MTFCA Forum

So Brent, what do you recommend to etch the tank? Aluminum Oxide media. To do the job correctly, the surface needs to be abraded so the urethane has a mechanical bond. Once the insides have been thoroughly blasted, the tank is fixtured and rewelded. . IMG_9908.jpg IMG_9909.jpg 3031GasTank2.jpg

It always amuses me how auctioneers and other uneducated people throw around the term, "Barn Find ", as vanderbrink did in the title of this auction. If all these items, or even just those on wheels that could roll, were found in a barn, that barn would have to be the size of an aircraft manufactur...

Tim, we are the largest restorer of Model-A Gas Tanks, and the only thing that we have found that will partially dissolve the coating is a 15% mixture of hot Sodium Hydroxide and water. Generally we soak the tank for a minimum of 12 hours in around 210° Sodium Hydroxide solution. Sometimes it soften...

I am looking for a nice Wood Wheel Rear Hub for a 1926. If someone has one to sell and is coming to the Owatonna Tour in a week or so, that would even be that much better as it would save on boxing and shipping.

TIA

Almost every vehicle that comes to, -or leaves my Shop is transported by Bill. Has been that way for several years. Another satisfied customer many times over!!

Hi Brent, Most all of these distributors are very much alike the bolt in the side of the body goes into a groove that keeps the distributor from turning to far & from lifting out of the body. & many you have to drive the pin out of the driven gear to lift the shaft out. The Bosch 600 series have a ...

I have two of the older Texas T Distributors (-I think that is who made these) with the Bosch head. Both of these have the bell-crank timing adjustment rods if that helps identify them. Has anyone actually removed the head on these and removed it from the mast? If so, what is the trick to releasing ...

Brent, What car will you want to burn acetylene headlamps? I would not run an mc tank for more than 15-20 min. Before I became more informed, I used an mc tank and regulator and went for a long drive, maybe 45 min. When I shut off the tank, i could distinctly smell the acetone. With the B tank, the...

The Prest-O-Lite "B" tanks are what I have been using for about ten years. I suggest setting up your headlamps/burners with an acetylene tank even if you use carbide later. You don't want to break a Mangin reflector with a leaking burner or base. I wasn't able to find a POL regulator that Keith has...

Thanks Keith, et/all!!

So define "intermittent" please. Again, this is a parade that lasts approximately 1½-2 hours.

FWIW, I don't have a Running Board to mount a Prest-o-lite tank onto, so I'm not sure a B or E tank would be an option.

Planning ahead, I would like to be able to use my Gas Headlamps at OCF parade or at a evening Cruise-in display. I am on the fence on whether I would like to use a small 10cf tank of Acetylene, -or Carbide (-see link below) in my Carbide Generator tank. How much difference in light (Lumens??) output...

ModelTWoods wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 23, 2025 11:39 pm
I've got a new, never installed one that I bought from CHAFFINS. Paid $439.95 plus shipping for it. Will sell for same price, but the shipping is on your DIME.

PM sent

Marty, are you wanting to do the entire seat or just the cushions? Are you wanting it in leather or vinyl?? If Mike doesn't do it, we can do it in my shop. We are doing a frameup restoration a 1935 ALF for a municipality down near Gatlinburg and just finished sewing theirs in leather. I can send pix...

These guys are the US WOSP distributors https://www.race-parts.com/wosp-lms256-high-output-race-starter-motor I have two of these and they work great. Here is the 6 volt version https://www.ccw-tools.com/WOSP-LMS256-6V---Ford-Model-T-high-torque-starter-motor-6-Volt__p-183761.aspx Thanks Rod. Unfor...

I have two 1913 T's that require a battery for cranking. I have found a Lithium battery that is about the size of a Model T coil to work very well. The best part is they are 12 volt, and fit nicely along side my spare coils under the seat. Mr. Larry Smith, didn't earn the nickname, "Original Smith"...

I avoided lithium batteries, not entirely certain I wish to take a chance on the things spontaneously combusting to burn up a non-replaceable Model T. Check out MGuy on YouTube to see just how bad lithium batteries can be. Do Ni-Cad batteries fall under that same category? One of the easiest ways t...

Does anyone know of a current source for the gear reduction 12v starters? We need one within the next few weeks.

TIA

Awesome!! We too received both of our confirmations this afternoon also. Excited to be doing the Lansing Run again this year too.

Dan, FWIW I actually have one that I purchased when I was building a Model-A powered Big Car. At first when I read your ad I really did not want to sell my stuff, but then after some soul searching on what my realistic future project builds look like, I am gravitating towards selling everything I ha...

To the top one last time, then gets tucked away until I can get to it. Ohhh ...I have agonized over this car for several months now, but as they say in real estate -Location, Location, LOCATION!! :D Transporation costs for me having it professionally transported to my shop are about 1/3rd the sales...

What am I missing? When I open the link, my computer says;

Date(s) 6/7/2025 - 6/19/2025

Bidding Opens Saturday June 7th, 2025 - 10am Soft Close Thursday June 19th, 2025 - 6pm

"ONLINE" ONLY Richard Eagles Estate

Just FYI, Summit Racing has One Shot available in their catalog. Not inexpensive though!! Suppose nothing is these days- just glad to be able to get it! Summit usually has pretty good pricing on their stuff, but their one shot stuff is grossly overpriced. common 4oz colours are about $15 (black/whi...

Darryl: Looks like a good meet. Hate I missed it. We’re all those cars for sale or just there? Hope to see everyone at Hershey, good Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise. Dan Hi Dan, let me first say that you were sincerely missed. You & Gator both!! It appears 3 of the 4 vehicles pictured above w...

I have a Phinney-Walker Rim Wind clock that is very accurate twice a day ...however, I would like for it to be accurate at other times too. Who repairs these that can clean and repair mine??

Brent, I am working on a 14 front top iron that I have dug the rotted wood out of and was considering a shaped wood piece surrounded by autobody strucual adhesive. What are your thoughts on that? That would probably be OK. The key to everything is to have a strong spine inside. Brent will it for in...

Good enuf. By chance are you coming to Luray where I don't need to crate this thing??

I have a customer's project in that has an OHV engine with a Model-A crankshaft conversion that appears to have never been finished on the front end. The Rods & Mains have been completed, but the nose of the crankshaft was not machined for T pulleys, etc. Is there any shops that still do the A crank...

Brent, is the problem confines to just the bottom bow when the top is folded? Are you averse to repainting the bows after you have fixed the problem? If not, using a torch to heat the socket may break down the epoxy contact within, allowing easier and more complete removal, using your tool to draw ...

I am beyond livid right now trying to correct what IMHO is nothing more than poor craftsmanship on a set of nearly new reproduction Dog Leg Top Sockets. The issue is they bend because of incorrect gauge metal and poor craftsmanship. The first three trips the vehicle went on, it came home with bent s...

I asked few weeks ago and the answer was they were still rebuilding fixtures.

On a side note, if you need a cam, Kevin Pruss is manufacturing a camshaft with almost the same specs. I have installed a few to date and the reviews back are they perform the same at the Stipe 280.

Dan Hatch wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 24, 2025 9:15 pm
What is the story on the box?

Dan, that box has the original paint on it.

(I should know, ...I put the original paint on it!!!

)

Does this mean that if I am driving ANY vehicle with tires over 4 years old that I am liable for any accident that occurs ? It looks like I need to stop driving all my vehicles. Utter nonsense. As I stated above (-please reread!) that Coker Tire has a policy for themselves that they deeply discount...

FOR SALE: 1914 Runabout Body w/ correct Turtledeck, nice Top Iron Sockets & Bows, Side Curtains, Interior upholstery, & correct Cherry Firewall. Very presentable as-is. (This car won Best Commercial Vehicle on the 2024 Cadillac MI tour. ) By my standards, the body Wood is approximately 50% which mea...

Almost 1/3 the original price! I wonder what the catch is? Allan from down under. I called my sales rep and he said those tires are to be used only as a static display due to their age. After a tire is 4 years old, Coker's policy is to liquidate them from inventory. The next shipment of 30x3 and 30...

No idea, but I think any decent machine shop could make a simple alignment tool. Picture a round piece of metal exactly the diameter of a timer cover, with a hole exactly in the center that slips onto the end of the cam shaft. Thanks Steve. I have two of the aluminum ones that index on the cam seal...

Does/Are any vendors selling Bob's style of alignment tool? If so, who is selling them??

TIA

Brent, These badges were not availalbe in 2013 for the Canyonlands Tour. All I know is that Gordon Koll has handed out these badges at MTFCI Tours to those cars that reached 100 years of age while on the International Tour. Russ Furstnow Yes, I agree Russ. That was my point. The majority of cars th...

This is a 100 year badge that is availalbe from the Model T Ford Club International. If you attend an Internationl tour when your car turns 100 years old, you get a "free" badge , so if your Model T was built in 1925, and you attend the tour in MN this summer, you will receive a badge free!! Russ F...

Mike, I'll take all 4 if available.

No price or pictures??

What is the best way to package and most economical way to ship a left ruckstel housing? I do not know if I will ever use it and have hauled it from SD to Oregon to Florida. My wife says I need to get rid of some of my excess parts and get parts I need. I do not know the value of one and cash value...

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑
Fri Apr 11, 2025 9:43 am
As the casting indicates, this is a Hall Scott axle, before the name "Ruckstell" appeared. They were bronze.

Thank you Jerry. Do we know a Timeline on the Hall Scott or Perfecto??

Completely superior to the original puller . Mine's not ...and when speaking with Dave yesterday, they don't manufacture extra parts for these. Mine was my last birthday present from a late spouse, so I really don't want to give it up due to sentimental reasons. Never actually used mine (-welding o...

Does anyone have any information (i.e.:-dates used, why bronze, etc.) on these Shifter Housings??

The part of the story that is missing above, is that the kids have been putting their money in a jar to help pay for the trip also. Not a lot in the big picture, but they were doing their part for the family only to find out they get zip for their efforts ............. Dan, the analogy to the kid's...

Does anyone know who makes (-not sells) this Transmission Puller??

The Piquette folks are working really hard to preserve the birthplace if the Model T and they have much work ahead of them. I am appalled that the challenge grant was cancelled, particularly since the reasons for cancellation are so lame. I do not believe politics should play a role in such things ...

I have used Flitz repeatedly over the past two years however my biggest dislike with it, -along with Semi-chrome & Wenol is they all work well on polishing tarnished or dull brass ...however they don't seem to maintain the brass' shine very long after using the product. For me, I typically polish al...

Without hi-jacking Peter's thread to far, what is the difference between this and a set for a 1915 Touring?

Seems like the high schools got rid of metal shop and wood shop, those "hands on" learning experiences that are so invaluable. Then our society adopted this mentality of "you need a college degree" or you will never amount to anything. Hogwash, I say. I have just as much respect for a machinist, el...

It definitely is always a scary thing when you order a new trailer because you are never sure you have placed every option on the build order. :D :o :? I realize this is probably a different size than most people here would want, below is the prints and the build sheet for a trailer my son & I just ...

Let me explain , I have a crankshaft grinder as well an align boring machine. The mains saddles in the block have been sized to accommodate the Chevy main journals, I am just asking if .010” - .012” is too thin, hoping some engine builders will chime in. My thoughts (-as an engine machinist) is abo...

Thanks Mike. Most of my research at Benson has been for Model-A pieces. I probably now have over 1,000 prints of wood for different bodystyles from them, however the difficulty in researching those items is you must find the Assembly drawing first to find the individual component part numbers that m...

Mike, I own a restoration shop that also includes a wood shop (pix below) where we cut & fabricate wood infrastructure for bodies. On vehicles we do not have patterns for, sometimes we use original wood as our sample. Sometimes we use body filler to make our sample. I can expound on that if that is ...

PM and an email sent. Thx

Mark, I am kind in a similar quandary as I have a Big Drum Ruckstell that I need to either convert (-or exchange) it into a Small Drum. If I convert mine, I will need to remove and install a Small Drum tube. I would do all the machining in-house. As far as the direction I would go if I were in your ...

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑
Wed Jan 08, 2025 2:06 pm

It's ductile iron. You could probably bend it into a "U" without breaking.

Jerry in your opinion as an Engineer, -if the pricing was similar between the two, which crankshaft would you choose or recommend to a customer??

Looking for a company to cast four cast iron brake shoes not T. Have one casting that is soso but ok for a pattern. Tim, IMO the best for what you are needing is Windy Hill Foundry ( https://windyhillfoundry.com/ ). You will need to draw it up and then 3D print what you need. Reach out to Clark and...

KimDobbins wrote: ↑
Tue Dec 24, 2024 9:30 am
Roadsters also had red head liners.

Thanks Kim. One more question in that thought, ...Tourabouts too (-for the ones made in mid-09)??

The runabouts in May 1909 should be gray color. After late June the Green became std. The radiator isn't an early McCord, as those don't have the Ford patented reinforcing bars like this T has. Crank handle should be dark hard plastic like material, unlike the later aluminum one. And the block on t...

Dan, I am unsure of the shrinkage rate between aluminum vs. brass/bronze, but can your foundry cast one of the deep sumps in bronze if you had an order already doing other alloy ones??

Some of the posts above how it failed is interesting. In my line of work, we probably do as many, -if not more Model-A brake jobs than anyone in the country, -and for the past decade or so we have used a bonded Kevlar lining to the shoes. These linings are a soft(er) woven type that are necessary to...

Mark, I get it exactly why you bought instead of made. Sometimes a fellar can save money by doing a paying job instead of building something but having more time in it. I often find myself debating whether we spend the time to fabricate or outsource it and pay someone else while we work on customer'...

Steve, you are correct but do understand that it is an entirely new day with regard to Hobbyists and what they are looking for in a collector car. They no longer want to know the theory on how something works or what something does on their car. They just want to know that it functions like they wan...

Are the Rod & Main caps still available? If so, I will purchase those.

About 20+ years ago I hosted a Workshop at my shop that had Tony Cimorelli, and a small host of other guys (-and their gals) attend for a 3-day workshop. At that one, we focussed on fabricating and repairing sheetmetal for a Runabout that Tony was restoring for his wife. At that time Tony was Model...

About 20+ years ago I hosted a Workshop at my shop that had Tony Cimorelli, and a small host of other guys (-and their gals) attend for a 3-day workshop. At that one, we focussed on fabricating and repairing sheetmetal for a Runabout that Tony was restoring for his wife. At that time Tony was Model ...

Does anyone have the correct Paint Code or Formula for the Midnight Blue? Some may reference it as Midnite Blue. Since we are a PPG shop, if you have a PPG formula, that would work for us also.

Thanks!!

Terry, my advice on this is probably controversial, but just whom are you trying to convince with that number? If it is the DMV or your insurance provider, that brass tag will be useless!! Matter of fact, likely it will be such a 'red flag' that it will likely cause you more issues than you would ha...

Mike, would you ever consider making another run of these if the pre-order numbers were there? If not, -and if you made these on a machining center, I would be interested in discussing obtaining the file. Thx!!

Ken Buhler wrote: ↑
Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:25 am
Stephen,
I posted here and have left more than three phone messages since June 22 about the ring gear you advertised and you have not returned my call. I am still interested if you are selling it.
Ken

Ken, it was installed in a Ruckstell for a 1909 Tourabout.

Will I have a Howells sheet metal catalog #55 that I used a few years ago to order some T body parts. Maybe yours is newer or? And no Brent in Tennessee I’m no parts changer and a lot of posters that build a T aren’t either. It must be nice to be a self appointed Genius T parts builder. I don’t hav...

As I said I haven’t tried the Onan coil thing yet. But I figure in the worst case I’ll just pinch on plug in each cylinder and effectively just run on one plug but maintain the “illusion” of dual plugs. The head I have is a Gemsa and the two plugs are beside each other anyway!! Why not a Harley Dav...

Looking at some larger or heavier parts on eBay and some sellers are charging more for s/h than the cost of the actual part. In some cases, over $100 for s/h. Wondering if this trend continues the smaller, regional swap meets might see some renewed interst? If the price of gas comes down a little, ...

Interesting. Thanks for posting. To muddy up those waters, ...why not run a commutator in lieu of distributors, and then use either the Onan coil -or a Harley Davidson twin coil on each cylinder's twin spark plugs?? Distributor setups are inherently accurate out the box & are relatively maintenance...

big2bird wrote: ↑
Thu Nov 14, 2024 11:13 am
Interesting. Thanks for posting.

To muddy up those waters, ...why not run a commutator in lieu of distributors, and then use either the Onan coil -or a Harley Davidson twin coil on each cylinder's twin spark plugs??

Maybe calling them about 8-9 in the morning? Just a long shot. Comments on Fordbarn early 2024 say the Owner is having trouble finding good sheet metal workers to make the parts. The poster on Fordbarn said he went by there and the door was locked. Don’t know about now. Until another sheet metal sh...

This fascinating!! Would be a more-rough version be available? Would love to adapt the system to my A block. I may have what you need. Somewhere I have an adapter that was made to use an early V8 Ford distributor on a Model-A/B engine. Basically the early V8 used two separate distributors, -each fi...

If someone has the cross-drive setup and wants to run dual ignition, buying the Tim Dickson conversion which takes the place of a magneto is a really cool set-up. I have just installed one on a 1925 Seagrave Firetruck (Continental engine) and a dual ignition unit on a 1917 Crane-Simplex 6 cylinder. ...

I had a guy do a car for me once and he did a wonderful job of painting it. When I got it home I noticed a misalignment with a gap changing in width about 1/8th inch from front to rear, about a 4 ft distance. When done I had perfect body lines. But had 1/8th inch wide of primered metal showing tape...

In search of complete & solid 1914 Windshield Frame. Might consider one without support arms, but prefer complete frame with hinges and arms.

TIA.

When we are restoring similar items to a Fine-point adjudication quality on Model-As (Steering Wheel, Terminal Box, Wire Plugs, etc.) that used the same material as this switch, we use several applications of paste-wax Kiwi brand Black Shoe Polish to bring back the correct sheen. The wax actually ab...

Good question JiminBartow. Cost to do this is open for discussion with those who have interest in doing it. Some folks think they're worth and want $100 or more per hour. Others think $40. So part of it will depend on how familiar the person is with a project such as this, the prior work they've do...

Good question JiminBartow. Cost to do this is open for discussion with those who have interest in doing it. Some folks think they're worth and want $100 or more per hour. Others think $40. So part of it will depend on how familiar the person is with a project such as this, the prior work they've do...

Let me text Stephen and see if he will answer your question and tell you about their trip.

I am restoirng my 14 Runabout and everywhere I look I can only find traces of dark blue paint on the body. There is no indication of it ever being black except the fenders and running boards and aprons. This is an October 14 built car. Is it possible that this car was originally dark blue? I have l...

Thanks for posting this Brent! I don't know how I missed out on seeing so many people this year at Greenfield Village. I see Wayne Funk and family were there. Great pictures! Likely because it was cold on Saturday and everyone wanted to stay bundled up!! Yes, the Funks were there on tour. I guess y...

Why the driver of that green brush looks a touch young ;) I sure hope he didn't have a fan seize up recently. That lad was a high school student, and that was his Father riding. Unfortunately they were one of the seven casualties of the tour that had to be trailered back -however when they returned...

I don't believe anyone has really said anything (-or posted any pictures) about this year's tour. To somewhat keep this Model-T related, there were a handful of Ts participating. I think there were 52 of us that started the event, -and I think there were approximately 7 that failed to complete the t...

Keith, you are correct on all of your points. As a restoration shop owner that also does Trim work in-house, what we hear most often is "I intend to drive the car and I am already over budget on the project, so let's just go with the cheaper materials." Also, many restorers/hobbyists are 'sticker sh...

Morton and Brett Body replica in resin with rebuilt Fronty OHV. Rebuilt Ruxtell and Ross steering gear. Frame included 21inch wheels available This is a project that was intended but now on the shelf. Offered as a oackage only 705 828 5405. Edwardshorus@gmail.com Eric, does the 'package' have a pri...

Like others, I just received my MTFCI magazine which included the Ballot for choosing Board Members. While I realize this is going to seem biased and slanted, I truly believe there is something that needs to be discussed because it affects the future of the MTFCI club, -which is also a club that has...

Tad, did you get my email??

That sounds reasonable. But I cannot imagine a circumstance where the cap would need to be filed .050” Maybe over the course of many refits ? Exactly. So IMHO, no reason for a rebuilder to 'defect' a rod due to a shaved cap. Failures in babbitt in todays rebabiting jobs could be because of how toda...

If you are contemplating having a go yourself you can buy enough babbitt from the T vendors that is based on the same formula that Ford used, 86% tin 7% copper and 7% antimony. The T rods that you come across that have no shims could well be still original as Ford did not use them, you need to chec...

My father has these available. He purchased them from Fenstermacher Automobile Supply here in Minneapolis about 70 years ago. Also shown is a clipping from the Fenstermacher catalog. I believe you can take the six pieces shown and group them in various combinations. If you are interested, I'll take...

I am trying to source a vintage looking Magneto-type Coupler that has a 0.750" diameter, keyed-shaft bore on one end, -and a 0.500" keyed-shaft bore opening on the opposite side. At last resort I'll consider using a modern coupler, but if someone knows of a source to purchase one, I would appreciate...

Brent My observation was a few years ago. They started the parade and it wasn't even dark out yet. No one needed headlights. I wanted to see the gaslights and it seemed like 75% of the cars had electric lights. I would prefer to see the gaslights. That is why I said gaslights should be first and el...

I too, gave him a ride in the 1908 Northern. Turns out he volunteers at the Gilmore, and in that notebook he keeps, he writes down every different car that he has ridden in. We ask whether he wanted an old car when he got a little older and he said yes, named some kind of old truck instead of a car...

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