My first t

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: My first t
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ronald lemmerman on Friday, October 26, 2012 - 01:54 pm:

As to not hi-jack Steves halloween post heres a pic and little info on my first t. Its titled as a '24 as thats what the motor is, however the car is a culmination of parts. Bought basically as it is except not running. Got it running, now starts the fun... Need radiator recorred, currently has a water pump, modern coil and distributor, all of which are coming off once i collect the needed parts. Trans needs new bands and it needs a drivers side rear radius arm. Hopefully this will all be done by spring. Oh and i'm currently looking at a much more original '20 center door because one projects never enough


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jason Given - St. Paul, MN on Friday, October 26, 2012 - 02:03 pm:

Great looking car! What you want to do should not be too difficult.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Friday, October 26, 2012 - 03:56 pm:

Ronald
That's a nice looking T, now you can have the best of both worlds and find a Livingood 4X4 unit to put under it.

Bob
006.JPG 003.JPG


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Friday, October 26, 2012 - 04:33 pm:

Ronald - Nice "T"! To me, it's a perfect Model "T"; a really cute little "T" that you can drive all you want, let those kids climb in and out of it all they want, and yet it's not what we'd call a "trailer queen" that's so perfect that you need one of those little signs in the windshield that say "Please Do Not Touch".

As this is your first Model "T", I'm assuming that you are new to the hobby. First of all, welcome to the hobby and to the forum! You'll get a lot of help from all these folks on this forum and find it a valuable "tool" as well as a great source of entertainment.

I've been fooling around with old Fords since high school in the '50's and I can honestly say that I still have a lot to learn, and I'd also say that a lot of what little I do know has come from what I've learned on this forum.

One little piece of advice (if I may) and this is certainly not because I'm so smart, it's because you don't "fool around" with old Fords for as long as I have without learning a little bit (quite often,...."the hard way") so keep a couple things in mind:

Do things one at a time, and in a sensible order. By that I mean, do the little things first, and one at a time! Can't tell you how many times I've tried to correct some little problem while doing too much at once and not only failed to correct the problem, but became confused and frustrated, and even quite often, actually correcting a problem quite by accident, never fully realizing what I did to correct it!

Also, what I meant by doing things in a sensible order, a good example is (in my opinion anyway) don't tear out that "modern coil and distributor" system too soon. More often than not, that distributor is in there because there was (is) a major problem with the magneto. While most of us "T" guys prefer the original magneto ignition system, many of us (me included) are running a distributor in place of a defective magneto until the next major engine/transmission rebuild. Ok,...enough unsolicited advice, except to say, if you have not already done so, join a local club and by all means, pay attention to all the guys that will advise you to obtain a copy of the Ford "Bible" reprint and a couple other basic books.

Again,...welcome to the hobby,.......harold


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Saturday, October 27, 2012 - 12:17 am:

What Harold said. I see you registered in May, so you may have already seen these, but just in case you didn't, here they are:

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG79.html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, October 27, 2012 - 12:40 am:

I much prefer the correct model T Ford ignition system, just how Henry built it. That said, I second the motion to not be in a hurry to change out the distributor. My '24 coupe I got a couple years ago has a distributor on it that works very well. Every time I start the engine and don't hear the coils singing, I tell myself "I have got to get those changed". But I have too many projects with higher priority. So it is still "someday".
One thing that should NOT be put off too long is, if you do not know for certain, to check the thrust washers in the rear end. The original Babbitt washers can crumble without warning and cause serious and dangerous problems. Like loss of brakes.

And welcome to the affliction! The truly best model Ts are ones that get enjoyed and seen. That car looks good! (It'll look better after you get that top fixed right. Another "someday".)
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dan Knoll on Saturday, October 27, 2012 - 01:17 am:

Nice car Ronald !


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Martin Vowell, Sylmar, CA on Saturday, October 27, 2012 - 03:37 am:

Nice looking little runabout, that'll be a lot of fun to jaunt about in. Be prepared for some kiddy arguments on "who's going to go to the store with dad" or "you've had your turn, now it's my turn" to be backed up with a long wailing MOMMMMM! (lol you'll probably wish it was a touring.)

I'm running a 22 touring with a distributor, but not because it's mag is faulty. On the contrary, I rebuilt the mag when I rebuilt the motor, it's a really strong and solid mag. I just like how the car runs on the distributor and how you never have to fool with those bloody coils!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ronald lemmerman on Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 06:40 pm:

Thanks for the kind words and advice. I currently have issues with the distributor cap and rotor, neither one is correct for the distributor they were made to fit and cause occational misfiring.
Bob... Would love to find a Livingood 4x4 unit to put under it, i've had tons of experience building 4wd trucks. You wouldnt have a spare one sitting around


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 07:32 pm:

The distributor is common enough to be quite acceptable on a T. No need to rush out & spend to change it. It's a good system. Just get to learn repairs & adjustments. You have other, more urgent items that should be repaired first. Good Luck.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Patterson-Nicholasville, Kentucky on Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 07:57 pm:

Ronald L.
Do not be misled by those complaining ("never have to fool with those bloody coils") about the original Model T ignition system. I have been helping folks get it working properly for 20+ years.
Unfortunately there are many folks who do not understand how it works and lack the patience to do so.
Some of us get it working correctly and some of us install a distributor, declaring victory and then try to convince the rest of us they made 15,000,000 Model T's with a dysfunctional ignition system.
Not so!
Ron the Coilman


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Patterson-Nicholasville, Kentucky on Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 08:00 pm:

Ronald L.
Do not be misled by those complaining ("never have to fool with those bloody coils") about the original Model T ignition system. I have been helping folks get it working properly for 20+ years.
Unfortunately there are many folks who do not understand how it works and lack the patience to do so.
Some of us get it working correctly and some of us install a distributor, declaring victory and then try to convince the rest of us they made 15,000,000 Model T's with a dysfunctional ignition system.
Not so!
Ron the Coilman


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 08:24 pm:

Ronald
I did a couple years ago, but the gentleman still will make one for you. There about $4,000
with shipping to the left coast. If you need more info let me know.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Sunday, October 28, 2012 - 11:33 pm:

Hey Ronald, not only is the car great, but the crew is tops, and even parked on a period correct drive way, three thumbs up (I can do that as I am all thumbs!)
Best
Gus


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Monday, October 29, 2012 - 01:15 am:

Then again, If there are problems with the distributor, now might be the right time to replace it. The original T system is not difficult, just slightly different. Ron Patterson is the guru and ultimate expert on the original system. The first step would be to determine if there is a functional magneto hidden in that runabout. If there is, the rest of the system is a piece of cake. If there is no magneto, T coils do still work on battery.
Nice car!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George_Cherry Hill NJ on Monday, October 29, 2012 - 02:08 am:

Maple Shade, NJ, eh?

I had heard from 'old joe' with the '27 Fordor that there was now another one around...lol

That makes four locally that have come out of the woodwork in the last year or so! That may not sound like a lot to most readers, but for where I live that just near doubled the former local region T population :-)

Will have to look you up when there is the chance and when I'm around which is maybe 1/2 the time, feel free to sing out for any help, and when around not drop me a PM. My rates however are considered excessive locally---a coffee now and then and lunch if you work me through it and, if you use parts from my stash just replace them (sometimes)...lol.

As far as the dizzy, depends on what you have. To put an old Atwater back together with new(er) cap and rotor costs a small fortune in itself and then have to look at the small gear drive as it is usually sloppy.

They do make modern clip ons that aren't too bad and I'll probably be doing one of them for someone in Blackwood come spring if you want to see one done. His old Atwater is like completely shot and doesn't move with the stick any more (yet still magically runs) and he doesn't want to go the buzz coil route.

Then again you want to go back to buzz coils be my guest and I'd walk you through it gladly but talk to me first before you go and buy anything. All is not created equal.

Welcome aboard.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Monday, October 29, 2012 - 04:12 am:

Ronald, You're getting some great advice. You'll find there are some real experts on this forum that know what they're talking about. Guys like Ron Patterson, Steve Jelf (notice the "L" in his name), Herm Khonke and others. But beware there are also a lot of guys with alternative ideas that can seriously get you in trouble. They take shortcuts and help you spend your money and think they're passing on legitimate advice. You'll learn who to pay attention to. So where do I fit in all this? No matter what I say and offer for advice do not run right out and do what I suggest. I own two model t's and can barely keep them on the road. If it wasn't for my club and some good books I'd be screwed. And even then the things I do are marginally capable of repairing any issues I might have. So once again I'm going to repeat; do not run right out and do what I suggest!!!! At any rate welcome aboard. You've got a neat little car an a couple beautiful kids. Have fun with your t's.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Monday, October 29, 2012 - 11:57 am:

Ronald
This is my 23 Roadster PU.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ronald lemmerman on Monday, October 29, 2012 - 07:22 pm:

Thanks again guys, and George i will get in touch when i get a chance.
Bob, now you got me thinking, i searched your 10 year project thread and was wondering if you have any closeup pictures of the knuckles and hub assembly without the wheels. Looks like the t-case is a simple 1:1 chain drive thats either engaged or disingaged. 4000 is a little pricey for me for a new unit though


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