MTFCA Forum

Confusion comes with the words "the truck conversion". Ford started selling pickup trucks in the 1925 model year. Before that they sold you a chassis (car or truck) and it was up to you to build or buy a body for it. Ford did not sell a conversion kit. There were several companies that made afterma...

Given the embarrassingly blatant A.I. fake posts that infest Facebook on a regular basis, it's difficult to imagine that any part of this story was not written by a real live human. If any of it strains credulity, it's the idea of a Model T convoy driving down the west coast amongst the interstate ...

Like Neal, I try to spread the wealth among several. We are lucky to have Lang's, Birdhaven, Chaffin's, Snyder's, etc. I've bought parts from all of them.

Stopping to shop at Birdhaven.

I don't remember if this comparison came from Scott, but it shows the ineffective .100" float valve opening that causes fuel starvation, beside the proper .125" opening that doesn't.

I hope somebody will try it, just to settle the question, and install a new valve in the stem to see if it works like the valves always have.

If you're in Needles and need gas, go to K Street and cross the bridge to the Arizona side of the river. It will save you several dollars.

Steve went to Pepperdine when he was in LA area before moving to farm life in Kansas. [/size] George is sort of right about that, but there have really been two places with that name. In the sixties I graduated from what I consider the real Pepperdine — the college established in 1937 by Western Au...

If the question is for me, I don't know. I haven't changed valve stems since 2023, so I have no experience with the current tubes. If anybody is trying to reach me and can't, I'm useless for that too. Each day, life in the Digital Age becomes a deeper mystery to me. It's miraculous that I can still...

Now that my age starts with 8, there seem to be more of those times when I don't understand what's going on. This is one of those times.

Aha! Quite right. Ford didn't bother with flaps for clincher tires. On new rims they would be a waste of time and money. I'll extend that 100 years and point out that if your rims are good enough, flaps are still a waste of time and money. I have driven thousands of flapless miles because I paid at...

Shall we complicate the discussion? Some people will take the defective brush out of the rotor and toss it, and make a new one from an old generator brush. Apparently if you have the skill to make a good fit, it works pretty well.

If you bought a new 1915 Model T car, what did Ford charge for the flaps?

Yes, there's no comparison. Flaps deplete your funds much more rapidly.

Yes, original metal stems do clamp on, now that I think about it. I haven't bought any recently, but the last time I did they were not hard to find and not very expensive at swap meets. Long ago I got in the habit of buying rubber stem tubes and converting them to metal stems. The $29 difference in...

...go around St, Louis any way you wish...

Or go right through it. Washington Avenue is five blocks from the Arch, and takes you to Eads Bridge into East Saint Louis.

There have been many discussions of New Day timers over the years, often with detailed pictures. You can spend a lot of time with Mister Google reading about these timers, but it all boils down to a couple of points. 1 There's New Day and there's New Day, sometimes excellent and sometimes miserable...

As usual, Allan is correct. Kelsey and Hayes were separate companies until the end of Model T production.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/2800HS-HY.aspx

https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG108.html

I don't know how much of 66 is still drivable. [/size] That varies by state. In California, much of the San Bernardino County part from Barstow to Arrowhead Junction was fine when I went that way a few years ago. In western Arizona (Topoc to Seligman/Ash Fork) nearly all of it is good. In eastern A...

Many miles of these bricks remain in place today. [/size] IMG_0248 copy.JPG Yes, they do. The late Bob Bush, old enough to remember the prewar years, told me the city used to have a three-man crew that spent the summer taking up and relaying the bricks a block at a time where they had become uneven...

Frank's picture reminds me of this shot I took in the mountainous NE part of Iowa.

Britt, do you have any other photos of the car? I don't care what plates were on it in 2012. What I'm wondering about is "incorrect" features other than the unorthodox hood. If there were other creative alterations they might be helpful in identifying the car.

Come on, folks. This is Iowa, not Colorado or California. Driving T15 down to Knoxville isn't quite like climbing Pike's Peak. It will be fine. I drove over some hills in Iowa, and one of them may have called for a little bit of timer adjustment, but we're talking about the mostly flat middle of th...

Be sure the gasoline in the car is fresh.

If you drive often enough, gas in your tank can't get old.

A drive of fifteen miles is nothing. At the same time, it does mater which fifteen miles you're driving. While any drive of any vehicle can end badly, in a car pushing the century mark it makes sense to choose your battles. By living in Pella, you've already made a good choice. There are no interst...

When I see online advice involving interaction with "the DMV", I'm reminded that states are like Model T cars: They're all different. What works in Kansas or Illinois may not apply in California.

OATMAN GRADE.jpg Oatman grade in summer? You bet. 1941 Plymouth sedan. The memory has stuck with me since the forties. The lack of any a.c. didn't spoil the adventure. This was the main east-west highway, so there was no shortage of traffic. You would crawl along in a line of cars following a big o...

At the risk of being deemed a wet blanket, I'll slosh a bit of ice water on this subject. Some 40+ years ago I set about trying to reconstruct the ownership history of my 1939 Packard. I was able to go back and find the owner before me, and the owner before him, and the owner before him, etc. The p...

I gather you're fairly familiar with the California part of your trip. The last time I was over the Arizona part several years ago, Topoc to Ash Fork was still quite driveable. From what I've seen online recently, I have doubts about old 66 from Seligman to Ash Fork. East of that, don't expect any ...

I was bitten by the Model T travel bug, and made four round trips between southern Kansas and Dearborn, Michigan. A mostly stock 1915 runabout was fine for that, as it was all in the relatively level middle of the continent. For a trip like you have in mind, I would make one important modification....

A few years ago when I pumped a clincher up to 72 psi with the hand pump, the Schraeder valve in the stem was all the check valve I needed. My pump's hose connector that screws onto the stem has no center post because that would hold the valve open and the air would come back out. I can't imagine t...

No need to crawl under.

A DIY version of this is cheap and easy.

Oil sight tube.

I believe I already had the clamps, so I spent less than $1 on this.

Brasso!!! That kills it for me. The stuff bearing that name today is not what we used when I was in the army in the sixties. I wouldn't give 2¢ for a case of the current Brasso. There are some good polishes, and people gush about how wonderful their favorite is, but many are only available online a...

Jerry's comment on the hood is on the mark. That's not the stock 15-16 Ford hood in the photo. The correct hood would have six louvers.

By now they may be perfectly OK. My bad experience with them years ago has caused me to avoid them in case any of the defective ones are still around. The chance of getting another of those bad ones prompted my practice of specifying Hartfords.

This is a little OT, but about an old Ford. We moved to Lomita in 1950, and when I was drafted in 1965 mailboxes were still out at the street and mail was delivered by a guy driving a Model A panel truck. When I got home two years later there were sidewalks, the mailbox was back at the house, and t...

You came to the right place. You can also get answers on Facebook,
but the baloney content is higher there.

I agree, two grand tops, depending on the condition of the engine. The presence of a water pump suggests that the radiator is probably shot. The bare bones for a decent TT are there, but Terry's list shows that you will need lots of parts. You live in a perfect place for finding some of them, becau...

It's been a couple of years since I bought new Hartfords, but I'm pretty sure the stems I cut off were rubber.

Many aspects of the Model T are simple, and should be. That includes spark plugs. I like the original Champion X plugs and other T-era plugs, and it's fun to pursue old (and still good) ones at swap meets or online. You can buy the X plugs new, if you want to go the luxury route. But you can get by...

I've been getting them from Coker, but I expect some of the other dealers sell them too. I don't know about 21" because I haven't needed any of those.

Apparently the bigger ratchet wasn't different enough to get a separate part number. The parts book shows the same thing for all years.

I've resorted to Hartford tubes, which have held up well. I get them with rubber stems for the lower price and install my own metal stems. Yes, they're made in China, and the quality is OK. People are equally smart everywhere, and any country can make good stuff if enough customers want it.

...one of the pins with a spring clip attached to one end that allows easy removal of the pin without the need of a cotter pin.

That seems like a great idea until the clip breaks. Yes, it does happen.

The eastern reaches seem have the most interest.

Isn't that where a majority of the people are? I was raised in the West, and I still think of it as the home of the best camping. But I'm used to being in the minority.

A swell thing about Missouri is that most of old 66 is still present as state and county roads.

On old 66 near Lebanon, MO.

I suppose I should mention accommodations for Model T travel. In that department it's definitely different strokes for different folks. On some of my trips I've indulged in the luxury of a motel once or twice due to weather or the desire to have folks in the next county not smell me coming. But tha...

I gather that your car lacks a Ruckstell, prompting you to avoid Oatman Grade. You can do it via AZ95 and AZ68, the long way around. It's been a long time since I traveled old 66, but as I recall it was a good road east from Kingman until you get to Ash Fork. From there, on into New Mexico, you're ...

It's working OK in south central Kansas.

Yes, hiring a motel room every night costs too much. But even in a city I have usually found a decent sleeping spot on the secluded fringe of a huge parking lot. The $0 price is very helpful. I experienced harassment by a "manager" once during my several years of such overnight stops, and moving to...

Freeze plugs? If you want them to be period correct...
https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG87.html

The 8-5-28 parts book has no picture, but it shows #3837 tie bolt for eight-leaf springs 09-27, and #3838 tie bolt for nine-leaf springs 22-27. That tells me there's not a special 26-27 version of either bolt. This shot among my pictures is labeled BOLT, SPRING, REAR, NOS. If I remember correctly, ...

I can imagine myself using an exhaust whistle, but not this. I want four good spark plugs, intact and well-adjusted. Brand doesn't matter. Champion X, Wards, Splitdorf, Horseshoe, whatever.

Norm is on the right track, whether a particular Model T runs well or not. If I go shopping for another T, I'll take a pass on the ones with "upgrades" that aren't easily (cheaply) corrected. I don't subscribe to the superstition that a disturbutor is "more reliable". Experience teaches me otherwis...

Amazingly, all my Model T driving in wet weather has been on paved roads. That leaves me with no photos of my own muddy car. This picture comes as close to the subject as I can manage.

….as some of us have already found out the hard way.. [/size] Yes, what happened to me in Huntington, Indiana, spoiled the whole trip. But as I see it, that could have happened anywhere I chose to drive in a town. The odds of such an incident are mighty low on a local country road in Kansas, but ge...

Allow me to add the complication of a coin unknown to many Americans today — the half dollar. When I was learning money in the forties it was still quite common. Silver dollars (Morgan and Peace) were more plentiful than paper singles in Nevada until 1965. 1024px-Walking_Liberty_Half_Dollar_1945D_O...

It has been a great privilege for me to drive to the Detroit area for the OCF several times. I would recommend it for Model T drivers who have the luxury of free time and a reliable car.

Until they folded a few years ago, Berg's was the place to go for black-era radiators. I was sorry to see them go.

I don't guarantee accuracy, but the Fahnestock book has a
cotter pin list that's mostly correct.

If it is the radiator what are the recommendations of where to purchase a new one or would it be better to have a new core installed? [/size] For a totally new radiator, the only game in town is Brassworks. A recore may save you a few Benjamins IF you can find a shop with somebody old enough to kno...

Fortunately there's a lot of information available, much of it inexpensive or free.
These pages may help:

https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG52.html

http://acimorelli.readyhosting.com/mtdl/default.htm

Overheating may indicate it's time for a flush and a clean-out, a radiator recore, or a replacement.

https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG96.html

I happen to have the same carrier. One of the lugs on my Hayes rim goes at the bottom and the carriage bolt takes a lug nut to hold the rim in place. For a rim without lugs, I gather you'll need a spare lug and nut to go on the bolt.

I believe the Vintage Ford had a big article on Ford oil cans. At this point I remember some things I've seen, but can't tell you when I saw them.

Linus is very much into vintage motor camping. Maybe he will post pictures of the event.

How does an April 15, 1916 engine make it "technically a 1917" engine? [/size] Because of the difference between calendar year and model year. The first Model T cars were 1909 models, though they were made in 1908. That pattern continued. The model year usually began in August or September. So a Fo...

Kevin, the serial number says the engine in your car was made on Saturday, April 15, 1916. Is it purely crank-start, as a car of that vintage would be, or has it been updated with a starter? You are in luck. When your car was new, half of all cars were (Model T) Fords. That means parts for it were ...

Yes, I believe round and pointy is right. You may not need to buy a new needle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTiStUTU9IE

If the nose of the pan is bent...

That seems a very likely reason for misalignment of the bushing and crank. I could post several pictures of installing a better bushing, but I had no misalignment to deal with.

I don't know about belt drive, but tachometers are a common item for sale on the net at a wide range of prices.

Kent, if that works best for you, go ahead. I think figuring out halfway between 3 and 4 on a clock face is pretty simple. I prefer simple.

In a rural small town, the local Walmart may have synthetic only.

I paint drums with ordinary Rustoleum, like the rest of the wheel. It's no problem.

Click on Attachments below. Click on Add files . 439286969_10232142396326043_4494673682447882399_n.jpg Use the resulting window to find the file from your computer, select it, and click Open . Click Place inline and the file number will appear in your Reply box. Type anything you want to add, and p...

My first suspect would be the float valve. Believe it or not, Viton tips have been known to leak. Along with that, some new valves have been sold with gaskets too hard to seal. You didn't state this, but I expect your float valve is one of the problematic repops that persuaded Scott Conger to suppl...

As many times as I've driven across Missouri, I haven't made it to Appleton City yet.
Maybe someday.

Some of us avoid dealing with timer lubrication by using a New Day timer, which is designed to run dry. The New Day repop currently being produced is used by many Model T owners, and they say it's very good.

Quit wasting your time measuring any distance. THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT. Try this:
https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG97.html

Yes, the current New Day repop has a very good reputation.

One knowledgeable T guy (everybody would know the name) packs his Ford roller timer full of grease, and claims that's the way it works best. Of course, when I posted a political opinion on Facebook he called me a fool. FWIW.

This page about cooling and flushing may help: https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG96.html

These videos show flushing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnOZ2MZt5FY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ3nkPm87X0

Oversized and cheap. I love auctions.

Model T steering in reverse can be pretty squirrely. That's why the old "back-up-the-hill" solution for low gas would not be my first choice. Carrying a few extra gallons on the running board is good practice.

Yes, the Model T is simple. But it contains some surprises that can cost you if you aren't warned. (Don't pull the starter without removing the Bendix first.) The shop manual can save you some grief, and a lot of other info is available. Some of these articles may be useful: https://dauntlessgeezer...

I wish someone would make a needle and seat that duplicates Fords original design.

Have you tried the Conger version?

Don't discount the suggestion by Jerry and Kurt.
"Transmission" noises do sometimes come from the rear end.

Mounting a new Riverside. No flap. I've had plenty of flats, and I can't think of any that I can say was due to the lack of a flap. When this 1915 was new, did it come with flaps?
Is there any T-era reference that deals with tires in detail? There's plenty on wheels.
How about tires?

Generally flaps ate used to prevent chaping of the intertube against the spokes in the rim.

Ford used rims with spokes sticking through them?

Correct float level in any carburetor will not cause fuel starvation... [/size] ...and correct float level depends on sufficient flow from the valve. Restricted flow through the valve will not maintain correct float level. Fuel starvation comes from insufficient flow. Trash obstructions, a plugged ...

The best answer so far is from Dan Treace. I would ditch the Grose jet and replace it with a correct valve like the one made by Scott Conger. Many of the replacement NH float valves made and sold in recent decades have too small an opening (.100"), which restricts flow and results in fuel starvatio...

Allan has the right idea for liners.
Flaps? If your rims are good enough, why waste the money?

When Oshkosh quit making adult sizes I switched to Round House, which I find at Oklahoma Walmarts within driving distance. They are an Oklahoma product.

https://www.round-house.com/collections ... dVoBc-sdzW

I suppose this is a silly question, but have you removed the valve core from the stem?

The tool at the bottom (core wrench) is for installing or removing valve cores.

https://www.ngk.com/what-is-a-resistor-spark-plug

This discussion needs to be more complicated. I agree that the McCalley Model T Encyclopedia is a great resource. But Bruce was human, and therefore not error-proof. The more you know, the greater your chance of success. By that I mean it's best to become familiar with other sources, like the Rodda...

Come on, folks, this ain't rocket surgery. Picture #2 shows the rear end of the engine pan notch, bent upwards, interfering with the timing lever. The obvious solution is to remove the upward bend (bend the pan back down to where it belongs). I keep my pans. They catch tools and parts I drop. IMG_0...

If you want to really test spark plugs, see how well they work under compression.

The symptoms in this case always remind me that Scott Conger makes correct NH float valves for a reason. Check your valve's opening. Is it .100", or .125"?

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