MTFCA Forum

Erik Johnson

In a similar vein the back page of "The Spotlight (A Magazine of Service)" published in August 1923 by Nicollet Auto Sales Co., a Ford dealership in Minneapolis.

Erik Johnson

I would think that Blockley is misssing out on a huge opportunity by not having at least one U.S. distributor instead of selling and shipping four or five tires and/or tubes at a time directly to U.S. customers.

Erik Johnson

If it were a Canadian touring, it would have a driver's side door.

Erik Johnson

I find it odd that Blockley doesn't have at least one distributor here in the U.S. such as Universal Vintage Tire, Coker Tire Company, Lucas Classic Tires, Kelsey Tire, Inc., etc. For example, within approximately the past ten years, Dunlop quit manufacturing antique car tires but many of their tire...

Erik Johnson

Where would that roadster body have been manufactured? Canada, England, or Europe? The reason I'm asking is that it is right-hand-drive but does not have a driver's side door. If it were a Canadian body for export, I would think it would have a driver's side door. In every other respect, it looks li...

Erik Johnson

To the best of my knowledge, there are no patterns for the tops and top boots, unless the Benson Center has the factory drawings and someone in the hobby has copies. You'd need to use an original top for patterns. 1914 roadsters and tourings came from the factory with a leatherette (artificial leath...

Erik Johnson

You're welcome. Here is a Google Books link to trade journal press releases and ads for the tool. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22manley+spring+shackle+tool%22&sca_esv=7fecaf9d214d9ea8&sca_upv=1&tbm=bks&ei=tcAOZtnTB4DcptQPuNqNuAs&ved=0ahUKEwiZgu_f6aiFAxUArokEHThtA7cQ4dUDCAk&uact=5&oq=%22manley+sp...

Erik Johnson

Thank for clearing up the name of the company. When you originally posted, I searched Google books trying to locate trade journal advertisements for the radiator but trying various searches such as "American Radiator Manufacturing Co.", "ARMCO," "A.R.M.CO.+, etc. didn't yield anything. However, sinc...

Erik Johnson

There is Manley catalog on eBay right now and two pages that pertain to your tool were scanned and included in the listing.

I'm too lazy to download the photo but you may view it here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404229562595

Erik Johnson

In response to Wayne Sheldon's comment, I want to clarify my previous comment. The nickel plated radiator sheel and headlamp rims on my '17 were aftermarket. In otherwords, they were not a Ford radiator shell or John Brown headlight rims (my car was equipped with John Brown headlights). There was no...

Erik Johnson

Although the 1924-25 roadster shown above has a nickel-plated radiator shell and, possibly, nickel-plated headlight rims, they may or may not be Ford issue. Case in point: my unrestored '17 roadster had an aftermarket nickel-plated radiator shell and headlight rims (and a honey-comb radiator) when t...

Erik Johnson

RE: wheels demountable at the hub

I had some wheels and corresponding front hubs - click on this link for my photos:

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/5 ... 1460750271

Erik Johnson

Another heavy duty radiator - different manufacturer:

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/4 ... 1415941989

Erik Johnson

If you are pushing a Model T and you need to change the steering direction while it is standing still, grab one of the front tires with your hands at the three and nine o'clock positions and adjust the direction of the wheels accordingly.

Erik Johnson

Just my two cents:

Two main reasons why a legitimate seller would request "friends and family" for PayPal payments:

There is no fee for the sender or the recipient of the money.

The transfer of money doesn't count toward the 1099-K reporting threshold.

Erik Johnson

The gal below prefers Maxwells...

Erik Johnson

It gives your girlfriend the impression that your Model T is a 1916 Maxwell.

Erik Johnson

I found only two references in period trade journals. It is advertised for four cylinder engines and not specifically for Fords. If it does "raise the tension," that would seem to conflict with the word rectifier. A rectifier converts AC current to DC current. A Model T Ford has a low tension magnet...

Erik Johnson

In my opinion, it's easier to break the bead and remove and install clincher tires with the wheel on the car than wrestling with it on the ground or on a bench. I'm thin and not particularly strong but I've done it the Royce Peterson way twice and it was fairly easy. Once removal is started, you can...

Erik Johnson

WANTED: Early Minnesota State Automobile Association (AAA) badges and emblems

In particular, looking for cast brass emblems and nickel over stamped brass emblems that list Minnesota cities

Refer examples in photos

Erik Johnson

I believe this was taken in Denmark

Erik Johnson

This is most likely the same Torpedo: https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/28770/lot/504/1911-ford-model-t-torpedo-roadster-engine-no-44637/ Herb Singe auction: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/28770/two-generations-collection/?page=8 Click here to read the entire Popular Science Article. Once the link o...

Erik Johnson

I have factory firewall drawings covering the 1917 model year and they show the exact location of the holes for the patent plate.

Erik Johnson

That centerdoor sedan is most likely a 1917 or 1918 model with the kerosene sidelamps removed. It would also explain why it has aftermarket demountables and electric rear lamp.

Erik Johnson

It's not a Ford automobile.

Erik Johnson

Tim: A middle strap at the bottom of the boot only works if you can route it through the rear curtain and the the top panel of the boot. Therefore, the top would need a roll-up rear curtain or an eyelet in the rear curtain as I posted earlier. 1923-25 one-man tops from the factory don't have an eyel...

Erik Johnson

Don't know if Ford supplied top boots for 1923-25 roadsters and tourings. However, the original factory top boot for my dad's 1917 touring has three straps - two on the top of the boot (left and right front edge) and one strap in the middle of the front edge of the bottom of the boot. There is a cor...

Erik Johnson

A 2014 Morton's salt box has a 100th birthday banner and fireworks on the front. Your box of salt is probably older than 2014. Look on the bottom of the box and it should be stamped "made on xx/xx/xx". It takes me many years to go through a box of salt. The one in my cupboard is similar to yours but...

Erik Johnson

Looks like the late Ken Jone's touring.

Am I correct?

Erik Johnson

If you want to see how many hours of illumination a fully charged Prestolite tank can provide, refer to the ads I posted in the thread below:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1376844508

Erik Johnson

I can't comment on canvas vs rubber flaps. However, because you are mounting balloon tires on split rims, installing tire flaps is absolutely correct and not controversial. Flaps are required to protect the rim from the split and the rim lock. The controversy pertains to using flaps with clincher ti...

Erik Johnson

I'm pretty sure the REO has a 1912-13-14 Minnesota license plate. According to my Minnesota 1912 Official State Automobile directory, plate 14711 was registered to M.C. Christopherson of Mabel, Minnesota. The bluffs are an indication that the photo was taken in the vincinity of the Mississippi River...

Erik Johnson

It's an example of Canadian quality.

Erik Johnson

Watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIR3NU3P_bU

Erik Johnson

Note: I edited my original post. The building/property has been owned by the State of Minnesota for over 70 years (since 1952), not since the 1970s as I originally posted. Here's an excellent editorial from 2019 by author and historian Brian McMahon regarding preserving the recently torn down Univer...

Erik Johnson

30 x 3 clincher 30 - (2x3) = 24 inch wheel 30 x 3.5 clincher 30 - (2x3.5) = 23 inch wheel 450-21 balloon 30 - (2x4.5) = 21 inch wheel Today's 30 x 3 and 30 x 3 clincher tires are actually oversize and can be anywhere from 31 to 31.5 inches in diameter depending on the brand. For actual diameter, ref...

Erik Johnson

Minneapolis resident here: In my opinion, it wasn't about the money. Also, it was not neglected or in disrepair. It was torn down because it has been owned by the State of Minnesota for over 70 years (it was used for office space until 2004 and has been vacant for the last twenty years). If it had b...

Erik Johnson

Deja vu

Click on this link regarding the history behind the photo and who is sitting in the car:

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic. ... na#p314179

Erik Johnson

Not sure what you meant by seat frame. Are you looking for a set of seat cushion springs? Lang's sells reproductions. There should be a hinged trap door over the gas tank - wooden or steel. I don't know what is considered correct for 1915. My 1917 roadster and my dad's 1917 touring have steel trap d...

Erik Johnson

1910s-30s hard case that could be used for a number things or may have been specific to a certain item. In any event, don't be afraid to clean up the exterior with a rag and soap and water. If you want to take it one step further, after cleaning it, apply some black Kiwi wax shoe polish on the exter...

Erik Johnson

In my opinion, the spindle bodies are too husky to be the 1921 style. 1909-11 spindle bodies have a gentle curve/are bulbous whereas the 1921 one-piece spindle bodies have a straight taper and a definite line where the top and bottom half meet (for lack of a better description). The spindles in my l...

Erik Johnson

More photos:

Erik Johnson

Spindles have been sold.

Pair of 1909-11 one-piece spindles

Right spindle marked "T-203"

Left spindle marked "T-204"

Rough condition and spindle arms appear to have been bent at one point in time (maybe someone tried to adapt them to a later front-end ?)

$500.00 plus postage

Erik Johnson

Timing gear cover has been sold.

Original 1909-1910 timing gear cover T-403-B

Very good condition with minor surface rust.

$600.00 plus postage

Erik Johnson

Both cars have Rushmore acetylene generators.

Erik Johnson

Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser with water and rag or sponge is fantastic for cleaning-up/polishing old nickel plating. It's a mild abrasive with oxalic acid and won't harm the plating. It will also remove any rust blossoming through the plating. Test on a small, inconspicuous spot first. For l...

Erik Johnson

You won't be able to save the underlying original paint but, if you do use chemical stripper, you should do it gingerly to remove the top layer first so you can at least reveal any original striping and then take photos and make drawings for reference. My dad's 1900 Waverley Electric was sloppily br...

Erik Johnson

Folks:

Read my previous posts and click on the links I provided.

The people in the photo are brother and sister - Myrtle (Brandon) Huntley and Harvey Brandon.

The photo was most likely taken by Myrtle Huntley's husband, Ben Huntley.

Erik Johnson

I use Google on a regular basis to find old threads on the pre-phpBB3 forums as well as the current forum. This is the format that I use: site:mtfca.com key word(s) I recent weeks, I noticed that when I utilized this method, the hits from the pre-phpBB3 forums dwindled and there were zero hits from ...

Erik Johnson

One thing leads to another and it's all very interesting Husband and wife Ben and Myrtle Huntley were in show business - regional travelling shows and also filmmaking. Ben was also photographer. You can read about them here: https://www.winonapost.com/winonas-filmmaking-pioneers/article_e82b21c3-fe7...

Erik Johnson

I did some logical Googling and the original photo is in the possession of the Winona County Historical Society. Click on this link and you can pull up a higher resolution version of the photo. If you use the zoom feature in the left hand corner, you can see that it is a 1915-16-17 Minnesota license...

Erik Johnson

A clearer version of that photo was previously posted on the forum years ago. The car has Minnesota 1915-16-17 license plate 83542 which, according to my 1916 Minnesota Official State Automobile Directory, was registered to William Pearse, Jr., 275 Harriet Street, Winona, Minnesota. Winona is on the...

Erik Johnson

What year touring?

Install accessory metal framed glass rear curtain "lights."

Below is a photo of my dad's 1917 touring with Hastings rear curtain lights (he installed the top in 1951).

Erik Johnson

There is a teens/twenties pre-fabricated steel garage at the Gust Akerlund photography studio/museum in Cokato, MN. It can be seen at the right in the photo below. Gust Akerlund also owned a 1924 Ford Coupe which still survives and is in the posession of the Cokato Museum and Historical Society (alt...

Erik Johnson

1915 through early 1918 model year headlight switch.

A few months in to the 1918 model year, Ford went with the combination horn/light switch on the steering column.

Erik Johnson

Here in Minnesota, those gasoline heaters show up at swap meets on a regular basis. However, I have never seen any NOS in the box.

Erik Johnson

RE: covered door and cowl panels - tourings and roadsters It depends on when the car left the factory. Originally, the panel boards were covered with leatherette fabric. Sometime during production, the panel boards had a finished side which dispensed for the need to cover them with leatherette fabri...

Erik Johnson

If there is an automotive upholstery supply or shop in your general area, you should be able to purchase panel board locally. My father re-did the door panels on his 1917 touring a few years ago. He did not use a kit but he did purchase black panel board and thin black leatherette from Classtique. (...

Erik Johnson

The exposed leg/Model T hitchhiking scene was parodied by Stan Laurel in "Way out West."

Click on this link - I have it cued to the scene:

https://youtu.be/e38nclE7UYg?t=568

Erik Johnson

Watch this video - the problem may not be the circuit board itself but there may be a short due to compromised foam insulation and/or poor conductivity that can be remedied by cleaning and polishing the wheels, center drum and the rivets where the trucks are fastened to the frame, etc. https://www.y...

Erik Johnson

Flare nut wrench. https://www.ebay.com/itm/255218548825?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=255218548825&targetid=1645685075168&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9019570&poi=&campaignid=20133407470&mkgroupid=147476396765&rlsatarget=pla-1645685075168&abcId=9312979&...

Erik Johnson

I realize your coupelet has its original firewall so the clamp is in its original location. On the 1917 Rip Van Winkel Ford, that clamp sits lower on the firewall. I believe on my unrestored '17, it is also lower but I'd have to go out the garage and look. Also note that the headlamp wire is stapled...

Erik Johnson

Stewart speedometers mounted on a on a steel or wood Stewart instrument panel are recessed into the panel, have a deep mounting bracket on the underside of the instrunment panel, and an elbow where the chain housing (cable housing) is secured. Firewall mounted Stewart speedometers use a shallow, sur...

Erik Johnson

Joshua:

I have correct carb pipes available for your '18. I'll send you a private message.

Erik Johnson

Misalignment of the "fourth main" can cause tailshaft rivet failure.

Erik Johnson

My unrestored '17 roadster has a Wilmo - it was installed by the original owner. Click on this link to see various discussions: https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Amtfca.com+wilmo&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS983US983&oq=site%3Amtfca.com+wilmo&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg60gEIMzEzM2owajeoAgCwAgA&so...

Erik Johnson

Something of interest for you on the AACA "What is it?" forum:

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/407184-an ... ar-thanks/

Erik Johnson

Also worth mentioning: Depending on when your 1916 Ford was manufactured and originally registered, it would have had a plate that expired June 30, 1916 or June 30, 1917. In addition to the eBay link I previously posted for plates that expired 6/30/16, there are some plates, including a reproduction...

Erik Johnson

1916 North Carolina license plates are porcelain.

You should consider getting a genuine plate.

Otherwise, there is a fake/reproduction on eBay right now for $10.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... e&_sacat=0

Erik Johnson

Restored 1913 South Dakota license plate

1913 was the first year for state-issued South Dakota license plates

My father restored/repainted the plate and had a professional paint the black lettering

$225 plus shipping

Erik Johnson

Look for a name on the lock. The rounded bottom locks like yours are typically Yale. The squared-off bottom locks are typically Corbin. I believe the locks on Standard brand toolboxes are also Corbin (the locks say "Standard" but, in my experience, the Corbin keys work). Your lock takes a simple, sh...

Erik Johnson

There's a homemade jigsaw on Minneapolis Craigslist that has at least three Model T parts on it.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ ... 68964.html

Erik Johnson

And we learn that, "Fortunately he's, ahhh, not a smoker."

The August 2023 New London to New Brighton car run was featured tonight on the local news here in the Twin Cities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaRS_OpQjFo

Erik Johnson

Click on this link and scroll down to Dan Killecut's photo - his car doesn't have a bolt through the body.

https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/3 ... 1365473359

Erik Johnson

Run without flaps.

Erik Johnson

At one point in the video, one gentleman indicates the racer has 34 x 3.5 tires. Am I correct?

Do you know what brand they are?

Erik Johnson

I've used Slime cement with older patches I've had on hand to patch bicycle inner tubes. No problems so far.

Erik Johnson

Google "John Worrell Keely" "Model T" and you will find the BS you are looking for on the internet, including at least one MTFCA forum thread. https://www.google.com/search?q=%22john+worrell+keely%22+%22model+t%22&sca_esv=570571948&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS983US983&ei=QeAcZdG6MobdptQPtPCz-AQ&ved=0ahUKEwiR35H...

Erik Johnson

Nathan:

How about a snow or ice mold to build an igloo or ice-block castle this winter?

Erik Johnson

Looks like an Overland to me.

Erik Johnson

If you look at the corner of the house/left side of the photograph, that gives you an idea of how thick the blocks are. It looks like they are only three to four inches thick which is similar to the depth of a typical brick. They are probably applied over wood sheathing and tar paper, so they aren't...

Erik Johnson

John:

I sent a private message.

Erik Johnson

My father and I used bar soap to lubricate the fuel shut off valves and respective petcocks on our Ts.

It's not affected by gasoline and lasts a long time.

Erik Johnson

My opinion from casual observation is that Model Ts that have stock mufflers with the cast iron ends and tailpipes sound different and are quieter than Model Ts with the later style stock mufflers with cast iron or stamped sheet metal ends that have no tailpipe.

Erik Johnson

RE: building up a shackle with via mig welding and then turning it down on a lathe I knew a talented fabricator who did something similar when he did some work for my dad's Waverley Electric. He chucked the piece in his lathe and slowly turned it by hand so he could apply the bead in a spiral and so...

Erik Johnson

The tune is Clarinet Polka. Here are my favorite YouTube fiddle versions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjxoqVxdgeA (The accordion player in the above plays piano in this one) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZz1ATTIA3I Here in Minnesota, this is how it was usually played - I knew composer/arrange...

Erik Johnson

In my opinion, each word label on the various drawer fronts are paint that was applied with a rubber stamp. If it were me, I would obtain rubber stamp set with with similar size font and emulate what was originally done. I would clamp the respective stamps together to form the desired word and then ...

Erik Johnson

Whenever stuff likes this comes up on the forum, I search Google books and find references in trade journals and catalogs. When searching "Imperial Brass Mfg" they are listed as a carburetor, carburetor parts (ex. floats) and hubcap manufacturer in automotive and tractor trade journals. Here is a li...

Erik Johnson

From 1912 through 1917, there were a lot of Cyclones in St. Paul, Minnesota....

Erik Johnson

My dad always used to put a six volt hot shot dry cell battery under the front seat, next to the passenger side of the gas tank and shim it so it wouldn't move. Since those are no longer available, we use a sealed lead-acid six volt "Power Wheels" battery in the same location in both of our Model Ts...

Erik Johnson

Please delete Marians profile. I'm pretty sure the poster is a AI BOT based on responses in other threads including this one.

Erik Johnson

I believe my father has a couple NOS on the shelf that he picked-up over 70 years ago.

If one of those screws gets get hung-up in the housing, it can wreak havoc on the axle shaft. When that happens, it can also make it difficult to disassemble the rear end.

Erik Johnson

Looks like Vince Smith's Maxwell - he's the passenger.

Erik Johnson

Looks like part of a pump jack for a windmill.

Erik Johnson

Scott:

Everyone but the Amish.

Erik Johnson

The deck wood, shown in the previously posted photo, is covered with a sheet metal panel The bottom of the trunk has a wooden frame around the perimeter which is rabbeted to accomadte the trunk floor boards. It would take a talented woodworker to reproduce the trunk wooden frame and, frankly, you wo...

Erik Johnson

Like Allen Down Under, my father and I installed lighter springs on our latches so there is less tension.

Erik Johnson

Rub-Nix Manufacturing Co., Inc., Buffalo, N.Y.: Rub-Nix Products Rub-Nix was a brand of soap flakes and bluing. Consumers could save the box fronts from these products and trade them in for silverware, aprons, or aluminum pots and pans. Includes pictures of items. On back: directions for family wash...

Erik Johnson

My father collects automobile sheet music. By far, the most common piece found on eBay, in antique stores, and at estate sales and swap meets, etc. is "Get Out and Get Under." The only reason to collect multiple copies is if your are a completist and want to have all of the different performers whos...

Erik Johnson

RE: Royce D. Peterson's thumb You'll notice in the video that sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't wrap his thumb around the crank. I attribute that to old age. Royce was a talented Model T Ford mechanic. He was born in 1917 and was around Model T Fords his entire life; Royce's father owned a ...

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