MTFCA Forum

Les Schubert

I have done some preliminary work on a electric starter conversion that would drive in place of the front pulley. It is designed around a Subaru starter (because it turns reverse from most and is a powerful double reduction type). I haven’t finished it yet (got distracted on other stuff) but as I pe...

Les Schubert

Nice work

Les Schubert

What did you replace the linings with. I use woven style linings on my AC brakes. I have seen various materials offered as brake linings

Les Schubert

I wonder if the drum surface has become polished to a “glazed” finish. I presume that the possibility of any oil being on the surface has been eliminated. Just some thoughts

Les Schubert

Lots of people have done this. 1. Replace the cutout internals with a diode 2 set the current output to about 1/2 of what you would consider for a 6 volt system. So probably a maximum of 5 amps. When I have done this I disconnected the field ground connection inside the generator and brought it out ...

Les Schubert

Steve
Just wondering about your “press fit” comment on the inside race. Press fit on the rotating race is the rule. A slip fit on the non rotating race is just fine! Otherwise you run the risk of removing all the internal clearance in the bearings

Les Schubert

I’ll let Kerry solve it with the modified sleeves. I sure don’t need another project!!

Les Schubert

I heat 6,000 sq ft using natural gas fired hot glycol in floor heat. The boiler is not located in the shop to eliminate any risk of CO of from gasoline leaks from cars I guess it costs me about $150.00 per month in the winter. I only heat to about 50degrees F or so and wear a warm jacket in the wint...

Les Schubert

Considering that good Hyatt’s are getting hard to find, I have considered making some over sized axle shafts. Probably at least.005 bigger

Les Schubert

Tim
So which version did you make? What material?

Les Schubert

There are a number of different ratios. I think I have the list. Depends on rear axle ratio and tire size

Les Schubert

They seem to resemble small drum AC (which I have two sets of). Looks right to me

Les Schubert

: I believe this is the 27 Canadian version

Les Schubert

: Brake light

I have actually seen and touched ONE in my 45 years in the hobby

Les Schubert

Speedway sells some pretty good tubing bend kits. All mandrel bends so you can cut part way along a bend and the tubing is still round. They also have collectors.
I like his design

Les Schubert

I have done the trip a couple of times and the Alaska Highway through Fort Nelson, Fort St John and on through Alberta is well maintained

Les Schubert

It would not be that difficult to make a cap to fit
The cheap and easy might be from a piece of aluminum round bar. Yes you need a metal lathe

Les Schubert

Ordinary vinegar works pretty good for cleaning this type of radiator. My approach is; Figure out a way to seal the neck temporarily. Perhaps a piece of bicycle inner tube would fit. Now lay it carefully face down and pour vinegar into it through the lower connector. You will probably need a couple ...

Les Schubert

Great guy. I had a couple of great visits

Les Schubert

A set of “fork and blade” connecting rods would deal with the cylinders being perfectly offset so the two centre mains can just bolt together

Les Schubert

Upon reflection it would make more sense to have the camshafts etc on top and just make some drain slots for the oil or perhaps just stay splash and have a oil transfer pump to add the oil into the main bearings to keep the splash maintained

Les Schubert

I’ve thought about building a “boxer” opposed 8 using 2 T blocks. Put the RH side block laying on the valve train side. Put the LH side block in backwards so it is also laying on the valve train side. Run a chain drive between the two camshafts. Bore some big holes on the cam side of the two blocks ...

Les Schubert

Brian
I have thought about doing variable valve timing. The concept has merit!

Les Schubert

I have made my own for many years. I have always let them float. If you actually torque off/ break a axle the friction of the close fit (about.002-.004 clearances) to the tube along with the O ring will easily keep the wheel in place while you stop. Just my opinion. Now I just might install a set sc...

Les Schubert

Thank you for the responses. Some things to think about. Personally, in 45 years of T driving there are probably many things I haven’t experienced. I quite like the one with the coil spring and leather. I might try making some

Les Schubert

Apparently these are no longer available. Personally I really like them as I found them to be extremely “forgiving “. So I’m thinking about making some. The formed leather part is pretty simple. The round disc of spring steel is also simple. The formed spring washer is slightly trickier, but with La...

Les Schubert

Herm’s approach is good and resembles the era design which I started using 40 years ago. I have now reduced the ball bearing size a bit to make it easier to fit into the small drum brake. I hold it onto the inside adapter with a snap ring. Still LOTS of load capacity!! I have a couple of other “devi...

Les Schubert

A little background information The large bearing conversions were offered and used in the T era. The “other options” that are referred to have a history of problems ranging from REALLY REALLY difficult to disassemble to wheel loss while driving due to axle failures. IF you have good Hyatt bearings ...

Les Schubert

Eric
1. Round objects are typically easier to make
2. The magnets are a press fit, so a plastic is MUCH “friendlier” than brass or aluminum without totally changing the design

Les Schubert

I guess I have been lucky having run one since 2001 on my ‘13. I have a spare unit and just examined the rotor and I can now understand the risk. I have been thinking about some solutions. The easy one would just be to make some new plastic ones. Does anyone know exactly what type of plastic they we...

Les Schubert

Once you have used a “electrostatic” paint gun you will never want to go back for painting metal.
The paint wraps around and gets virtually all surfaces uniformly.
Not practical for the hobiest

Les Schubert

The axle shaft is made from quenched and tempered material. Heating it will affect the properties of it.
If you are running safety hubs I wouldn’t worry. With original Hyatt bearings maybe

Les Schubert

Tim
Please note that he has already used heat, so not much to lose anymore

Les Schubert

I would heat the key RED hot. Focus the heat using a acetylene torch as much as possible on the key. As it cools touch a wax candle to it when it is at the point where it doesn’t really smoke. Walk away and let it thoroughly cool. It should now remove fairly easily. The science is as follows. The ke...

Les Schubert

Gene
Thank you for the information. Something for me to consider doing

Les Schubert

1. I see you are at 1,000 ft elevation, that will cost a bit of power
2. The cam is very likely a worn original timed “straight up “. Lots of work done on cams in the last 40 years.
3. What axle ratio are you running. Probably stock, but ?
4. What the others have mentioned

Les Schubert

Kenny I can understand the potential for spark knock. My understanding is that the mag only has 3 effective timing positions. Fully retarded is about TDC 1/2 advanced is about 15 crank degrees Fully advanced is about 30 degrees. Optimal is 20-25 degrees. Unfortunately the design of the Ford mag does...

Les Schubert

On a side note, I would like to hear about the experiences that people have had running the cast aluminum connecting rods that used to be available for running stock T pistons with A crank? I have a unmachined set. I could see using them in a pressure oiled engine without babbit (aluminum straight o...

Les Schubert

Thank you for the smile.
I enjoy when people rewrite the laws of physics!

Les Schubert

What is the “compression height” of these pistons?
I have a 2 up 2 down crank with A size journals but T stroke and I don’t have any pistons yet

Les Schubert

Those look like a interesting piston choice.
To compensate for the flat top I would consider offsetting the wrist pin bushings. Obviously need to be careful that the rings stay in the cylinder bore.

Les Schubert

Very interesting. As a Canadian I “assumed “(dangerously) that they were 30x3-1/2.
I need to do some measurements.
I am thinking about putting them on a speedster built with a 13 engine. The 3 wheels I have are nice and tight.
Always something to learn

Les Schubert

I need one wheel (prefer rear but easily converted) like this picture

Les Schubert

There should be a decent supply of really good rear hubs. I did a production run about 20 years ago

Les Schubert

They should have added a ring to the outside of the flange area to properly support the wheel against the bolts. A wire wheel hub is bigger in diameter at the flange

Les Schubert

Dave
In Canada all new vehicles have had DTRL since I believe 1990.
Older vehicles are “grandfathered” just like seat belts etc and don’t legally require them

Les Schubert

Larry
It improves your chances of getting there alive in one piece!!
Each to their own of course

Les Schubert

If you set it to tight you will likely destroy the reverse drum, especially if you have Kevlar bands.
So set just tight enough so you can back up successfully

Les Schubert

John
Considering the time of year, here is my thoughts
The crank is quite likely out of round.
So remove the crank and get it ground. Probably should be no problem cleaning up at .020 undersize
.020 rods should be easy to get

Les Schubert

I agree with Kevin

Les Schubert

Dave
The only 40 tooth crown that will work with a 13 tooth pinion is a original genuine Ruckstell one which would give me 3.075-1. A stock 40 tooth crown is mounted to close to the pinion I’m pretty sure!!

Les Schubert

Some years ago a guy did a great study on how much the back of the transmission moved around from the force applied to the transmission pedals. He measured significant deflection (irrespective of the pan being straightened (which I fully endorse))relative to the engine block.

Les Schubert

I really like the 12 tooth pinion (gives 3.25-1with a 39 tooth crown or a 3.33-1 with a 49 tooth Ruckstell crown ). Yes you need to buy it separate, but hey it’s only money!!!

Les Schubert

Scott Thank you for the kind words regarding the “floating transmission shaft “(my invention) I also believe in counterweights for the T crank. But I will qualify about this, for people like me with the patience and skills, bolt on Dunn weights are a great cheap solution. But I recognize that I am p...

Les Schubert

Chaffin
Might you have the sides reversed. I thought the Ruckstell was on the left (usually drivers side)?

Les Schubert

George
Thank you for the information. Looks interesting

Les Schubert

I don’t know what everyone else has against it. My guess is it would work just fine with a 12 volt battery hooked to the two terminals and close the switch. If it doesn’t have continuity check the connections. Worst case rewind it. I’m quite sure the laminated metal core can be easily disassembled a...

Les Schubert

Just a guess. The T magneto puts out AC. Perhaps a problem for one of the bulbs?

Les Schubert

I think the problem is the drag link. There are various options

Les Schubert

Gene
Thank you for the information
All the best

Les Schubert

I’ve run a essentially stock T transmission at 4000 rpm plus with zero problems. I will qualify that I oil them from the inside via a hole down the inside of the main shaft connected to the pressure oiled rear main

Les Schubert

I have a generator that would work good with it as it has a distributor on the back of it

Les Schubert

Really cute!!
I wonder if it is a “vane style “
Great find

Les Schubert

So the frame number makes it a December 1925 car. It has a big drum rear axle.
The engine is a 21 block. My confusion is the big pedals in the earlier style hogshead. Obviously not necessarily a real mystery

Les Schubert

Jeff
I will have to check that out

Les Schubert

All interesting.
I have seen a original era picture of a early ‘26 touring with the small drum rear axle (this car was leaving on a sea to sea cross Canada trip and was a brand new car)!
So while Ford introduced some things in Canada first, it was certainly not always the case

Les Schubert

I pose this question because I have a early production 26 coupe that has the wide pedals but doesn’t have the top ears on the hogshead (or the attachment points in the block). Now I realize that in the 93 years that the engine quite possibly was changed. It is just that this car is so “unmolested” t...

Les Schubert

This has all been “entertaining “!
I will continue with my policy of reusing original T bushings in conjunction with new pins (unless they are excessively worn) I’m Ok with clearances in the.008” range. My freshly rebuilt engines are quieter than most of the ones I hear

Les Schubert

If it doesn’t actually boil, I wouldn’t worry about it

Les Schubert

Which is why I like to add a dipstick to my T engines.
Glass sediment bowl; I’ve never seen one under a T

Les Schubert

Maybe this

Les Schubert

Art A very interesting and plausible theory. Further to that, I would suspect that the amount the bolt is tightened would have a effect. I personally don’t tighten those particular bolts very much and of course I rely on high temp Loktite to keep them in place. Perhaps this is why I have never exper...

Les Schubert

Great news
All the best

Les Schubert

Nice looking adapter Hank!!

Les Schubert

Absolutely right Hank!!

Les Schubert

I guess the issue is that there are LOTS of axle gears and I don’t recall a worn out one

Les Schubert

I enjoy making stuff too. Especially the “brain teaser “ part of trying to figure out the best/cheapest way to a quality item!!
Looks great Scott

Les Schubert

It probably has 2 piece valves. They keep turning up as a serious problem by breaking. If you have the 2 piece valves, then I m going to vote to change them AND the cam (and probably the lifters). Lots of guys probably have lots of better cams laying on the shelf that they don’t plan to use, so mayb...

Les Schubert

Now IF he was looking for a 4 speed or a automatic then I could offer some true insight into some solutions. A Volvo 4 speed can be bolted in the same space that a Warford takes. 4 speed all synchro!! Or 4 or 5 speed from a Mustang 2. Drive line gets a bit more complicated

Les Schubert

Unfortunately it happened to me also many years ago when I believed the manufacturers recommended piston clearance. Now I fit for.005” clearance minimum!! Another thing that can get you is when you check your oil using the Ford test cocks. ALWAYS be sure you actually have a bit of flow. Just the app...

Les Schubert

I am also a trained engineer and I spent my career as a rotating equipment specialist and inventor. Model T builder and driver for 45 years. My fastest T powered T speedster does 100 mph. I have put many thousands of miles on the cars I have built

Les Schubert

Jeff It would appear that the bushings seized to the pins. This seems to be a all to common problem when people fit new bushings too tight to new pins. I have never seen this happen when original Ford bushings are run on new pins. In regards to the needle roller system I have those in service on a h...

Les Schubert

Mike
In my case I got really lucky and found a original era bolt in transmission conversion that replaced the original transmission and hogshead with a 3 speed sliding version built in Canada

Les Schubert

I think it is transmission related. Perhaps try putting the rear of the car up on GOOD solid jack stands. Then try starting it in high gear (while sitting in it). See if the noise is there when the transmission is essentially not doing anything

Les Schubert

And I always thought that 3.63-1 was the “standard ratio”!

Les Schubert

Darel That gear (from your description of location) is called “pinion”. There are a number of different versions ranging from 9 tooth meshes with a 40 tooth crown 10 tooth meshes with a 40 tooth crown 11 tooth meshes with a 40 tooth crown 12 tooth meshes with a 39 or a 40 tooth crown 13 tooth meshes...

Les Schubert

Mario
Does it make the noise if you are driving the car?
Either in low or high gear?

Les Schubert

I have a cast iron one that I am thinking about adding the starter to.
Of course it is RH drive and finding one with a starter where I live is pretty much impossible!

Les Schubert

I just measured some new pins at .675”. So if your existing bushings are worn fairly “linearly”, And the flanges keep the gear from rubbing on the flywheel, then I would just run them. Consider that originally they used low a LOT more than we do today (plowing mud and snow etc). I doubt I drive in l...

Les Schubert

I believe that a significantly higher “net” rear axle ratio would not gain you much in “cruising” speed. I liken it to my experience of installing a 3-1 rear axle ratio in my otherwise stock 27 roadster. On a level road with favorable conditions certainly it went a little faster. Through in some uph...

Les Schubert

I question that you actually NEED bushings. Pins, definitely yes. I have not replaced the bushings in years. Always the pins

Les Schubert

I guess I’m one of the fortunate few that has one of the steel flywheels

Les Schubert

I have on rare occasion encountered the situation Norm describes and perhaps the symptoms are as he describes. This is why I recommend the dial indicator test as it will rapidly confirm or eliminate that condition. I have encountered numerous times the version I described. As I said, usually it will...

Les Schubert

I think it is most likely a loose centre main. The “rattle” at moderate speed and moderate throttle has always turned out to be about.004” clearance in the centre main. I always remove the engine and do it upside down on the bench. That makes it much easier to put a dial indicator on the journal aft...

Les Schubert

This makes me think of the “correct oil “ debates!

Les Schubert

I’ve been crank starting using my right hand for 45 years. On my 13 I am very “fastidious”about ensuring that the timing is fully retarded as I have a Trufire. On occasion, of course I do get a “push back “. I ensure that I am ALWAYS ready for this eventuality. I have my fist fully wrapped around th...

Les Schubert

I would suggest a governor would be a real asset

Les Schubert

Thank you for the pictures

Les Schubert

Can someone post a picture?

Les Schubert

Next time you have a broken off bolt consider the “weld out “ method. Find a old block and practice the technique. You will be glad to know how next time you need it. Quick and reliably easy!!

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