the club here and I can't believe how many friendly, excellent Model T mechanics we've got in our club. I think I'm in pretty good shape as far as intellectual support.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 08:32 pm:

I guess maybe I shouldn't have learned how to post photos and sech on this hyar thang.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 08:46 pm:

Rear axle. If you are using original braking, it could be the most important thing you do. Besides, once its done, you shouldn't have to worry about it for a long long time. Its a great foundation to build from.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 08:50 pm:

Thanks Chad. I'll be using the "from the factory" braking.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 09:03 pm:

Hi, Mike --

The main thing is that you're going to do what it takes to make the car reliable and safe. Rebuilding the rear end is an important part of that.

I'd do the engine first, because I think it's easier to stab the rear end into the back of the engine/tranny than it is to do it the other way around. They're both do-able, but I'd prefer to do it the easier way. Getting the engine in place is difficult enough without worrying about aligning it with the U-joint at the same time. (Not enough hands.) :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 09:13 pm:

Good point Mike. Excellent point. I've done it from both directions and you're right. When I did get it together I got lucky both times and it went right together. But it seemed easier putting the rearend in. Of all the jobs I've done on my '22 the worst I found was putting the engine side mount bolts in in the drivers side. I found however, if I wrapped thin wire around the threaded end of the bolts I was able to drag them up and into place.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 09:33 pm:

Here is my recommendation for what it's worth. If you need to work on both the engine and rear axle, the engine should be pulled first. It is the more complicated, and if you need to have any machine work or bearings poured, you can send it out. Meanwhile when the engine is out, you can pull the rear axle and go through it yourself. Then put in the axle so that you will be able to roll the chassis before installing the engine. Since you are going to pull the engine, you should also replace the magneto coil unless you have already done so. and recharge the magnets. Also it's a good time to check and reline the bands if they need so. Anyway while the engine/transmission is out everything should be checked and all known problems attended to so that it will not need removal anytime soon.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 09:47 pm:

Norman, your reasoning is sound and seems to be right in line with the general concensus. Hap, Mike Walker and Norman have the popular vote so far. Although Steve and Chad are running a real close second. The thing I've really learned today is to listen to you guys. I suppose the question was nothing more than a "what if" kind of question but ya'll have really helped.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lance Sorenson, Minnesota on Friday, October 12, 2012 - 10:02 pm:

Mike, how are you going to come to my tour next week without an engine? You could bring that Vette. The gravel roads wouldn't be so bad but the low maintenance roads are going to be a challenge!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Saturday, October 13, 2012 - 12:46 am:

Lance, honest, I was going to call you and tell you I wasn't going to be on the tour. I've got an open touring car and it's just getting too cold to spend most of the day out there, in the wind freezing my ah, well you know, being cold. And I don't care if you guys want to call me a sissy or not. And now I've already promised my classmates in Grand Rapids I'd be up there for a get-together. And I can't come up with any really valid excuses so all I can do is beg forgiveness. Oh crap, now this guilt is going to be messing with my head for a month. Oh wait, I've got another really good excuse, I've got to pay Andy a bunch of money for some work he did for me and I'm going to be broke that weekend. Oh oh, that ain't good. Now how am I going to get up to Grand Rapids. I wonder if Andy's going to read this...
:-)


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