MTFCA Forum

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Hello Fellow Model T-ers,

A very generous and knowledgeable gentleman east of San Diego, CA has offered to teach me how to replace the driver's-side rear axle in my Ruckstell rear-end. It has somehow gotten bent causing the wheel to wobble like a drunken sailor on my 1915 Touring fitted with large drum Rocky Mountain Brakes.

I was told by...

I so want to have my car's picture taken in front of this building, but except for Google Earth, it is RARE to find this place without cars parked in front of it.

I just replaced the timer (commutator) wiring harness on my '27. The old harness was routed under the front coil box bracket that holds the box to the head. A previous owner had put a tie wrap around the harness and the bracket to hold the harness a fraction of an inch off of the head. That's sure not the way Henry did it. Does anyone know for...

So the mission is to put some real strength back in these old boards. The termites had a feast but this is a historic grain box from Iowa and the repairs can't show. Should be a fun challenge!!

What years did Ford use the dished high head bolt?

Can someone post a clear photo of an improved car front axle? In the parts section a poster commented that all of the '26 and '27 Model Ts had a dip in the center of the axle. I have no reason to believe that the axle in my '27 has ever been swapped, but it doesn't appear to have a dip in it. I'm wondering if I'm not seeing something that others...

My parts chassis came with this APCO radius rod thingamabob. I'm assuming it's a vintage one because the chassis was last a real car that was being used sometime back in the late 50's or early 60's.

It was really crusty and seized up but I managed to free up all the bits after soaking it for a few weeks in penetrating oil. After that, it cleaned...

Preparing to remove old gas from my model T tank. What is best/safest way of disposing of the stale gas ?

Found this at a local flea market a few years ago.

Can anyone tell me what the MAXIMUM inside diameter of the phenolic material with it's 4 metal segments can be machined to before it is deemed too big? Also, what was the original inside diameter supposed to be when these were new from Ford? I'm referring specifically to the 1913 cast aluminum timer casing variety if that helps. Many thanks in...

Some folks are afraid to drive a Model T in city traffic. To me it's the bramble patch and I'm Brer Rabbit. Born and raised in southern California traffic, I sometimes find it annoying but it doesn't scare me. Of course I stay off interstates and other high speed roads, just as I do in the country. Most city streets have T-friendly speed limits....

Well, price inflation is understood most times, but just received the annual invoice from JC Taylor. Have used them since 1985, reasonable rates, never have had a claim either.

A 50% rate jump with no changes in coverage or autos was such that I called them. Seems that Foremost Insurance Co., Grand Rapids, MI, that JC Taylor uses, mandated this...

I thought I’d finish disassembling this 1920 block this morning and the front cam bearing set screw looked like part of it was broken off. I then found a ball bearing inside to hold the bearing. I’ve never seen that before. I suppose that it was a fix from not having another screw but I don’t know how one of those screws could get damaged in the...

I went to the The Forest Grove Concours d'Elegance this past weekend and this car was there (listed as a 1919 School Bus). I found it interesting and thought maybe you guys would as well. The owner (fellow with the hat in first photo) started it up and it ran strong). No other info as I didn't get a chance to talk to him.

Rod

Just as I was loading my '14 touring into the trailer for the trip to Tarytown NY and the O2O run, the door latch (rt front door) quick locking the door. The same thing happened to the left rear door some time ago. I removed the lock and find the spiral-wound clock spring has broken. I do not see an easy way to repair this so I am looking for...

Checking to see if anyone has summer travels plans to be passing by Bob's Antique Auto outside Chicago towards KY &/or TN? Or Northern OH?

He's a radiator I'd like to pick up without paying an arm and leg in shipping.

I'd still like to have it! speedster damaged.JPG

Last weekend was the local power show that I have gone to over the last 15+ years and try to take something old car related every year. Most times only a few old cars or trucks show up and the rest are tractors and lately lawn mowers. I took the Indiana Truck starting in 2003 as a project that didn't even have an engine at the time and every year...

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First time for me to drive a 4WD T.

For the 29 participants in the O-2-O + 10 run, they completed an aggregate of about 120,000 miles. Failures were minimal when compared to 10 years ago, but were most catastrophic with non-original add-on equipment. These included an electric in-line overdrive unit, a Watts clutch, and 2 or 3 alternators with gear fitment problems. There were at...

Dumb Bass me forgot to raise the wheel on my trailer as I was hauling my Polaris ATV. As I pulled onto the road, I thought it was riding a little rough. As I looked in the mirror, I noticed the trailer moving from side to side. It had popped off the ball and was held on by the safety chains. I had the tongue locked down with a pad lock but the...

...All I know is that it’s not Ruckstell. Anybody know? It matches the forward end collar of the T torque tube...

Is the manifold installation tool sold by Langs (#3066MTG) for $29.95 worth having? Does it make a difficult job easier? Can the job be done without the tool?

Replacing the firewall in my 21 and can’t get the steering column out. Following the Model T bible, but is the timer rod supposed to be bent like this? It’s the only thing holding the bracket on.

Dean, I tried phoning but your mailbox is full and not accepting messages at this time . I tried to send a PM through the forum but couldn't make that work, so I'll try here. When you have a minute to spare, will you call me? The number is three one six 772 seven four two one.

I have a lot of NOS double threaded studs that are 3/8” SAE thread both ends, about 2 1/4” long, only cotter pin hole in ONE end. Does anyone know what part number they are or where they go on a T? Thanks Dan

Some call it the low speed clutch . Some call it the high speed clutch . The bible just calls it the clutch, with no reference to speed. :)

About a mile from my home I saw a 1925 Tudor for sale on the side of the road, I am not connected to the sale, but if anyone is interested the number on it is 312-451-2542, not sure about price, but the car looks nice.

Thanks,
Jim

i am working on a 26 touring front axle problem is the axle is leaning to the rear of the car i know it has to lean to the front of the the bottom of the axle to the front just trying to see were the angle is built into the axle or is it built into the spring perches or the frame it steers so bad steering wheel always wants to always go to the...

Hello: My machine shop guy called and asked who is willing to do engine work in the MN area or close by. He is going to do the machine work, bore , valve seats, valves. He does not have the time to assemble the engine. Send me a pm and I will pass the info along. Thanks Gary

Because I have a Ruckstell axle and no brakes other than the transmission brake, I decided to install the Sure Stop disc brake kit, both because I like driving my model T and I would also like to go on living.

It really is more or less a bolt on kit.

Minor annoyances:

1. To install the brake hose coming out of the master cylinder requires that...

I think I've got this right, but then sometimes what I think is correct isn't too.

1926-1927FanAssembly.jpg

Please look this over and let me know, thanks. :)

Oddball firewall! I’ve had quite a few questions about the firewall I used for my 26 speedster since most improved firewalls were made into the cowls. This one was so graciously given to me and was about as NOS as they come. From what I can gather, this style wasn’t used very much at all. The only part number I’ve found is 3634-L. Seems it was...

I thought some might be interested in how we pressure test model T’s. Every block and head that comes out of here goes through this. It’s very simple to do but it has prevented quite a few flawed parts from being sent out the door only to cause problems later.

I just got a new Radiator from Bergs. I attempted to install a petcock i got from Snyders long ago and it will not fit.
I do not know if I should tap the radiator or try a different petcock. Snyders number A-8115-RE. It looks like a 3/8-24, but I am wondering if it is tapered toward the top. Thank you for your help.

France and I on an evening drive in Rochester, NY. A nice view of the city from the Ford Street Bridge.

Is there supposed to be a small hole near the end of the starting crank arm for the spring to attach to? I can't seem to find one on mine, but it's been recently painted and I don't know if the hole was filled in with paint.

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My father, Lee Chase, and I have a very nice 1924 Touring for sale in Los Angeles.

1927 engine and drive train.

Tour ready and a strong runner.

Stipe cam, Reeder flathead, late model crankshaft replaced and re-babbitted this month all by Rumble Seat Garage, Auburn, CA.
See the How We Replace a Crankshaft at Rumble Seat Garage thread on this...

Is anybody repairing horns? I reached out to several folks who were, but aren't anymore. Many thanks for any contact information.

I had taken off my floor boards to chase down an annoying squeak and was surprised to find one side of the clutch adjusting clevis broken off. I don’t remember if this was a reproduction but the original in my “parts department” was different. The broken clevis was a casting and the one I replaced it with was not. Just shows that every so often...

I AM A RELATIVELY NEW MODEL T OWNER. WHEN i TOOK MY 1925 T OUT OF STORAGE IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND RAN OK WITHOUT ANY LOAD...IT WOULD GO IN REVERSE BUT WHEN TRYING TO GO FORWARD IT WOULD GO A BIT AND THEN DIE. IT WOULD START RIGHT UP AGAIN AND IDLE OK BUT DIE EVERY TIME I TRIED TO GO FORWARD (SEVERAL TRYS). THE HAND BRAKE WAS RELEASED TO NEUTRAL...

Due to a surprise Surgery.with Series of bad Luck . I had to cancel my spot in the upcoming Ryan Ramble Tahoe tour.
Spot open and hotel is available. Aug9-11. Please call
I hope to follow or meet along the path as and interest and offer mechanic assistance along a couple of days.
I have two cars ready for the tour and the 1914 I wanted to...

I have one of these battery cases that contain a 6v Optima battery inside, but looks like a period battery. I’d like to open the case and take the battery out for replacement, but can’t figure out how to open the case. Has anyone out there ever opened one of these?

Do any of you think there would be a problem if I wrapped the exhaust pipe (with fiberglass wrap) to cut down on the heat coming up through the floorboards? It's a '16 Touring. Thanks,

Jeff in Florida

Hello
I have the opportunity to purchase and enclosed trailer and just want to make sure I have enough height. My 27 coupe is not finished so I do not know how high it is. Can anyone give me a measurement.
Thanks Steve

There are no numbers or letters other than the Ford logo.

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I have the rivets for the brake shoes, but also would like to glue them down.

What type of glue do you use?

Thank you.

That part of the forum must still be down. Does anyone have instructions on how the fan goes together? We have a bunch of parts, but no technical drawing. Thank you.

Something has gotten out of adjustment on our '21 Touring. To keep it from slipping in high gear I now find that I must hold pressure forward on the lever with my left foot. It didn't use to be that way. I will have to look into that! :?

I just rebuilt my generator and was wondering when I set the third brush do I hook the ammeter wire directly to the output post bypassing my fun projects regulator?

Can someone provide measurements for the bends in the brake rods fo a 1911? I have brake rods that are mostly straight. Thanks, Art

Finally after having my fully rebuilt engine home for about 3 weeks I got a chance to get my engine painted as we are in the middle of winter here and have had miserable weather for weeks and yesterday was perfect so I got it painted and is going in today
I miss driving this little T around

I had occasion to employ these two slim beauties recently. They will go where others won't. When you are in a tight spot, these are the answer. I'll leave it to you to recognise their potential use.

Allan from down under

Ok - I'm making a new firewall for my '17 and have a newbie question. I bought a metal shield from Birdhaven (FP) that apparently fills the gap between the wood firewall and the engine and I have two questions.

1.) Does it go on the cabin or the engine side of the firewall?

2.) How close should it be mounted to the engine? I assume it needs a...

Hi folks,

A friend bought a rebuilt engine from someone on here with an untouched transmission (but new bands). There does not appear to be any bolts holding the hogshead down, and there are no bolts or nuts holding the bands together... Pedals are loose.

Can anyone please direct me to what parts he will need? Photo attached. Also need the...

It's a little late for asking this question but better late than never; is there supposed to be a pad of some kind between the engine pan arm on the engine and the frame? It seems like there was an old leather one on my 1914 T, but I don't recall seeing one on my '10 when I pulled the motor two years ago. And I looked in the supplier catalogs and...

I first started coming to Iola over twenty years ago to peddle signs when I was in that business. I haven't been able to come every year, but I've been here more times than I've missed. I'm sorry to say in recent years it's declined to the point where I think It's no longer worth the trip. The high price of admission (now $28 for the weekend)...

Sadly, I received word yesterday of Marge's passing. She was the wife of Don Krull. Don and Marge have been very active in the MTFCI, and have been on numerous tours.

GALESBURG - Marjorie A. Krull, 78, Galesburg, died at 11:33 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2019, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, July...

Just notified about one of 'our guys' passing..... He will be missed.

Well after two years of searching for correct parts to replace incorrect parts and getting things blasted, painted and rebuilt I'm finally in the beginning stages of re-assembly! These are just a few photos of the chassis, but I will keep you all posted as I continue to make progress. It's been a long process - much longer than I anticipated - but...

Does anybody know what bulb is used for the pilot lamp on a Yankee 960 turn signal switch? This is for 6V. It's a smaller base than BA15s but I don't know if it's a BA9s or something different. I think Yankee and Signal Stat would be the same, I'm just not familiar with them.

Thanks!

I just put a TT truck back on the road but I have problems with the tires.
The tires are plain rubber.
On the front they are 30 x 3-1/2.
On the rear the rubber is so far gone I can't find any indication on them.

I think it should be 33 x 5 but I need to be sure before ordering any new tires.

How can I identify these tires?

Are these plain tires...

Over the part few weeks I have had my 1926 engine apart for an bi annual inspection. I decided to try and improve the balance of the engine. I'm using a static grinding wheel balancer. Last year we cleaned up this balancer and installed new bearings. It is very sensitive. I tried my crankshaft and found that it is pretty well balanced. The...

Trying to diagnose no gen. out put. With engine off, when I short out conventional cut out (not voltage reg.) with an ammeter, it draws approx. 15 amps between terminals. This should flash the gen. if that was the problem. What should the current draw be in a working gen? With engine running at moderate speed, I draw 5 amps across cut out. Any...

The steering column on my 27 project is toast and I want to use an earlier column. The one I have is off a TT but the column, post, levers etc look the same except for the frame bracket, the round base and the 4 to 1 gearing. I have the right frame bracket and don't mind the 4 to 1 gearing. I want to cut the round base to the same square shape of...

I sold this car to someone in the Idaho or Wyoming area ( if I remember correctly) in the late 1990’s. I would love to see if I could buy it back. Any information would be appreciated

The wood blocks are in place. The upper bolts are snug. The bolts that run horizontally through the block are suppose to be 2 1/4 . That size will be too short. I am going to have to use a 2 1/2 bolt in order to get the nut on and cotter pin in place. Maybe there is an issue with the pan or with the frame, but I have to live with it. Has anyone...

Can one of you tell me the total thickness of the 25 Clutch Discs .
Thanks for your answer.
Toon

Amateurs that we are, we dropped the Ruckstel shift knob into the open transmission. Yes, we had removed the cover to look at what needed to be done besides changing the bands. We had already drained the oil. We made pusher and grabber rods out of coat hangers. We stuck a hand in as far as we could and put our finger up the drain hole. The knob is...

I was driving around in the T last night and felt something small fall on my left foot. It was dark and I didn’t know what it was. This morning I found the peculiar long nut that holds one of the windshield brackets to the body. Turns out a squeak I’ve been chasing was due to this loose screw. So, I found the long nut (shown) but I couldn’t find...

This morning a new junk topic popped up, selling discount meds, at 5:50 AM. By 7:50 AM 7 people had viewed the d**m thing. If we will agree to ignore the stupid things until the administrator here has time to delete them they will not be a problem. We know they are crap so let's leave them alone,please.

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;) for three years I have tried to trace down a knock that has bugged me since I built it.
Think I found it. 9BD144CA-3620-4598-9641-A6BA1136EAD4.jpeg

It's clear from what I've read that the bolts that go horizontally thru the frame and wood block are not to be tightened beyond the point where they don't rattle but what about the top bolts? Same thing? Snug? Tight? I've been researching but the answer isn't clear. Thanks!

Good morning everyone I have managed to get some rear wheels for my TT, can anyone enlighten me on what I have as the bloke I got them from had no information as he found them and thought they would be a cool garden ornament. DSCN0463.JPG DSCN0462.JPG DSCN0461.JPG DSCN0460.JPG DSCN0459.JPG

Would I be right in assuming that they are 23” (30 x...

Does anyone have the dimensions of the high speed/clutch adjusting bolt? Should the end that hits the “ramp” be hardened, or do you use a hardened bolt?
Thanks,
Rob

Since I have some time on my hands I decided to clean out the storage space under the back seat. In addition to the screw jack, spare parts, and tool kit that I knew were there I found this device and just can't make heads or tails of it.

It looks to be some kind of promotional item although I can't make out the name of the company.

My foot,...

My car came with the Winfield SR. It was in pretty bad shape. It leaked, the float wasn’t set correctly, the linkage was messed up. And the car ran like crap. I ended up buying a stock Holley NH on eBay and I refurbed it and while the car ran great, it was underwhelming to say the least. At least I had a benchmark st start from.
....

When I tried to fit a new inner neoprene axle seal it seemed like the hole in the seal was not large enough to fit over the axle. I was able to push it about half way along the taper but it would have taken a large force to stretch it enough to slide onto the shaft.
My axle is 1.062 (which seems standard) and the hole in the seal is 0.78 . Is this...

Was at a family reunion recently and saw this picture of my great grandfather and grandmother hanging in my cousins hall. Can anyone pin what year their touring was. I would be certain this car was purchased new from an Orlando FL. Ford dealer.
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Hey Fellers,
I realize this isn't a stock Ford-type upholstery fabric but I see this black vinyl marine pleated stuff everywhere and wondered if anyone ever tried it in a hot rod or stock Model T? I am curious how it would lay on our cushions and backrests? Naturally this is not proper, I realize that.

Curiously,
Jim

Last week I drove my daily driver to Carlisle, PA for their annual Chryslers at Carlisle car show. On the way out, I made a brief stop at the MTFCA museum to check out the recent improvements to the museum and annex. I got there as they were wrapping up the dedication of the road improvements around the museum. Many thanks to Susan and all of the...

So I went to use the headlights on my 27 touring for the first time yesterday evening, Nothing! When I disconnect the headlight wire from the bucket, one post reads 6 volts and the other has 2 volts (when on high beam). On low beam, one post reads 6 volts and the other is 5 volts. I am assuming one should read 6 volts and the other 0. I hate...

During the rebuild of en engine last Saturday I was recharging the magnets by using the coil loop that came with the engine and was looking good.
Before I tested the coil ring by building it in serie with a 12V 21W light and a 12 battery and checking the change of polarity on each coil. No problem there.
For recharging the magnets, I use three 12V...

Hey guys,
I am about to start my '26 Upholstery for my Touring car, can someone snap a pic or two of your upholstery so I can see how it fastens and it tacked down without a seat cushion in place? I am confused how the cover tacks to the bottom wood and then wraps around the sides of the backrest.

Thanks very much,
Jim Chochole

Had horn apart. Cleaned it, bench tested it. Cleaned switch, tested wires, power to horn is good. Cleaned mounts on the head and water inletof rust and paint. If I run a ground wire to the body of the horn, I get a loud sick cow sound. Why is it not grounding through mounts?

This was the rear vision mirror I found for Henrietta. It had altogether too much black paint.

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When the tourer top was modified for the buckboard conversion, the top no longer folds. Mounting the mirror to the front bow filler board gets it up out of the way.

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This is a much better look....

There used to be a lot of complaints on the old forum about moderators removing entire threads because of one offensive post. It seemed at the time, that the general consensus of the forum was that only the offending post should be removed so that any valuable information within the thread would be retained for posterity. Makes perfect sense to...

While working on my 15 runabout restoration tonight, I saw the marking MB on the front of the of the seat frame. Does anyone know if that indicates what company built the body, and if so, any idea which company?

Thanks,

Neal

Ok.... today should have been a great day. After many months, and a lot of effort on the part of myself and good friends I dropped my rebuilt engine back into the frame of my 1917 Touring today. Of course we picked a hot and humid day so the sweat was just rolling off everyone.

The problem is once the engine was in (tho' not bolted down yet, I...

Can someone tell me about this axle? It's on a speedster I just bought.

Speedster Rollout 5.jpg

I'm prepping my engine for installation and encountered a problem. The lower oil petcock had some black paint on it so I touched it with a brass wire wheel on my dremel and it Moved ! Imagine what would have happened if I hadn't found it and it had vibrated loose....I would have lost most of my oil!

Right now I'm draining the oil and deciding how...

Hello all,
I see another thread just started about a generator not charging. I've started my own so not to piggyback .
My generator appears to be charging, although it is registering the same voltage reading as the battery side on the cutout. The reading is slightly above 6 volts.
With engine NOT running the battery side of cutout reads slightly...