MTFCA Forum

Continuing with my winterfront project, I finished cutting out all of the vinyl pieces and bought some heavy interfacing (backing) material to help give the vinyl some stiffness so that it will hold its shape (except for the roll-up center flap, of course). I also sewed the pieces together for the s...

The service manual illustrations show the nuts to the rear on both axles.

I'm cutting out the pieces of black vinyl needed to make a winter front for Betsy. The sides will have more seams than absolutely necessary, but I wanted to make maximum use of the material I have available. I still need to cut out the part for the center roll-up flap and make a strap to hold the fl...

Mark, thank you for posting those winter front pictures! I may try to make one like it on my old sewing machine using some top material I have around.

Are you logged in? The site can only know which ones you have read and which you haven't if it knows who you are by logging in.

Click on Larry's name in one of the linked threads and send him a PM. There may also be an option on the PM screen to send him an email directly.

Larry also posted pics of the original roll that the side curtains were wrapped in, the bag that the vendors sell is not correct. I ended up making my own roll using the dimensions that Larry provided. His thread is in the forum somewhere, if I find it I will edit this post and add a link. :) Links!...

Still more pics of NOS 1925 roadster side curtains:

More NOS 1925 roadster side curtain pics:

That's why you need to contact Larry directly. Be aware that some of the correct fasteners (Anzo) are very hard to find these days. Most folks use "lift the dot" fasteners instead. In the meantime, here are some pictures of NOS 1925 roadster side curtains that were posted elsewhere on the forum a wh...

Hi Donnie, I just sent you payment via Paypal and an email per your request.

Larry Smith has a 1925 roadster pickup and made his own side curtains using Ford factory drawings, he is the expert on the correct fasteners and their locations:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80 ... 1239027671

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1305234662

Here's the thread where Mark O. shows the use of the OEM puller (the one he later sold).

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1487704581

Thanks Tom, I should have looked there first.

Any info on homecoming 2020? No update on the home page yet.

I have a puller just like your big one. It used to be my "go to" persuader until I got my press.

They look like modern replacements to me. They may work fine as long as you have oilers on your springs and perches, they just won't look OEM. The design with nuts and cotter pins on both ends looks stronger to me than some of the modern repops with pressed-in splined shafts on one end. Those can lo...

Looks like you're making good progress. Those wishbone ball cap studs/nuts need to be wired to each other, not cotter pinned. If you use cotter pins, the nuts will be retained on the studs, but the studs can still back out from the pan. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/708324/762688.html?1497125...

Donnie, when you're ready, let us in the first batch know what the cost is including shipping and how you want to be paid, thanks!

I fitted one of those on my 1924. Probably wrong, but I only drilled the inside of the upper windshield frame and attached the mirror with a couple of slotted round head sheet metal screws. I have an original 1925 windshield frame that came with my 1925 touring body, it has factory drilled holes for...

The bottom hole of the bracket is bolted to the body using one of the door latch bolts. Look or measure to see which bracket has a lower hole that lines up with the door latch.

http://www.funprojects.com/pdf/WheelpressA2.pdf

http://www.funprojects.com/pdf/Wheel%20 ... %20Jig.pdf

I agree with Scott, for your first T, buy a well running car in good condition. You will be able to enjoy it immediately and there will still be plenty to do to in routine maintenance to keep you busy. Once you are fully familiar and confident working on and operating your first T, THEN you can star...

On my 1924, the gasket between the cowl and the base of the lower windshield frame kept slipping out of place during installation, so I taped it down in a few strategic places with blue masking tape first. Once the windshield frame was in place, I was able to pull the masking tape out, leaving the g...

You may already know this, but Model T parts were nickel plated from the factory, not chrome. I have had good luck using a Caswell nickel plating kit to plate my own small parts (after I clean and polish them of course, and no, I don't plate parts for other people). Here is a link to Caswell's websi...

Mark or remember which way the old roller is pointed so that you can install the new one in the same orientation. Some camshafts have the hole for the pin drilled all the way through, so it is possible to install the roller 180 degrees out if you aren't careful.

I cut the uprights of my press and bolted in very beefy extensions with way oversize grade 8 bolts.

In retrospect, I could have also bolted extensions to the bottoms of the base irons.

No, I haven't had a need to try it, sorry.

Since you have the later single piece gear case, yes, you have to bend the ears (after annealing them so that they don't break). Folks with the earlier two-piece gear cases could grind off the rivets holding the two parts of the case together and slide the rods out without bending the ears. http://w...

Glad you fixed it and thanks for providing closure for this thread!

The MTFCI Judging Standards, Seventh Edition, says that splash shields (aprons) for 1915 had an "Embossed Curve" at the back end. For 1916, it says that splash shields (aprons) had an "Embossed Curve" at the back end and that by August 1916 the shield was modified to follow the lines of the new crow...

Yup, a crack and extruded material on top where the sleeve carries the weight of the car, pretty much normal wear.

Please be sure to replace that spring steel reinforced inner seal with the modern neoprene seal, those steel "fingers" can rub on the axle shaft, creating an area for cracks to form.

There appears to be a way to contact the webmaster on the base site:

http://www.cimorelli.com/

Don't step bolts usually have a somewhat larger diameter, but shorter height head on them than the equivalent carriage bolt?

Wow!

I'm watching (but won't be bidding on) the Ford screwdriver currently for auction there to see how high it goes.

Shorter version of Jerry's commandment - Never total the bills!

After they've been checked for tightness, right?

I found an air cleaner for an antique Clinton lawn tractor on Ebay and modified it to fit my T. My seat of the pants impression after three seasons of running is that the car has a small bit of extra power with the filter installed instead of the factory pre-heat tube. I do remove the filter and re-...

Try SEM vinyl dye, available from real automotive paint stores. Be sure to also get and use the matching SEM prep spray, it cleans and gives the plastic some "tooth" so that the dye adheres firmly. That is what I used to change the interior color of my 1971 Plymouth GTX from green to black. It has h...

Check and if necessary adjust the length of your low speed link.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80257/89737.html

What a great name for a car! Glad you are making progress.

I have no connection to the ad or the seller, just posting a link here as a service:

https://www.hcca.org/classifieds.php?parts

There's a light on this T that won't light on one side!

So that you don't have to fight the drag of thick oil between the high gear clutch plates.

Steve Jelf has attempted this, using particle board guides to hold the channel sides firmly in position during the bend. The threads talk about the need to anneal the brass first before attempting to bend it: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/708324/757422.html?1495603227 http://www.mtfca.com/dis...

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1509250998

Thanks Larry! Here are some more pics that might be of interest.

Be aware that if you are running the commonly available 30 x 3 1/2 inch OVERSIZE tires (which are really 31 x 4), the chains will be pi (3.1416) inches too short.

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8455

From what I understand, the proper location is under the seat or in the tool box with the tire pump and the rest of the Ford supplied tools.

Every T came with an oil can, but not with a holder.

That said, I bought an accessory holder and chose to mount my can on the passenger side firewall.

Dante, please take the lid off the coil box and take a picture of what is inside, that will settle whether it is Ford standard coils or some aftermarket box. If you're feeling brave, please also remove the timer cover and take a picture of the inside of the cover and the timer rotor on the front of ...

The Encyclopedia for model years 1915 and 1916 clearly show a sedan being offered. Looking closely at the illustrations shows it to be a center door.

https://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1915.htm

https://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1916.htm

Here are links to similar 3D tours of the MTFCA museum main building and annex: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=L9zt84HqwE7&fbclid=IwAR26ruL5fFrMbpF5M34ibcj5gi9SChiMCBlPSMp2wCJzK5soz3YOgdvzkBk https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=b8v9DygtdaY&fbclid=IwAR3pLp3HzvfRYqBq9o1u3NfO9FwgiYq3sf3HevIc5Cvgvi2YZB...

I see from the other forum listing that the wheels have been sold, glad they found a new home.

Check out this series of videos.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 1nA0Yctp6G

The picture in the thread that Mark posted is of my original installation of my brakes. I have since shortened the lower spring to give more even braking action between the upper and lower parts of the brake band. I also added a couple of supplementary release springs that act directly on the lever,...

McMaster Carr also sells bulk brake lining material in various widths and thicknesses.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1304302682

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/17 ... 1305566416

Betsy is wearing her festive winter front also.

I have no connection to the ad or the seller, just providing the link here in case someone is interested:

https://modeltfordfix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=833

Try contacting Lang's, sometimes they either have partial sets or are willing to break up a set to get you just the part(s) you need.

I made my repro ones look pretty close to the '23 - '25 OEM ones with a little work with a grinder, stripping the plating, and laying on some paint.

http://www.dauntlessgeezer.com/DG97.html

Here's a link to a video of one of those "kick starter" folks. I noticed he was careful to kick so that his leg swung forward out of the plane of rotation of the crank.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXytPeHlefg

Looks a little teeter-tottery, but probably OK. it will get better once the rear axle is out. When I removed the rear axle in Betsy to install her Ruckstell, I made a cross bar that spanned the rear frame rails and supported the car with it. If you decide to make a cross bar, make it beefier than mi...

Great work! Maybe I missed it, was a consensus reached on what model year this car is?

Here are some period advertising pictures showing the original setup. Larry Smith is familiar with all the parts and has assembled at least one complete setup for one of his cars.

Richard, I sure hope you and Charley are able to work out a trade, I love happy endings to stories about incomplete cars being made whole again (sniff!)

I wonder if one of these would fit on a Model N, considering that its timer location is even harder to reach than a Model T.

Great video! Lizzie needs a bow on her radiator.

If you decide to duplicate your old float in real cork, seal it with model airplane clear "hot fuel proof dope". Model airplane fuel is mostly methanol with some nitromethane and castor oil added.

Has Milt Webb fully recovered from his fall last year? I haven't heard anything in a while.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/41 ... 1403557682

https://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1923.htm

https://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/1924.htm

The pedal effort on my AC brakes went way up last year - turned out the linings were worn out and I had turned the adjusters in to the point that the return springs went into coil bind before the linings firmly gripped the drums. I installed new linings, backed off the adjusters, and all was well. Y...

Thanks for the clarification Walter, I didn't realize that the frame holes on the early cars was smaller. The larger holes must have been added later based on input from the assemblers who were having just as much trouble as we do today.

Step 10, Figure 9 of the Ford service manual shows a mechanic removing the hood shelves from the frame with the hood clips and springs still attached to the shelves. Step 133, Figure 112 of the Ford service manual shows a mechanic installing the hood shelves onto the frame with the hood clips and sp...

Odd that he only tightened the axle nut hand tight, I hope that after the filming they pulled the gear back off and installed it tightly!

I need it because it is a Model T applicable tool that I don't already have!

I got a PM asking specifically which electric heater I have. I have a well insulated 3 car garage. I insulated my metal garage door with pop-in foam panels from Texas Garages. The heater I have is a Fahrenheat FUH 724. It is rated at 25,598 BTU. It draws 7500 Watts at 240 volts. I bought it from Nor...

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... ge-heaters

Better snap that one up JB before somebody else does!

Lang's website no longer lists it, but MAC's still does, be sure call them first to make sure they have it in stock and it isn't permanently back ordered. :) https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_model_t/model-t-ford-true-fire-ignition-system-fits-in-original-steel-coil-box-6-or-12-volt.html I have hea...

I posted a link to this ad on the Early Ford Registry forum.

Very nice Richard!

https://www.mtfca.com/clubpages/joinamember.htm

I have no connection to the seller or ad, just posting the link here in case somebody is interested.

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/d/ro ... 41384.html

Thanks! I'm a sucker for tools, I sent you an email as requested.

Dan, can you remind us dummies what parts on a T use that thread size? Thanks!

I bought an old package of repair links on Ebay, if they are too shiny I will "force patina" them to match my existing chains. Thanks all.

Don, the speed at which you work and achieve great results is amazing!

If you decide to go with chains, double check the circumference of your tires first. If you are running 30 x 3.5 inch OVERSIZE tires, they are actually 31 x 4, so you would need chains for that size.

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8623

Here is some info from an older thread:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1284814659

LOL (Laugh Out Loud)! I tried fitting one of the chains to a spare rim and tire I had in the basement and the chains are too short! How short? Exactly Pi (3.1416) inches too short! Why? Because I run 30 x 3.5 inch OVERSIZE tires, which are really 31 x 4 inch size. That extra inch in diameter transla...

Donnie, please sign me up for one, thanks for making this effort!

Here are pages 4-6.

I found scans of an original instruction brochure online, here are the first three pages. Due to the 5 pic limit, I will put pages 4-6 in the next post.

I thought I would do a Jay and show the tire chains that I recently purchased from David Stroud via the classifieds. They and their original bag are in excellent condition, thanks David!

There are no instructions, so I'll have to experiment with mounting them on one of my spare rims and tires.

Thank you for providing closure on this thread! Glad you found and fixed the problem.

Since the joint hasn't been used, the holes for the rivets haven't been wallowed out, so my opinion is that you can re-peen the rivets and things will be fine. The shanks of the rivets need to tightly fill their holes. This usually happens during peening. Once a riveted assembly has been used and lo...

If you can't find an original, the vendors sell them:

https://www.modeltford.com/item/4532TR.aspx

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