MTFCA Forum

It may be worth adding a gas cut off valve at the carb - it makes shutting off the fuel much easier than getting under the car each time...

Or... https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG106.html

Any idea what year are those color chips were produced?

The picture file is labeled 1910.

What Ned said. It can be worse than just locking up.

https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG79.html

I expect you can get a paint mixed in any color you want, even in California. A few years ago I went to three paint stores in Carson, Torrance and Gardena looking for lacquer thinner. They all told me it couldn't be sold in California anymore. Then I went into the Home Depot at Lomita Boulevard and...

Steve, I can't find a website for that company. Do you have contact info?

I bought a couple from Adam. You can contact him through the forum. Go to the top of this page and click on Extra Quick links, then Search for members.

Bruce describes it as so dark that in the shade it looks black.

For those who are wondering, the lowered filler hole begins with 1919. From 1919-1927, fill to the hole. The Ruckstell book says oil level is the same as for the stock rear axle: 1919-1927 fill to the hole; before 1919, ½" below the hole. Use 90W or 140W, not grease or 600W. It's good to have the b...

I've found a reference that gives the actual thickness given on the Ford drawing. It's .677" to .697", so .6875" (¹¹⁄₁₆") is good. I think I may spend a few bucks and get a copy of the drawing.

Yes, at least one state says you may not use a restored plate. Another state says it must be restored. In either case, how do they know whether it's restored or NOS?

When Adam Doleshal finished my engine work he used one of these to put the head back on. He says they're excellent, and he uses them instead of copper.

Allan is correct. The ¾" ply is slightly too thick. With a little sanding of the back edge it should fit right into the hood former.

I got that in an email, a couple of weeks ago I think. I'll be ready to apply. I have to decide what pictures to send that I haven't used before.

I don’t have any means of welding! [/size] I didn't either, for about half a century. One of the best investments of time I ever made was a welding class at the local juco some 30+ years ago. It was a night class after dinner, and when the teacher showed a film I had trouble staying awake, but I le...

Maybe T Encyclopedia knows.

It may be in there, but I didn't find it.

Well, not really a controversy but a question. When did they start putting the clamps on "backwards"? Maybe somebody who's a better researcher than I am can find some documentation.

Spark plugs: If you want "correct" OEM Champion X plugs you can buy new ones. They are ungodly expensive. One of them costs much more than a full set of other plugs. On the other hand, original Model T plugs can be found at swap meets and occasionally on eBay for under $10. I have paid as little as...

One of your engine photos clearly shows a control rod attached to the carburetor. It goes through a hole in the center of the engine block. One of the others seems to show the timer control rod going under the coolant pipe, so I don't know what's missing.

I need to find an attachment for my grease gun, cause it has the studs on either side of it. [/size] That sounds like old time Alemite fittings from the thirties. They may have fresh paint, but I expect they've been there for a long, long time. The Holley NH carb was used during the peak production...

I wonder what Steve Jelf is going to do with it now ?

I plan to drive it to Michigan for the OCF, if they'll let me in.

The tool is an old time battery tester.
Any farm supply store will have six volt batteries.
Here are couple of lube charts.

[/size]

That's a beautiful parts salad (some 1914 and a lot later). I don't know the manufacturer of the truck bed, but it does look like a factory job.

The T originally had grease cups like the one on the water pump (which the car didn't originally have). It sounds like they have been replaced with old time Alemite fittings. Ordinary multi-purpose grease is fine. If the books that came with the car don't include the Service Manual you should get t...

Both less the value added tax (which I don't understand, I don't think stateside buyers have to pay it).

Correct. The extra we pay on top of the £149 is in US customs.

...for a very reasonable price you can get those size tires from Snyders or Langs, and again, They'll probly outlive you.

Whether they outlive you depends on how much you drive.

...though mile after mile of stop and crawl through Chicago was rather annoying. And no overheating?? [/size] Not even close. I have a good flat tube recore. I DID have serious overheating mid-Missouri when the overflow tube broke loose and made a coolant leak. I stopped at every little town to dum...

I would use them. You can cut them out of old inner tubes if you have some.

My 1915 is a mostly daily driver in warm weather. Maybe I would drive it more in the winter if I had side curtains. I use it when I go to town for shopping, after dinner for an evening recreational cruise, and for some interstate travel. I drive modern to get somewhere fast, and something bigger to...

Yes, prime them. Use a very dark primer, like black, for the reason John mentioned. Sand with a fine grit (at least 800), and finish with your gloss black. I would use spray rather than brush.

One online source says truss and brazier are synonyms. I suppose I can get truss heads, and if the heads are too big I can turn them down in the lathe to match the originals.

A lot of the rivets in Jim's catalogue are listed only by size. He does specify ¼ x ¾ brazier head for front fenders, but I don't see anything listed for rear. That's why I asked about size. I'll ask him. Lang's catalogue shows a ? for 13-16. If Jim doesn't have them long enough for the rear, I'll ...

I suspect this is one of those parts that's the same for all years, but the particular car in question is a 1915. What size are the rivets that hold the brackets to the fenders? I need to remove the brackets to repair some fender cracks, and will need to install new rivets.

That $20 would be almost $15 USD, $18.40 Canadian, or £10.80 GBP.

The black headlight rims say 1916.

Steve, have you purchased Blockley tires ? I know you have offered advice on ordering them by pairs rather than four or five at a time to reduce duty fees. [/size] No, I haven't bought any yet. I believe Tim Juhl has, and is very pleased with them. I think Seamus is running on them too. I intend to...

Of all the T tools, it is probably one of the more necessary tools...

And then there are the tools that are for display only: Ford tire irons and that "screwdriver" mashed onto the end of the pliers handle.

The serial number was behind the cam gear housing like this until about #100,000 (1912). I can't make out what the number is.

...in his profile, he has a ‘25 coupe.

Yes, there's a picture of it. I would go with a Berg's if it's still available, or a recore if it's not.

No. Just bracket bolts, steering column, radiator rod, coil box, dash shield, etc. It's mounted outside the cowl, so it should be easy.

What Dan said. $2 at a swap meet. They were made by various companies and have different markings, or often no markings at all. Has anybody ever made a tool display box with the correct tools? Yes,though it's usually an original style roll, not a box. Tool sets vary by year. Some pictures are here:...

If it's not a show car I would go with flat tube, though a new radiator of either kind would likely cool well enough. For a brass era car there's no question. Recore. But for black era I would go with Berg's, if you can still get one. If those are all gone, my second choice would be a recore.

Ah, yes. One picture shows the hole in the center.

The Goodyear website does not show tires for any vehicle before 1983, and no size even close to 440, 450-21. I expect the 21 inch "Goodyear" Model T tires are made under license by some other company, like most of the other Model T tires.

So which are better? The Blockleys in 4.50 x 21 or the Good Years?

If the Goodyear balloon tires are made by the same folks who make the non-Blockley clinchers, the Blockleys are better. Does Goodyear still make Model T balloon tires? It's only a guess, but I suspect the answer is no.

What we can see of it says 15-16 with a 19-25 engine & transmission.

There was a long discussion of the car and questions of its authenticity earlier this month.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26851&p=206561&hili ... 32#p206561

Depends on what tools you want to display. Only a few tools were issued with each car. There are dozens (hundreds?) of Z tools. Here are some tool displays at Hershey IMG_4271 copy.JPG IMG_4275 copy.JPG IMG_0319 copy.JPG IMG_0317 copy.JPG Bob Richmon's display includes his 1912 Stynoski winner's de...

...you’re either a good bit younger that my Mom (born 1935)... [/size] Yep, she has a few years on me. I'm only 80. I was also in California. The coasts have always been more expensive than the Midwest and South. When I moved to Kansas my car insurance dropped by 50%. Where I was Cokes went up from...

Does anyone have an idea of what shipping costs look like? 4 tires to say Maryland?

I would go to the website and inquire directly. I seem to remember extra customs above a certain value, so I would ask about two shipments of two versus one shipment of four.

https://www.blockleytyre.com/

What Tim said. In the fall 45º F feels cold. By late February it's relief.

I admire all the technical knowledge and expertise shown in this discussion over the course of the past four-plus months. As an electronic dummy who comes down with MEGO when the discussion gets more complex than a lighting circuit, I'm pulling for you guys to come up with a final product that will...

A hardwood dowel would also suffice I believe.

I use wood, on the theory that being softer than metal it's gentler on the oiler. Either way, drive it in with light taps, not heavy hits. It's easy to wreck those oilers with excessive enthusiasm.

Wonder why those linings aren't for years before 1919.

Nope, continuing east on 300 N toward Wingate. Big trucks are waiting to haul away the soybeans.

Last I heard he was in Arkansas. It's been a few years. This post from September 2019 explains why we haven't heard from him: " Hi Guys, I'm in the Model A world these days but heard about this tranny so had to join the forum and comment..."

I do not buy candy bars. I refuse to pay a dollar or more for something I used to get for a nickel. When I was 14 I worked Saturdays for a mowing service. For my twelve hour day I got $3. The Sunday matinee at the Lomita Theater was 25¢. A bottle of pop was a dime. A cheap burger at Ken's drive-in ...

The Twist style was threaded into the top of the spindle while the Flip Top was unthreaded and just pressed in. [/size] And for a while between those two types they were a part of the bolt. Actually Ford used several different types of oilers. In the Encyclopedia Trent Boggess goes into detail on t...

This morning I spent my personal expense money buying some reproduction Model T parts that I need for a future project, in order to get said parts before they stop making them ! [/size] Yep, I have a few things stashed for the time when they will no longer be available. Bulbs, bearings, gaskets, et...

Interestingly, the Blockley clincher price of £149 is $25 less than the least expensive of the faux Firestones. It's $7 more than the lowest priced Excelsior, and $3 less than Coker Classic. It's the same price as the lowest priced Universal, and $38 more than Wards. So the Blockleys cost almost 23...

Some websites (Coker, Lang) show separate 30 x 3 and 30 x 3½ tubes. Others (Blockley, Lucas) show only 30 x 3½. Other than Blockley, none of them specify brand, which I consider important. I haven't used Blockley tubes, but from what I've read about them they are the best. I have used Hartford tube...

...Ts with wood firewalls would have failure at the point where the steering column attached to the firewall after being battered on bad roads... [/size] That's exactly why I'm making a new firewall for my 1915. One of the bolt holes at the steering column is completely wallowed out and another one...

Do they have to be paid for in English money and shipped from England?

As Dave says, you can pay in USD. But yes, the tyres are shipped from the UK. So far there's not a US distributor.

I'm afraid we've been spoiled by living in a golden age of parts availability. Not too long ago we had Total Recoil, RV Anderson, Fun Projects, new gas tanks, Bob Bergstadt's reproduction parts, and other products and services that are now gone or going. Looks like we're in for a lot more DIY and m...

I'm not a coil expert, but I suspect you were just lucky.

How does the Service Manual tell you to do it?

If the timer control rod is touching one of the terminals, that can do it.

So the question would be did KRW make tools and pullers for other old vehicles, tractors and equipment besides Ford? [/size] As this is a Ruckstell tool, my questions would be: 1 Were Ruckstells made for any other vehicles than Ford? (I don't think so.) 2 It's not a wheel puller, so what Ruckstell ...

Bruce says the steel firewall was introduced in January 1923. Both steel and wood were used concurrently for a couple of months. By April all firewalls were steel. The taller steel firewall that belongs with the high radiator and hood arrived with the 1924 model year in August 1923. I can't vouch f...

You may like the look of the Blockley tread, or you may not. If you're wondering whether it's period correct —

1922

Personally, I like the Blockley version of this better.

Yes. Rather than wonder or speculate, I asked. Yes, Blockley tyres are available to be posted worldwide, and we have sent the 30x3 and 30x3 1/2, and inner tubes, to many USA customers. Only today, for example, we sent a set of 440/450x21 to Florida. These tyres are unlike anything the Model T owner...

BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DROP ANYTHING INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHILE REMOVING OR REPLACING THE COVER OR SCREEN! That should be said like this: BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO DROP ANYTHING INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHILE REMOVING OR REPLACING THE COVER OR SCREEN!!! :D It's very inconvenient when a foreign object fa...

Some think these estimates are too low, and for brass era cars I agree that they are. But for steel era I think this is a pretty good guide: http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG99.html

Have you seen the 6 pc. solid copper manifold gasket set...?

Yes, but I've never used them. I've heard of the problem with steel rings Dan described, but I haven't had it so far.

These are the original style Ford parts.The steel ones are the glands, but I call them steel rings for clarity. They are meant to be used "alone together" with the steel rings holding the manifold in place and the copper crush gaskets sealing the gap. I put a little hi-temp RTV on the copper, espec...

...finding a better former would be money well spent. [/size] And maybe easier said than done. There were three for sale at the Model T Haven auction. I didn't bid because all were in much worse shape than mine. With formers being out of production for over a hundred years, I expect a better one wo...

With the high tech fillers, I’d use plastic over lead any day of the week. [/size] Plastic filler on my hood former (I'm guessing about 50 years old) has been cracking and peeling off. It was used as a cover to fill pretty serious orange peel. What should I use for that? Do I want to fill it with s...

I would refer to the MTFCA Electrical System book.
I believe you need a reliable tester to do a proper job.
Maye someone with actual experience can confirm or correct that.

I believe I was going through Decatur when I saw it like this.

The company marketing the tires sets the specifications. The factory makes the tires according to those specifications. One company currently markets tires of its own design under its own name and claiming superior quality. I think there are probably two companies having reproductions (at least in ...

To post a link here, just find the song online, copy the URL, and paste it in the composition box. Billy Murray recorded The Little Ford Rambled Right Along for both Victor and Edison. The restored Edison recording has the better sound quality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L94ckvDT8Y Screen Sho...

In this 1926 hit a Model T is the punch line at the end.
The music is available online.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uGyAzRjPsw

Does the 17 grand job use body solder, or plastic filler?

I see registration opens June 1. I aim to be ready.

I'm tired of this imported junk.

By all reports I've seen, the Blockley tubes are very good. They will probably fit in those inferior Firestone tires.

So you are saying, Indiana looks almost the same as the other plains states?

A lot of it does. There are miles of corn and soybeans, then more miles of soybeans and corn.

Note the combine and trucks. Soybeans going to the bin.

It's such a chore...

What a bummer!

Complete gasket set only.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/for ... +set,10392

I will skip the kit, not only because of the price. Some of those gaskets I don't use, and some I make myself.

When I read those old discussions I always wonder, "What ever happened to — ?" Fortunately the folks I miss far outnumber the ones I don't.

When the What oil? question comes up, somebody always points out that the cheapest oil you can buy today is much better than what was available in the Model T era. I think the same is true of paint. Yes, you can spend much more than your T is worth in pursuit of a gorgeous Duesenberg-worthy finish,...

Initially I was going to order tires from the usual US tire suppliers... [/size] It may turn out to be a good thing that you didn't. The Blockleys are claimed to be far superior to the other Vietnam tires. If they last just 25% longer they will be cheaper per mile, even with the extra fifty bucks o...

I ordered a couple of these from Adam after using the one he installed in my engine. I'm not familiar with the Felpro gasket, so I don't know if these are similar.

... I suppose it will fit and work in all Model T’s?

1912-1927 timers are interchangeable.

1916-1920

...use a piece of neoprene gas line...

Here you go, Norm. The arrow marks the place.

I wonder how availability is on Blockleys. I intend to try those next time I get new tyres.

He cleaned the mag post of lint and debris and it began to work again, for a few days, then failed again. He tried a new mag post, no good. For a magneto to abruptly stop working, a short or open circuit seems probable, not that the magnets somehow suddenly became weak. [/size] I agree that working...

Without anything to indicate size, I thought they were tie rod groove-wearers.

Yes, the timer and the fan are the only lube points where the Ford lube chart specifies 200 miles for oiling or greasing. That's a reason I run a New Day.

I don't find the Boggess-Patterson article in the MTFCA abridged online version of Bruce's encyclopedia, but it is in the full version available on flash drive.

At first I thought the folks at 2146 had no mailbox, but it's on the south side of the road.

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