Dropped off my engine and transmission at the mechanic/machine shop. Replacing the magnet keeper screws. Having the head pulled and engine checked over. The mag is being looked at to get it going. What do the experienced t-owners suggest I have checked and/or replaced while the engine is out? I don't know the history of the engine. The rear end is being checked for the thrust washers. Thanks!
Have all castings and forgings magnafluxed to check for cracks. Check the runout on the transmission main shaft and hopefully get it to .005 or less. Check the pan to make sure it's straight and especially not bent down on the back end. Balance all moving parts, especially the flywheel and transmission drums. Balancing the rods, pistons and crankshaft is a minimum.
I'm not an engine rebuilder and will defer other items to those with more experience.
Keith
Here's something to check: Check to see if the engine has a fiber timing gear. If so, replace it with bronze or aluminum.
If the transmission is to be removed to have "the mag looked at to get it going", remove the probably clogged inside oil tube and wash-blow it out.
Rick,
With the engine apart, I agree with much of what has already been said. The timing gear needs to be a metal one, and if you install one new gear you really need to replace the other so that both are new.
I would never assemble a T engine with cast iron pistons, they accelerate wear and hurt power. They also are known to separate and fail at the ring groove sometimes with disastrous consequences.
If the engine has its original valves they need to be replaced since they are known to come apart and ruin an engine. If the camshaft shows any sign of wear then buy a new (not reground) one. The modern cam grinds from Stipe make a remarkable difference in performance.
Hopefully your engine is going to Ron's machine shop in Shandon OH. They will do a good job and give you a set of decent recommendations from what they find.
When you say "mechanic/machine shop" I hope it is someone who specializes in the Model T. My experience with regular mechanics shops is that they don't have a clue when it comes to how the Model T works and can miss some huge problems that a Model T mechanic would know to check first.
Yes they work on model Ts. They do send the magnito to a specialist. I've done my research thanks to those in this forum.