MTFCA Forum

This is what I built with some junk wheels, broken Model A springs, old bed frame and some sheet stainless that I found at the dump. The hard part is making sure that everything is parallel.

We are going to be in the Elk City area September 16-19 and Wallace September 20-23 driving the backroads and wondering if there are any T people in those areas that would like to join us or have any special places that they would like to share with us. On this trip there will be only two cars and f...

I finally have a chance to post some pictures of Motor camp, I had a great time with a fun group. The weather was wonderful and after having our camp moved 3 times we finally had a really nice camp away from the rest of the campground, the drives were great although a lot of traffic, the tour of The...

The National Motor Camp was great fun and a great group of people to have fun with, The amount of vintage camping gear and knowledge was truly impressive and I learned a lot. I just got home and haven't even unpacked or looked at my pictures yet so I will post more later. Dennis

It is after market mud but I am stuck just the same.

If they are cast steel they can be heated and bent, if cast iron that won't work.

An old radiator man told me to use ground ginger, I have used it on many vehicles and it always works. Those seal tabs that come with a new GM water pump are ground ginger, I some times find it at the Dollar Store, I use about 1/2 a jar (about 3 1/2 in tall) for a T. Put it in a hot engine and disso...

Sounds like luck wasn't enough, I just heard that Patrick broke his crank and they both decided to call it quits, sorry to hear that.

Well, that took care of the knocking noise and I talked to the other T owner with a noise and he said that after driving it a bit that the noise is considerably quieter, so I think that our problems are over (for now), Time to pack up and get ready to head to the Motor Camp at Tahoe. Thanks to all f...

The cam gear teeth all look good, I put another gasket between the housing and the block and just waiting for the sealer to dry. In the mean time I will take my Model A for this mornings drive to the shop tour of one of the group. I will update you later. Thanks, Dennis

Going from a generator to alternator was an economic decision, my generator served me well for over 120,000 miles and needed replaced, the gear on the alternator is the same dimensions as the generator and the gear is threaded on to the alternator so no pin to worry about. I will try shimming the mo...

Well dang it, the gear was tight but thanks for the idea.

Thanks Jerry, for the quick response, I am on the way to check it now. Dennis

Two of us in our group have put on new alternators within the last month and they both make noise, mine knocks, I can actually feel it. Has anyone else had this problem and does shimming it help? I am getting ready for a trip and really don't like the knock. Thanks, Dennis

The camp is coming soon, I am wondering who is going so that I can look for you. I will be showing up on the 16th and be there for the whole time. I am really looking forward to it. Dennis

I hardly ever put my top up and almost never use the side curtains but they are sure nice to have when I do need them. I made the pass side curtain to follow the top bow up and back so that I could actually get in and out and I can also leave the little triangle piece out for air flow if I need it. ...

You would also have to find a way to seal up the crankcase where the throttle rod passes between the two center cylinders.

If they are concerned about lights being too bright at least in Oregon then they need to do something with the strobe lights on police cars especially the blue light, at night they are dangerously bright.

Will, Why not run the Warford and the Ruckstell? Depending on what you are going to use it for, having more gears can be a real advantage. I have 1 T with a Muncie and standard rear, 1 with just a Ruckstell and 1 with a KC Warford and Ruckstell, I love having both but if I could only have 1 it would...

Last Saturday we went for a annual spring drive, it is about a 100 mile loop that is all but 4 miles on backroads and over 40 miles of dirt and gravel. Most years the weather is really nice, however this was not most years. While we did have some sunshine it was mostly cloudy and lots of rain at tim...

A friend ran part of an old Boy Scout belt for lining for many years.

I went to Harbor Freight and got 36in pipe wrench put a 3ft pipe on it and that worked great.

I have included pictures of a short and a longer wishbone, I had the short one on my car and it was hard to install and was dangerous to drive, I compared it to the one that came off of the same car and it is about 3/8" shorter. When I put a longer one on it drove just fine. I don't know what it is ...

If you replaced the wishbone there are 2 different sizes (early and late) because of the height of the springs, if you have the short one on with a high spring it will drive terrible and be hard to assemble.

Running straight Lucas (STP equivalent) it still leaked badly before.

Howdy, My friend had a Muncie that was leaking badly from the shift rails. I built covers for the rail ends and it has stopped the leak. I used 3/4 in conduit and the plugs out of a metal electrical outlet box, burned off the galvanize with battery acid and welded together and welded to a piece of s...

I hope to be there on friday or sat, but have a bum knee so I will have to wait and see. Hope to see you there. Dennis

I'll drink to that.

Most of the vintage T trailers that I have seen don't have any suspension and if you use 16in wire wheels and a drop axle you may not need ramps or a tilt. You can just put a block of wood down and drive onto it and then the trailer and just back off of the trailer, usually the tongue of the trailer...

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Here is a picture of mine ,set up with the tongue retracted. I built a retractable because I have a new knee from falling over the tongue on another trailer (obviously the trailers fault)

If you get them tight they will stay in place. I use small block Chevy valve shims with a piece removed the width of the tenon, they are .015 and .030 thick, a drop of epoxy couldn't hurt. To John's question about soaking them in water, it will tighten them but when they get tight it crushes the woo...

It sounds like the wheels are solid just drier than when they were assembled, I would shim them and if you have any wheels that are out of round this is an opportunity to do some adjusting. If they are as dry as they can get you should be good for the life of the wheels. When I shim wheels if it is ...

If you are trying to teach them about saving then you need to teach them that ALL money has value and that pennies make dollars, if only some money have value it may confuse them. When ask at the store if I want my penny change, I always say damn right, I worked just as hard for that penny as the 29...

I love looking at my cars shadow, it means the sun is out.

Thin wrenches are called tappet wrenches and since they are not very strong, what I do is take a cheap wrench the size that I want and use the belt sander and slowly make it the thickness that I want. Don't let it get to hot and it won't take out the temper.

I have had trouble with the oil rings not sealing with the Grant rings but not with Hastings.

I would test fit the brake bands to your drums, the originals may not have used an extra drum to make the later Rockies work with a small drum. If the bands go most of the way around but not all of the way I would think that you could adapt them to fit.

Is anyone going to the National Motor Camp at South Lake Tahoe in July? I am going to be there and hope to meet a bunch of new friends. Dennis

I have a KC Warford in my 26 roadster and the only issues that I a know of are with the shifter, in it original form a friend hit the shifter with his leg and knocked it into neutral and the car ended up on its top (yes it had rocky mountain brakes). I ended up with the car and put the trans in my c...

All of my T's drive just a little bit different, you need to drive yours and play with it to find your secret hand shake for your car. Always have it fully retarded ( all the way up) to start and when coasting down hill if you retard it that will help a little to hold you back.

I use Windex and there is no streaking.

Joe, You did a really nice job on your Supersnowbird. With it having no rear fenders I thing that the 25 bed looks better than a Model A bed would, looks like a fun vehicle. Do you have to get in and out of the window with that track setup? I am just waiting for snow, all of my snow is coming pre me...

I finally got my skis finished. They are made out of things out of my raw materials pile (formerly known as a scrap pile) I used wheels that were no good for tires, some broken Model A springs, old bed frames, chain links off a potato digger and what was part of the kitchen remodel at the Elk's Lodg...

Thanks for the links, I will let you know what I end up with. Dennis

Thank you Joe for the picture that answers that question. Dennis

Randy, Thanks for the answer on the skis, does the skeg run the entire length of the ski? Dennis

I am building skis for a snowmobile build and I am wondering do the original skis have a skeg down the middle of the bottom? And can I get width and lengh measurements. Thanks, Dennis

I have to wonder how many theorist have ever run larger tires? They ride better, last longer and for the type of roads that I drive the 6 plies have never had a flat in over 100,000 miles. Just a personal choice and observation (not theory).

My 53 Chevy pick up with a 235 and a 4 speed pulls a T on a light trailer just fine, my concern is like a T it's not how fast you can go, it's how fast you can stop. I would rather not go than not stop.

I have run 5.25 firestone 6 plies for about 20 years with no trouble at all, as a matter of fact I love them. They give you about20 % more tire on the ground for braking, about 3% Hobo Overdrive, unless you are carrying a heavy load they give you a better ride and they last a lot longer ( I get abou...

Thanks John, that really helps

George, Thanks, that is what i figured. John and John, that sounds like good advice, now how do I tell the difference so that I can get the good one?

Hhowdy, Can anyone tell me if a early (up to 21) lower steering column to frame mnt is the same as the later with the exception of the number and size of the bushings. It seems like my 26 roadster is always in need of that bushing replacement and I am thinking that maybe the earlier mount with twice...

I wired mine on with small brass wire that my wife uses in her art work to hold it while the silicone sealer set up that I put on the back (not a lot but enough to hold it), that way I don't have to worry about vibration and it can be easily removed.

I have hub caps coming. I am always amazed by the Model T community. They are always willing to share their time, resources and knowledge with whoever needs help. Thank you, Robert.

I am looking for a set of wire wheel hub caps. I don't want them to be to nice, nice patina would be great, maybe some that you took of to do a restoration. Thanks, Dennis

I have hitches on 2 T's and a Model A pick up, I have used them all and the work well I will include pictures. Please remember it isn't how or what you pull but how you stop it.

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I use 140w gl-4, not sure if that is what it calls for but it has worked well for many years.

Chris and Carston, I would love to go on a drive with you guys. The T-Bums have a drive planned for May 25th that would be a fun one to have you guys go with us or let me know when you can come this way and we will get a drive together.

You guys turned the Nuthin Special into sumpin special, it looks great! Good job.

Yes you can balance them. What wheels do you have? You can use regular wheel weights on 21 in split rims and stick on weights or solder wrapped around spokes on clincher and wire wheels. Mount the rims and tires on a front wheel and use it as a balancer. This will work if the rims are straight and n...

In photo #2 a lot of those hammers in the rack are handled top tools, the the blacksmith would either hold in one hand and strike with the other or he would drive the top tool and a striker would run the hammer.

Thanks for all of the info, I know very little about this vehicle, just what I saw in a few pictures,(a beautiful car) but the pictures of the engine is not very clear or close and it looks like the carb is mounted on a threaded piece like a pipe fitting. I will try and get more info from the museum...

I forgot to include that it is a Model 38. Thanks, Dennis

At Saturday morning coffee, I was approached about a 1910 Overland that is in the Harrisburg Oregon Museum that they need help with the carb. I know nothing about Overland but told him that I would check and see what I could find out. The car has been restored and is beautiful, they just need a good...

I am wondering if you have gotten you Jan/Feb vintage Ford and if so how do I check to make sure that my dues are current so I can get mine too? Thanks

I use a double axle trailer with a 15ft deck, it is a bit of overkill but T's aren't the only thing I use it for. If I was only towing a T, I would have a single axle trailer that had channels for the tires to set in and over the tire loop straps to tie it down. I would also have stops for the front...

Great looking car and story, Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Dan, That is what I was looking for.

Thanks guys for the responses, it looks like you have to pull the output/pinion shaft out if the trans to be able to set up the pinion to ring gear depth and backlash, has anyone set up one of these that can tell me how it is done? Thanks, Dennis

I am working on a Rocky Mountain 6 speed trans and after looking at the pictures here, I am wondering what I have. The pictures on this thread show a different design and have made in Seattle Washington on it, the one I have says it was made in Los Angeles California on it and I am including picture...

Donnie, I have two 26's with trailer hitches, a touring and roadster (both with wood wheels). The touring has a receiver tube welded into the spare tire goose and reinforced mounting at the upper spring mount. I have a ball receiver and a cargo carrier that mounts there as well. I have only towed a ...

A fun video, I would play a video game like that, having driven roads like that.

Thanks Mitch

Thank you Adam, that help my mind understand what it does.

WOW that didn't take long, I'll bet you are correct Herb. It came from a wheat farm that has been there over a century. Thank you. Dennis

I was helping a friend move and we found this in the barn. It is a crankshaft but it is 46 inches long has a 3 inch stroke, 1 inch journals, 2 mains and none of the throws line up. It was to neat to put in the scrap pile. WIN_20231221_09_45_58_Pro.jpg WIN_20231221_09_45_33_Pro.jpg WIN_20231221_09_45...

A Bow Tail Funster

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Thanks for all of the replies, I don't have the shoes here to take pictures. Evidently no one has seen shoes like this with no lip. We are building a rear end from parts but you can tell by the wear on the linings that these have been run before(enough to wear out the lining). We will probably do as...

I am aware that most shoes have a lip, these don't and never did, has anyone seen shoes like them in action or do we need to find others that have a lip?

A friend has some rear brake shoes for a big drum rear end and they don't have a lip around them to hook on the backing plate tabs, they have been used and appear to work but I don't see what keeps them in place. Does anyone have any experience with shoes like this or should we be looking for shoes ...

Thanks Andy

Where can I find more info on the tour, like what qualifies or disqualifies a car, location and is there camping near by. I looked at the web site but was not able to find any info. Thanks

Mack, I think you are onto something here, education is the key. People love seeing the old cars but are not looking for them, we need to talk safety as well as about our cars whenever we talk to people. As a bumper sticker I once saw said "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance"

I put a copper washer in as a spacer many years ago and no problem since.

Thank you all for the ratio info, it is what I was looking for.

Howdy, I am trying to find out how the gear ratios of a Muncie and a KC Warford compare. I am looking for the ratio of the transmission not the final ratios at the rear diff. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Dennis

On my T with a Ruckstell and a KC Warford. I modified the Warford shifter and it stays out of the way and won't be accidentally knocked into neutral. You don't need a lot of leverage to shift and a foot throttle helps with the Warford.

Scott, We have done quite a bit to our cars, mine has a Ruckstell, KC Warford (12 forward gears and 6 in reverse) 4 to 1 gears, 525/21 6 ply tires and aux brakes. The engine has a Z head, Chaffin's 280 cam and Truefire ign. The tire chains I made from a bucket of different chains, they make the T in...

I am the old fat guy in the red shirt (that looked like I was about to fall over from exhaustion because I was). I was the wagon master for this trip, it was epic, not just what is on Casey's video but the whole trip and what a great group to do it with. When we left on Wednesday there was no rain i...

As John pointed out this may change how true the cam runs but I have made tapered allen bolts to take up cam end play and if you make it a bit to long it will push the cam to one side of the bore, which will also change your timing gear back lash (with the worn cam bore it is most likely excessive)....

Allan, That is a great rack, I like the way it is adjustable for width, although I have a tendency to over load my car as it is.

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There are thousands of pages of great old pictures on there in the "Vintage Shots From Days Gone By" thread and more added every day.

It has been working fine on the left coast. Well at my house any way.

I run OE dirt on my car , it is hard to get but worth the effort.

I try and stay off of the main highways as much as possible and depending on the road there are times that I won't pull onto the shoulder of the road because drivers won't let you back into traffic and I have almost been run into a bridge abutment, I have a reflective slow moving sign on the back th...

The picture I posted earlier was my first design, I have since changed to a larger more durable design. I have had this on the car from below sea level to over 13,000ft elevation and on some of the dustiest roads you can imagine and it has never hampered my performance at all. As a retired auto mech...

This has been discussed before and I have ask if the people who say that a filter will change the way your T runs have ever run a filter? So far I have never gotten an answer. I have run filters on all of my T and it doesn't change the way they run at all (as long as they are clean, just like any ot...

I had a camshaft that had .007 runout on the gear end and it made the same knocking noise for 100,000 miles before I finally figured out the problem, you might check for that, I also had a fan pulley with end play make a similar noise. Good luck.

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