How the heck would I know without knowing what car you have?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: How the heck would I know without knowing what car you have?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 04:55 pm:

OK, I know, some Model T things are so generic that the year and body type don't matter. But often, maybe even usually, the answer to your question depends on those little details. All too often people ask a question like that without telling what T they're asking about, and without even listing it in their profile. Folks who just got their first Model T do this often, but so do some who have been at this awhile. I've been guilty of it myself. So when asking questions let's always keep in mind the theme of the Rodda books: They're not all the same.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 05:25 pm:

Steve,

Thanks for all your encouraging and informative postings! I always enjoy them.

We could consider starting a contest such as "I can name the body style and year of that T with only 4 hints or 3 hints..... Of course sometimes the year of the engine and the year of the body are different... oh well.

I think it is rather common -- especially if we are in a hurry. I will be thinking about my car or problem and I sort of forget that you are not here looking at the Blackie, my 1915 cut of etc. And if we were talking, you would be here next to the car and see it. Or if we were talking and we were not near the car, you would just ask -- what year and type of car. And we would go on from there. But with the "electronic" communication -- it may take a little longer.

So, yes, please add that information when possible. But if you don't know it (that can happen also) of if you forget -- we will ask for photos etc. and it will get sorted out.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 06:37 pm:

With some cars it is hard to determine what year it is. The engine number is the easiest to determine, but it might not be the original engine. Same goes for the chassis. Sometimes a different body has been installed on the chassis.

It is a good idea to look at the pictures in the website, and get a good book such as Bruce's Model T The car that changed the World, or look at the Model T encyclopedia. You can see approximately when the major parts were manufactured to determine the year. Note, changes were made sometimes during the calendar year, so not all cars of the same year are the same. And also the assembly plants tended to use up the parts on hand, so, even where the car was assembled, could make a difference.

The cars are fun to drive and work on and get a lot of attention, and most of the people who see your car will know less than you about what year it is. Only if you plan to enter car shows with judging, will it really make a difference anyway.

Have fun and enjoy your car.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 07:16 pm:

Why is it I can tell a Steve Jelf thread from just reading the title?:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Dufault on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 07:21 pm:

Birds of a feather??
(You & he {and several others} think alike?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 07:25 pm:

I am with Hal on this one. Steve's threads are almost too easy to pick out.

I too am guilty of doing what Steve describes, I think we all are at some point.

But Steve, what am I to do with my '20, '23, '24, '25 Canadian touring cut off into a pickup?

Or my Wild Child Doodlebug Tractor? Same deal there too built from parts and pieces.

Do I hear a Johnny Cash song playing here? oh wait, wrong brand.

Just kidding, in all seriousness I will try and remember to at least give an idea when I do post threads. I wish people would actually read threads and responses though instead of jumping to conclusions and posting. Frank Harris' All of the sudden... post is a great example of the non readers.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Cook on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 07:27 pm:

Well put Dave.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By A. Gustaf Bryngelson on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 07:42 pm:

This reminds me of going to my Ford dealer for parts for my modern Ford Pickup (OK it is a 1976, to kids it is old) The Pickup I am driving now came with a V8, power steering and an automatic, with in hours of acquiring it, I installed a 4 speed and manual steering, after about 3 months I switched the V8 for a straight 6. Every time I would go for parts, the parts man would ask the 3 questions that really were not important, The first, V8 or 6? I would answer "it does not matter" and the would press me, so I would reply "it had a V8 in it when I bought it, but has a 6 now" then standard or automatic? Again I would answer, "it does not matter" and again I would have to add, "it had an automatic when I bought it but has a 4 speed now. The I would be asked power steering or manual? When we got done with these questions, I would always add "it is red!".
After owning a Model T, I can see where the Ford interchangeability came from. It was about a 4 hour job to remove an automatic and replace it with a standard, swapping a V8 for a 6 was about the same, and changing the steering was even easier.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison on Monday, October 27, 2014 - 10:13 pm:

The interchangeability is truly a wonderful thing. And we should understand many of us own our cars with disregard for whether or not they have parts from the right year on them. The beauty of ownership of a Model T is that having everything absolutely correct and winning the judging is one way of being involved in the hobby. Keeping them surviving and driving them regardless of how they're put together is another way to be involved. These are Model T Fords. They made over 15 million of them. There's still a lot of them left. So if you want to build a car that is able to face up to the harshest of judging and win, I salute you. If you want to build a car with a distributor, water pump, etimer, 12 volt system, a distributor and parts from every year Model T's were built, I have to salute you too. This is not one cut and dried hobby. This is several hobbies involving Model T's. If there's one thing I don't want in my life it's competition of any kind. It only causes unnecessary anxiety and very little enjoyment in my life. But I also understand several people thrive on competition. That's their deal. I'm happy working on my cars, driving them down the road at an easy pace and watching the world go by. Judge me if you want, but keep it to yourself. Now here's the disclaimer, I love going to Model T shows. If the cars are judged, good deal. I love looking at the cars but would have a hell of a time telling you whether they're "correct" or not. That's just not important to me. But when I see a piece of baling wire barely holding up a muffler and exhaust pipe and know it was some farmer that put it on there 50 years ago to be able to keep the old girl running. To me that's the beauty of this hobby. I concern myself with safety on these old cars. I think mechanically they should be safe and dependable. But should I worry if my old seats are tore up. I just put a saddle blanket on them. My mirror bracket on my speedster is homemade and in my opinion a little ugly but I like it. And in the end I love my Model T's.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wes Nelson ........Bucyrus, MO on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 05:21 am:

I agree with Mike's post.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John H. Nichols on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 09:48 am:

Personally, every time I see a good Engine Block,
I see a potential vehicle, either period correct,
or built up from a pile of parts. Does it really matter, as long as we can preserve one more vehicle. I some times wonder, if that was one of Henry's intention to keep the same basic car,
with interchangeable parts.

my 1/2 cent worth

John


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky, Lytle TX on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 11:42 am:

Yabut.... It would certainly be nice to know the body style when someone asks; "How do I remove the gas tank?". The response can only be where is it now? :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 06:04 pm:

Or, like a recent request, "How do I remove a door panel?" No year or body type in the request.
My apologies to that poster. I do not wish to offend them. However, coupe? Runabout" '15? or '27? All are totally different.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


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