MTFCA Forum

"Black fly season typically starts in the middle of May and runs through late June or early July. They're often gone by mid-July." You can find them later in the year in certain areas, but generally August and later are OK. When I travel the UP enroute to Oshkosh in late July each year they've never...

Why don't you preemptively treat the inside of your tank with a sloshing sealer such as PQR15? After cleaning my original tank I treated it and it has worked well. No exposed metal means no rust

As a troll (I live below the Mackinaw Bridge) I must admit that I love the UP. I've driven the sandy back roads along Lake Superior (Whitefish Point) in my M38a1 Jeep and imagine that they would be good for a Model T. The Keweenaw, Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks, Grand Marais, and many other lo...

Wow! I guess I dodged a bullet. I got a similar email from a guy telling me to try Gene Morgan as he had some NOS New Day brushes to sell. After a couple of email exchanges I decided to pass.....lucky for me. The email I was given was <Genem365 @gmail.com>

Off subject somewhat but look what I found in the cabin air filter of my Jeep Renegade this spring. Reminds me it's time to put the decon out.

That would be a wonderful trip. I second the suggestion of September - My daughter went to Northern Michigan and that was a great time to visit....less traffic and fewer tourists, state parks less crowded. Just wait until after the Old Car Festival which is usually the first weekend after Labor Day....

When I was restoring the car I did take it apart, inspect and grease it. It wasn't loose on the shaft and spun easily. You could turn it by hand with the belt installed so it wasn't too tight. I don't know what happened today but the fan definitely locked up briefly and smoked the belt. I removed it...

Greased - No, not rebuilt.

Today was a beautiful fall day in Michigan and with rain in the forecast for the next few days I decided to take my 1917 Touring for a spin. About seven miles from home I got a whiff of burning rubber and thought "Some farmer must be burning tires." The next moment there was smoke coming out of the ...

1200 miles and 5 days later I'm back from my first trip to Hershey. What an incredible event! I swear you could find parts for any car ever built! I was a bit lost at first but once I learned to read the maps (get the program) and read the row marks on the pavement I was actually able to find some o...

I tried the "bag trick" unsuccessfully and decided to take my tires to a local tire shop (not a big name franchise). For $10 a tire they mounted the tires complete with flaps and did a nice job. They were actually excited to work on something that old so I took the car over after I got it running an...

I buy red Timken grease online - tubs and cartridges. I suspect any good bearing grease will do. Lubricant technology has advanced a great deal since Henry's day.

I recently bought a 30 x 3.5 demountable wheel with the intention of sending it off to be re-spoked. I have one front wheel with a slight wiggle and this was to be it's replacement. Awhile back I purchased a hub thread chaser from Snyders which I used successfully to clean up the threads on my other...

My compression readings on a broken-in engine with aluminum pistons varied from 80 to 75. The dyno showed 25 hp at 1600 rpm

Thomas, "If you aren't willing to keep abreast of the amount of fuel in your tank then maybe you should have something other than a Model T." I just came off the Covered Bridges Tour in Indiana. My "stumbling" incident occurred before we had come upon the first gas station on the published route. In...

I just got back from the Covered Bridge tour in Indiana. Plenty of steep hills on the tour routes. One time going up a steep narrow dirt road my car acted like it was going to die a few times. We made it to the top (thankfully) and filled the tank about 5 miles later. I put a little over 5 gallons i...

My reverse is a bit weak. I don’t want to get it too tight. IF the band was too tight would the car tend to creep backwards in neutral?

If you've installed a oil filter under the cover, what difference would it make how the cover is installed?

Thanks....sounds like we picked a good one (newbies luck.) Our T is loaded and we leave for my daughter's Thursday - on to Parke Co. on Friday. We're scheduled for the Friday Amish dinner so that should be interesting. For those of you who are going...see you there. For the rest, I'll report how it ...

The end of this week I'll be heading to Parke County Indiana for the Covered Bridge Tour. For those who have gone on this tour before do you have any advice for a first-timer? My wife and I will be camping at the fairgrounds.

Here's the latest - I replaced the socket in the headlight - I couldn't see anything obvious wrong with the old one but I can't see what's going on between the contacts because they're encased in a rubber cylinder. I also cleaned the mounting shaft on the headlight and the receptacle in the frame to...

If you want to know more about Wills, the museum recently published what they claim is the only book on the man. https://www.willsautomuseum.org/newbookonchwills.htm

In addition, if you contact the museum they could put you in contact with Wills two granddaughters who are volunteers there.

A little off topic but in case you wondered what happened to Harold Wills (Henry's chief designer of the Model T) after he left Ford in 1919, he went to what is now Marysville, Michigan, and founded the Wills-Ste. Clair car company. This past Sunday a small number of members of the Casual T's follow...

I almost hate to ask this of you but I guess I'm going to Hershey for the first time and will have a table there....long story. I have a number of items left from the restoration of my 1917 touring (sept 1916 build) that I have no idea what a fair price would be. Can those of you in the know help me...

I almost bought a sight gauge but then decided to go with the dipstick sold by antique auto ranch. With my bum leg and less than perfect knees, I was looking for an easy way to verify oil level. Anything that required turning the oil petcocks on a regular basis had little appeal. I've had the dipsti...

Ok - first to clarify a few things. I'm running the LED Headlights from a 12 volt battery-not magneto. The left headlight is fine, the right flickers. No change if I swap bulbs. I'm using the two contact type connectors. I apparently misunderstood how the bulbs are wired internally. I thought one co...

Thanks Dan - great explanation. Allan, soldering a ground also sounds smart. I'll give it a try tomorrow.

I have to get at my headlight socket as well. Dan, do I understand that the reflector has to be twisted to remove? I'm afraid of damaging the reflector so haven't done anything more than remove the bezel and clear lens. Mine is a 1917 with the two-contact connector originally designed for magneto bu...

If your wheels move through a normal range with the pitman arm disconnected the problem must lie in the steering shaft. With the pitman arm disconnected does the steering wheel turn freely? If not it could be binding in the lower bushings but the most likely explanation is some binding between the g...

I converted my headlights to use a 12 volt LED bulbs wired in parallel. I chose bulbs that work with the original BA15 sockets. The left one works great - the right one flashes on and off with no rhyme or reason. I've: 1.) Swapped bulbs 2.) Changed plug-in sockets 3.) Ran a separate wire from the + ...

Model T's are a traveling car show. I have never yet stopped for gas without attracting people. I usually add at least ten minutes for answering questions. I've also noticed as I drive down the road or thru a town that the sight of my T brings smiles to the people I encounter. Get used to waving. Mo...

I'm size 14 EEEE - three days after I started driving my T I ordered a reverse extender (I already had extenders for the others). No regrets

"Understanding wife." Funny thing... my wife has tolerated all my other adventures but she actually likes the T and the activities that swirl around it. We've been married 47 years and in all that time she's never taken any interest in things mechanical. Lo and behold, the other day she came home wi...

The model T is one of the more affordable classic cars. Despite it's age parts are readily available - it's biggest attraction is the camaraderie you'll share with like-minded people and the opportunity to drive and socialize. Model T owners enjoy driving their cars more than parking them at car sho...

Spring separator - lets you lube between leaf springs.

I may drain the radiator down some just in case. It would be just one bolt at a time but then again, why risk it? I'm waiting on a horn I bought from Hank and don't know if I'll use the bracket on it or adapt it to the one already installed.
Thanks for your comments

Nice read, I appreciate you sharing your adventure with us and apologize for anything that was less than perfect during your stay in Michigan. Without going into detail, if you want to know Michigan you've got to get out of the Metro area. Also, as someone who turned 70 less than two weeks ago, I ob...

Quick question - If I remove a bolt from the elbow (cooling system) attached to the side of the block will coolant run out of the hole? I may need to install a bracket and want to know if I need to drain the coolant down before doing so.

OK - Hank is going to fix me up. Thanks Hank and thanks MTFCA.

Not the greatest advertising......

Ed - PM sent

Scott,
I think I know where you got the "originals" you used for analysis. You have certainly done the T community a great service by producing such a fine product.

Ok - I know Michigan gets a bad rap for some crummy roads but I have to tell you, they are mostly found around urban areas whereas the roads in rural areas like where I live are actually pretty good. Bad roads are not unique to Michigan.

I had a "missing" problem that stumped a lot of people and took awhile to figure out. The engine started and idled great but stumbled when you tried to go down the road. Turns out the spring in a brand new timer brush was partially collapsed so it wouldn't push the brass brush out to make a good con...

Is the spring in the New Day brush holding the brass brush out all the way? The pin should be all the way at the top of the slot. Don't ask me how I know this

Does anyone have contact information for the gentleman (I believe from Michigan) who repairs electric Model T and A horns? He usually has a table at Hershey.

Thanks!

It was nice to put some faces to people I've conversed with on the forum.... too bad that more guys weren't able to show up. On a different note, the weather could hardly have been any better. The number and variety of cars was almost overwhelming. If you were there, like me you must have had a grea...

So sorry... the care you have shown your mom does you credit though not without a personal toll. Take comfort in the fact that you were there when she needed you. No mother could ask for more.

Marty,
I'm looking at a map and am not quite sure where you are talking about for the gathering. Could you be a bit more specific? Also, there is a large open area where they play old-time baseball and the like...that would also be a good place if you want some cars in the photo.

OK... has there been a decision as to a time and a place for the "meet and greet"? OCF is upon us.

There are dropping resistors available for a "real" 6 volt Ahoogah horn

Yeah, I know it's not original but..... I installed a 50+ year old 12 v ahoogah horn that belonged to my father-in-law on my T and my wife loved it. Unfortunately, one of the motor windings went up in smoke so I need a replacement. Can you help me out? I'd prefer to avoid the plastic ones available ...

Regarding using a GPS - I have an old 3.5 inch Garmin Nuvi 1250 that I plan to use - primarily for the speed, distance and direction function. I have a 12 volt battery and will use a USB power cord into a hidden USB port to power it. The small Nuvi's are often on ebay for $20 or less which makes the...

Might have some - will look tomorrow

What was the composition of the original New Day timer brushes? The ones available now use a brass brush.

I'd like to buy some NOS or like new condx New Day timer brush assemblies. Anybody got any to spare?

Dick-I've had them on my C85 for over 20 years. Also used them on a big 0-470 and LYC 0-320. No leaks-reused over and over. I think you could get away with gluing one side to the valve cover of a T- I'd just leave the mating surface clean. I'm going to have to think about this one before proceeding....

Does anyone sell or has anyone made silicone valve cover gaskets? You can get them for aircraft and they are nice when you want to be able to remove and reinstall the cover without a lot of hassle. Mine were taken off to get at the valves on a tour a couple of weeks back and I need to install new on...

You need to be invited or have a good reason if no military ID.

To attach my "Ford" insignia I took two of the long skinny bolts (machine screws) that Langs sells, wired the "Ford" to the heads, covered them with thin shrink tubing and slid them between the fins of my new Bergs radiator. I used neoprene washers front and back and a dime sized flat washer on the ...

Can't answer about OCF - for Motor Muster, the military vehicle group I belong to is allowed to camp in our area down by the Cotswald Cottage. I don't remember seeing anyone camping elsewhere in the village except for some folks staying in RV's parked in the lot behind the Eagle Tavern where they pa...

Sounds strange - what shape is the insulation on the wires? (Batt / mag/ common) Also, I don't think the insulation was cardboard - perhaps someone replaced the original. You may want to get something like this: https://www.modeltford.com/item/4730INS.aspx

A worthy idea but flying a drone might be a problem - Greenfield Village lies under the Detroit Class B airspace, right near the edge of where it extends from the surface to 10,000 feet. Getting FAA permission to fly a drone there (not to say that of the folks at Greenfield Village) might be difficu...

Just to clarify, MTFCI does not have a big tent at OCF, they save that for Hershey. In the past Brian has set up a sunbrella-type canopy where T folks tend to drop by during the OCF.

Marty's idea will let you put faces on many forum members after which you can choose to gather wherever you wish.

I made it to the Michigan Jamboree although it was not without some frustration. The car starts and idles great but stumbles when you increase RPM. I made the first days tour (185 miles) but skipped the other two---things just weren't right. Ed Badoux was there and checked my coils - some new friend...

I spent half a day tweaking the T then took it out for a couple of spins, bringing my total to 80 miles so far. I intentionally sought out challenging roads, hills, etc., just to see if it and I could handle it. Satisfied, I loaded up my wife and our little dog and went for ice cream :D Tomorrow I'l...

Thanks all for your kind words.... I'm sure there will be much excitement and frustration ahead. As to experience driving a T, just what I did yesterday ;) It actually went pretty smoothly - no stalls, or serious missteps. I've read a lot about technique, watched youtube, talked to drivers and the r...

Today, 11 months and 3 days after taking delivery of my 1917 Model T I started and drove it for the first time. The car had sat for at least 30 years before I got it so I went thru everything! I learned a lot along the way and faced many challenges, both physical and mechanical. I made new friends a...

I'm in the home stretch. If everything goes OK, I'll have all the parts necessary to drive my T installed by the end of today. I believe that when the engine rebuilder finished with my engine he left the bands all loose so I need to adjust them. I've never done this so I'm looking for advice. I've r...

Ain't it the truth!

Tim - I'll find out tomorrow :roll: So far this project has gone from discovery to discovery (problem to problem.) If I ever do something like this again I'll be better prepared. Update - I just hobbled out to the shop & put the sleeve and tube on the outlet elbow. The control rod passes under the t...

360 ÷ 12 = 30, so 30° past TDC would occur at 4 /10 on the "clock" - - 3:30 / 9:30 would be 15° BTDC by my estimation. I'm a newbie at this so I may be missing something. As I mentioned earlier, I used methods I found on this site, primarily the "Dauntless geezer's". I'm a little excited that I may ...

Today I tried to install and adjust my New Day timer. First off I'd like to know if what I've done looks right, then I have a little problem to discuss and a possible solution if you agree. Following info I found on this forum, I did the following: 1.Identified Cyl # 1 2.Turned the crank until the c...

I made my own firewall from baltic birch, referencing a pdf I found online and an original 1919 firewall I was able to examine. Since I added a starter to my 1917 the 1919 was appropriate.

My shield came with a certificate of authenticity but no instructions (from Birdhaven.) It's a really well-made piece. With John's info I should have no trouble installing it. Thanks!

Pictures please

I was a college student, working a summer job doing the midnight shift at a metal burnishing plant. I saw the landing and waited at home as long as I dared, hoping they'd start their moonwalk but had to go to work. I took a small portable B&W TV with me planning to watch during my lunch break. Arriv...

Ok - I'm making a new firewall for my '17 and have a newbie question. I bought a metal shield from Birdhaven (FP) that apparently fills the gap between the wood firewall and the engine and I have two questions. 1.) Does it go on the cabin or the engine side of the firewall? 2.) How close should it b...

Thanks Dan :-) As someone who taught high school science for 34 years, I got used to answering the same questions over and over. It requires patience and a smile..... I appreciate your patience and that of other forum members when the same questions keep coming up. Please know that we newbies apprec...

It's clear from what I've read that the bolts that go horizontally thru the frame and wood block are not to be tightened beyond the point where they don't rattle but what about the top bolts? Same thing? Snug? Tight? I've been researching but the answer isn't clear. Thanks!

Henry would be proud!

Today was much better :D Following the suggestions I received from forum members, I wrapped the clutch lever shaft with a wet rag then heated the bent area of the lever with a micro torch. Using a large adjustable wrench I gave it a carefully calibrated "reef" and straightened it out. I now have wha...

Scott - reading your post I felt your pain and shared your relief when the magnet came out with the washer on the end. I'm glad it worked out OK for you.

Bend it eh? That was all I could come up with....I'm glad others have found that to be a solution. Thanks for your help.

Michael, I can't answer all your questions. After we dropped the engine in we were all too pooped to do to much more. I figured I'd get into it tomorrow when I'll feel fresher. It is the same engine - the hogshead was changed to allow installation of a starter. The pan was also changed to a later ty...

Ok.... today should have been a great day. After many months, and a lot of effort on the part of myself and good friends I dropped my rebuilt engine back into the frame of my 1917 Touring today. Of course we picked a hot and humid day so the sweat was just rolling off everyone. The problem is once t...

I second what "it's Bill" had to say about over filling the rear outer bearing cavity. I installed new neoprene inner and outer seals and greased the hyatts really well before putting them in. I then replaced the twisty cup greaser temporarily with a zerk and pumped more grease in while turning the ...

Don't forget the rear axle sleeves have to come out which usually require a special puller - I bet your "neighbors" have one. Check the sleeve's condition and replace if needed. Clean up the hyatts and give them a good looking over. Check the diameter of the rollers to be sure they're not too worn. ...

Depending upon what was done the last time your rear wheels were off, you either have a metal cap over a felt washer on the end of the axle tube or a more modern neoprene seal. In either event, there is also a felt washer that goes between the wheel hub and the cap. Without pulling the hyatt bearing...

I think I started something.... I also think we're going to need a bigger tent :D I can't speak for the MTFCI but I will talk to Brian when he gets back from PEI and see what he thinks. Personally, I think it's a great idea...just the matter of logistics. Piquette is both an A and an I club, and the...

Dallas is on to something. Comparing an original New Day timer to a reproduction from Tip Top Timers I noticed the edge or the original was smooth whereas the repop had tiny serrations, probably from manufacturing. I laid a piece of 400 grit sandpaper on a flat surface and spun the timer cover aroun...

I fit my New Day timer to the engine today and have a question: How easily should the timer rotate? Do you adjust the ease of turning by bending the piece of steel flat stock that holds the timer in place?

I saw this sitting by the side of the road in Harbor Beach, Michigan and posted it in case anyone was interested.

Thanks so much for doing this. It's coming at a perfect time as I will soon be setting my pedals and linkages. Wish me luck!

I'm no expert but I had a similar groove and John Regan recommended I replace the shaft. I purchased a new one from FP along with the modern non-adjustable pinion bearing (also per John Regan). Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

Available from Amazon for $1.99 - the Kindle Book "Drive!: Henry Ford, George Selden, and the Race to Invent the Auto Age" - sounds interesting, cheap enough to take a chance

It isn't a big tent but it does provide a place in the shade where you can meet up with other like-minded souls. I'm new to the hobby and all the Model T people I've met have been great, regardless of their club affiliation. Brian is leaving next week for Prince Edward Island in preparation for the ...

Beautiful sculpture - looking at the year the car represents, you'd have thought horses would have gotten used to having them around by then.

I realize this is the MTFCA forum but visitors to the OCF should feel free to stop in to the MTFCI tent which is usually set up in the green between Main St and the Post Rd down from the Martha-Mary Chapel. Many of us belong to both groups but you don't need to be a member of either to be welcome am...

Sheeesh... a senior moment. I use the same technique when doing compression tests on an airplane engine. I guess I'm just trying to make things more complicated.

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