MTFCA Forum

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...

2nighthawks

Aaah,....so the crankcase is probably a casting instead of the factory stamping, right? Obviously, I didn't consider that!

2nighthawks

I like the additional reinforcement in that beautiful power plant as Jerry V. has pointed out. Your engine is a real "study" in additional reinforcements obviously needed, due to the added power, and I had a thought about a possible addition that might make sense: As we know, "Henry Ford" even recog...

2nighthawks

Hmmm,.....nowadays, the high school auditorium has become the "Performing Arts Center". and the library has become the "Learning Resource Center". So, maybe they did the same kinda' thing back then, huh? I'd like to think that "Free Crank Case Service" was an oil change, but then again, maybe it was...

2nighthawks

Ref. the sign shown in the first photo,.....what do you suppose "Free Crank Case Service" consisted of?

2nighthawks

The post just above this from Jerry V. should probably be the LAST post on this thread, but I'm gonna' throw in a couple comments that I hope might generate a bit of beneficial "discussion" that might be helpful for others doing valve work in the future: First, I'm a great believer in the modern thr...

2nighthawks

Thanks Scott,....I guess I read something into this that really wasn't really there! Maybe I got that from stuff I've read lately about the Rajos or Frontys and such where they (as you said) where they do use solid copper gaskets. I did learn something however, thanks to you, and that is that I gues...

2nighthawks

Not trying to be "wise guy" or anything here, but just trying to help a bit. In re-reading this thread, it seems to me that there's some confusion here as some folks are talking about copper gaskets that are of the "sandwich" construction copper gasket with asbestos (or whatever is used nowadays), w...

2nighthawks

Frank - I think "auto-correct" played a trick on you as your post reads "gambled" when you meant "gimbled". In fact, the same think just happened to me from "auto-correct",.....changed my "gimbled" to "gambled",....in fact, it just did it again! I hate "auto-correct" as I have to remember to proofre...

2nighthawks

WOW! Only problem is that it's just too nice to drive!

2nighthawks

In the years not too long after the Model T "era", magazines like Popular Mechanics and Mechanics Illustrated, quite often had articles about practical uses for parts from Model T's, or, practical things that could be built that utilized Model T parts. Especially during the depression I think, becau...

2nighthawks

Hmmm,....."interesting" Rich. I don't believe that what you posted is a photograph of an actual crankshaft. It doesn't look like a "drawing" either, but must be some kind of an "artists conception", because as shown, there is no center main bearing! Could that be right? Weird!

2nighthawks

Well,....O.K.,....so maybe there were TWO in Kansas but one died! :D Just kidding Steve,....as I know you realized. As one of my all-time favorite comedians ("Geraldine".....Flip Wilson) used to say,...."da' debble made me do it"! As you always say Steve,...(....and I'll have you know, I've adopted ...

2nighthawks

.....yeah,.....this COVID-19 "stay at home" thing is startn' to get to me!

2nighthawks

For anyone curious about the question Steve Jelf asked Kent Sumner about "what kind of tree is that?'

There are one million, three hundred and sixty seven thousand, four hundred and sixteen Burr Oak trees in Wisconsin.

There used to be one in Kansas,.....but it died!

2nighthawks

Tony - For some reason, I can't seem to find your original post where you brought up this "hard cranking" problem, but on that original thread, I believe I explained in detail the very same problem our club had on a "work party" project, and what we found was wrong, and what we had to do to fix it. ...

2nighthawks

Charley - As to type of grain, not being too sure how to answer your question as to what type of grain does teak have, I did a bit of internet research to learn how to better describe the grain than any awkward description I might provide, and I guess that pretty well answers you question as well as...

2nighthawks

One thing I have never, ever heard about for anything to do with Model T wood is teak. And teak is very, VERY popular as well as "common" for marine use, not only for it's beauty (which of course is not important for Model T wood) but also because teak is very durable and long-lasting even with no p...

2nighthawks

Glenn - At the risk of being called "spelling police" or some other sarcastic name, I'd like to make a request: I'm guessing that you post from a "smart phone" which makes it more difficult, but even so, I'd respectfully ask if you'd attempt to use punctuation in your posts? Very well written, howev...

2nighthawks

Not to change the subject, but what exactly is the purpose of the bridge washer anyway?

2nighthawks

Two thoughts by looking at top photo. Spark plug wires appear to be very close to throttle linkage control rod. Perhaps shorting out? Also, might wait 'till dark and from what you say, engine does run on two cylinders. With engine running in pitch dark tonight, look for errant sparks.

2nighthawks

Eido - Yes, there IS something wrong with this picture. The outside rear view mirror seems to be adjusted to look "downward" rather than rearward.

2nighthawks

Stan - We had a guy in our local club here (Kris Watters, R.I.P., Carbon Canyon Model T Ford Club) that had a TT like you mentioned,....had a Ruckstell rear end, and two auxiliaries like you mentioned. I never rode in it with him, but he used to say that by the time those 20 horses got through all t...

2nighthawks

......I could add one more "thought" that has occurred to me since;.....I think that the reason that there is "disagreement" on this subject has to do with what Gil mentioned. It seems that there has to be just the right (or wrong....) set of atmospheric, climatic, temperature, humidity, etc, condit...

2nighthawks

Steve - I was originally also a "non-believer" that had to learn "the hard way" in the Spring, year before last, with my "no start" depot hack. My theory is that while a bit of water in the bottom of the tank is bad, there will usually also be proportionately the same percentage of water in the bott...

2nighthawks

Recently, there's been considerable discussion on the forum about turn signals. There are those when just can't stand the sight of "ugly add-on accessory turn signals" and absolutely will NOT install them on their Model T, due to the "ugly" appearance. Well, I think they should just "get over it" an...

2nighthawks

Thanks for the clarification Dan; sorry if my mis-understanding and resulting comment in any way confused the issue,.....harold

2nighthawks

Hmmm,.....I guess Dan's mention of "sleeves" and "washers" made me think that he was just referring to the outer Hyatts until his last line which for sure, pertains to he inner ones.

Well, it's late, and I'm finding out that I shouldn't post when it's late and "past bedtime"!

2nighthawks

Also, to add a bit to Dan's reply, one pair is "show quality", which always costs more, and in the case of each pair, one is not the same as the other,.....one is :left" and one is "right", so as to follow the angled direction of the brake rod.

2nighthawks

Dan - It's the INNER Hyatts that he's asking about whether to grease them, or NOT grease them.

2nighthawks

Yeah, I think the spelling on the wood plaque is wrong. Too bad too, as it's a beautifully made award, however, the maker must have been mostly focused on his craftsmanship than his spelling, huh?

2nighthawks

I don't know Jerry,....that certainly sounds like "belt & suspenders" to me, but then it certainly couldn't hurt. I know that in looking for good, reusable rear axle bearings at swap meets and such, where it can be determined if a Hyatt axle bearing was an inner or an outer, it is always best to sel...

2nighthawks

YUP! At least half of what little I know about old Fords, I learned on this forum,.....now,.....if I could just remember some of it!

2nighthawks

Scott - WOW! That's it Scott! Thanks so much for the MAC'S links to the grease fittings and especially for the adaptor! And you have certainly cleared up a mystery for me! I have a '29 Model A Briggs Town Sedan, and four Model T's, and now that you mentioned it, it is indeed the Model A where I have...

2nighthawks

Oops! There's an extra "know" in the third line which should just read,......and NOW I know more.

2nighthawks

Well,....thanks to you guys and this great forum, I've learned a lot about grease guns and fittings that I never knew. I know about Alemite and Zerk fittings, and besides some great videos that some of you have posted, know I know even more. However, there is a cone-shaped fitting that I have experi...

2nighthawks

Slightly off topic, but maybe worth considering: I commonly see something that I think is a mistake with grease guns. A type of grease gun that must be pumped with both hands should never be fitted with a flexible hose. A flexible hose is fine on a grease gun that can be operated (pumped) by merely ...

2nighthawks

Steve - Whew! There's sure a lot to read here, and I probably have not read as completely and carefully as I should, so probably shouldn't comment at all,....but you know me well enough to know that I probably should just keep quiet and let those (and there are many) that know T's a whole lot better...

2nighthawks

BIN....???

Am I the only dummy that needs to read whole words? I HATE acronyms!

2nighthawks

....oops! Got to "remaniscing" and forgot the subject of this thread! Can't remember when I first joined the forum, but it was either just before, or right after I retired in February of 2002. I can honestly say, that altho' I probably haven't learned a lot, what little I have learned about old Ford...

2nighthawks

Hi Floyd! All of us in the Carbon Canyon Model T Club miss the Grubers,....Bob and Joan both! Other clubs too, as well as the summertime Mrs. Turners Cruise-In. In the spirit of the Grubers, I think we should do that lunch thing at Scotty B's in Tenino every once in awhile, once this "car owners vir...

2nighthawks

WELL! Long time no see Chris! Seems like the forum has been just sort of "drag'n along", fun as always, but just sort of "ho hum", and along comes the Beckers! Don't know about the other folks here on the forum, but you just "made my day" for me! So tell us, how'd the ol' girl run? I hope Carston ha...

2nighthawks

Sorry Jack P.,.....simultaneous typing!

2nighthawks

James - Altho' some of what I'm about to tell you is pretty much "personal opinion", however, my opinion really is based on some pretty sound evidence. First, I have read several accounts on this forum over several (in fact, many) years of reading and participating on the forum, of folks that have s...

2nighthawks

This is one that I learned from this forum quite some time ago, but this thread might just be another place where it fits:

"Nothing is more permanent than a temporary FIX that works!"

2nighthawks

Not to "cloud" the issue here, but over the years, I've seen another example of severe wear, that (unless I've missed it) nobody in this thread has mentioned. In all my years of "messing" with these old Fords, I've seen the original cupped style valve spring seats (retainers) with very deep grooves ...

2nighthawks

Tony - First of all, thanks so much for taking the time and making the effort to keep us "updated" with the "write-up" and excellent photos of your finding thus far. Quite a unique set of circumstances so far. Has to be frustrating after all of your efforts in connection with a long and tedious but ...

2nighthawks

Well,....I'm guessing that because TT trucks were used for all kinds of things that involved pumping fluids, like water (fire fighting equipment) or fuel (as in tank truck) I'm thinking that the most common need for such a power take-off would be to drive a pump.

2nighthawks

WOW! All of this discussion is much too complicated for me! What I can see from the picture is that the "fore & aft" centerline of the pan, and the centerline of the torque tube/driveshaft/fourth main should coincide as one continuous and common straight line, and it sure isn't! There is a distinct ...

2nighthawks

John S. - You said,..."I would never use adjustable lifters with new valves." Why???

2nighthawks

For what it's worth (no pun intended) I have a similar one in that the tightening mechanism is that same cast iron wheel like spokes (4) on a power boat steering wheel, and with very good glass and silvering. Paid $40.00 for it at a swap meet and was glad to get it for the passenger side of my '26 T...

2nighthawks

Back to the original problem,....car ran and drove fine once started by towing, but still very stiff and hard to hand crank. I still think that all this discussion about clutch fingers, clutch finger adjusting screws, clutch spring,....blah, blah, blah.....I think this is all "besides the point" of ...

2nighthawks

Joe Bell - My apologies! In re-readong this thread, it seems that you mentioned the same thing that may be causing Tonys problem in a lot fewer words than I did! Sorry,.....harold

2nighthawks

Tony - All that to say that I believe your number 2 solution in your 10:01 post of Feb. 9th will solve the problem, Hope this helps,.....harold

2nighthawks

Tony - reading this whole thread reminds me of a problem our club had last year when we had a work party to replace bends in a club members Model T. Took us several Saturdays to figure out why the engine could not be hand cranked when everything was put back together. Long story short, it was finall...

2nighthawks

Shane - WOW! That speedster of yours is certainly going to be "unique" and "one-of-a-kind" for sure! Yes,....I would think that those two "Fronty" components are going to present two "challenges" for sure! One being just in locating them, and two,....the price! Again, I have to say that your speedst...

2nighthawks

StanHowe - Just a "thought" here, but to add a bit to what you said, I'm thinking that perhaps "guests" assume that they must OWN a Model T to be a member. Unless I missed it, I don't think that when a "guest" brings up the forum, there's anything obvious to them to indicate that merely an "interest...

2nighthawks

Ooops,...SHANE! Not "John"! Sorry,...guess I shouldn't "post" when it's late & I'm tired,...harold

2nighthawks

John - Fascinating thread to follow;.....what a beautiful speedster you're building! Very interested in how you're going to connect the Model A rear end up to the auxiliary transmission ??? You've done a great job with nice photos and verbal explanations of your work, and I'm sure you'll continue th...

2nighthawks

Hmmm,....hate to sound "negative", but mathematically, 20 numbers our of 15,000,000 is approximately one chance in 750,000! But then, ya' never know, right?

2nighthawks

Jim - I've been guilty of that once in awhile too, but not lately, as I've finally "caught on" to what has happened to me. It seems that if you post something, and IMMEDIATELY after posting, bring the whole thread up to see what your post looks like, or, to see if it actually posted, it might not ap...

2nighthawks

Had a very good friend that had a small chrome plating business in Chicago when I still lived in that area back in the '60's. Maybe the process has changed somewhat since then, but here's what I learned from him at the time: As a favor, he chrome plated a radiator shell for me back then, but only on...

2nighthawks

Mack - For what it's worth, I use grease that I buy from a nationally known marine supply store. Perhaps my thinking here is somewhat "childish", but I figure that modern grease that's designed and made for boat trailer wheel bearings for trailers that carry boats, some of which are much heavier tha...

2nighthawks

This is sort of an "aside" in regard to this topic, but however does apply in regard to stripping metal of dirt, grease, grime and any lubricant in preparation of repair products such as Permatex Ultra Black and such: A company named Birchwood Casey makes a firearm cleaning product called "GUN SCRUB...

2nighthawks

Tony - I can't help but think that perhaps the easiest and safest solution to make hand crank Model T engine starting easier (less physical exertion) would be to merely add an extension to the standard model T hand crank. After all,....the 40 hp Model A could be as easily hand-cranked to start as th...

2nighthawks

.......hmmm,.......interesting! Never heard the term "timer relocator" before,.....I thought those were called a "timer elevator". Thanks for posting,.....harold

2nighthawks

Well,....SHOOT! Egg on my face!!! Now that I look at the photo closer, that "dark spot" might just be a shadow! I didn't notice that when I blew the photo up larger for a close look. I'd still replace the valves tho' as others have suggested.

2nighthawks

John Kuehn - I got interrupted while writing my "epistle" above and didn't see that you had already just stated some of what I also said,....sorry,.....harold

2nighthawks

Ignacio - You've gotten a lot of good advice here, but I think John Tannehill in particular gave you some very good advice. I don't think you've got burned valves. In blowing up your photo of the engine with the head off, I think I see something that the wet & dry compression test that John T. sugge...

2nighthawks

Rich Bingham - You bring up a very good point in regard to tire "materials"! I don't know much about "clinchers", but my '26 touring, '27 Depot Hack, and '29 Model A Town Sedan all use 4:50 x 21" tires, and any time I can find 4:50 x 21's with "NYLON" casings, I buy them! I have been told in the pas...

2nighthawks

.....hmmm,.....since I originally started this thread a half hour or so ago, the "RED" has now mysteriously returned without any forum action by me! (???)

2nighthawks

Until recently, I could determine which forum items I had already read as the "unread" items were shown with the color red until I read them. That red color for unread items seems to be gone,...??? How do I restore this feature,....????

2nighthawks

......oops,.....in reading more carefully, I see that John Warren already suggested this,....sorry John,....harold

2nighthawks

Carson - Might just be something as simple as the starter bendix is jammed. Push the emergency lever all the way forward and rock the car back and forth (....it should move back and forth a few inches) and if it's the bendix jammed,....that should break it loose. Hope this helps,.....harold

2nighthawks

.....dang it! ....the right WAY,.....not "the right was"! My "poof-reading" is as bad as my typing!

2nighthawks

Mack - Using as many of the original parts as possible as you said, seems to me to be the right was to build a speedster that is as similar as possible to the way they were built during the depression era. Not sure if the term "period correct" is applicable to speedsters, but when you think about it...

2nighthawks

Well Steve, you did it again! Like you've so often said,...."everything somebody says, reminds you of something! Radio,....... Growing up in the Chicago area in the '40's & '50's, and especially in my high school days, I had a '28 Model A Ford standard coupe. Bought it in 1957 for $350.00, so as you...

2nighthawks

Steve Jelf is right,....when you get old enough, everything reminds you of something else. A post in this thread reminds me of an "experience" I had nearly 50 years ago: My wife and I are both from railroad families and grew up in the Chicago area in the '40's and '50's. Working for the railroad pol...

2nighthawks

.......well, as usual, I get too "wordy", but there is one other advantage to the solenoid besides the features Kevin mentioned: Depending upon where one might choose to mount the solenoid, it could/would be a very convenient means of utilizing a remote starter button like so many "modern iron" mech...

2nighthawks

Scott - I think you and Kevin both raise some very good points. I certainly agree with you that the solenoid is indeed, one more electrical component that could fail. On the other hand, as Kevin said, the solenoid handling the heavy current to energize the starter pretty much ensures that the Model ...

2nighthawks

.......I thought Spark Plug was a horse!

2nighthawks

I've had a sort of "off & on" problem with that on a couple different Model T's and also a Model A, and invariably, it's due to a bad ground!

2nighthawks

I have a cousin in Australia and he and his wife and most of their family live in suburban areas around Sydney. When I first heard about the fires a week or two ago, I called my Australian cousin to see how the family was doing as I had read that while there are serious fires all over the entire cou...

2nighthawks

John Booth - You probably know this already, but just in case, I thought I'd let you know what I've learned from "experience" about 3M 5200! Used to have a '29' sailboat and used 3M 5200 quite often. It had/has the reputation among the "boating community" that you use 3M 5200 when installing & seali...

2nighthawks

.....oops! Just re-read a bit more carefully Stan, and I see that Dick Lodge is even older than both of us!

2nighthawks

Hi Stan - I'll "chime in" here with a "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to you also! Thought I'd let you know that we're about the same age, except that I've got you and the other guys here beat as I'm a "41 model", and I'm told that my dad brought my mom and I home from the hospital on "Pearl Harbor Day", December ...

2nighthawks

A "thought" just occurred to me! (....oh,oh!) Nowadays, duct tape comes in various colors besides just the ol' familiar silvery gray color. Howscome they don't offer duct tape in various shades of rust? Sheesh! Just think of the possibilities,......harold

2nighthawks

Burger - Some time ago, I heard about a car show (....I know how you LOVE car shows) where only two cars showed up. One was a 2CV and the other was a VW Thing. Neither car won,....they both got a trophy for second place! ......harold

2nighthawks

Aaaagh.....! Really screwed that up!!! I meant to say "when it becomes necessary to tap a BEARING into a sleeve" and it's too tight of a fit, and a useable bearing with a bit more wear is not available ........sorry,.....harold

2nighthawks

I should stay out of this discussion as I have never really had any experience with replacing rear wheel bearings or sleeves, however, just to show my ignorance I guess, I have to admit that reading John in Illinois original post that started this discussion, the though occurred to me that perhaps w...

2nighthawks

Aaron - Not to start a discussion on religion here, but I believe George Washington was a believer in deism. As for me, I've obviously "memorized" my 6 year old grandsons definition of Christmas,....."a birthday party for Jesus!" And in my previous post, I forgot to say,....Merry Christmas to all! ....

2nighthawks

The best definition of Christmas I ever heard was from my 6 year old grandson (at the time) who, when I asked him if he knew what the real meaning of Christmas:

His immediate answer with no hesitation was,...... "sure G'pa,....it's a birthday party for Jesus."

Out of the mouths of babes,...huh?

2nighthawks

Oops! ....My mistake! .....Sorry to get so "long-winded" here, but it's late and I guess I'm not thinking too clearly. In thinking more about it, I guess the HF electric impact wrench that I have used so successfully on motorhome lug nuts is actually 110 volts. Now that I think about it, I use it by...

2nighthawks

.....actually, the Model A hand crank might be pretty awkward to use "two-handed" unless some way was devised to support the crank for one-handed cranking,......???

Search found 163 matches