MTFCA Forum

This comes up sometimes when fitting new sheet metal. I’ve found that by installing the pieces loosely for preliminary fitting and using taper punches, sometimes using a round file to enlarge the holes if necessary will help getting a balanced fit for the sheet metal. I can remember reading and look...

The tires may last a while yet since you wouldn’t be using the wagon on the road that much. They probably aren’t the originals to the wheels and may not have come to the “ may pop” stage yet. As far as the rear end goes jack up the rear end off the ground if they will let you and turn it by hand and...

Looks like the front end is still fairly tight. It doesn’t look like it’s been over used and banged up like so many are. Some one took care of it. If you could get it for to use in you farm business go for it. You maybe could repaint it to have a closer match for your Farmall than John Deere green!!...

Picture of your Model T farm wagon would help. Use to see them in various set-ups in Farm auctions. If you did intend to use it behind you H Farmall new tires for it would cost more than what the rest of it would be worth. You never know though what someone would pay for it though if they wanted it....

There is still interest in cotton band linings for Model T transmissions. Like other Model T parts finding a company that has the weaving machinery to make them as the older originals were like Scandanivia, Sears, Wards and a few others isn’t easy to do because of being able to make a decent profit....

It’s all in how you treat them. Whether it’s cotton or Kevlar. And when you think that since you’ve got the new Kevlars which hardly wear that’s when you might start to disregard your driving habits in a Model T. This subject has always gone back and forth. I have Kevlar in my 24 Coupe and cotton in...

The first photo of the T carrying the milk cans is interesting. They have to be new cans just by looking how nice the galvanized coat is on them. Hard to believe milk cans looked this nice as we have a few of them and the galvanized coating is pretty much gone.

The battery suppliers to the stores that carry them are SUPPOSED to rearrange the batteries according to build date age and move them to the front while the new and newer ones go towards the back of the line. What I started doing is to go to the back of the line and that’s usually where the newer bu...

The storage box on the back of the T on the 4th photo down must have been a common brand to use. It’s been seen on other T photos before beside this one. I can’t tell if the car was a Runabout or a later PU that came out in 25.

What about just filing down the points just enough to smooth them out. I’ve got lots of them taken off and kept a bunch of them. That may not be the best thing to do but if you don’t drive a T all that much it would work OK. My opinion. Maybe that’s the reason my Grandfather kept several copper head...

Model T’s among other older cars and tractors use a Group 1 6 volt battery. I’ve used the ones avaliable at Farm and Ranch stores and I’ve had them last as long as 4 years down to 18 months only because I didn’t check the build date on the battery! I use a trickle charger for my T’s since they aren’...

If not early auto related they could be valve or crankcase covers for early air compressors, pumps and etc. Could be they were put in among old car parts over time.

Dave’s restoration and machine advertises regularly in the MTFCA Vintage Ford magazine.

I was thinking the only difference in some of the earlier T 11-21 2 valve chamber doors was the thickness and the overall size was the same.

Auto accidents can be bad in any era. Not being careful, bad luck and bad driving can kill or mame. Growing up in the 60’s, Jan and Dean had a hit song named “Dead Man’s Curve” which we listened to a lot when cruising downtown in our cars. It came out in 1964 and was story of a drag race gone bad. I...

I would think you would have to know how to use this. Would wrong connection to the magneto cause the magnets to be discharged accidentally?

Here’s a Facebook Maketplace listing I saw today and I know nothing about the Truck or the owner than what’s on Facebook. He’s asking 4900.00 for it and may be to much since it’s not running but it’s not a rusted up back fourty find. Seems to be all there ?. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item...

I think Norman K. makes a good point. Just this morning we went out to lunch and I noticed there was the local car show that was advertised. Most if not all were 50’s 80’s cars. Several had grey haired owners in their 60’s. Tinkering on old cars and Model T’s is a hobby and not a money making game. ...

The people that grew up and had family either have passed on or their family members are now in their 60s-70’s and up. I grew up around my Grandfathers 24 Coupe and later restored it around 25 years later. Along the way I restored a my 1919 Roadster and a 21 Touring. I’m 77 and don’t drive them as m...

If it were me I would take it to frame straightening shop or do it yourself. It’s not that hard to do. If you have a stable mounted vise mount it in the vise and use a 2” cheater pipe 4-5ft long and place it over the wishbone and carefully straighten it a little at a time. Try that first, reinstall ...

The 3rd photo from the top makes me wonder what ever happened to the Pep-O-Mint advertising car! One of a kind I’m sure.
It must have been driven since it has tail lights on it. The body builder who made it did a good job building it.

I think the Ford logo was added years later. Not original to the radiator.

Get and read the Model t Ford service manual. Other publications explaining how a Model T and runs are avaliable from the T parts suppliers and the MTFCA. Study and read so you can become your own T mechanic as best you can. Remember T’s don’t have real brakes and driving them is a little different ...

Lang’s has 26-27 door latch repair repair kits. You can call them to see if the ones they have are for the closed car latches or open cars. https://www.modeltford.com/item/5679-80RK.aspx
Hope this helps.

The 4th T from the bottom of the post looks to be a Sinclair Oil delivery or advertising vehicle. The lighter color body of the car is probably a light shade of green since Sinclair was green but could it be anything else? What is the round object just under the drivers side fender. It doesn’t seem ...

When I finally started putting together what eventually was a 1921 Touring body I started having questions about the details and the so called body bolt. The body was found in a back tree line and was pretty much complete less the chassis. It had sat out for years and the wood was completely gone. T...

Here’s a 26-27 set I bought a few years ago like the ones pictured from a person in Virginia. I don’t have a 26-27 T but I was thinking I could use the 2 narrow bands for one of my 3 earlier T’s. They were sold by Sears but I’m not sure who actually made them. Really well made too. Years ago I read ...

That’s the way old tractors, amateur radios and guitar sites do it. You cant buy or sell without being a member.

The pictures of the cotton bands you posted are some really good cotton bands made by Montgomery Wards or Allstate. Good as original Scandinavia and long lasting. They are made with really tight weaving like Scandinavia which made for long lasting cotton bands. Of course Kevlar are the best long las...

If the car was found in a child’s hearse setup, cleaned up as is and gotten running and driving that may have been the way to go as far as selling it. But desirability plays a big part for a potential buyer in this case because it’s such an early T.

Since this 1908 2 lever T wasn’t a Touring car to begin with makes me wonder if it had been maybe it would have met the reserve. Regardless though the early T’s probably don’t show up for sale very often. It depends on point of view I guess.

Working around air plane hangers that were built in the 40’s -50’s here in Texas they look like conduit “ hangers” that were attached the to the roof line ceiling.

Doing a look up of MTFCA chapters in Idaho there was one listed as of 2020 but looking for it now the site comes up imminent domain.

Posting a photo of your 17 would help. We can tell by several photos what has been changed or original. Also using the encyclopedia in the resources section can help. Ford made noticeable and subtle changes from 17-25. Being aware of that can help what’s correct for a 17 and what’s not even though l...

That’s an interesting attachment. I wonder how many are still around. That’s an item that probably was looked over time and sold for scrap. Especially at farm auctions.

I bought a new exhaust manifold a few years ago for my 21 Touring and it worked OK.
Here’s an earlier post about manifold clamps. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/59 ... 1473037627

Just for information purposes Facebook has 10 specifically related Model T Ford sites. Owners, parts, classifieds among others. People are looking for information where they can find it. Most sites have several thousand members more or less. Yes I know some folks don’t like Facebook for different re...

It could be the B’Gosh box is sitting over the rear trunk. Looks like there would be enough room to access the gas tank through the back doors of the B’Gosh box. But that’s a guess.

Post a picture as it would help.

If you have movement in the kingpin bushings that means there is other worn parts in the front end also. When I rebuilt the front end on my 21 Touring I removed the front end as a unit and placed it on the work bench then replaced all worn and loose fitting bushings and tie rod ends. When I did that...

Jack up the front end off the ground and slowly turn the steering wheel and watch for any movement or slack in the front end parts and the king pins. You’ll be surprised what may be a little loose. That’s the best way to check out the front end parts. Do this first then go from there.

Do you know if the starter has ever been gone through? That could be the issue. Original starters and original radiators wear out after nearly 100 years. From what you’re saying it sounds more like the starter than the starter switch.

When I removed mine I used some WD40 around the backside of the rim. It did help. Every little bit helps.

When you need to remove the cover remember you can leave one in and remove 3. The one screw helps hold the cover in place to avoid some of the hassle.

Here’s a link about headlight rim removal. https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=38311 Several good ideas about other styles and ideas about how todo it. The strap wrench is a pretty good alternative tool. The other version of Fords rim removal tool is sold by Snyder’s but it’s out of stock.

The 4th picture from the top is an example of a 24 Coupe with a pickup bed being used in the rear trunk area. I hadn’t seen that but I’ll bet it was done more than we think. I guess you do with what you have and the Coupe owner did just that! It looks like the rear box was used as a tool storage, et...

A good point to remember you don’t have to really pull down on the head bolts. Sometime we forget to get them good and tight and that’s enough. The key to getting the head to get a good seal is to stick with starting in the middle first and going out evenly from there. You don’t need a cheater bar t...

If you have some good used original ring gears maybe use one of those. A ring gear doesn’t have to be perfect to last many years of normal use.

Interesting post about speedster colors. I agree to stay away from metallic or a paint job that looks to much like plastic. More period correct as far as the color or paint sheen would be my choice if I was building one. But that’s just me. The super glossy and plastic looking paint jobs are for mor...

This is another of one of those issues which arise that can be found in the Ford Service manual. As the old saying goes “WHEN IN DOUBT READ THE INSTRUCTIONS”. It also sounds like something may be amiss with the bolt on the brake lever adjustment or excessively worn parts. Posting a picture of the pa...

When you have the head off to clean out the water passageways in the head and block be sure to carefully clean out the small holes using a ice pick or carefully use a cordless drill to drill out the holes. Quite possibly some may be almost closed with rust. After many years it can happen. Be careful...

Just read your post and as you will find people will have slightly different opinions on different subjects on the forum. Looks like you’re on your way to getting your T running. As far as cleaning the internals of the engine up using about a gallon of kerosene in it and turning the crank or starter...

I JUST DID A INTERNET SEARCH - JAMES H. McNEAL III LOCATION -
I came up with several in California listing that paticular name along with phone numbers, some that were deceased and some that moved.

I would suggest doing the search that way and call the ones with the numbers listed.

As Norman Kling noted and I agree is that it’s the classic car era cars that are more desirable these days for most older guys that grew up driving the early Ford V8’s , 55-57 Chevs, older Dodge and Chrysler Hemi’s and Plymouths plus etc. I had the 24 Ford Coupe my Grandfather gave me but I wanted t...

I think the coating is what was put on it when it was recoated. Looks like it’s coated with electrical motor winding paint. Probably Glyptol was used to recoat the mag ring after it was cleaned up. It’s probably the original mag ring that hasn't been rewound or coated with varnish. If it’s working d...

If the magneto is working just put a sealer on it for now.

You’re asking for body information. Do you have the remains of the body you have for pictures?

Rotate the engine to get the clutch fingers in the top position, stuff rags to catch any loose cotter pins. Do it one at a time for each clutch fingers. Rags are your best friend when opening up the transmission cover and adding or removing small parts from the transmission.

Really neat photos of Model T’s in daily life and not having good brakes to keep running or rolling into the water! I wonder how it got there. The 15th picture from the top with the little boy standing behind the T is really interesting. Did anyone notice the Stoplight on the near rear of the car? M...

That’s a great find! Looks like a porcelain sign. Was that style used in all Ford dealerships and auto parts houses? Not all that common.

Wow! If I would have know that I would have bought one too at the time. Some of the reproduction T parts are pretty good and this looks like one of them.

This T was sold to the person that Art E. knows took the advice that it was restored by the seller. Since the body looks it was at least being close to ‘restored’ what about the differential and front end? The engine will probably have to be pulled and checked out along with the transmission. In the...

I think this rebuilt T got a nice repaint and body cleanup looking at the pictures. The engine was “freshened up” and not necessarily rebuilt sometime in the past and that’s about it. Looks like it has the original valves and the rods filed for a better fit up. But if it’s got the older 2 piece valv...

Looks like Ford used a different die when the Ford logo was pressed into the earlier hubcaps. The older ones look more intricate. Maybe he switched to another supplier who made the hubcaps for Model T’s. I don’t know if Ford shops made the hubcaps in the brass era or not. That information might be f...

Save your money and go to Wal Mart, Auto Zone, Oriellys and buy their store brand 10w30, or 10w20 HD oil. It’s much better than oil Ford ever put in Model T’s.

Use three of these. One for each bolt hole. They are 3 1/4” dia. And they bolt right on. https://www.emedco.com/center-mount-reflectors-rph.html

Here’s the Spencer lock wheel that I have. It was on the 24 Coupe my Grandfather bought in the early 40’s. I’m wondering what kind of wood it’s made of. It’s complete but no key. I’m still thinking it’s just a locking wheel and not a fat man wheel. There is no mechanism thats moves or folds that I c...

I have a Spencer steering wheel that was on my Grandfathers 24 Coupe. I’ll look in my shop tomorrow to see if it’s identical to yours. When I was restoring the car several years ago I took it off and used an original T steering wheel. I was going to use it but didn’t because I couldn’t find anyone w...

I’m wondering how “old” the radiator actually is. The packing crate doesn’t look that old to me. Are we sure radiators were put in crates with the net wire braded on that way. The crate looks more modern than the radiator. In no way am I a forum expert as they say. But the crate looks questionable t...

The lightning bolt on the T radiator is kinda cool in picture 13. Hadn’t seen that one before. Maybe kind of rare.

I guess you sometimes have to do with what’s available. The repo key cylinders can be made to fit an original ignition switch housing. It takes a little time and patience. Being a part time locksmith among other things I learned from watching and helping the school locksmith working on lock fitment....

I was wondering if it was child too and now that you mention the house being used as a chicken coop it looks like there is another chicken sitting on the fence on the right side.

The 10th picture from the top is very interesting! The abandoned house and 17-21 Model T Touring show the effects of weather, being just let go and forgotten. Could be from the 40’s I think. The fireplace that’s crumbling and the farm house that’s deteriorating must have been in that state for many ...

The body trim pieces are made of aluminum or some sort of pot metal. I have a 24 Coupe and some of the trim pieces were a little loose. They are nailed on and I was sucessful renailing back on. The two pieces that sort of snap on the rear trunk back were about to fall off but were still there and I ...

T engines are like any older gas engines. You have to run them to keep them going. Old tractors, cars and old machinery runs well when you run them fairly often. The more you run them they tend to run and start better.

Probably needs the springs replaced. I had that issue with a latch on my 21 touring. I tried stretching the spring but didn’t last long. I finally go a similiar spring at Ace hardware. They had a good selection of compression springs. As I remember I bought a longer spring and cut it down to work as...

Was there any water in the oil when you removed the oil pan to see up through the bottom? The water passageways should be cleaned out when removing the head but could it be when the block was cleaned up the small holes were drilled out to far and opened up all the way through? If the bottom end look...

The body trim parts for a 24-25 Coupe are not going to be real easy to find. Those pieces aren’t being reproduced. It would help if you go to the classifieds section of the MTFCA and post what you need for your Coupe. Some body has those pieces on a parts Coupe somewhere. Good luck.

There are some of the older tractor radiators (40’s -70’s) that are close to the same dimensions of a T radiator. You may have to rework the neck and inlets to get them to work but it’s been done. It’s been on the forum before about the aluminum bucket T radiators and why the company that makes them...

Buy the Model T Ford service manual and read and study it. It gives an owner lots of good information about repairing different aspects of a T. Join a local T club as they can guide and help you. Getting the T service manual is probably the best way ,to get you started. Other helps are the T supplie...

So the question is was the car running and shaking before you changed the plugs and etc or was it doing it before the work was done.

Here’s a lot of information about the Mossberg company. According to the information they were a large early tool company with lots of different tools. http://alloy-artifacts.org/frank-mossbe ... #auto-spec

You mentioned that you’ve got the car to idle smoothly but was that after you worked on the engine, after it was rebuilt, added new parts or ?
Did it just start the rough running recently ?

Are the demountable rims pulled up evenly all the way around? The rim on the left may wobble a little if you look close at it. But that’s my opinion. Are the tires wearing evenly? I don’t think your T isn’t any worse than an average T is. A perfectionist may look at every single thing on a restored ...

If it got to where it wouldn’t start what exactly was it doing to begin with.
Wouldn’t turn over?
Engine turning to slow?
Or ?????

Wonder if the smashed up T in the first photo was trying to beat the train and just barely was clipped, parked to close to the track, or something else. Maybe there wasn’t anybody in the car (hope not!). Maybe they jumped out?

Since you have the head off pour some light oil in the cylinders. Drain the engine oil and put in some fresh oil as others have said. Get the engine to turn with the hand crank first. If the engine is still stuck jack up the front end engage the hand crank in a horizontal position and place a block ...

Remember that Model T bodies up to early 25 are wood structured bodies covered over sheet metal. They do flex over time. Shims are needed for yours. Remove the floor boards and you can see the brackets on the body wood where they are attached with a bolt to the frame. You might need to add a shim ( ...

This is exactly why I’m thankful I live in a rural area with lots of blacktop roads to drive on and maybe on the service road next to an interstate highway. BUT it’s getting to many fast cars and trucks to feel safe lately on the I-35 service roads. Maybe it was a little safer around 20 years ago bu...

While your tearing the differential down replace your parts with this from Snyder’s. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/prod ... &cat=41857

I noticed the wall too and its a really well built substantial brick wall. But after 100 years the odds of it being still there isn’t much. Looking at the picture of the TT Truck there is some sort of brick masonry built on the right side of it that could be related to Smiths first picture.

Maybe this link can help you find a group that deals with Buick brass and pre-war Buicks. https://forums.aaca.org/forum/12-buick-buysell/

This isn’t the only group that deals with antique Buicks as there are others also.

Don’t know but you would see old car parts at Chickasha on trailers that no one could identify. Someone knows what it’s for and would be glad to find one when they really needed it.

Here’s a 25 T PU that’s supposed to be from the Henry Ford Museum. The article says it was released in late 24. Looks like there is snow on the ground like the one Smith is asking about. https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/289663#slide=gs-630789 Maybe t...

I’ve had the GUNSHOT to happen but it didn’t blow the muffler apart but I don’t want to do it again.

It’s a play among the wording about the battery location on Model T Coupes. The easiest access to the battery in my 24 T Coupe is through the rear deck. There is a cover that covers the access hole. BUT some would call the location under the front seat which is actually under the back rest inside th...

I would reverse the battery in the battery holder and make sure you have the cable that’s connected to the frame and use that cable on the GROUND terminal. It should be marked on the battery by a — mark.

The pictures of the car are of a 27 T Coupe. Could it be sometime in the past some body put the battery in backwards and from then from then on nobody noticed it ? ? It very well could be!!!

The box looking T looks like it’s a car chassis and not a TT chassis. It may be a work in progress and going by the size of the frame it doesn’t have much room on the inside. And hot during the summer!?!? But in those days heat didn’t make a lot of difference if it was meant to be a small town paddy...

REMEMBER THAT A MODEL T DOES NOT HAVE REAL BRAKES! Learn to drive it the way it is and then decide if you want to add disc brakes which some do. Average speed for a stock T is around 30-40 MPH. And that may be too fast for some people. They don’t have electronic ignition that thinks for you and YOUR...

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