I just bought a 1926 Touring car! The previous owner said it probably needed new bands. I tried to do a few tests to check things out. With engine running, tried low gear. Didn't feel any drag to engine. Pressed the reverse pedal and did not get any movement but the engine drug a bit. Same with the brake pedal. Question, does it sound like the bands need adjustment or need to be re-lined? Any advice / help will be appreciated! Jeff in Colorado Springs, Colorado

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/8538.html
Take a read through the above. It's a good primer on getting started. Take the transmission inspection cover off and take a look at the bands maybe take a photo or two and post it. You may not be pressing the pedal down hard enough.

It's impossible to tell for sure without further inspection, but the bands certainly need adjustment.

The low speed band can be adjusted from outside the transmission, but the brake and reverse bands require that the inspection cover be removed.

Once you have the cover off, which is easy, the most obvious thing to look for is scoring of the drums. As the bands wear down, eventually the rivets hit the drums. They can ruin a drum if left that way too long.

Then, you can usually see a little bit of the ends of the band material as it peeks out from the ends of the metal bands. If it's less than, say, 1/8" thick, it's time to re-line.

Another clue is that as bands deteriorate, they usually throw off a lot of fibers. these can cause trouble a couple of ways -- by inhibiting the connection from the magneto coil ring to the post on top of the hogshead, but most important, by clogging up the internal oil line. If the oil line is clogged, you won't get the required oil to the front of the engine.

Jeff, the best advice I can give you is to look in both the MTFCA and MTFCI and find a club near you, or failing that, find a T owner nearby, and ask for help. It will be freely given, and you will not only get the help you need, but a very liberal education on Model T's.

And, as others will say, "Welcome to the club!" We're a bunch of guys with a real addiction, and between us there is a world of good advice just waiting to be given.

Just three things you shouldn't ask on the forum: (1) What kind of bands to use; (2) What kind of oil to use; (3) Should I convert to 12 volts? Any of these questions will ignite (or should I say re-ignite) a firestorm of answers, and leave you more confused than before you asked. Save these questions for face-to-face with another T owner, but ask anything else!

Jeff,

Is this your first T? Have you ever worked on one? It does not look like there is a T club close to you but there are 3 in the Denver area. Can the previous owner point you to some T owners in the Springs area? I live in the Denver metro area and may be able to offer some help if all else fails.

Paul, Yes it is my first T! I also own a restored 1930 Model A Coupe. I have worked on my A quite a bit. There are many similarities while obviously many differences. The previous owner was not able to point me to any other T owners in the area. I just got it Saturday so I will keep my eyes out. Thanks for the response.

Peter and Mark, thanks for the great advice. I will dig into the info you both provided. Thank you!

Jeff, see this post for other T:ers in the Colorado Springs area: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/314944.html?1349224724

(Note: the private message function on this forum can be a little erratic - may or may not work..)

Jeff, Also check the adjustment of the clutch finger screws. If they are screwed all the way in, or at least, almost all the way, your clutch discs are worn out and need to be replaced. Some people swear by the original steel plates; some Turbo 400; some Watts. Its been discussed many times here on the forum and different groups have their own opinions.

Thank Roger and Terry! I checked out the post you provided. Terry, I will check into the clutch finger screws tomorrow.

Jeff,

Left click on my name and it will bring up my profile. Then scroll down and click on "Click here to send a private message to Paulmikeska". If you send me your e-mail address and I will see if I can find any T owners near you. This is one of my busy times of the year and it may take me a day or two. I hope you enjoy your new T!