MTFCA Forum

I purchased a "new" felloe to build up a wheel to replace one of my rear wheels that has a bit too much wiggle. I got a nice 30 x 3.5 inch Firestone felloe from a friend in California and after priming and painting I sent it out to be re-spoked. Yesterday I was staining the spokes when I noticed wha...

Can you imagine the sense of freedom that early cars brought to people? Going to town for my dad used to be a whole day event before they got their Model T Touring in 1917... With the T everything got "closer," and people were free to set out farther afield than was ever possible using horses. Talk ...

Brian Dowell sent me these from his phone and asked if I'd post them. They refer to the car in Michigan described in the second post above. I believe it is a 1922 model.

I prefer the top down for driving but put the top up if it's going to be sitting for awhile. Talk about being folded, mine was in a cardboard shipping box under the car's rear seat for 31 years before I installed it. Left it out in the Sun and the creases disappeared. Any wrinkles are due to it's na...

They look like something I've seen for sale at auto parts stores. Me, I'd just take them off and replace them. Probably with chrome or colored ones rather than clear.

To clarify, Brian told me a bit about the car and it appears to be a nice one. He has no interest in it other than to see it find a good home. Brian got me into my first (and only) Model T and is a great ambassador for the hobby. He was the president of the MTFCI in 2019.

Wills left Ford and started his own car company (and the city of Marysville, MI) down along the St. Clair River which divides Michigan and Canada. There is an excellent small museum in Marysville that features many of the surviving Wills-Saint Claire Automobiles. They were a bit fancier than the Mod...

Really good price. If I hadn't bought new ones last year I'd be interested.

I'm also curious about whether pads are installed (photo 1). My top is not a perfect fit although it looks almost identical to a photo of my grandfather's 1917 Touring (taken in 1918). I also added snaps on the sides to the middle two bows - it doesn't help much with the shape but does keep the edge...

RV Anderson makes excellent straps with necessary D rings and etc. He also knows which get leather and which get webbing and what fittings are correct for each year. They work great on my 1917 Touring with a two-man top. Without the straps you put quite a load on the tacks holding the back piece to ...

I've helped a few people I know get their covid vaccinations. Our county currently has a "pause" on new vaccination reservations but I had good luck with a nearby Rite Aid pharmacy. After filling out a brief online questionnaire (while my friend was on the phone) I was able to pick a day and time th...

I may have spoken too soon. I blew up the photos and compared the cars and although similar, found some differences. For example, the spoke count on the wheels doesn't match. Regardless, it was a nice story!

Maybe these guys? <https://www.technologyreview.com/2013/0 ... road-trip/> West Newton, Mass to Portland, OR in 1910, driving a 1909 Oldsmobile. The photo would have been taken after the boys and car had put on some hard miles.

I have 3500 miles on a New Day timer from Tip Top Timers of Spokane, WA. Works great! I've cleaned it a couple of times but that's it. Truly low maintenance. Talk to Mark Hutchinson (509) 220-0892 <hutchmc@comcast.net> Note: They also make Anderson timers if you decide to go that way.

A few years ago I gave some advanced flying instruction to a guy who delivered gasoline for a living. He said pretty much what others have said, that he picked up the gas at a location in central Michigan and drove it to a number of different branded stations. He said the only difference was which a...

Before you attempt to fit the top you need to have the frame and bows securely braced in their proper positions. You then need to run the webbing from front to back, followed by the two pads. Note the wire cross bracing and the wood pieces holding the vertical bows straight and supporting the bow ov...

2 1/2 years with no contact and no paperwork is way beyond reasonable. I don't see how anyone could expect that you would still have it. If he took it to small claims court he would be laughed out the door. If he gets on the forum and complains, a similar outcome. I understand you want to do the rig...

When I first got my trailer (7 foot wide), I hated driving my T to load and unload. The last straw was when I was backing out and it got a little away from me and the right front axle (just behind the hubcap) snagged the cable that attached to the ramp, stretched it and broke it resulting in breakin...

After a unloading incident with my enclosed trailer ($300 repair), I installed a Harbor Freight winch and now winch my Model T both on and off. I "steer" it by nudging the front wheels left or right and it insures "no drama" during the loading/unloading process. When I can, I park the trailer so it'...

I have nothing to add to the "poor running" part of this thread other than to say that a Model T should be able to run on some pretty poor quality gas....I suspect the gas you buy from Murphy is of much higher quality than was was available back in the day, even if it isn't "top tier." The above not...

My wife and I got our second Moderna shot yesterday - after a day and a half I can report the only side effect has been a mild soreness in our arms. I only notice mine if I bump it. An 81 year old friend got his 2nd PFizer shot 5 days ago and reports no side effects. I know others have had less plea...

I've got a couple of things from Tim. Always the highest quality and great service. Tim is one of the good guys, a credit to the hobby.

Here is a link to a good article on the subject <https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2019/09/30/how-to-import-a-vintage-car-canada-to-united-states> Bringing an antique car into the US actually has less red tape than buying a more modern one as it is exempt from emissions requirements and etc. I live l...

I just learned that my health department puts their most up to date info on their facebook page. They don't have to have a computer technician make the changes to FB like with their official webpage. I'm not a big FB user but took a chance and looked. I was glad I did because it said the clinic wher...

Got word today that there is only one room left at the primary motel (Franklin Inn) so if you're on the fence, you might want to give the Ameriway a call soon. The Holiday Inn has also set aside some rooms but they'll cost more and parking isn't as good as the Ameriway. Lots of campsites available. ...

Dick - The short answer to cancelling unneeded appointments, is "sometimes".... As difficult as it can be to get on a list, it's harder to cancel. I was able to get off of a couple of other lists but two are still pending. The way it works, you email in a form or leave a phone message and wait. When...

Dick, you brought up a really good point that I hadn't really considered. Isolation is great until you have to seek medical assistance.... then what? I have to give our county health department credit - when they get doses they get them into arms quickly. Some counties are doing better, some worse. ...

Here in Michigan we got about a foot and a half of snow out of the last storm. Temps are just now inching above freezing after being well below for the last ten days or so. Single digits overnight, which is actually uncommon during a typical winter. No power interruptions, at least where I live and ...

For those interested, the 2021 MTFCI Michigan Jamboree of T's is open for business. The website is updated and registration is open. The dates are August 25th to 28th and will include three days of touring Michigan's Thumb. Good model T roads, quaint small towns, miles of beautiful shoreline along L...

I have one and am very happy with it. I believe the version they sell now is updated from the one pictured. The tube attaches to a fitting screwed into the bottom of the oil pan and the oil is drained by turning out a plug with an allen wrench. Easily installed, easily removed. Easy to use, especial...

Scott - thank you and I apologize if I gave the impression that people on this forum have used the word "hoax." I've just heard it from so many sources and as an old biology teacher, it bothers me. I believe in science and the science behind this pandemic is strong and becoming more understood every...

I just got word that my chiropractor and friend died this morning from Covid-19. A man in his 50's, married with two teenaged girls. He started feeling poorly on Monday and was dead by Friday morning. A nice guy, gone far too soon. His family left to put together the pieces. For all of you who still...

Noel is on the front line, bless him. He faces the reality that those of us who are lucky just read about. It’s your choice but I’d trust him over the rumors and conspiracy theories flying around. A guy I’ve known for 30+ years has been an outspoken critic of the vaccine, claiming it was so rushed t...

I'm going to send Rob a small brake drum for his museum. If anyone has a large one sitting around that is surplus to their needs I'm sure he would be appreciative. That also goes for drums from other manufacturers of that period. Who knew there was music written in the 1920's calling for Brake Drums...

A word of caution - I've found cracks in the welds of lugs on original rims as well. It is a good idea to keep a close eye on any fixed lug rim you have.

Hank, your experience with Donnie is the kind of thing we old teachers experience a few times in a career if we're lucky. They are also the accomplishments that we cherish the most. Congrats to Donnie and my respect to you. I knew you were a nice guy, now we can add "great" to that description. My b...

I installed disc brakes (and floating hubs) after an experience on the Covered Bridges tour in southern Indiana. Without going into detail, I had experiences both going down a steep hill and climbing a steep hill where I a.) almost didn't get it stopped in time to avoid a collision & b.) would not h...

Tim, since your comment is directed towards me, I'll respond. So far, Covid 19 has claimed more victims in a year than all the US soldiers and civilians killed in WWII. True, we're dying quietly in hospitals instead of being shredded by bullets and shrapnel but dying nonetheless. Some may claim Covi...

Maybe we should start a thread with favorite cooker recipes. I like the ones that list the ingredients and end with something like "drive 50 miles"

Lets remember the original intent of this post was to see what is happening amongst our Model T friends in regard to the Covid 19 vaccine. If you choose not to have the vaccine, you have little to add to this thread. I realize there are a lot of strong feelings regarding the disease, the federal and...

They do a good job of warming food. Using a cooking bag can reduce the mess. Filling the bottom section with water can help control the temperature. We have a fellow in our club who delights in making peach cobbler and sharing it with the public at gatherings such as the Old Car Festival.

A bit of a thread hijack but since you brought it up....."Employers can require proof that employees have received a COVID-19 vaccine — with some exceptions, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said in Dec. 16 guidance." I'm not sure HIPPA or the first amendment would apply here....

Might be a good time to mention what to do with the strap when the top is up. Some old time Model T owners showed me how to wrap it so it doesn't flop in the wind. I added a hair scrunchy to help hold it in place. You stuff the end of the strap thru the opposite end of the buckle and wrap it tightly...

Remember the kid in the movie "O Brother where art thou"? He sat on a Sears and Montgomery Ward catalog and had wooden blocks attached to the pedals.

In my opinion the wood strips do not add that much rigidity to the seat backs. When I rebuilt my '17 Touring I used a combination of aluminum channel and reinforcing panels to give the seat backs more strength. It is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed. In my front seat back there were crack...

One of the keys to resuming our tours and other activities this year is going to be how many of us have gotten vaccinated against Covid_19. As co-chairman of the Michigan Jamboree it is definitely something we're looking at for our tour which is at the end of August. Since our hobby has a lot of par...

I assume there is no gas or fumes in the tank, correct? You might heat it with a heat gun and tap around the edges with a small hammer.

I started trying to fit wood trim strips from a respected supplier but the fit was such that I would have had to do a fair amount of steaming to get them to conform. I ended up doing as Dallas and making my own from composite strips I bought at Lowe's. I bought trim strips of the correct thickness a...

image of ford model T The question would be whose image? If you took the photo, no problem. If it's one you picked off the internet or this forum, you should ask permission before using it. If it is an old, original photo....chances are it is in the public domain although attribution to where it ca...

Lucky kid....

Where did you get the new spring, Snyders? Whatever, I'd call the supplier back and tell them what you found....perhaps supply them with the measurements from the old spring.

The springs I got for my '17 touring were perfect, top quality and great service.

Scott,
I feel your pain. Time will ease it but not erase it. My mother has been gone for 43 years, my father for 33....I miss them both. Cherish her memory and remember the example she set for you. May her memory be a blessing....

Don't use ordinary wire. You can get aircraft safety wire from a number of sources. I like Aircraft Spruce <https://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/s ... ety%20wire>

Crashworthiness and model T's do not go together. My one fear owning a T is to be in a serious accident. As I result I am careful where and when I drive. A similar example of the risk can be seen with the local Amish. Every year or so somebody piles into one of their carriages usually with tragic re...

I drilled mine out - 3000+ miles without trouble.

Ignacio - I bet you could but attaching it to the felloe might be the problem.

Ted, First of all, you have some serious modeling skills! I'm saving those graphics to my reference files. Interesting enough, the felloe I pictured just came back from getting new spokes but the hub is removed because I'm going to use the existing hub on my car that has been modified for floating h...

A couple of times when I was prepping newly acquired rims for painting I've detected hairline cracks indicating lugs starting to come loose. Once you put a tire on it's hard to tell. If when you snug a rim in place the lug seems to be bending in too much it might bear checking out, even if you have ...

I have one but it has paint and rust on it.

I have one, works good.

I've got a wheel that looks like the one in Steve's photo. It was made by Firestone for Ford and I believe is of the "Ford" design. It accommodates either Ford or Hayes rims.

: wheel.jpg (40.3 KiB) Viewed 705 times

Nice discussion. I have a felloe (demountable) that has a little wobble to it. Spokes are good but I'm prepared to disassemble it if the felloe could be trued up. Is there a way to do that? Somebody mentioned a rim shop?

Looking at the pictures I think it won't be a problem if the car will fit in the door. The fact that the driveway levels off a bit before the door means you can back off on the power at that point and ease it in. It's not like a manual transmission...with the lever in neutral the left pedal is the g...

Phillipe, Discouraging, eh? Loading onto a trailer is similar...it's a incline, tight space and you must come to a sudden stop. Scary for a new owner, it was for me. I have since installed a winch in my trailer and use it for both loading and unloading. For that and many other reasons I've also inst...

Heck, minutes don't matter!

If you open the hogshead inspection panel be careful not to let anything fall in. That will almost guarantee pulling the engine

Steven, I don't know anything about you or your experience. I have only been involved with Model T's since 2018 but have benefited from the advice and examples of others. Just trying to pass it on. Sorry if you took offense. I didn't say it was a buggy seat, only that it looked like one. Indeed, as ...

Looks like a buggy seat.... neat vehicle anyway. If you plan to get your T running you will have plenty of need to lift the wheels with a jack. I made a lifting cradle for my floor jack that lets me lift the whole front or rear of the car without damage. It makes it easier to set it on jack stands a...

Welcome to the world of Model T's. I have a friend (class of 1967) who started working on T's when he was 15 and he's still active in the hobby 55+ years later. He has restored some museum quality cars over the years and has never lost the spark. May you have a long and successful association with t...

Gill,
As you can see there are many knowledgeable, helpful people on this forum. Welcome to the obsession!

I'm with the other Tim - I suspect there is a lot more movement in those spokes than we imagine.

I agree that it is incumbent on would be buyers to do their homework so they know what something should cost. Then, if they want to pay more then it's on them. Me, I can usually find an item at a price that is fair. I have also been the beneficiary of the gift of parts and have done the same for oth...

I have a flap on my 1917 Touring. I bunged up my back a week ago or I'd go out and take a picture for you. Mine attaches to the underside of the bow and there is another piece that hangs at a right angle over the front of the windshield. I added a twist-lok fastener to the top center of the windshie...

I chose to install a solenoid in the cable from the battery to the starter rather than a foot switch. You could still keep the foot switch only use it to activate the solenoid rather than directly connect to the starter. For the feed to the terminal strip that provides current to all other circuits ...

Sold! Thanks MTFCA

Can't help you with the brake pedal but I have hydraulic disc brakes on my 1917 Touring and couldn't be happier. If you plan to tour with your car it is a great safety addition.

John,
So sorry to hear you were sick, so glad to hear you are home. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Still another Tim would like to add his wishes for a wonderful and prosperous 2021. (Sure are a lot of Tims on this forum

)

I had the same concern and asked my engine rebuilder, Tom Graham, about it. He told me "you can lift the whole car with one eyebolt." I didn't want to put that idea to the test so instead chose to use two lifting eyes in my Z-head, joined by a chain that ran thru the hook on my cherry picker. It wor...

You might want to contact Jerry VanOoteghem on this forum. He lives in the Detroit area and has his finger on the pulse of Model T activity in the region. He might be able to point you to a source.

Noah called me yesterday.... I sent him a steel felloe rear wheel three weeks ago and he called to say it was ready to ship. He takes credit cards which I found to be a bit of a leap for the Amish but his local Bishop must allow it. It's the second wheel he's done for me and the quality can't be bea...

I installed a new manufacture New Day timer (cap and brush) from Tip Top Timers on my Model T when I restored it. 3100 miles so far and cap and brush are still in good shape. I carry a spare but don't expect to need it anytime soon. If you can't find NOS I think they are a good alternative.

So very sorry to hear of his passing. Unfortunately many of us are of an age where Covid19 is a particular threat. So many, many families have suffered the loss of a loved one too soon. Think of your own family and be safe.

Maybe Jonathan Anderson could help you <jpautowood@gmail.com>

Good timing! My valve at the carburetor has gotten to the point where I almost need a wrench to turn it. I'm going to take it apart this winter and lube it. Fortunately I have a small can of EZ lube left over from an aircraft building project and plan to use that. I'm glad to learn some have had suc...

Never apologize for asking a question. All of us have been where you are and have benefited from the patient replies from others with more experience. The advice given by previous posters is all good. I found the videos on YouTube to be particularly useful. You may want to see if there are other T o...

It is only thru the efforts of such "elfs" that the hobby will survive. Christmas is a time of hope so this is good news. Merry Christmas!

For those who have a kindle or kindle emulator on their cellphone there is a Ford related book on Amazon Kindle for $1.99 - Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City might make an interesting read. For that price it's hard to go wrong.

In Michigan they will issue a title based upon a 1) bill of sale & 2) appraisal. They will run the VIN to see if it shows up. No inspection required. My 1952 Army Jeep had no title and that’s how we did it. Michigan doesn’t keep records of inactive titles over 15 years old. Suggestion, visit one of ...

You'd think someone could make money at it under the right circumstances but I trust Hank knows what he is talking about. Nonetheless, I fear for our hobby if fuel tanks become unavailable.

I agree with Keith - too small to be a gas tank.

Do you use a horn relay? What size wire are using to feed (+) to the horn?

Do you have the full photo so we can see it in context?

May you have a joyous holiday season and a safe and happy 2021!

Usually when a T overheats fluid comes out the overflow tube. Like others mentioned, maybe your drain is plugged. I’d question the radiator as my 1917 with a new radiator never overheats but it will leak a bit if overfilled. If you know of an old time radiator shop you might see what they can do for...

I suspect the "2 years from opened" is a conservative number and that the actual life is much longer. Obviously the key is to keep the cap tightly closed. According to my friend who owns a marine service, the claim that Stabil will only keep gas fresh for 2 years is conservative too. He's had some b...

Norman - sounds like your granddaughter is moving to a city near either Lake St. Clair or Lake Huron, which are on Michigan's eastern boundary. Ron is located in Petoskey, which is "up north" on Lake Michigan - Michigan's western boundary. I live two miles from Lake Huron in Michigan's "Thumb." Ron ...

Mark,
Retirement is a scary thing but believe me, there is much more to life than work, regardless of how much you enjoy it. What I enjoy most is the freedom to set my own schedule and then change it at will. Congrats and best of luck!

Are you sure of the numbers? Can you try to include photos of the serial number and the casting date?

I have a '17 Touring with wooden spoked wheels / clincher tires. •I run antifreeze year-around so no need to drain the radiator •I add stabil to the fuel in the tank or drain the tank. No problem with either approach. •I turn off the fuel and run the engine until the engine quits - no gunk in the ca...

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