Search found 466 matches

by Erik Barrett
Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:27 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Warped manifold
Replies: 8
Views: 594

Warped manifold

Here’s a job I don’t much like doing but has to happen sometimes. I don’t have time on this job to wait a week for a new manifold so I had to straighten this one. It was worth doing because it is in pretty good shape other than the warp. It was tweaked so badly I essentially had to break it in two a...
by Erik Barrett
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: muncie
Replies: 16
Views: 959

Re: muncie

Be aware that Muncie transmissions require a special u joint and adapter coupling that are often missing. They scream like a banshee in overdrive.
by Erik Barrett
Wed Mar 20, 2024 2:33 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: New York to San Francisco via Lincoln Highway
Replies: 34
Views: 2288

Re: New York to San Francisco via Lincoln Highway

It “represents” the ten millionth Ford. I have seen it at Lincoln and it’s just a 1924 model T with some lettering painted on it. I don’t think anyone knows for sure what happened to the real one. I have seen a couple of coupes claimed to be five million too. Fifteen million car is well documented b...
by Erik Barrett
Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Damage to flywheel hole for triple gear pin.
Replies: 5
Views: 614

Re: Damage to flywheel hole for triple gear pin.

Scrap it and find another. The amount of time to get that far into a model T transmission makes no sense to try and cobble it. That’s cast iron in a high stress area.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Mar 07, 2024 12:42 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Aquiring extra power
Replies: 13
Views: 658

Re: Aquiring extra power

Best bang for your buck is bolting on a high compression head.
by Erik Barrett
Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:51 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Russ Potters Passing and Arrangements
Replies: 36
Views: 2234

Re: Russ Potter

A great loss to all of us in the hobby. I am glad to hear he was passing his knowledge onto the next generation. I have a few of his carbs in stock and they just became more golden to me.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Feb 29, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Welding Cast iron.
Replies: 12
Views: 935

Re: Welding Cast iron.

For small projects I have had great success with my powder spray torch using a nickel alloy powder. Big stuff like rear main bearing webs ripped out by a broken crank I send out to Lock N Stitch in Turlock. They are the best at what they do.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Feb 05, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Fitting a warped exhaust manifold
Replies: 17
Views: 1062

Re: Fitting a warped exhaust manifold

Allan, that makes more sense. I missed the fact of your location. Anyway, it’s a very resourceful solution to the problem. That kind of innovation is good, especially when dealing with parts that are not available new. Nice work.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:01 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Fitting a warped exhaust manifold
Replies: 17
Views: 1062

Re: Fitting a warped exhaust manifold

Well if your time is worth about $5 per hour I guess it makes sense compared with the cost of a new manifold. When you get done you still have mismatched ports which impede flow and probably poor threads for the pack nut. But you will have the satisfaction of saving an original part that others woul...
by Erik Barrett
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:36 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Newbie seeking for advice, buying my first model T
Replies: 50
Views: 1735

Re: Newbie seeking for advice, buying my first model T

Educate yourself about the cars as suggested here and then buy the best model T you can afford. It will cost you less in the long run. Almost all of them are worth less than it costs to restore them. 15’s are the cheapest brass cars. There is a big price increase in every year prior to that. This is...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:58 pm
Forum: OT - Off topic
Topic: Changing gears
Replies: 31
Views: 2382

Re: Over 20 years,,, Theft of my life's dream.

In the current market a 1920 chassis is worth about $500 in good condition. You can spend the rest of your life being angry or just buy a cheap driver quality model T for about seven grand and enjoy it without having to spend way more than it’s worth restoring it.
by Erik Barrett
Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:59 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Rajo BB Dual Spark Plug Set-up Manifold Clearance Issue
Replies: 6
Views: 442

Re: Rajo BB Dual Spark Plug Set-up Manifold Clearance Issue

The BB head came from the factory with dual plugs. 18MM on both sides. If you have pipe thread plugs on the right it is a model B that has been drilled for dual plugs, not a BB and will have a lower compression ratio. The BB is a top end high performance head and was never intended to run with the c...
by Erik Barrett
Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:45 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Gallivan powered 1915 Ford Rdstr
Replies: 15
Views: 1026

Re: Gallivan powered 1915 Ford Rdstr

Wayne, when it is ready I will give you a ride that will leave you looking blanched. The Rattler race car is currently down for repairs and upgrades. We are boosting the compression ratio up to about 12:1 and replacing he transmission with one having a better gear spread for the engine. I am hoping ...
by Erik Barrett
Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:19 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Gallivan powered 1915 Ford Rdstr
Replies: 15
Views: 1026

Re: Gallivan powered 1915 Ford Rdstr

Norm, it IS a model T block. Here’s another one.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Jan 01, 2024 4:18 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Ruckstell axle, can it do what a "T" can't
Replies: 17
Views: 896

Re: Ruckstell axle, can it do what a "T" can't

The Ruckstell is such a great accessory that it is the only one ever endorsed by Henry Ford for use in the model T. If you look at the cars on any national tour the majority of them will have one, and also some kind of auxiliary brakes.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Dec 22, 2023 1:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: To thrust or not to thrust the block?
Replies: 2
Views: 381

Re: To thrust or not to thrust the block?

Don’t bother with thrusts on the block. The best thing you can do is put a bronze thrust bearing on the front of the rear cap. Permanent solution.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Dec 18, 2023 9:37 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: **SPEEDSTER PIC's Please**
Replies: 84
Views: 4360

Re: **SPEEDSTER PIC's Please**

Here are a couple T powered cars. They are really race cars, not very street friendly. The blue one was the 1973 Long Beach champion. The Wild Cherry II is the first model T to take king of the hill at the speedster reunion in Nebraska
by Erik Barrett
Mon Dec 18, 2023 9:16 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Maximum diameter of the main bearing cavities
Replies: 12
Views: 621

Re: Maximum diameter of the main bearing cavities

What Mark said. For a stroker crank job you have to hog the T block all the way out to the bolt holes. Before pouring I plug the holes up to prevent leaks.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Dec 18, 2023 9:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Crank Gear
Replies: 7
Views: 459

Re: Crank Gear

I assume you used a puller to get the old one off and not a hammer? The last thing you want to do is assault the rear main thrust bearings with a hammer. I always press new gears on before I install the crank but I can’t do that with counterbalanced crank like Scat so I heat the gear to 450 degrees ...
by Erik Barrett
Wed Dec 13, 2023 6:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: The importance of preservation
Replies: 33
Views: 1754

Re: The importance of preservation

The only sure way to save a threatened historic machine is to step up and buy it, then do the necessary work yourself. That’s not always economically feasible. Want to save history? But the SS United States and restore it. It only costs $1000 a day to keep it docked where it is. Otherwise it’s going...
by Erik Barrett
Wed Dec 06, 2023 12:35 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Henry Ford's Car
Replies: 9
Views: 1028

Re: Henry Ford's Car

I saw one of his cars at his winter estate in Florida. If I remember correctly there was also a car he gave Edison there.
by Erik Barrett
Tue Nov 14, 2023 11:52 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Front spring lowering brackets.
Replies: 7
Views: 512

Re: Front spring lowering brackets.

These are not lowering brackets. They allow the use of a heavier duty front spring. Not what you want for a speedster.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Nov 13, 2023 4:26 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Gallivan Update
Replies: 18
Views: 1439

Re: Gallivan Update

Here is our Gallivan/Rajo powered T race car. Uncut B crankshaft. If there are any others being actively raced, I would like to see them and race them. This one is set up for 1/10 mile sprint, usually on a hill. It’s a white knuckle ride. This is a later head made after Jagersberger took over when G...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Got to pull a 1914 apart.
Replies: 11
Views: 863

Re: Got to pull a 1914 apart.

Sure sucks to have to nearly dismantle the front of an early T to get the engine out. Been there many times, just putting one back together tonight. Wayne, thread drift happens. No harm, no foul. It’s either a 27 or 28 Buick. I can just barely make out the back end of the mascot on the radiator. It ...
by Erik Barrett
Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Safety tip and a funny story
Replies: 22
Views: 1224

Re: Safety tip and a funny story

This happened because the hand brake pawl and quadrant are worn out and/or the spring is missing or broken. You got lucky, others have been run over and hurt. This is a dangerous condition.
by Erik Barrett
Wed Oct 11, 2023 11:00 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: water in oil? how to pressure block?
Replies: 9
Views: 511

Re: water in oil? how to pressure block?

Here is my pressure test setup. Whole thing is filled with water and 25 psi is delivered to the pressure dome on top. Then watch for leaks.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Oct 07, 2023 3:52 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Replacement rear main cap.
Replies: 12
Views: 726

Re: Replacement rear main cap.

Many times I have added babbitt to the front of a rear main cap and faced it to size. Often with the engine still in the car.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Oct 07, 2023 3:45 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Replacement rear main cap.
Replies: 12
Views: 726

Re: Replacement rear main cap.

I make the bronze washers out of cored bronze stock from industrial suppliers. Machine them to size and then slice them off and cut them in half.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Oct 07, 2023 3:39 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Replacement rear main cap.
Replies: 12
Views: 726

Re: Replacement rear main cap.

The cap is milled about .100” shorter. The bronze thrust washer is silver brazed to the cap. The melting point of that process is over 1000 degrees. After that the cap is babbitted and line bored.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Oct 06, 2023 4:42 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Replacement rear main cap.
Replies: 12
Views: 726

Replacement rear main cap.

Here’s a job I do sometimes on model T’s and A’s. Both can have issues with the rear cap. Making just one bearing cap takes almost as much time as all three. You have to pour the cap and a dummy block and bore to the size needed. On this job I am making a cap with a bronze thrust on the front end to...
by Erik Barrett
Mon Sep 25, 2023 1:13 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: counterbalanced crankshaft what make??
Replies: 18
Views: 1053

Re: counterbalanced crankshaft what make??

Sure break crank. Hang it on the wall.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Sep 25, 2023 12:46 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: B Crankshaft in a T clearance
Replies: 14
Views: 948

Re: B Crankshaft in a T clearance

Scott, thanks for the clarification. Interesting that our DO Rajo was also detuned. It is definitely a Rajo as it has the design tweaks Jagersberger made after he bought the whole project when Gallivan got in trouble for building them instead of Hispano Suiza airplane engines for the army.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Sep 23, 2023 11:50 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: More pics from tour of Italy.
Replies: 12
Views: 667

Re: More pics from tour of Italy.

Our German friends who invited us are Reiner, Rudolf, Erwin, Gerhard, and Alex. These are the same guys that made the coast to coast tour of the USA last year. They and their cars are tour tested masters. Between the five of us we drove 11000 kilometers in challenging conditions and I never saw a fl...
by Erik Barrett
Sat Sep 23, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: B Crankshaft in a T clearance
Replies: 14
Views: 948

Re: B Crankshaft in a T clearance

Scott, I am not sure my DO Rajo is the same one you are talking about because I don’t recognize the names you mentioned, but what you said sounds like it is the same one. It was built with high compression pistons to compete at Long Beach. That event ended before the engine was ready and it always r...
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: More pics from tour of Italy.
Replies: 12
Views: 667

Re: More pics from tour of Italy.

We Americans did not ship our cars over here. To do so and ship them back would exceed $15000. We were fortunate enough to borrow a car from our European friends here.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 10:50 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: More pics from tour of Italy.
Replies: 12
Views: 667

Re: More pics from tour of Italy.

Old cars here are extremely rare. Most people have never seen a model T so we get a lot of attention. Oldest car I have seen here was a Citroen that looked like something from the Pink Panther movies.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 10:45 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: More pics from tour of Italy.
Replies: 12
Views: 667

Re: More pics from tour of Italy.

You think the streets are narrow and then you realize they are two way. The ones in these pics are very wide for small towns in Italy. We went down a lot of them they give a pucker factor of about nine when a car was coming the other way. Driving here is terrifying in general. They must sell a lot o...
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 10:35 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: More pics from tour of Italy.
Replies: 12
Views: 667

Re: More pics from tour of Italy.

Model T’s olive trees, and more of the Med.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 10:32 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: More pics from tour of Italy.
Replies: 12
Views: 667

Re: More pics from tour of Italy.

Some views of cruising through and overlooking lower Tuscany.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 10:30 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: More pics from tour of Italy.
Replies: 12
Views: 667

More pics from tour of Italy.

We are almost to the end of out tour of Italy. We have driven the whole length of Sicily and mainland Italy. About 1500 miles so far. There have been no more major mechanical issues with the cars. I have put in some oil and adjusted the Rocky Mtn brakes on our car. Also secured a window crank that c...
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 2:41 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: B Crankshaft in a T clearance
Replies: 14
Views: 948

Re: B Crankshaft in a T clearance

More pics.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Sep 22, 2023 2:40 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: B Crankshaft in a T clearance
Replies: 14
Views: 948

Re: B Crankshaft in a T clearance

Here are some pics of the Rajo DOHC. Use of the full size B crank was possible because the cams are overhead and the main bearing webs were machined out and replaced with larger ones. This engine performs very well up to 6500 rpm.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Sep 21, 2023 5:23 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: WHY DO T CRANKS BREAK BEHIND #1 ROD?
Replies: 25
Views: 1220

Re: WHY DO T CRANKS BREAK BEHIND #1 ROD?

They break for many reasons. They are all past their realistic life expectancy. Then many of them were put back into service without magnafluxing and proper regrinding, particularly the fillet radii. Every one of them is going to break sooner or later. I am putting more Scat cranks in than properly ...
by Erik Barrett
Thu Sep 21, 2023 5:07 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: B Crankshaft in a T clearance
Replies: 14
Views: 948

Re: B Crankshaft in a T clearance

You can’t use a B crankshaft in a model T unless you turn down both the rod and main journals down to model A size. At that point you have nothing more than a counterweighted model A crank. The B main journal size is larger than the space between the T main bearing bolt holes. You can’t run B rods i...
by Erik Barrett
Thu Sep 21, 2023 12:13 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Public service post I made
Replies: 19
Views: 1322

Re: Public service post I made

No one knows what hand signals mean anymore. When I got my license in 1981 we still had to demonstrate them. Using them today is actually dangerous. I have been hit twice in my dump truck hand signaling for a left turn. Today people think that is an invitation to pass a slow vehicle on the left. You...
by Erik Barrett
Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:42 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: What's the Secret to a Quiet T?
Replies: 25
Views: 1330

Re: What's the Secret to a Quiet T?

Don’t start it.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:41 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Bella Italia tour
Replies: 6
Views: 371

Re: Bella Italia tour

Had a couple issues on day three. Wheel bearing problem and a cam gear came loose. These are the same cars that made the trip across the United States last year.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:32 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Bella Italia tour
Replies: 6
Views: 371

Bella Italia tour

A couple California guys joined some T friends from Germany and we are on an epic tour of Italy for two weeks. We started at lake Garda in northern Italy and toured to Genoa. Loaded the cars and took the ferry to Palermo on the island of Sicily. Today we drove nearly the length of Sicily. Will post ...
by Erik Barrett
Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:27 pm
Forum: Classifieds - Parts
Topic: Warford drive shaft
Replies: 2
Views: 540

Warford drive shaft

I have available a shortened drive shaft, torque tube and radius rods for a KC Warford or original Warford that is 12” long. $500. I get that much to shorten the driveshaft and tube. The radius rods are a bonus.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:31 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Not one of you picked up on this
Replies: 22
Views: 1892

Re: Not one of you picked up on this

It has suggested that a T engine will be ok without the oil tube. Well, not really. External oil supply lines generally dump oil aft of the timing gears. Without the original oil tube this is the result.
by Erik Barrett
Wed Aug 02, 2023 12:13 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Not one of you picked up on this
Replies: 22
Views: 1892

Re: Not one of you picked up on this

I didn’t see the oil tube in place. That’s a major oh crap moment when you see it laying on the bench after the engine is together.
by Erik Barrett
Tue Aug 01, 2023 5:15 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Hood latch tool
Replies: 5
Views: 427

Hood latch tool

We are putting a 1913 back together after clutch replacement. Facing the dreaded hood latch installation, my friend Michael had an idea for a tool to assist, and a great one it was! He made it out of a $10 pair of Harbor Freight vise grips and a flat washer. About five minutes later, all the latches...
by Erik Barrett
Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:35 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Fake one piece pan patch panel
Replies: 16
Views: 1449

Re: Fake one piece pan patch panel

Years ago we bought the Ron Brown estate collection. Included with that was the bucking die he used to make the one piece pan bottoms. We left it there and it was scrapped. In hindsight I wish I had saved it but I had no interest in pounding on that thing for days to make a fake pan. I straightened ...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jul 23, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Offensive content!
Replies: 4
Views: 724

Offensive content!

Here is something to annoy the purists. Our model T racer named the Rattler. There is a model T block under all that speed equipment. It is a 1927 vintage DOHC Gallivan/Rajo head with a pair of Winfields. All period speed parts. Not as pretty as a DO Fronty but just as fast and far more reliable. We...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jul 23, 2023 8:46 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Got my Early block back from cleaning
Replies: 8
Views: 984

Re: Got my Early block back from cleaning

How early are you talking here? By the screwed in core plugs 1913 at the latest. I have a block of the same vintage in much better shape I would sell for much, much less than it would cost to repair this one. I can supply it as is or rebabbitted with a late crankshaft.
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jul 16, 2023 5:47 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Just to show, there are young people getting into T's.
Replies: 15
Views: 1479

Re: Just to show, there are young people getting into T's.

The current market for these cars is making them affordable to a whole new generation of enthusiasts. That’s good with me.
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jul 16, 2023 1:48 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Clutch meltdown
Replies: 12
Views: 995

Re: Clutch meltdown

The drum is fine. I dressed off the damaged areas and installed the shoes. It’s going back together today.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Jul 15, 2023 6:12 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Which TT Parts Should Be Salvaged?
Replies: 17
Views: 1347

Re: Which TT Parts Should Be Salvaged?

High speed ring and worm gears are the only TT parts that bring money. Six teeth on the worm gear is good. Four teeth? Scrap metal.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Jul 14, 2023 8:10 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Clutch meltdown
Replies: 12
Views: 995

Re: Clutch meltdown

No kidding. I had to jack this thing up to get it running and it was a dog in low gear. Once I got it into high and the clutch was no longer involved, everything was fine.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Jul 14, 2023 3:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Clutch meltdown
Replies: 12
Views: 995

Clutch meltdown

Saw a new one today. Someone worked on this 1913 engine and used the best of everything, including a new brake drum. So far, so good, but they neglected to install the replaceable shoes on the clutch lugs. Clutch bound up and it was nearly impossible to crank the car. I hope I can save the expensive...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jul 02, 2023 7:16 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: 1913 Rear axle housing straightening. Advice needed.
Replies: 13
Views: 1037

Re: 1913 Rear axle housing straightening. Advice needed.

I align the housing on a lathe with a faceplate and centering bar similar to what you described. Then I run a bullnose center up to the outbound end of the axle tube. Most don’t run straight. Then I jam the bullnose center into the tube and heat the inboard end of it adjacent to the housing red hot ...
by Erik Barrett
Mon Jun 26, 2023 2:51 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: T’s with Ruckstell and Warford
Replies: 29
Views: 1839

Re: T’s with Ruckstell and Warford

The combination of a Ruckstell rear end with high speed gears and a Warford is the ultimate situation for TT trucks. Twelve forward gears, always one that is ideal for what is at hand. Makes a TT capable of 45mph or more so you can tour with your club without being late for lunch, and you can still ...
by Erik Barrett
Mon Jun 26, 2023 2:40 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Seized triple gear bushing: Why?
Replies: 30
Views: 1874

Re: Seized triple gear bushing: Why?

Transmission bushings never fail from being too loose, only from being set up too tight. Same goes with boring piston to cylinder wall clearance too tight. People think setting them tight will lead to longer life when in fact the opposite is true. We have seen this many times and had to deal with th...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jun 18, 2023 11:43 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Nebraska speedster reunion itinerary
Replies: 11
Views: 1042

Re: Nebraska speedster reunion itinerary

It’s a fun event and the museum is fabulous. Just don’t expect to be welcomed if you bring a model T that will beat the fastest model A’s there. They got real pissy about the Wild Cherry II taking the crown in 2021. The awards ceremony was delayed because they had not considered a model T could prev...
by Erik Barrett
Thu May 25, 2023 2:57 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: One of Fords first four cylinder cars is almost ready
Replies: 13
Views: 1223

Re: One of Fords first four cylinder cars is almost ready

A couple parts of that look real familiar.
by Erik Barrett
Tue Apr 04, 2023 8:39 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Dual advance distributor
Replies: 11
Views: 1293

Re: Dual advance distributor

Vacuum advance units are almost always hooked to ported vacuum. This gives them advance from just off idle to part throttle and takes it back when the engine is working hard at wide open throttle.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Apr 03, 2023 6:50 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Tulare Swap Meet....Cancelled
Replies: 26
Views: 3307

Re: Tulare Swap Meet....Cancelled

Thanks Bill for all your efforts to make this happen. Things beyond anyone’s control happened. Rest assured that as for myself and everyone I know in the hobby you have our one hundred percent support in your efforts to keep the premier west coast prewar swap meet alive.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Mar 27, 2023 3:01 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Tulare 2023 Just a Few Weeks Away!!!
Replies: 29
Views: 2724

Re: Tulare 2023 Just a Few Weeks Away!!!

Bringing 1909 T, 1913 T, and 1914 Buick. Some parts too.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Mar 25, 2023 1:57 pm
Forum: Classifieds - Parts
Topic: NRS steering column
Replies: 4
Views: 621

Re: NRS steering column

Richard, I will buy it. Call me.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Mar 10, 2023 4:28 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Welding connecting rods
Replies: 45
Views: 4220

Re: Welding connecting rods

I have two A crank engines with shortened A rods using 292 Ford V8 pistons. It can be done successfully.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Mar 10, 2023 2:45 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: couplet and town car in auction
Replies: 16
Views: 2517

Re: couplet and town car in auction

Andy, be advised I have it on good authority you had better take a close look at the engine in the ex Harrah’s Merc speedster before bidding. Be prepared to take a second mortgage on your house depending on what you find. Just an FYI.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Feb 23, 2023 4:00 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: What really made the Model T so Popular?
Replies: 52
Views: 3709

Re: What really made the Model T so Popular?

Model T’s are popular today for the same reason as when they were new. They are cheaper than anything else.
by Erik Barrett
Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:31 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Conn Rod Bearing Inserts: Yea or Nay?
Replies: 6
Views: 1074

Re: Conn Rod Bearing Inserts: Yea or Nay?

Insert bearings like filtered pressurized oil. They are very intolerant of debris in the oil. With all the trash generated by the starter drive and transmission, they are not a good choice for stock T’s.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:19 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: T going down hill
Replies: 29
Views: 2386

Re: T going down hill

If the throttle is not closed that model T will soon be stacked up in an ugly pile at the bottom of the hill.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Jan 21, 2023 2:26 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: How to balance a flywheel?
Replies: 16
Views: 1688

Re: How to balance a flywheel?

I balance flywheel or flywheel/magneto assemblies using two transmission main shafts end to end for a mandrel. I make sure to offset the key slots for the clutch hub 180 degrees apart. Then the unit is static balanced on precision leveled knife edges. This procedure is accurate far beyond what is ne...
by Erik Barrett
Thu Jan 19, 2023 8:02 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: What really made the Model T so Popular?
Replies: 52
Views: 3709

Re: What really made the Model T so Popular?

People drive model T’s today for the same reason they did when the cars were new. They’re cheaper than anything else available.
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jan 08, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: If you got a second T what would it be any why
Replies: 45
Views: 3429

Re: If you got a second T what would it be any why

Ron, every Ford prior to 1926 used wood framed bodies except TT cabs 1924/25.
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jan 08, 2023 3:45 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Late 12 Early 13 block salvageable?
Replies: 29
Views: 2425

Re: Late 12 Early 13 block salvageable?

Absolutely it can be saved. The older a block is, the more it is worth putting the effort and money into it. A 1912 block is worth a lot of work to save. If the manifold surface is the worst of it, by all means do it. This one looks pretty bad so putting replacement valve seats in the ports as sugge...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Jan 08, 2023 3:13 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: If you got a second T what would it be any why
Replies: 45
Views: 3429

Re: If you got a second T what would it be any why

Well Ron, if you are thinking enclosed car that looks older than a model A they are out there but be advised they will be what are what are called coachbuilt bodies. Not just Fords, pretty much anything of that vintage. This means they have a thin metal skin applied over a wooden structure. When tha...
by Erik Barrett
Sat Jan 07, 2023 11:37 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: If you got a second T what would it be any why
Replies: 45
Views: 3429

Re: If you got a second T what would it be any why

26/27 Tudor sedan is a great choice. You can move the front seats back to accommodate plus sized individuals. I am 6’2” and very comfortable in mine. Great in cool weather and room for more than just two. Also, all steel so no structural body wood to go bad. But wait, there’s more! They are not rare...
by Erik Barrett
Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:22 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Crankshaft Testing
Replies: 15
Views: 2062

Re: Crankshaft Testing

If a crank won’t ring, it is cracked. If it does, it might be cracked. I dry mag all batches of cranks I send to my grinder. He then does a more intense wet mag with a black light. Rarely he will find one will a flaw my dry mag missed. EE cranks are the same forging as all of the late cranks but a d...
by Erik Barrett
Wed Dec 14, 2022 3:12 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: If it ain't leaking......
Replies: 7
Views: 1070

Re: If it ain't leaking......

If your model T isn’t leaking, it’s out of oil. They are like old Harley Davidsons that way.
by Erik Barrett
Sun Nov 13, 2022 1:30 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Crankshaft to block location
Replies: 11
Views: 1503

Re: Crankshaft to block location

I center the crank on the rear main bearing. Each thrust face is the same distance from the center of the bolt holes.
by Erik Barrett
Sun Nov 13, 2022 1:27 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Valve Seals advice
Replies: 2
Views: 619

Re: Valve Seals advice

Valve seals no. Valve seats sometimes.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Oct 20, 2022 1:53 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Holley Vaporizer - Photo and advice wanted...
Replies: 26
Views: 2172

Re: Holley Vaporizer - Photo and advice wanted...

The best way to deal with vaporizer problems is to put on an NH Holley from Russ Potter.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Oct 20, 2022 1:49 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Kr Wilson model t oil pan jig
Replies: 3
Views: 1055

Re: Kr Wilson model t oil pan jig

I bought mine in the same condition. It had been used as a welding bench and anvil. It takes a big mill to resurface the whole thing in one pass. Find an automotive machine shop that has a Storm Vulcan surfacing machine. They are called a block master or head master depending on configuration. All o...
by Erik Barrett
Thu Oct 20, 2022 1:39 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: E-Bay prices?
Replies: 22
Views: 3896

Re: E-Bay prices?

I have bought and sold stuff on Tbay for years. If you don’t like the price just scroll on. The seller will find out what the market will bring them. If someone will pay what they are asking, then so be it.
by Erik Barrett
Fri Oct 14, 2022 12:42 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Differential Enhancements
Replies: 5
Views: 1166

Re: Differential Enhancements

Great idea. Could save new owners down the line worry and time.
by Erik Barrett
Tue Oct 11, 2022 2:07 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: model A 3rd main cap
Replies: 3
Views: 634

Re: model A 3rd main cap

It can be done. Why just the rear cap?
by Erik Barrett
Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:24 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Block pressure test.
Replies: 13
Views: 1461

Block pressure test.

I have put this up before but thought it could use a reboot. All T blocks that come here for work are first given a pressure test. I made tooling and bolt down a head with a reusable rubber gasket. Then the whole thing is filled with water and pressurized to 20 psi with a radiator pressure tester. M...
by Erik Barrett
Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: To Each Their Own...
Replies: 28
Views: 2883

Re: To Each Their Own...

Isn’t Henry’s coupe now at his place in Florida? I think I saw it there many years ago.
by Erik Barrett
Wed Sep 07, 2022 3:43 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Broken Crank?…spun bearing?
Replies: 27
Views: 3573

Re: Broken Crank?…spun bearing?

It is in fact possible to change a rod without pulling the head. Many years ago I lost a rod bearing on the tour associated with the Bakersfield swap meet. When we got it back I went shopping at the meet and found a serviceable rod. Dad told me how he and a friend did it years ago. Slide the piston ...
by Erik Barrett
Sat Aug 27, 2022 1:35 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Playin in the shop today... round duex!
Replies: 21
Views: 3937

Re: Playin in the shop today... round duex!

VW oil pump hides inside the engine. You will still want a filter you could keep out of sight inside of a deep sump aluminum pan cover. The Datsun oil pump is a real sanitary setup and makes plumbing the system easy but not period correct.
by Erik Barrett
Sat Aug 27, 2022 2:25 am
Forum: OT - Off topic
Topic: California is just the 1st of bad days ahead
Replies: 102
Views: 7295

Re: California is just the 1st of bad days ahead

You get what you vote for. Libtards are in the majority in California. I would move elsewhere if I didn’t have tons of stuff anchoring me down here. I will have to persevere as long as prop 13 survives. When they finally find a way around that I will load up some of my favorite things and lay a torc...
by Erik Barrett
Sun Aug 21, 2022 4:20 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Please help me out with some values of this car
Replies: 8
Views: 1432

Re: Please help me out with some values of this car

I’m sure it would. I can run 50 in my dump truck as is. This thing is capable of more than twice the rpm it can reach. But that big vertical windshield would be holding it back and the part about swapping reliably for performance suggests a more low key approach.
by Erik Barrett
Sun Aug 21, 2022 2:51 am
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Please help me out with some values of this car
Replies: 8
Views: 1432

Re: Please help me out with some values of this car

Here’s a DO Rajo. Cam train and covers are custom made. Wicked fast. It will daylight the left front wheel when you grab second gear at about 5500 rpm. We will be racing it at Santa Margarita next month.
by Erik Barrett
Thu Aug 18, 2022 7:42 pm
Forum: General Discussion Forum
Topic: Keeping a T alive after 1928
Replies: 18
Views: 2316

Re: Keeping a T alive after 1928

Ford sold T parts into the 40’s. I believe the last T engine number was stamped around 1948.