Hi all, I just bought a fairly freshly "restored" 1924 Touring that was converted to a pickup (it just needs the upholstery and top done, which I plan to do myself). I contacted the shop that did the work and they said the car has no magneto and has had a Truefire ignition installed (both bat and mag settings on the switch wired to the battery). I'm not ready to pull the trigger this year, but is there a source for a fully refurbished magneto and coil magnet assembly? I see there are several sources for coils and commutator when the time comes.
At some point I'm going to want to experience the "full" Model T experience.
Maybe he referred to no MAG as in not being needed for the TrueFire unit. Id run it and test it for output. Maybe youll get lucky... ws
Thanks for the reply. I sure hope that's the case, I guess I'll be able to tell by pulling the trans inspection cover. One more thing - the car has a 6V alternator on it instead of the original generator and cutout.
I'll probably drive the car as-is and have fun with it for a year or two, then tear into it to make the running gear more original.
Oh, BTW, the pickup bed tilts, so I guess it's a dumptruck, see attached pic.
That's a cute rig and the conversion of a touring car is fairly common. I'd finish the interior and enjoy the heck out of it and then when the time comes and the spirit moves you the magnets and mag ring can be added back in. Both the magnets and mag ring (core quality) are easy to come by at swap meets and inexpensive. I wouldn't rush into tearing things apart just to add the mag function though.
Thanks. One more question, I'd like to mount a spare rim and tire on the driver's side running board, does anyone have a period correct setup they'd be willing to part with? I guess I'd have to mount it pretty far forward to keep it away from the toolbox. The car came with three spare rims with very old tires mounted, I'll pick the best one and redo it. If all else fails I guess I can just put the spare rim & tire in the pickup bed.
When I finished restoring my 15 Touring, all the other drivers wanted to hear my car run because they had never heard a T running on coils. I guess they had listened to all the horror stories and installed dizzy's. Since then a couple of others now have cars that run on mag power. I think there is nothing quite like cruising down the road to the tune of the coils. I have never been tempted to convert Daisy over, the coils and mag have not given any trouble that I didn't cause myself as I was learning about these cars. I would say that after you get the body finished and top on, go for it, you'll never be sorry.
The dump bed is unique. How does it work?
You'd better put that spare on the drivers side as you don't have a left door to get into it with
Mark -- Jack Daron makes a spare tire carrier which mounts the spare on the left running board. It's very simple and not expensive. You can find a post by him here and click on his name to send him a message.
Thanks for the tip on the tire carrier. Here are some pics of the pickup bed, it's really simple. There are two 4/4s bolted to the frame rails, and the pickup bed is hinged to the back end of the 4x4s. Each 4x4 has a latch on the front to lock the front of the bed down for driving. I may swap out the latches for something a little more vintage looking later. It may not strong enough for carrying a load of gravel or bricks, but it's functional enough for light loads and display purposes.
Mark, you might try placing a tire on that left running board. It almost looks like it might fit and maybe still open the tool box lid????
Very neat bed--but I do see one problem with the tilt hinges--they are screwed into the end grain of the 4x4s; the weakest way to mount screws. You could probably mill the top ends of the 4x4s the thickness of the hinge metal to provide a recess for the hinge, and then screw them down (or even bolt them down). Of course, you'd have to do this with the bed off, then, afterwards, screw the hinges to the bed. Someone did a lot of thinking putting that puppy together!
Have fun with it!
Yes, take the cover off and take a look. You may get lucky and find a mag in there.
Here's a homemade spare carrier. Not a period reproduction, but cheap.
An' if you really get industrious and want to delve into rewooding, I have the touring rear seat+doors and all brackets you'll need.
Great looking RPU Mark. You're going to have a fun summer.