MTFCA Forum

abcarswell

I ended up with Poplar as that was the only wood of appropriate size at the local dimensional wood supplier. I’m sure it will stain up nice and I will use my West System coating. I used it on the painted side racks and worked well.

abcarswell

Good info, George. I'm pretty sure mine are replacements from 40ish years ago when the last major restoration occurred. I'm looking at going back with something like Ash that will be durable but also stain up nice. Not the way that Henry would have done it but it is a show truck...

abcarswell

My top replacement for Clarabelle is turning into a more involved refresh. The latest item I’ve decided to tackle is replacing the wood on the ford built flatbed floor as it is getting really rough. The current boards look to be pine, 1-1/2” x 7”. They are routed on the rear to fit underneath the li...

abcarswell

2021 F250 “Annie”, she also gets to haul Clarabelle, my TT when the distance is too far to drive. A 2009 GT500 serves if a more “cultured” ride is required.

abcarswell

The Ford drawing is just for the finished visor, there is no fastener or installation info on the drawing. The visor assembly drawing shows the several pieces and the overall dimensions of the finished part, each piece has its own part number and drawing and conists of the following: 1) the top mat...

abcarswell

I have the Ford drawing, it is called Visor Assembly. The finished length is 36 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches. It is made of top material that is folded over a burlap core with binding on the ends. It is attaced to the front roof header on the inside and overlaps the front (outside) of the windshield frame. G...

abcarswell

Spotted to the lift to start pre season service. Will likely tackle the top replacement when it warms up a bit.

abcarswell

Do any of my fellow TT C Cab owners have any information on the strip that fills the gap between the cab and the windshield. From what I can see on the parts book, it is likely called a visor part #TT12350. I assume it’s leather but would like to know dimensions, attachment details, etc. Pictures wo...

abcarswell

A minor thing but a huge improvement to drivability of my TT. I decided to purchase one of the Depot hack rear view mirrors from Langs to see if I could mount to my C cab and eliminate the clamp on mirrors that are nearly worthless. I had to drill and tap the bracket to reorientate the mounting 90 d...

abcarswell

Finally had a chance to chase down an overcharging issue that showed up on my last drive back from a nearby car show in October. Blew out both headlight bulbs. Researching this forum pointed me to the generator-ammeter-battery circuit. Sure enough found a meltdown on one of the terminals of my repop...

abcarswell

Last project for Clarabelle’s 2022 refresh was to remove a dent I put in the hood by dropping it two years ago. My body and fender/paint skills have improved so the hood looks markedly better than the adjacent fenders. Oh well, projects for another day.

abcarswell

Rear end is back together on my TT Clarabelle. Also installed Rocky Mtn Brakes while the rear end was out. Just need the new axle sleeves currently being drilled and :dimpled”at my local machine shop. Then I can finally get her back together before the car show season really starts. Also got the whe...

abcarswell

Rear end going together on Clarabelle the TT. Got all the parts sourced and now just time for reassembly and painting.

abcarswell

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I have found a good worm gear. No joy yet on the axle so may just put back together and make sure its well greased. Through researching on this forum, I got connected with Tom at Model A Works and he has a set of properly sized felts coming for the inside seals...

abcarswell

So my project to address leaking axle seals may have morphed into a bigger project. I removed the rear end from my 1924 TT to address the inner oil seals which I knew were bad. I had patched things together last year by replacing the inner and out bearing seals but knew that I was getting differenti...

abcarswell

I found the attached to be of great value. It came from a Model A site but the earliest AA appears to have used the same as the TT arrangement.

abcarswell

So pulled the starter and used mirror. Couldn’t see much but no obvious issues. Rolled engine over and nothing obvious on magnets or ring. Mag post was cleanish. Still appears no AC output although need to get test light to check properly. Could the loose wire floating around caused a ground and dem...

abcarswell

Thanks, that’s not where the magnet started out but moved. I’ll reposition and start the investigation.

abcarswell

Magneto stopped working in the middle of my last drive with the TT. Started by opening up the inspection cover and found this. Obviously not good but does mean I need to start a tear down?

abcarswell

From Jame Bane:
This was a really cool looking Ford car dealership building in LaGrande, Oregon, on Adams Ave. I understand that this building exists today, but you would never recognize it. I have been told it is the Market Place Fresh Food building.

abcarswell

My ‘24 with a high radiator has short running boards. It’s not inconceivable that these were not original to the vehicle. Based on my research, the change over to boot scraper appears to have occurred late ‘24 or early ‘25.

abcarswell

Well, some of the parts showed up so I dove in. Unfortunately the T-Vac is backordered so will press forward with out it. Completed the coil box with the Langs/Fun-projects kit. I then pulled the manifolds. It definitely showed signs of exhaust leaks on #3 & #4. It had the dreaded fiber gaskets whic...

abcarswell

Cory,
I had read your thread with interest and hope you have solved your issue. I’m always up for a new tool so will take a look at the T-Vac. I’m really hoping I’m not in line for a valve job but that would be par for the course at this point.
Thanks,
Bruce

abcarswell

Close up of No 3

abcarswell

I know this topic rises frequently but yet in searching, I’ve not yet came across my exact circumstance. I recently finished the “refresh” on my 1924 TT. Not a full overhaul but more than a heavy service. I am not sure of the exact provenance of the truck as I bought through a local antique car shop...

abcarswell

Yet another typical Model T project. Trying to address potential rough running causation on my TT Clarabelle. I had not yet addressed the Holley NH carburetor so decided to take it off this evening. As I start to clean off the years of accumulated grease and gunk, I immediately note a two tone color...

abcarswell

Thanks for the responses, even though it’s not what I wanted to hear. I guess my son and I have another project this summer.

abcarswell

I drained and refilled my differential earlier this spring. I’m now driving it quite a bit more (at least until some serious missing developed last weekend, more on that later). I was pretty careful not to overfill but may not have taken into account the warmer temperatures. When I came out to start...

abcarswell

1924 Texas

abcarswell

I was able to figure out how to get Clarabelle on the new lift so decided it was a good time to pull the front wheels so I could clean and repack the bearings. I had pumped new grease in when I first bought the truck. Thanks to info on this forum, I was able to get the inside bearings knocked out. O...

abcarswell

Just received this from James. Shows the license plate which narrows it down. Also shows the differential. Note the box with the “this side up” notation. Somethings don’t change...

abcarswell

On the home stretch of the cosmetic portion of the restoration.

abcarswell

Need some help on trying to date this TT. It has short running boards and a demountable rear balloon tire. Obviously it would help if they would have included the front of the truck. Photo from Sumpter Valley Railroad (Oregon) archives courtesy of James Bane.

abcarswell

I had good luck with this tool from Eastwood. The previous restoration had gone really crazy with the amount of bondo on my TT. I did not want to really go to the full extent of media blasting as I was doing selective stripping down to bare metal without full disassembly. I hooked my shop vac up to ...

abcarswell

After many months, finally got the cosmetics and mechanical work to a point that it was time to bring the 1924 TT out for its public debut. Took several of my friends out for rides and my youngest decided he wanted to have his first driving lesson. That was only fair as he has helped on several work...

abcarswell

I think I answered my own question. I went ahead and put the other one on and it’s good. I must either have a bracket that’s bent (didn’t notice any difference before install) or the body/windshield post alignment on the passenger side is out of wack (more likely). Something to work on later...

abcarswell

With most of the painting behind me, I’m starting to tackle the little details. When I bought the truck, it came with a miscellaneous box of parts including these brackets and several incomplete tail and sidelight even though it is a starter equipped model. The vehicle showed evidence that they had ...

abcarswell

Took advantage of a warming spell to get some black sprayed. .

abcarswell

John - I have read about the lack of cooling from original radiators. I actually finished setting the timing this morning so will see if that helps at all before I look at a new radiator. It looks relative clean but the previous owner appears to have left raw water sitting it for some time and it to...

abcarswell

George-I actually found the Ford design steel stakes on Macs in the Model AA truck area. Based on my research, this part was common between AA and TT’s. They are only 39” tall which was shorter than I wanted for the look I was shooting for as American Railway Express delivery truck. I do not have an...

abcarswell

Thanks John, I’ve been doing just that. I’ve learned a lot from the forum and by pouring through the Ford literature. I’m sure I’m most of the way there but nothing like the personal influence of someone who has “been there, done that”. As to what the truck needed, it barely ran when I got it and ha...

abcarswell

As I approach substantial completion on my 1924 c-cab project, I now am in the fine tuning phase, which also highlights how much I still don”t know about these machines. Overheating, timing adjustment , tire replacement etc are all still to address and a common theme in this forum is to find a nearb...

abcarswell

Stake racks cut and assembled. Now to disassemble, treat with the West System, and paint.

abcarswell

Temperature finally cooled down enough here in West Texas to shoot primer on the TT. Good to see my body work doesn’t show through. Most of the lower panels looked like they had been “adjusted” with a ball peen hammer once I got the very thick 70’s bonds stripped off.

abcarswell

Duane,
I see your TT is a former REA truck. This is very cool as I am actually restoring my 24 TT C cab as an REA (actually its predecessor American Railway Express). Any pictures you could post/send on details such as lettering etc would be appreciated.
Bruce Carswell

abcarswell

Good ideas from all. Thanks. I’ll try to get it cleaned up and sealed. The little bit I have had it out on the road did not highlight any major cooling issues although probably did not give it a proper stress test yet. This little episode just show the pitfalls of tackling a minor project whilst inv...

abcarswell

What started out as a simple cracked hose replacement now looks more serious. I know my TT sat for several years before I acquired it last February. Based on the corrosion I’m seeing in the flanges, it appears that it may have sat with raw water or weak antifreeze. I will flush the engine with CLR b...

abcarswell

I found AA stakes on Mac’s but they seem shorter than most of the TT’s I have seen in pictures. Northern Tool also had a similar stake but very short. I’ll keep looking. Thanks for the input.

abcarswell

Does anybody know of a source for metal stakes for a Ford 1924 stakebody flatbed? Even ones that have the correct general appearance and could be modified to fit would be acceptable. I can manufacture wood replacements but like the look of the OEM metal stakes.
Bruce

abcarswell

Thanks for all the responses. I too noted that the frame mounts at the rear of the cab did not match up. Of course, on a 95 year old truck, its hard to tell what's original and what may be a 30-40 year old restoration. The truck is/was in West Texas which is kind to metal work with little rust occur...

abcarswell

Totally agree that mechanical comes first. Given the flexibility of the flatbed, what ever I build will likely use that as a base. Thanks for the comments.

abcarswell

Finally took the plunge and bought this TT. Owner said it was a '23 but engine and other features (I'm still in sponge mode on details) make it appear to be a '24. Any observations are welcome. It runs and drives but has been sitting for several years so a good service is in order first off. Then pr...

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