I look forward to reading the forum each morning with my coffee. I try to be of help when I can. I enjoy most of the comments, both positive and negative. I have a few favorite posters, but don't need to mention names. As most of the regulars know, I prefer genuine Ford parts to most of the repros, and for a good reason, but I find the quality of parts in recent years has improved. I hope Jay and Herb will continue to post those old photos. They are wonderful.
I'd have to agree with you, Larry, and have learned tons about model T in the last several years because of the forum.
The reproduction parts area has improved tremendously but still sad to say, a long way to go. I get calls all the time to buy piles of parts, which I do to keep my stuff running and to resell to keep my hobby going. In almost very case there are lots of stuff leftover from restorations, and mostly because the quality is so low. Just yesterday I grabbed some clamps to install a gas line, and such night and day on such a simple little part. Notice the repop on the right.....the bolt can't even go through the hole in a straight line, and see how it can't even lay on top of the other. Of course, the one on the left is NOS ford. I have piles of crap like that here, and starting to just throw it away to keep from getting frustrated. I am afraid to buy much reproduction stuff because of issues like that.
Now when I'm thrilled with something, I like to point that out, too. I recently rebuilt a hogshead and bought new pedal shaft cams from snyders. Cast steel, excellent fit and finish, and a joy to install. Not so thrilled with the outside adjuster I decided to purchase and install. The shaft was bent, the TIG welded piece broke off ( luckily caught it before it was too late. It could have done some major damage had the piece just floated around in there. ) sadly , a heads up to the vender got me a "sorry about that".
Larry,
I not only LIKE this Forum, I AM addicted to it. There, I said it, isn't that the first step?? Except I don't want to quit. . . .
BTW, I like your posts! Speaking of parts, I see that some of the A parts suppliers are selling new headlight reflectors "made to the Ford Print" and with the Uvira plating & sealing process. Now if they would just do the T reflectors! The price I saw was less than the whole polishing/plating to prep for the Uvira process plus the Uvira charge.
Hmmm. .
Not meant to be a thread drift, but I guess it is; sorry!
To jump from late 50's tech to T tech is like peering into a new world. I appreciate the knowledge base and generally free sharing of info. Love those old photos too. I will do my best to be a reciprocating asset when I learn enough to be of value. Thanks guys.
What's not to like? Grin... Friendly folk most of the time, good humor, and an incredible wealth of knowledge and insight you will find NO WHERE ELSE.
Great thread, Larry.
This is indeed a great forum. I think there is a great misconception that this forum is just for "old folks" and that they want it to stay that way. Well i have only been here a few months and am still learning every day about my beloved T, and learn more every day thanks to the great people who post here. Are newbies questions repetitive and tiresome to those of you that have had T's for years?..Of course they are, but you have to start somewhere right?
I don't comprehend the MORNING thing........
But when I DO get on the net, after checking emails, THIS is the FIRST forum I check.
I wonder if I'm considered young as I've owned T's for only 4 years.......since I was 58 years young......
Tim M., I had the same issue with the gas line clamps and had to modify them to work. I called the supplier and told them about this issue, not to be nasty, but just to let them know. If they don't know that there is a problem, how can they fix it? That was about '03 or so. Obviously, they didn't take the hint. That is what is frustrating, when you let them know that there is a problem, and they don't do anything about it. JMHO. Dave
I know my T wouldn't run as well or be as safe without the forum.
I like the forum because of the information that can be found about Model T's.
That is its primary purpose to begin with. As long as it stays that way its great.
The OT topics tend to get a bit annoying when they get WAY OT but I can live with it.
The forum is only as good as we want it to be.
I like this forum because not once has any one told me to RTFM even though it may have been easy to find, but they usually tell me where to look the next time which is very helpful thank you to all who help.
In response to Tims post, it's the little things that make a T what it should be, like those gas line clamps. Fortunately, I had a number of them when I put my '25 pickup together. I was able to assemble it with 99% original Ford parts, excluding whats inside the engine. One thing I'm really into is original Ford bolts, and that is important to me. And yes, I have my cup of coffee right next to me!
No matter what time of day if I have a question, I put it on this site and in a few minutes I get several answers from top to bottom, some realistic and some absolutely point by point step, by step how to solve my problem. It is a live text book.
I especially enjoy the posts including photos and videos about auctions, meets, road trips etc. I don't know how to do that but I sure appreciate those who do!!
I like to work on old cars and paint pictures of them. The Forum is a great resource and constant inspiration for both. There are so many wonderful folks who visit here. They all have something to offer.
Kind of like Magic.
Rich
Coffee and forum every day....its a ritual for me.
My gas line clamps are reproduction and appear to be just fine. Maybe your cars are all different to mine
Frank,good to see you post.How about an update on your 2x2 hill climer?
To read and digest the threads of my choosing. There is a wealth of knowledge posted here.
Thanks
Jack, I am building a BBR RAJO to go like stink. I may be old but there is still a fire in the basement.
While David Dewey says he is addicted to this forum, my wife says I am obsessed. Every time I look at it (every day) I am amazed at how many fascinating things there are to know about the Model T. This is especially important during a full restoration. I am constantly being pointed in the right direction.
Perhaps the best thing is feeling connected to people who really, truly enjoy the Model T Ford. Where I live this hobby is pretty lonely, there just aren't a lot of people out enjoying the T. Thanks to the forum I have been able to connect up with Eduardo, my new Model T buddy living less than an hour away. We both agree that working on the cars is fun but it's a LOT more fun if there is someone else there to contrast ideas with and just to chat! As of this weekend, thanks to Eduardo's tools and knowledge, I'm on my way to finishing my front axle.