MTFCA Forum

Erik Barrett

All things are possible. I would cut a good threaded end off a warped T manifold and section it onto the Fronty manifold after cutting off the flanged connection that doesn’t belong there.

Erik Barrett

I saw Bill at the swap meet. He said his dad might be able to come but I never saw him.

Erik Barrett

Welding exhaust manifolds by any process is no picnic. Never can tell how they are going to respond to therapy. It would need to be bolted to the head during the process and proper preheat and cooling would be crucial.

Erik Barrett

Didn’t it originally have the threaded connector like the Ford manifold? I would repair it with my powder spray torch. Best method I have used for this kind of thing.

Erik Barrett

I rarely have a T come here for repair that has the rear hubs properly tight. Not coincidentally, most rear ends I take apart do not have axles I would use for something I would build for myself or put my name on for someone else. It is imperative you keep these things tight. 75lbs/ft at least. If y...

Erik Barrett

That would be fine for a vintage overhead, particularly if the top end is not pressure oiled, but not much more than that to control oil getting past the stems with no seals.

Erik Barrett

This car belonged to a guy in our local club. It was built to tour, not for show or to satisfy purists.

If it was a real 1910, people would be complaining about the higher price it would be offered for and still be picking it to pieces.

Authentic 1909/1910’s are available, just not for $23K.

Erik Barrett

Working on parts of this car was certainly a privilege for me. I think this early in production Henry may himself have laid laid hands on the same car as me. I am honored to have had a part in the earliest four cylinder Ford running.

Erik Barrett

Don’t snivel about the price of this car if you can’t afford it. The asking price is reasonable if it is in fact what is advertised. Don’t say you would buy it if it were closer. There are lots of options for moving special cars. If it was 20 miles away you would find another excuse not to buy it be...

Erik Barrett

That’s a great idea for an oil sight gauge. I have done bearing work on several engines that went south after a rock thrown up from some of the dirt roads we tour on broke glass sight gauges.

Erik Barrett

That car was Jerry Sherman’s. It set the record at Long Beach for the fastest flathead ever to run the hill. It now belongs to his son. I have driven it, whatever was done with the carbs is working well.

Erik Barrett

Yes, there are a couple of these in Nebraska. Sadly, they will never run again. If so, what’s the point? We drive and race vintage speed equipment. That’s what it’s for.

Erik Barrett

Gallivan. Not mine but I get to drive it when it is ready. Then it will not likely be seen anywhere soon.

Erik Barrett

Check this out.

Erik Barrett

I have an adjustable height workbench.

Erik Barrett

There could definitely be someone who could use that rear end. Those cars are known to break drivetrain parts more often than T’s.

Erik Barrett

Tidiness rules the day as always here at Rumbleseat Garage.

Erik Barrett

The model 30 is the lower performance end of the 8 valve Rajo lineup. They were commonly used on trucks, often called the commercial Rajo. While not as fast as the hotter heads, it will definitely boost performance and look just as cool on a model T as the others.

Erik Barrett

We did very well today, well worth the drive. Saw neat cars and parts, met up with friends we don’t see up our way, and bought good stuff. My biggest score was a nice set of reamers for all the transmission bushings. Promises to save much time over the Sunnen honing machine. The Mercury speedster wa...

Erik Barrett

Anyone here going to the Long Beach meet tomorrow?

Erik Barrett

Chaffin makes the 8 valve Rajo. There were some repros of the 4 valve done years ago. If you want an all new OHV setup, Chaffin’s unit is real nice. The one advantage of a 4 valve is it will fit on late cars without notching the firewall and gas tank.

Erik Barrett

Our local club is taking a breakfast tour to Colfax Ca. tomorrow. Any idea when you will be coming through that area? All of our towns around here are right on the Lincoln Highway. We would love to bring out some cars and cheer you on.

Erik Barrett

Great news. I think it will be more like the Bakersfield meet of the old days. That is not to say that Bill and Steven have not scored a home run with the Tulare meet. I have done very well there the last two years. I trust these guys to give us a great experience. I will be there for sure.

Erik Barrett

I would bet that your car was taken apart and put back together with the front axle backwards from what it was before. This results in the spring perches winding up on the wrong side, leaning the axle forward at the top. That’s called negative caster and can make a model T very dangerous to drive. I...

Erik Barrett

My TT dump truck has won me a few bets this way. When I was working in the industry, I could chain dumpy up to a full loaded semi weighing in at 80K lbs and pull it, albeit very slowly, up a slight grade. The truck has a Warford and a Ruckstell and the trick would only work when the dump truck was l...

Erik Barrett

Strange that nobody knows what happened to the real one. How do you lose something like that. At least they still have 15 millionth car.

Erik Barrett

They are available new cast in bronze.

Erik Barrett

I had to put a new fuel tank and lines in the dump truck. It seems like every year I have to do something to that thing. Last year I had to clean out the timer.

Erik Barrett

Just delivered the model T to Jim for a ride South. This is a really nice driver. It came here for a starter retrofit and Ruckstell installation. I’m sad to see it go, wish I could have driven it a bunch more.

Erik Barrett

We were going to put the Cherry scent additive in the Wild Cherry race car but there are rules about exotic fuels and additives so we decided against it.

Erik Barrett

Lots of options here, some better than others. The best is to have the main bearings redone. $$. You can get a rebabbitted rear cap from the vendors and fit it to your engine. Third, it is possible to build up the worn out front thrust surface on your rear cap and fit it to your crank to get the end...

Erik Barrett

Him: “You’re starting to sound like my ex wife.”
Her: “You didn’t tell me you were married before.”
Him: “I wasn’t.”

Erik Barrett

Anyone that has been to an auction involving these cars can tell you they are not representative of average market value.

Erik Barrett

Vintage dual spark stuff will set you back some serious cash. Here are a couple. One is Stutz and one Pierce Arrow I think.

Erik Barrett

I’m sure a lot of them were not perfect right out of the factory. But I like to have them as straight as possible when they leave my shop.

Erik Barrett

It was Phil’s car at one time. I don’t know who owns it, but it is preserved and is housed at Blaine motor sports in Visalia.

Erik Barrett

Probably a Laycock overdrive, most likely done by Mickey and Rich in Bakersfield. Best ever for these cars. In combination with a Ruckstell a perfect combination for touring.

Erik Barrett

Don’t overthink this. Over a century model T’s have been subjected to crazy things resulting in tweaked parts. The only really crucial thing is to maintain your fourth main bearing alignment. So design your auxiliary transmission support so that it does not put stress on the back of the T transmissi...

Erik Barrett

Kudos to Bill and everyone that made this a great meet. I sold enough to send people home with things they needed and that covered expenses even with $6 diesel. All of my friends and I found rare parts crucial to our projects. That could only happen in one place one weekend right here in Tulare. See...

Erik Barrett

Another pic.

Erik Barrett

I did some work on this for Kim. Rebabbitted the rear transmission support bearing and the babbitt lined socket for the torque tube. Never seen anything like that. Time intensive.

Erik Barrett

Perry, I would have to use my big lathe for that one!

Erik Barrett

Heating the tubes doesn’t bother the Ford steel tubes. I will straighten housings if you get them here. It’s $50 a pair.

Erik Barrett

Building a couple rear ends for people. It’s amazing how many of them are bent. Like oil pans. I have never put one on my KRW jig that didn’t need some correction.

Erik Barrett

Rumble Seat Garage will be there. Got my packet a couple days ago.

Erik Barrett

Erik Barrett

All of those things have to be shortened. The tubes I cut and machine the ends square, then weld. On the shafts I cut the front end off and machine the bushing surface and u joint square back on in the right spot.

Erik Barrett

When I pour these I pour from both sides using left and right hand ladles. The quicker you fill the mold the less chance of a cold shut. The water is sprayed to chill the babbitt as quickly as possible which preserves the quality of the metal. I have a helper ready with the squirt bottle handy. If t...

Erik Barrett

Storm Vulcan Block Master is a fine machine. Used one many times but don’t own one now. I mill blocks and heads on my big milling machine but I have to do it in two passes. Works fine but not as nice as your setup.

Erik Barrett

No, only the price of very rare early ones being bought by people who haven’t carefully researched and vetted them.

Erik Barrett

I have had two NOS ones in original box with instructions. One is green, one red.

Erik Barrett

If you’re going to create something like this, why not go for the gold and stamp it #1? It would be just as believable.

Erik Barrett

There aren’t many things on your car more safety critical than the wheels. A good one of these sells for about $100. They can be had brand new new for a bunch more than that but what price safety? I have welded up small cracks on them but examples like the one pictured I use for the base of fire pit...

Erik Barrett

I don’t know a model T guy that would charge a prospective new hobbyist to look at a car and give advice. There are plenty of guys whose business is to evaluate cars from estates and divorce settlements. Most T’s aren’t worth enough to involve them. Find a T guy in your area. There’s nothing we love...

Erik Barrett

If there are any 1909’s available for $8000 more than a 1917 I would sure like to know about them. Every year before 1915 the price goes up significantly. By the time you get back to 1909, you will be spending at least five or six times as much as a 1917 in the same condition. 1915 is the best bang ...

Erik Barrett

I have done business with guys down under. I will likely never meet them in person but we are mates because of our shared love for old cars. I wonder if they don’t post pics because they appear upside down? 🤪 I have the same problem with my IPhone sometimes. I would love to go there and have a pint ...

Erik Barrett

A flathead model T has run 200 mph at Bonneville. Five main crank with a girdle and turbocharged I believe. That Gemsa head will make more power but you may need to supercharge it to get into the 200 club. I would be happy to help you in the endeavor.

Erik Barrett

I think you had better plan to use a replacement pan. They are not rare, expensive parts. Yours can probably be repaired with an absurd amount of time and patience. Better to pick up a good one and use all that time repairing other things.

Erik Barrett

Tossed some trash in the dump bed. Dump run soon.

Erik Barrett

I have done both and many others. I cranked my 26 Buick a lot in high school. The biggest I have cranked up is a 1917 American LaFrance T-head six. Over 900 cubic inch displacement. I have also started a Caterpillar 60 with a crowbar in the flywheel notches. The compression release helped on both of...

Erik Barrett

Didn’t like this engine.

Erik Barrett

Seen quite a few that looked like this one. They don’t like hot engines.

Erik Barrett

Same day service.

Erik Barrett

Definitely something interesting about the rear end. If there is anything 1904, it would be the buggy seats.

Erik Barrett

To use a B crank in a model T engine you have to turn both the rod and main journals down to model A size, so you may just as well get a counterbalanced A or Scat crank. You can use B rods in a model T if you have an overhead cam engine with no cam in the block.

Erik Barrett

I can’t see your numbers in the pic, but when I do these I bore the block out to the edge of the main bolt holes for babbit bearings. For insert bearings you have to use the housing bore dimension required by the bearings used.

Erik Barrett

It’s getting real hard lately to see a car that’s not a barn find. I often wonder who “lost” these cars and if maybe they want them back.

Erik Barrett

It’s amazing how uptight people get when someone claims their model T is any older than the newest part on it. It is particularly egregious when the car in question is presented as earlier than cars owned by the offended parties. This is a lot of car for the money. I am helping put together a 1909 f...

Erik Barrett

Thanks for the support guys. I should have been a little more tactful in my posting I think. It’s not helpful to imply people are inept because drums break in their cars. It’s a matter of practice and experience learning how to operate and get the most out of a model T reliably. My mission in this h...

Erik Barrett

Kevlar does not damage low drums. There are two things that definitely do. One of them is not knowing how to drive a model T. If you are going to use low or reverse, do it like you mean it. Lock that band down and don’t let it slip. Same with the high clutch. Neither was meant to be slipped but enga...

Erik Barrett

Don’t waste your time and ruin an early head. Just pony up and buy a Prus or Z head. They are the best bang for your buck available. You won’t notice any difference with a butchered low head.

Erik Barrett

We are on the way. Be there maybe 5 PM. Bringing a TT C-cab truck and a few goodies for sale. See you there.

Erik Barrett

A 90 year old radiator can look great and not leak but still won’t cool. Eventually you will give up and buy a new radiator. It’s up to you how much money you waste before then. There is a reason original ones become available. People get tired of boiling the coolant.

Erik Barrett

I am delivering the C-cab TT truck that we bought at the Spring Tulare meet. Now it’s a flatbed. Going back to SoCal. Small world. We will have some other goodies for sale.

Erik Barrett

Very quick model T. I can’t drive it being too big to get in it but I do get to work on it a lot.

Erik Barrett

Thanks Henry. We had a good time and the model T did us proud.

Erik Barrett

This pic was taken in Nebraska. The blue car was very fast there too and the Wild Cherry took King of the Hill there. The first model T to do so.

Erik Barrett

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Erik Barrett

We went racing at the RPM drags at Santa Margarita. Not with Wild Cherry. I dropped a valve seat on the Gemsa head getting ready for the race last weekend in Auburn. It’s ugly. Anyway, the Cherry can’t race at RPM because they’re sticklers about period equipment so it can’t race there. We took the B...

Erik Barrett

If you are concerned about the originality of the aluminum hogshead, why would you bolt on some abortion of a starter that you can’t get replacement parts for and looks like an afterthought? I’ve done many starter conversions for folks that can’t crank anymore but want to enjoy their model T’s. Pull...

Erik Barrett

I have seen some new day timers with a spring on the brush that is much too strong. I replace them with a spring out of a ball point pen.

Erik Barrett

If you want a counterweighted crank, pony up and buy a Scat. I have put in a couple dozen of them. The bolt on weights can work if carefully installed on the diamond web cranks and run very smooth until they come loose which they will in time. The vintage Sure Mike cranks also run well until they br...

Erik Barrett

I took Sue’s T out for a ride yesterday. Great running car, very long legs, wants to go fast. Part of its heritage as a Montana racer. I put a KC Warford in it for Sue for the hills.

Erik Barrett

I was saddened today to learn that Sue Schneckloth died recently. She was a regular on National tours with her 1924 runabout. I cared for the car for many years. It had been built by Louis Rector for the Montana 500 and needed some serious love before touring here in hill country. Every year I would...

Erik Barrett

Valve timing only works with a stock cam and pistons.

Erik Barrett

I thought it came back to Southern California a while back. We may never see it on the Northern part of the State, something about being unable to negotiate the Donner Pass route. There are eight of them surviving, I don’t see any of them listed at the HF museum. They are magnificent to see even whe...

Erik Barrett

Thanks again for all the support and thanks to the guys who keep this forum running. Julie is showing some improvement although the coughing is still tearing her up. At this time she is resting fairly comfortably. We have been told this thing could take a while to get through and we continue to be a...

Erik Barrett

Thank you Jim. I will keep you updated.

Erik Barrett

Well, to borrow a phrase from the Mikado, here’s a pretty how dee do. Let me begin by offering a humble thank you to all who have reached out in support of Julie and I. Thoughts, prayers, and good wishes are all equally welcome. Julie is resting fairly comfortably and is showing some improvement. Do...

Erik Barrett

What Dan said. I drive my TT with Warford and Ruckstell and no foot throttle. Hold the wheel in your left elbow and work the throttle with that hand. Shifting the RM transmission or any other auxiliary like the Warford is a matter of matching road speed to engine rpm. You have to adjust the rpm to w...

Erik Barrett

There have been a few T’s built with turbos. I believe the T streamlined racer that did over 200 mph at Bonneville is a turbocharged flathead. Nitrous oxide is just a different form of supercharging. So yes you could run a T engine on it. The only question is for how long.

Erik Barrett

I flew on one of these a couple times when it came to the Auburn air show. Like no other airplane I have been on. That plane later crashed at another air show when someone forgot to remove a strap used to secure the rudder when it is parked. There is video of that event.

Erik Barrett

Hanging on a wall is what vaporizers do best.

Erik Barrett

Scott said it perfectly. These things can be noisy when there is nothing wrong with them. Some sets of gears are just noisier than others. Having all control parts adjusted properly and driving it as it was designed for are keys to success.

Erik Barrett

Nobody that knows how to drive a model T is inclined to steal one. The biggest risk is theft of things like the key or radiator cap. Get a car cover and use it.

Erik Barrett

Here’s the trophy presented to the Wild Cherry team at Lincoln. It’s a reproduction of the flying skull mascot on the radiator of the legendary Ed Iskenderian’s T roadster on display there. Note his signature on it, Isky was there and a real spark plug at less than a month short of 100 years old.

Erik Barrett

Les, be advised that you can participate regardless of where you are from but to compete for awards you must have a Ford block. That said, I have never seen tech inspectors check out an engine that carefully. The model A guys know not to come with an aluminum five main Donovan block if they are are ...

Erik Barrett

Another T transmission destroyed because it was built too tight thinking it would last longer when the opposite is the result. I have never seen one fail because of sloppy bushings, they just get noisy. I have had to salvage a bunch of them that seized bushings and welded thrust washers together and...

Erik Barrett

Thanks everyone for the thoughts. I was scheduled to drive the car but was not feeling well and this is a machine that demands complete concentration. I’m glad about that because Robert was was more than up to the job and he has put so much into this endeavor. He richly deserved the crown. The Wild ...

Erik Barrett

Wild Cherry II took the crown today at the speedster reunion. First time a T race car has won there we are told.

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