I have a 1924 T engine that I am going to rebuild. Would anyone know of a good book that will help? Thanks Al

I would suggest gettting the book for rebuilding and restoring the Model T motor. It can be purchased directly from the club, or any of the suppliers probably have them too. I got mine by calling the club. There is a lot of good information in there.

Thank you Mark

Al, there are two books that are a must; both are called "Bibles". The first was (and still is) published by Ford. It will tell you most everthing you need to know about the T and is available from almost all suppliers as well as the MTFCA. The second is the one that was published long before Ford came onto the scene. I promise you will need it very much when you get through. If you had any inkling of religion before you start to work on a T you will certainly lose any threads and ties that you may have had to whatever persuasion that you professed. My grandmother told me 50 years ago if you are able to put up an old pot belly stove pipe and work on a Model T without cussin, you are a true Christian. I found out that I need to attend church a lot more than I do. Good Luck, Ken Swan

My recommendations, prioritized:

1. Model T Ford Service, 1928, 320p., reprinted, $18.
2. Model T Ford Service Bulletins, 1919-1927 compilation, 520p., reprinted, $24.
3. Model T FordOwner, 1919-1927 compilation, 528p., reprinted, $24.
4. Repairing and Restoring the Model T Ford: The Engine, MTFCA, 1999, 54p., $8.

Book review:

The first three are good for the whole car.

The first book illustrates every step of every routine operation done on the car, including total dismantling and reassembling, and assumes nothing, which makes it very useful. It was compiled largely from the service bulletins, but presents the information in a more systematic way.

The second book provides contemporary dealer servicing information not available anywhere else, and is indispensable if you want to do a correct period restoration as done by dealers.

The third book is interesting in that it contains more contemporary owner servicing information than any other book.

The fourth book is written entirely from a modern standpoint. A bit stingy on pictures compared with the first three (especially the first), but provides the necessary transition from a 1925 garage to a 1999 workshop, and is valuable even if for that reason alone. Covers only the engine.

Any parts dealer can sell you the first three, (or I can if you want to contact me offline), and the fourth is available from this MTFCA site.

I would add in the book for sale by Vic Zannis. It is well written and walks you through the process of babbiting the main bearings as well as assembly. There is a section that includes drawings of the tooling (easy to make except the locator blocks) that is used to align bore.

Of all the books I have seen, one that is really needed would cover the oil pan itself. This item often goes neglected. In my opinion they all need straightened, the crank bushing usually needs replaced, the arms needs inspected for cracks, and usually the radius rod socket could benifit from being built up with bronze.

If your going to buy the red book on the engine from the MTFCA you might as well buy the transmission book also. The first book I mentioned covers the transmission as well. It was a well spent $23. There are a couple of blank pages in the back to write notes (p/n of modern seals, vavles, etc.) in. I've never met Vic and get no money for plugging his book but it is probably the best one I've seen on the subject.

I highly recommend that if you are going to drive the car, ask around this forum or your local friends, every has an opinion about making the engine better, but there are a lot of good ideas outside of the "advertised" speed and other preformance secrets such as lighten the flywheel, lighten the rods, different crank, just to name a few.

Anyone else have any opinions or did I open a can of worms?

John:

Good 'ol Henry built a car for the masses years ago...........and it is this car that has lasted for us to enjoy.

Some will tell you to "improve" , some will tell you to restore.

Restored cars run with little repair. Seems the things that break most are the 'improvements'.

Remember that these are old cars with old parts, anything can break. Be safe in whatever you decide to do.