MTFCA Forum

Should be quite a head-turner when you're done. Have fun!

You also have the Piquette Factory museum in Detroit - the original home of Model T production. It's features some very early Fords and other informative displays.

Bryan, I'm sure you've seen the brochure on the 2024 MTFCI tour but if anyone else is interested, here's a link <https://nebula.wsimg.com/7f066a6d326f15bcb06da72d98ba646d?AccessKeyId=1992A0A3E731FDB20580&disposition=0&alloworigin=1> Also, to anyone who hasn't visited the area before, you might allow...

it would have been interesting to see a photo of the whole manifold. I wonder if it is warped as well? When replacing it, be sure to use gaskets with glands that center the manifold into the block.

Yup, nothing a standard Model T can't handle. Tree lined, rolling, some winding.....great Model T roads. You're going to love it!

You'll usually park on the level but bring a wheel chock just in case - good advice for any tour

Front for the reasons mentioned.

FWIW - wouldn't a WWI ambulance have non-demountable 30 x 3.5 in the rear, maybe 30 x 3 on the front? Demountable wheels didn't become available until some time in 1919.

I can't help but think that the crack will get worse. Replace it.

Is there a sure-fire way to identify an original New-Day timer cap? With all the Repos that have been made I suspect it would be easy to be mistaken at a swap meet.

I'm going to be doing a little presentation at the Piquette Museum on timers and want to make sure I have my facts right. Am I correct that the only NEW timers currently available are the New Day and Anderson for mechanical timers and the E-Timer which is electronic? I believe the TW timer was very ...

The Ford brake is inadequate in my opinion. I had experiences on some steep hills that could have ended badly. My solution was to install hydraulic disc brakes. The Ford brake is set to engage in the unlikely situation where the hydraulic brakes fail, otherwise it does not engage and “toast” the tra...

Sale pending to RVA23T

Brand new - never installed. Shipped anywhere in the US for $150.

My wife and I set out at 9 AM for the three and a half hour drive to Findlay, Ohio, which was in line for nearly 4 minutes of totality. Nearly six hours later, I pulled into a community college parking lot just south of Toledo with only ten minutes to go before totality. The totality period was much...

Lead is also a conductor. I don't know if a lead track across wood could cause a short or not. It might depend upon the voltage. Perhaps, like carbon tracks, they mostly come into play at high voltages. Regardless, a plastic coil box kit may solve your problem or simply prevent future ones.

The guys who have the most trouble are the ones who refuse to admit they've made mistakes and who never seek advice. As a fellow moron, I can see you don't belong in that group. My one bit of advice is if you haven't found a like-minded group of Model T morons to occasionally associate with and do s...

Richard - or maybe "you want me to do what?" I've always thought her look was that of a woman wondering what she'd gotten herself into.

Playing with photoshop - American Gothic circa 1917.....

: IMG_0934cu copy.jpg (85.77 KiB) Viewed 1105 times

Ahhhhh! Insert dope slap here. Jerry called me on the phone and his along with John's post explained the Ruckstell operation so it all makes sense now. I had it backwards. I can see where being in Ruckstell and Ford high would let you make hills at decent speed without overtaxing your engine or tran...

I installed a 10 tooth pinion on the recommendation of a professional restorer whose opinion I respect. It has made climbing hills a little easier but really hasn't affected my driving otherwise. Top end is about the same, mileage unaffected, maybe a little less "stutter" going between low and high....

Dummy questions here, sorry...... Does a Ruckstell rear end completely replace the existing differential or does it retain some of the parts? Do you retain the inner Hyatt bearings? Will it work with a 10 tooth pinion or only the 11 tooth that originally came with the car? My current rear axle confi...

Welcome to the world of crazy car guys, Bert. You'll find a lot of help on the forum and I suspect there are a few fellows that live close enough to you that would be glad to offer advice and help. If you check the MTFCA website you'll see there are some chapters around Phoenix who could point you i...

Wow! The hype, warnings, and craziness surrounding the upcoming April 8th eclipse is something to behold. If the skies look to be clear my wife and I would like to drive from our home in Michigan's Thumb to a point in Ohio where we can view the totality for a decent period. I know about the event in...

So sorry to hear about your loss. My dad has been gone for 36 years but I still miss him. I take comfort in some of the things that were his that are still around and in use today. I think you'll find the 1912 to be such a connection to your dad.

You're welcome Ed. In all the discussion of the North we forgot to mention the Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village, Piquette Factory Museum, Gilmore Museum, etc., etc. If any of you ever decide you want to visit the mitten state there are plenty of Michiganders on the forum who would gladly help ...

Thanks for your replies. I wonder if some of you would be so kind as to post photos of your lever installation? One complicating factor for me is that I have a lever extender that I am unwilling to part with. The silver handle just touches the front of the seat when in neutral. In the photo the park...

I see where you can install a Ruxtell shift lever behind the existing lever in a Model T. I wonder if such an installation gets in the way or is difficult to use? I'm a big guy with size 14 feet so there is no room to spare in the driver's area. At this point I don't really need a Ruxtell, just gath...

I dunno Norm - looks like a frame for an army cot strapped to the spare.

There are a lot better rims out there. I can't see any circumstances where I would use those.

Notice the motometer is a aircraft propeller pointing upwards.....I like it!

I believe the crossing rate is $2 per axle. They also count axles on your trailer :D George mentioned Drummond Island... been there a few times. Drummond is more of a haven for Jeeps and off-road enthusiasts but there are plenty of places you can drive your Model T. They even give a substantial seni...

I believe the purpose of the strap is more to keep some pressure on the coils to insure they make good electrical contact. When the contacts become sprung a little folks resort to slipping business cards and the like between the box and the coils to keep the pressure on. The strap is supposed reduce...

While the discussion of the Mackinaw Bridge brings up many fond memories, I'd be remiss for not pointing out that Michigan has much more to offer. If you've never visited Michigan, you've missed out on seeing some beautiful scenery. Just like California isn't just Los Angeles, Michigan isn't just De...

A good reminder for everyone to check the tightness of their rear wheel nuts before touring season gets going. Loose nuts are the number one cause of axle damage.

It's a beautiful drive across the bridge, regardless of what you're driving. Mackinaw City to the south and St. Ignace in the UP are both worth a visit. Lighthouses, sandy beaches, quaint shops, fudge, and many historical sites to visit should satisfy everyone in your party. To explain Adam's commen...

I don't envy celebrities much, especially in times like this. You live in a fishbowl and all sorts of half-truths and fiction are printed about you. As someone who has had cancer I preferred being able to choose who I told and what I told them. I'm sure Kate is concerned about what her children will...

I'm with Norman - Lacking a metal core I suspect at some point when it is most inconvenient the wheel might break in your hand. I'd vote for replacement. Fordite was not one of Henry's successes.

Didn't I see that truck in "Grapes of Wrath"? A truly nice original!

I suspect "back in the day" before paved roads were common and all traffic was funneled over dirt or gravel roads that it might have been a problem. In 1979 I flew a light plane to Alaska and remember stopping at a motel along the ALCAN highway in Whitehorse. While eating dinner we watched the traff...

Before putting balance beads in my tires I talked to the owner of a local tire shop. He said they put balance beads in a lot of large tires used on trucks and agricultural equipment. Indeed, he says it's the only way to get some types of tires to balance at all. With tubeless tires they just throw i...

John, have you had a problem with vehicles throwing stones at your car? Your own tires won't throw stones into your radiator so it would have to be from a vehicle either ahead of you or passing by in the oncoming lane. I drive the back roads a lot and stones never been a problem (yet). Then again, I...

Don Booth is a true craftsman. He has made beautiful work of projects most of us wouldn't attempt and has been generous in sharing his progress with us.

I'm sorry if you're having problems with the forum Don. I hope you can find a way to stay.

There is an explanation out there but it involves a little more physics and math than can be easily presented. Suffice to say that as the tires speed up the beads move to the side opposite the "heavy" side of the tire, balancing the forces. The effect is less noticeable at low speeds but as the tire...

I can't answer your question. I can tell you that I installed Counteract balance beads 9600 miles ago and have been very happy with their performance.

I don't know what kind of people belong to your club but you'd be very welcome in ours....Beautiful car!

Prior to tire installation I installed 6 ounces of balance beads in each of my tubes. I'll have put 10,000 miles on my Universal T drivers by the end of this season. I'll probably replace the Universals with Blockleys when they wear out but the balance beads will stay. The tires wear evenly and the ...

My 1917 has a coil box mounted switch. I'm running 12 volts and I do have a lead from the terminal strip (+) feed to the coil box battery post. I also have a tap off that post to my light switch. You mention magneto bulbs..... that's what my 17 originally had and they gave me all sorts of problems. ...

I took the following photos after I put 5400 miles on a Tip Top New Day and Brush. I find them to be very reliable. Tip Top worked hard to develop a cap material that held it's dimensions and did not wear faster than the copper contacts.

I ordered rims from Australia... unfortunately the placement of the raised "bump" behind the lugs would not allow the rims to go on the felloe far enough to make contact with the rear flange so they were just running on the lugs and the front of the felloe. The nuts won't even go all the way on the ...

When you install triple gears on the new flywheel make sure to allow adequate clearance so the bushings don't seize when they warm up. This happened in my engine - two pins twisted right out, one bushing seized so the gear spun on the bushing. Before you ask, NO, I did not assemble the transmission....

I was always proud to say I had a "Russ Potter" carb in my Model T. Having one of his rebuilts was equivalent to having the best available. I only got a chance to talk to him a few times but came away wiser from each conversation. He was truly one of the "great ones" of the Model T hobby and will be...

I have a screen in my sediment bowl but I also added the finger screen like Dave H. Reason, if any big flakes are dislodged in my tank I don't want them drifting over the outlet and blocking it. FWIW - when I restored my car I did clean the tank and coat the interior with the stuff provided in the P...

I've had the same can of EZ lube for over 10 years. It was expired when the guy gave it to me. He was an aircraft mechanic for Border Patrol and they had to toss it when it hit it's expiration date. Keep the can sealed and it'll be fine.

All good suggestions. If your plugs aren't sealing well, I wonder what brand plugs you use? I found that Champions sealed better in my aluminum head than some other brands. Have you pulled the plug on the differential? If oil runs out that may be part of your problem. Do you have oil leaking around ...

I wouldn't want to tailgate that guy!

I guess I kinda hijacked the thread. However, I referred the photo to our local historical society who is going to put it out in their online newsletter. The Thumb of Michigan was once home to dense forest and was a prime target of the early lumber industry. I live near Forester - up the road is For...

The 1881 fire in the Thumb followed 10 years after another big fire. Interestingly, that fire was at the same time as the Chicago Fire and the Peshtigo Fire.... They think burning embers were carried hundreds of miles by the winds to ignite the Thumb fire. Getting back to 1881 - I know some of you a...

Very interesting photo, especially since I live in Sanilac County. Our county is mostly rural although we have 42 miles of shoreline on Lake Huron with numerous summer homes. Interesting also is that our region was the first to have aid sent to us by the embryonic Red Cross after the devastating fir...

I've been asked to help a non-hobbyist dispose of some T & TT stuff they inherited. So far I've only seen a few photos but I will be paying a visit sometime in the next month to look it over. The collection includes three C-cabs (just the cabs) and a pile of parts, but one item caught my attention. ...

If nothing has gotten into the container it should be fine. Sometimes moisture will cause it to clump together but it's still ok.

Probably not related but here goes. I have LED's all around. Headlights, running lights and brake light. The tail light bulb has two contacts, one for running and one for brake. I believe internally there is something that just makes the LED's brighter when power is applied to the brake terminal. My...

2016 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk for daily driver. 2006 Dodge (Mercedes) Sprinter 3500 camper van used as a tow vehicle for hauling my T around.

When I had my engine rebuilt in 2019 we put in a turbo 400 clutch. It seemed to work fine to me. At 5500 miles I discovered a cracked reverse drum and triple gears that were seizing on their pins. During the tranny rebuild the rebuilders strongly suggested going back to the original metal clutch dis...

Too small a cable and bad grounds are usually the culprit. There is also a known problem that occurs from time to time with starters. I've attached an article by Ron Patterson on the problem and the fix.

Good luck!

Repairing a Common Model T Starter Problem.pdf: (958.95 KiB) Downloaded 72 times

Is there is a website where we can get more info on the "10 Millionth" tour?

Pat, the copper aircraft line does have flared ends. It simply drains fuel from a wing tank to a center tank. In my 78 year old airplane the fuel line is exposed from the valve on the wing tank to the valve on the center tank so I can see it while flying. The line from the main tank to the firewall ...

A bit harsh, John.... Brass would be the way to go although some plastic ferrules are made of material that resists the components of modern fuels. worst case, you can order brass ferrules online. If your hardware is part of a national chain you can order online and have shipped to the store. To hij...

Anybody have any use for these? $15 plus actual shipping cost.

A friend of mine in mid-Michigan is selling a replica Snap-On truck complete with period Snap On tools. The box on the back has pull-out drawers which display the tools. It has been displayed at some big events in the region and well-received. It was originally my friend's brother's project but the ...

I believe the MTFCI tour is somewhere in Minnesota.

If your budget is 20k, try to find a car for under $12000. Believe me, there are plenty out there. List prices are all across the board but if you take your time investigating you'll find one. Hey, the search is a big part of the fun! While you're searching, educate yourself as much as you can so yo...

Our club has helped many people with their first Model T. If it lacks good maintenance records, you should plan on pulling the rear end and at the very least inspecting it. There is a good chance the front axle and linkages will require attention as well. A careful inspection of the engine may show ...

Others may disagree but if you don't want to peen the bolts, you could use loctite.

First I've heard of it. I don't know why you'd think people on this forum wouldn't care. Steve Jelf is only the latest recipient of help from members of this forum. The comments to your post are all good.... without some evidence it is very difficult to make a case. You are the only one who would kn...

I did some experimenting. Yahoo and Bing don't bring up the volume of posts I used to get on google when I asked a Model T question.... google brings up nothing MTFCA. In Bing and Yahoo it helped to add MTFCA Forum at the end of the search query. It's almost like MTFCA is either being targeted or is...

Did you also notice the filters bar at the top of the google page used to allow the selection of "All" ? Somebody screwed up.

Yeah, a phone call is next - It's just if he's having problems I didn't want to add to his stress. When I was there he had two guys working with him. I believe his accident involved being struck in the head by some supplies falling from a shelf or raised storage that sent him to the hospital.

Does anyone know what is happening with Rick Britten and Britten's Brass Works in Ceresco, Michigan? Back in August 2023 I dropped off a brass horn to have a new mount made and haven't heard anything since. I know Rick was injured in an accident at his business a day or so after I saw him so I've be...

Going from memory here. John Regan strongly recommended to me that I use Baltic Birch for my firewall, stating that it came closest to the original and was more dimensionally stable. It is sold in metric widths and I believe the 18mm was suggested, which is a little narrower than 3/4 inch. I install...

Do you want a accurate depiction or a caricature? Makes a difference.

I have a car collector friend that makes good use of a re-purposed shipping container. He added a fan to keep it from turning into an oven in the summer. It seals well, doesn't leak, but is a plain rectangular shape.

Frank - it is good you frequently check axle nut tightness. Loose nuts are the number one cause of axle failure. When you check them, remember they need to be really tight - 90 ft-lbs (122 n-m) or so.

Thanks guys! A lot of info to digest and make sense of. Just a note - looking at the Ford and Hayes rims I have the outer edge of the rim has a raised bead just inside the lugs that lightly touches the circumference of the fellow and the rear of the rim fits against the angled rear flange of the fel...

I do not have a Kelsey felloe thus the question. I used the excellent artwork from Martynn Vowell as a basis for my illustration. I simply need to know the width. I believe many of the Kelsey felloes and rims were made in Windsor, Ontario and are more common on Canadian cars and Canadian exports. I ...

I need help from someone who has a Kelsey demountable wheel. I'm doing some research related to the design of reproduction rims and need to know the width of a Kelsey felloe. I suspect they are narrower than the typical Ford or Hayes but don't have one to check. In case you're unsure what to measure...

Steve, if you ever doubted whether you had friends or people who cared about you, now you know. I along with the whole forum were aghast when you had your accident and have followed every stage of your recovery. Seeing the photo of you sitting in a Model T gives us all hope, which is so welcome as w...

I read somewhere that in the late 1800's there was a proposal to close the patent office because everything that would ever be invented had already been made. As usual, our ability to predict the future truly sucks. I use many things routinely that my young self would have argued was impossible. To ...

I typically lift my engine with two lifting eyes (Aluminum Z head.) It also allows me to adjust the angle as it is going in or out. I asked the engine rebuilder about the safety of using a lifting eye with a aluminum head and his comment was that it was strong enough to lift the whole car.

Thanks guys, I don't want to scrap the old girl....I'd just as soon keep her and put her back to work. I have chains for the turf tires and found her to be reliable, summer and winter. I haven't personally investigated anything with the hydraulics. The lever seems stiffer than normal and as soon as ...

I'm pretty sure the ones I ordered for a friend came UPS

1953 Ford Jubilee (NAA). I've owned this tractor for over 25 years and use it for mowing my grass (including a 1/4 mile grass runway) and plowing snow in the winter. Not a pampered pet but a working tractor. Recently I've had a problem with the hydraulics that control the three point hitch. It's eit...

I agree with the other posts. I'd avoid hot glue completely. I also cut my toothpicks in half, glued them in place, let them dry and then cut them off. Finish off with a sander for a smooth surface.

I believe the contact pin is spring loaded so it does not require trimming or adjustment.

Allan is right - maybe the admin will move it. Anyway, I had kidney surgery on November 15 and think I caught covid in the hospital. Before I was symptomatic I gave it to my wife and daughter. All of us have had all the vaccinations we're eligible for and started Paxlovid the day we tested positive....

I don't know how I missed this but the contacts kit sold by Langs is supposed to be a match both physically and metallurgically to the originals, which Snyders is not. Looking at the photos they look correct. They cost more but in the long run I think they're worth it. PN 5001CONBQ

I'm sure you've confirmed the wiring is correct - sometimes folks get wires crossed on the timer. I've also come across having a timer brush installed 180° off a couple of times so it is worth checking. I'm a little suspect of your carbs. I'd recommend anyone with a car that has sat a long time to g...

Wait. I ordered some for a friend, waited until I got a shipping notice for the first set to order the second. Unfortunately, they somehow got combined together so we had to deal with folks at UPS, fill out some forms and pay duties. Me, I'd wait until the first set is out for delivery before orderi...

Original coil box springs feel more rigid and have a square hole to accept the shoulder of the original bolts. The cheaper repops I've seen are noticeably softer and have a round hole that has to be modified a bit to get them to fit. I've used the cheap ones to double up with the originals to give t...

From the posts my impression is the truck is now in Massachusetts. You might want to re-post with the title "New Owner needs help in Massachusetts." That way you'll get the attention of someone who may be able to help. Good luck!

I have hydraulic rear disc brakes - still get 20 mpg.

I have a 1917 with a Z high compression head and regularly get 20 mpg. Ditto to what the others said.

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