MTFCA Forum

2nighthawks

.....well, I guess that shows how "computer illiterate" I am, because when I typed the company name and address in, after posting, the blue "click -on" link appeared! Now I know how THAT works!

2nighthawks

Jim - I'm gonna' start by saying this most of what I'm about to write is conjecture on my part, but here's what I perceive as the problem: Not sure how much your car and of course the chrome lug nuts are exposed to "the elements", but I'm betting that this is what's going on: I believe that there ar...

2nighthawks

Allan - When you visualize what happens at the carburetor end (or "fork" end) of the rod, in a full 360 degree rotation of the fork ends of the rod inserted in the two little holes in the horizontal piece at the top of the carburetor adjustment, at one setting, the one fork "tine" end of the fork is...

2nighthawks

I just today, received my Vol. 49, No. 29 issue of "Old Cars" Fall Hershey Issue, which contains a 3-page article with photos, entitled "Model T Heaven", and subtitled "Antique Auto Ranch offers original Tin Lizzie parts & more". A very interesting and well written article about Antique Auto Ranch o...

2nighthawks

This is all "personal opinion" so take it for what it's worth. My first Model T (stock engine) had a water pump on it when I bought the car in 1978. I took the water pump off and noticed no difference in the running or cooling of the engine. Just an occasional "gurgle" from the radiator after shutti...

2nighthawks

Sorry about the "double post"! Computer very slow to post and fooled me,....didt'n think it posted the first time!

2nighthawks

Very interesting thread and some great pictures of some very nice work. Just wondering Chad,...the one photo of the front end that shows other than Model A king pins. Is that a Model A front end with later Ford front end brakes, spindles, king pins, etc, etc? Just wondering,.....harold

2nighthawks

Very interesting thread and some great pictures of some very nice work. Just wondering Chad,...the one photo of the front end that shows other than Model A king pins. Is that a Model A front end with later Ford front end brakes, spindles, king pins, etc, etc? Just wondering,.....harold

2nighthawks

Might be that your crankshaft endplay has been "marginal" for some time, and then all of a sudden conditions caused it to be a bit more than "marginal",.....???

2nighthawks

AdminJeff/MTFCA - Not sure who to, and exactly where to, present this suggestion, so for now, I will just post here: I personally think that Irish club member John O'Neill has done such a wonderful job on this color-coded cut-away Model T power plant, that I can't help thinking that someone from MTF...

2nighthawks

Take particular note of exactly how many turns from fully closed to normal running setting of your carburetor adjustment is, and memorize the setting, or, especially if you have more than one "T", maybe even write it down! It's not uncommon to have difficulty in getting your "T" engine started after...

2nighthawks

Pretty quick thinkn' I'd say! .....'specially fer' an ol' guy! Seriously, I'd say it's very admirable to make an incident like that an excellent object lesson and "wake-up call"for all of us as to how quick and innocently something like that can happen! And I'd also say that a lot of good can come o...

2nighthawks

Steve Jelf - You've posted a number of very good "introductory" items that I think are a "must read" for those folks that are new on the forum, and especially those that are just coming into the Model T hobby. I think that along with viewing some of your past posts, any newcomer should also be encou...

2nighthawks

I think I read fairly recently that Fastenal has discontinued that service,.....???

2nighthawks

Just imagine the abuse the bands in those "T's must take at Yosemite by numerous "inexperienced" Model T drivers of all kinds,....wonder what type of planetary transmission band material they find most successful,....Kevlar, wood or Scandinavia??? I'm guessing wood,.....???

2nighthawks

Perhaps due to the need for brake band adjustment, the brake band began to drag when he placed the lever in the neutral position,........???

2nighthawks

Thanks Jim,....didn't even think to try that!

2nighthawks

....really weird! Acted like it didn't "post" on the first try, so tried again, and with no initial indication, it obviously posted the first time, and then the second time as well! Sorry,.....harold

2nighthawks

Just today received my current issue of Old Cars Weekly, and altho' I'm sure that this auto auction is already well known about by the "car guys" in the South Central USA, but just in case, I thought I'd mention that the magazine contains a full-page ad about "The Wilcox Collection", no reserve Smit...

2nighthawks

Just today received my current issue of Old Cars Weekly, and altho' I'm sure that this auto auction is already well known about by the "car guys" in the South Central USA, but just in case, I thought I'd mention that the magazine contains a full-page ad about "The Wilcox Collection", no reserve Smit...

2nighthawks

No Mark,....It's probably me that might have "offended" someone! I appreciate that you have shared with everyone what happened to you. After re-reading all of this, I realize that I could have "worded" my post a lot better. I just meant that so many ways of "the proper way of cranking" (some right &...

2nighthawks

......Stephan Heatherly,......sorry I mis-spelled your name, and again, please don't be offended, I realize your good intentions and I hope our "discussion" here will serve to prevent some injury and also maybe make some folks a bit less afraid of hand-cranking,......harold

2nighthawks

I feel like I can speak with a bit of "authority" on this subject, because I have been "hand-cranking" old Fords for over 60 years (....Model A in high school in the '50's) with never a problem! And it occurred to me that,....yeah dummy,....just start bragging about it, and guess what might happen t...

2nighthawks

One is Brassworks and the other is Berg. According to what I've read on the forum, it's kind of a "toss-up" which to go with, but for what it's worth, I think Brassworks is the older company, but I think both build an excellent product,.....harold

2nighthawks

Corvette Guy - What your "local" radiator guy doesn't realize is that two companies manufacture excellent replacement Model T radiators, and they're BOTH in the good ol' U.S.A.!

2nighthawks

Sorry Steve & Allen,....simultaneous typing! And by the way Steve,...."hi", and a very good point you make,.....harold

2nighthawks

Allen - A few comments,....for what they may be worth :roll: I like the looks of that one too! Looks to me like just what you're looking for: It's a truck (pickup) which is what you said you want. It's one of what used to be called,...."the new improved" Model T, and as you'll learn,....while it's s...

2nighthawks

Allen - To add a bit to what Dan and the guys have explained about the Ruckstell 2-speed rear end, it is one of the very few, in fact, perhaps the ONLY accessory that Henry Ford ever approved of! He may not have come right out and said it outloud, but he saw to it that Ruckstell parts are even liste...

2nighthawks

Allen - Welcome to the forum and the Model T "community"! You are definitely off to a good start. As an experienced amateur mechanic, you definitely have the right idea, because "generally speaking", Model T's are easy to work on, but definitely different. As an example, removal of a Model T starter...

2nighthawks

.......ooops! Just noticed that the valve spring retainer is "hexagonal",....NOT octagonal! Oh well,....not all that important I guess. The main thing is,....they are normally perfectly round!

2nighthawks

To add to what Stephen just said, Royce Peterson, who left this forum and started another excellent forum several years ago, called,..... I believe,..."Fix Auto",....??? Not sure about that. But anyway, several years ago, Royce posted on THIS forum, an excellent post that talked about the fact that ...

2nighthawks

Daniel - Actually, a stock Model T is more like 4 to 1 compression. An accessory "high compression" head that's sometimes advertised to afford 6 to 1 is not really quite 6 to 1 compression,.....FWIW,.....harold

2nighthawks

I'm wondering if those very "unique" and unusual valve train components might be found in one or more of the several Model T era "after-market" accessory and parts catalogs? Like Western Auto Stores accessory catalogs for example. Never seen anything like what's shown in the photos,....especially th...

2nighthawks

John C. - I agree with what you said about the "top mounted gearbox", and this may be a poor analogy (....altho' the tractor guys will love it....) but the planetary gear reduction at the top end of the steering column reminds me of the seemingly "backwards" design of a lot of farm tractors. I alway...

2nighthawks

John Codman - Please forgive the slight "thread drift" here, but this has become a very interesting thread, and you and Bill D. have come pretty close to a couple "pet peeves" of mine. First of all, I use strictly non-ethanol gasoline in my Model A and four Model T's, because there are several quali...

2nighthawks

Hey Steve T. - I happen to know that one of your "pet peeves" is removable ear transmission bands that are installed "backwards", so I'm surprised that you didn't suggest checking for that too!

.....harold

2nighthawks

Ken B. - This is probably a bit "OT", but since you brought up "adjustable spanners" (or adjustable wrenches), I agree with you, and what you said is one of the first things my DAD taught me when I was old enough to start working on bicycles! He said,..."never use a Crescent Wrench when you can find...

2nighthawks

"Four years in"? Really? Great picture Dan, but are you sure you grabbed the right photo? Looking at the ends of those bands in THAT photo, they look brand new and perfectly dry to me! Maybe just my old eyes tho'.....

2nighthawks

Charlie - I tend to think of that in reverse:

"I vish I is as shmart today as I 'taut I vas 20 years ago!"

2nighthawks

Reading this entire thread thus far brings to mind something that just might be a factor here Larry. There were many Model T's that were loaded in railroad box cars in disassembled (including body separate from frame) for shipping, and when the boxcar load of Model T's reached final destination, the...

2nighthawks

I always think a little flatbed with removable stake sides looks kinda' neat, and maybe in some ways, a flatbed might be even be a bit more useful that a pickup. Another "plus" is that you could make the flatbed just a bit wider;....just barely wide enough to make rear fenders unecessary! Just a tho...

2nighthawks

Well,....I guess it's me that's confused, as I was just reading something about the quadrant that's riveted to the frame for the emergency brake lever pawl to engage,......sorry,.....harold

2nighthawks

......but then he also mentioned the spark and gas levers. Maybe he just used the wrong terminology, huh?

2nighthawks

Hmmm,...either you guys missed something or I did. Roger distinctly said the "QUADRANT" rivets!

2nighthawks

For what it's worth,.....to add a bit to what Susanne and John C. said,.....I have an open trailer and also a 27' enclosed trailer, and which ever trailer I'm pulling, I make it sort of a "self-imposed" personal rule to follow the posted speed limit signs for trucks in whatever state I'm in,.....aga...

2nighthawks

Jerry - I've been led to believe that you can take off more than that,....maybe as much as 0.080", but the trouble is, it's hard to determine if the head (or block) has ever been "shaved", "planed", or "milled" for any reason prior in it's nearly 100 year old life, right?

2nighthawks

Susanne - ......next, you'll be selling BurmaShave!

2nighthawks

Something makes me think about sharpening saw blades!

2nighthawks

Bill M. - "A cow & a calf"!

Maybe a poor analogy, but a calf really is a lot more nimble and energetic that a cow,...so,.....maybe NOT such a poor analogy after all!

A real beauty Bill, and I'm betting that you'll eventually be driving the "T" speedster a lot more than the Marmon!

2nighthawks

John C. - Not to speak for Mr. Lloyd, but I also burn nothing but premium non-ethanol gasoline in my couple of Model T's and a Model A. This is because many of the few gas stations that sell non-ethanol gasoline only have "premium" grade. My cars love it and I don't see as it causes any problem,.......

2nighthawks

James Golden - I believe the Ford engineers had some somewhat scientific reason for the belief that there would be less battery terminal corrosion, but I can't remember what the "theory" was behind that thinking.

2nighthawks

I think the "progression" was,....Miller, Offenhauser, then Meyer/Drake Engineering,....but I'm never sure of the spelling of Meyer, Myer,.....???

2nighthawks

.......one more thing I probably should have mentioned, which is the reason I wrote the above. You mentioned "pulling the head" due to carbon build-up. That's when I thought that maybe I'd suggest to you to "slow down" just a bit. Many fellows just into Model T's seem to want to "pull the head off" ...

2nighthawks

Brendan - This has certainly been a very interesting thread! I actually re-read most of it and because your subject title actually states that you,....."need some advice", I'm going to share with you, some things that I have learned (.....some of them,...."the hard way") and start by suggesting that...

2nighthawks

Steve H. - This is sort of an "aside" that probably doesn't need to be said, but in a pinch (.....like on a long trip, and something like what happened to you happens and you just want to get home) a Model A outer front wheel bearing will actually work, but it's not really a good idea "long term". T...

2nighthawks

Make sure the vent in the gas cap is not plugged. Next time the engine stops after a few minutes running, immediately loosen the gas cap a try to determine if you hear a slight "hiss" from inrush of air which would a slight buildup of vacuum in gas tank.

2nighthawks

I also have a wooden body depot hack. Here's an idea that worked out pretty well for me: Having retired after 34 years in law enforcement, I worked all but the last few years in plain clothes. For that reason, I still had, and used, what they used to call a "fanny pack" type of black leather holster...

2nighthawks

This is another case where I really believe in using the old "tried & true" original type, but if I were to go to the roller bearing type, I would devise some way to install some type of magnet in the fill plug or something, because roller bearings, especially small ones, do not do well with metal p...

2nighthawks

Rob - Absolutely LOVE the full size front and back cover photos on the mag!

2nighthawks

What's the best way to remove the two little rivets that secure the thin brass nameplate to the cast iron NH Holly carburetor body without damaging the nameplate?

2nighthawks

Russ T Fender - Your post reminds me of something that has sort of "stuck" with me since I read it in this forum several years ago: Royce Petersons father (R.I.P.) who had forgotten more than I'll ever know about Model T Fords, said that if one were to drive a Model T Ford consistently at 28 mph, it...

2nighthawks

Sweet little sailboat that appears to be in perfect, like new, condition! Looks like a Venture 21,.....???

2nighthawks

John M. That's EXACTLY the reason I put seat belts in our depot hack! While always careful when driving these old "flivvers", I am never more careful that when I have grandkids in the "T" with me! I would like to make a particular point of adding that I am careful to install them is such a way as to...

2nighthawks

........Brandon Howard,....I should have suggested to you to Google Interstate All-Sport trailer and you'll find information, pictures, etc, etc,.....harold

2nighthawks

I have a '27 ft Interstate inclosed trailer with vee-nose that I bought from a Trailers Plus dealer. The Model name is "All Sport", mainly because it can be used as a "toy-hauler" but built with all the strength of a car hauler trailer that can handle any full size modern vehicle as well as my Model...

2nighthawks

So, I learned something! Guess what I've learned is that apparently, I've just been lucky, huh? Altho I've never torqued head bolts on a brass "T",....I know they're the ones that strip easier. So from now on, it's 50lbs max for me too! Thanx fer' the warning,.....harold

2nighthawks

Sure looks good to me, but I would make one addition: There's a little safety fuse holder kit you can get from any of the major parts vendors, and it's a really, REALLY good safety addition that's very inexpensive, easy to install, and good electrical insurance. The fuse (think it's 30amp but I'm no...

2nighthawks

Donnie - This'll probably sound "dumb", but in torquing head bolts, I can never remember if you're supposed torque them down cold, or after the engine gets hot. So, typically of me, just to be SURE, I start by sequentially torquing the head bolts up to 55 lbs cold, and then fire it up and immediatel...

2nighthawks

I've posted this a time or two before, and this is probably something everybody know anyway, but I always thing that it's an interesting little piece of Model T Ford history: Perhaps a bit of conjecture on my part, but one reason I think there were (and still are) many "cut-off tourings" is because,...

2nighthawks

Scott - Glad you got this question resolved to your satisfaction. Frankly, I have four Model T's,....two '23's a '26 and a '27, and I considered looking at mine to respond to your question, however,....the two '23's and the '27 are about 7 miles away, and the and the '26 is up in the San Juan Island...

2nighthawks

Nice project Bruce! As you mentioned,....'26 roadster,.....that would mean a large drum rear end, right? The '23 touring I sold had a large drum rear end in it, and altho' I never hooked up my emergency brake to work in conjunction with the transmission service brake band brakes, I remember what goo...

2nighthawks

.......or,......in thinking about it, perhaps one of those "cast valve heads" you installed, might have been just a "thou' or two lower than the block surface, and the then unsupported solid copper head gasket at that point might have ruptured when that cylinder fired, and then blew out thru' that p...

2nighthawks

Donnie - Were you able to determine exactly where the head gasket blew? And, if so, was it anywhere near one of those "cast valve heads" that you installed? Otherwise, with a newly milled/surfaced head and block surface, I can't imagine how a properly torqued solid copper head gasket could blow out!...

2nighthawks

......oops! Meant to say, HALFWAY, OREGON,.....not "Halfday". I'd like to blame "autocorrect" for that one, but truthfully, I think that was purely my fat-fingered "oops".

2nighthawks

To add a bit to what Adrian Whiteman and Neil Kaminar posted above, I bought an amateur restored, but quite nice driver grade '26 Touring from the widow of the fellow who restored it and for whatever reason (???) had installed a Ruckstell rear end as well as an iron Warford auxiliary transmission. W...

2nighthawks

Not to speak for someone else here, but sort of expecting Galen West of Halfday, Oregon to respond to your inquiry,.....???

2nighthawks

Susan Yaeger - Richard Eagles' talent is nothing short of "unbelievable", and certainly a wonderful addition to the museum! Thank you Susan for the post!......harold

2nighthawks

Lot of accessories,....spotlight, Hasslers, front bumper,.......nice car!

2nighthawks

....it's O.K. Steve,....sometimes dar's foder in dem' folders!

2nighthawks

Interesting that T-handles pictured both have notches in one end of the horizontal (or top cross piece) of the tools,.......???

2nighthawks

Participation in another thread where I mentioned the fact that "air wash" over a water-cooled engine also adds somewhat to the overall cooling of an engine, which is something I learned many years ago when I worked as a "detail draftsman" for a group of International Harvester mechanical engineers....

2nighthawks

Participation in another thread where I mentioned the fact that "air wash" over a water-cooled engine also adds somewhat to the overall cooling of an engine, which is something I learned many years ago when I worked as a "detail draftsman" for a group of International Harvester mechanical engineers....

2nighthawks

Susanne - Yeah,....I often wondered, and sort of wanted to ask him ( but didn't have the nerve),...."hey Gunny,....are you like THAT at home too"?

2nighthawks

Terry - I might add something that sort of backs up what Susanne Rohner and Frank Brandi had to say above: This is just a Marine Corps experience from years ago that I like to relate, however, I believe it is appropriate here: While on training maneuvers at Camp McCoy in Wisconsin on a very, VERY ho...

2nighthawks

Scott - Yeah,...we really need a bit more information. Not only on how well the engine actually runs, but I'm thinking that maybe sometimes, somebody that's new to Model T's may just have too high "expectations", and for that matter, a T engine can seem to sound pretty good to a "newby" that isn't r...

2nighthawks

Actually, he really didn't say the clutch was slipping,....he just said "very, very slow and wouldn't climb a slight slope, even at full throttle". He also said the engine sounded good, so I would think "at full throttle", he'd know if the clutch was slipping,......???

2nighthawks

Dave - Yeah,....sort of compares to methods that can be used to replace disintegrated babbitt in the rear end with bronze without a lathe when careful use of a belt sander will do just fine, right? ......harold

2nighthawks

Well I'll be darned! Never seen one before,....thanks Steve. Are they a good idea? I guess you could still safety wire AROUND the back side of it, huh? Kinda' ugly in my opinion,....but then not only is it not very visible, but there's a lot of stuff under a "T" chassis that's not particularly "beau...

2nighthawks

Please forgive the "thread drift" Walt, but now that your topic has been addressed, I have to ask,..... in the top picture, what's that cylindrical shaped appendage that protrudes downward from the radius rod ball joint? Not only don't know what it is, or what it's for, but it would seem to preclude...

2nighthawks

Mark - I think you're right. Not sure why I said,...."a company that Ford contracted with". I'm sure the Gardner carb was just an aftermarket carb either sold independently, or maybe sold by certain auto parts dealers or certain stores, like Western Auto Stores sold "Wizzard". I know that the Wizzar...

2nighthawks

Curious about a Gardner carburetor. Understand that Gardner was a company that Ford contracted with to build NH Holley "type" carburetors. Anybody know anything about such a carburetor? Are they just like an NH Holley and will present-day NH Holley replacement parts fit the Gardner? How do they comp...

2nighthawks

......oops! Gary,.....I meant to also say that when you think about it, I don't feel like an occasional "top-up" of the Optima battery with the battery tender is even as much trouble as what people have to do with their "all-electric" cars and golf carts and such!

2nighthawks

Steve Tomaso - Which "T" is that Steve,....the Centerdoor? Some nice "mods" on that "slightly warmed-over" engine besides the alternator,.....HC head for one, and I especially like the timer elevator! Sure makes servicing the timer quicker and easier, huh? Gary London - I agree with your Optima batt...

2nighthawks

George - Actually, you probably meant that there were approximately a total of 15 million Model T Fords produced "BY" 1927, not "IN" 1927, but I guess we know what you meant. :D I'm not sure exactly where you're headed with this, but in my opinion ( which I realize is probably worthless) this is a r...

2nighthawks

Looks like a motorcycle tire,.....???

2nighthawks

To respond to David Strouds' post a bit differently than Wayne Sheldons excellent response,.....on one hand, I don't care too much for that "oddball" belt drive distributor set-up, but on the other hand, many modern engines do very well with modern "toothed" belts to drive the camshaft, and that's a...

2nighthawks

I never had the pleasure and/or good fortune to meet Ralph Ricks, but I almost feel like I knew him because of my many years of regular participation (or at least reading) of this forum. Too add to what Jeff just said above, Ralph Ricks absolutely hated trailers! He said that trailers were "evil"! A...

2nighthawks

John - This is almost "OT" because it's something I did to my '29 Model A Briggs Town Sedan, however, it pertains to the Carter BB1 (updraft) that you mentioned John. My Model A is completely stock, and the engine runs great, however, it is getting a bit loose. A couple guys in our club, like me, ar...

2nighthawks

You're absolutely right Scott! In re-reading, I see that it was Dan Blaydons 11:59 post in this thread today where he mentioned the cracked drum! I got my Dan T's and my Dan B's mixed up! Sorry,.....harold

P.S. But I still do like wood bands,.....

2nighthawks

Dan - Unfortunate for sure! And I hear what you are saying about the quality (or, the lack thereof) of the parts used in this rebuild, especially drum condition,.... worn, cracked, pitted, sharp edges, etc, etc. But in the case of the shredded & fuzzy woven Kevlar linings, I cannot help but wonder w...

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