MTFCA Forum

One of Jay's Accessory of the Day feature from 2010:

COMPASS INDICATOR F OR AUTOMOBiLES Filed May 8, 1926 i Patented Apr. 10, 1928;
UNITED STATES OLE P. NOISOM, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.
COMPASS INDICATOR FOB AUTOMOBILES, ETC.
Application filed Kay 8',
My invention relates to improvements in compass indicators for automobiles, etc, and itmore...

In spite of a few things gone wrong, I had a great time.

The first time I tried to take my ‘26 Runabout out of the trailer it wouldn’t start. I apparently installed a bad starter. My son and Bob Barrett Jr. (Cubby) convinced me to change it on the field this morning. I dropped one of the 12-24 cover screws in the grass and amazingly Bob found it....

As seen Saturday at the Old Car Festival on another unrestored 1914 touring car, the Murphy fasteners were all black originally on these cars in 1914.

20250907_084113.jpg

Soldered in these two beads.

The second photo down, is the finest photo of a almost new 13 runabout I've seen.

Mr Gates in picture 9 that big block is a T block as early as 1913 or a bit later based on the supports on the 3rd main, the thick oval field coil plus the Jno Brown model 16 headlight on the vehicle to the front right of the mechanics. Can’t imagine how much clean up the shop floor needed weekly. Look closely at the fender with all the mud just...

Once Canadian production started I believe Kelsey wheels were used exclusively. On our model Ts, 30 clincher wheels were all of the loose lug type until nearly at the end of 1925 production. Then we got the fixed lug rims with which US T owners are more familiar. Once the 21 wheels were introduced, these had fixed lug split rims to be used in...

All the references I found on Google books date from 1946 to 1949. Therefore, I say postwar.

Click on this long link for self edification:

How it works:

Thanks Tom. That really is the entire answer.

...wonder how well this has worked from when it was done?
Worked OK for me, but it hasn't been 100 years yet.

IMG_0342 copy 2.JPG
The crank has a small hole near the first bend. The little bend at the front end of the spring fits into that hole like this.

@ModelTMitch
didn't realize you were on this forum... love the videos you have made!
one of the people that kept the idea in my head to someday get mine back on the road.

A love joy coupling may work for you

I have a few but really like the 3620 head/sparkplug wrench. :)

I always look forward to Long Beach each year. The variety of parts and the friendly atmosphere make it special. Some of the older restorations really steal the show, much like a beautifully preserved vintage wall clock that adds timeless charm to any collection. It’s always inspiring to see enthusiasts swapping stories and tips, sharing not just...

Thanks I will try that, I shimmed the frame bracket and it improved a bit.

. . . why they didn't buy a new TT truck chassis? . . .

Maybe it’s a 1917, and the TT isn’t even a rumor yet ?

Hey there Rich B!

The horn button is not the early one used 1915 through most of 1917. I am not sure just when the combination horn/light switch began being put onto the cars. However, I think it was pretty close to the model...

Wow, what a riga-ma-roll...
Like I commented in your video, I think its harder to get an airplane registered and certified here in the states than it is to get your Model T registered and certified over there...

As an airplane owner here in the U.S. since 1982 I haven’t found that to be the case. To register, send a form with not much more than...

Don't forget to change the muffler bearings....

Bryan- e-mail sent.

Dan

Keith; That is exactly what I was looking for. I don't know why I didn't think of using the tool box for the battery. That way I have an unobstructed route for the battery wire to the coil box and ground. Thank you Craig

I cannot view your photos, but if you are talking about a pair of %/16 approx holes either side of the split, it is likely a Canadian rim. There was also a special tool fashioned in spring steel wire which was used to collapse the rim. It engaged in those holes. The joining clamp was much like a T door hinge. Either side of the split were the two...

Try notifying these guys:

Thanks to all responders. I hadn't seen a magneto horn in over a decade. Now, I know.

The distance between the top of the axle and the bottom of the spring is 2 5/8 at the center of the spring on my '27 Touring car.

There are multiple LED bulbs available. Only the pre-focused ones with their built in lens, projector globes, are able to be set and aimed correctly. Steer clear of those with multiple LEDS which just throw out a lot of ill directed light. I would also suggest a couple of detatchable LED flashing bicycle tail lights. They get attention!

Allan...

Lincoln initiated the military draft. The income tax was imposed in 1913. Lincoln was quite dead by that time. Leeches are not an issue unless they get in to public office, which many of them do.

Just a follow up---I tried shortening the spring on the Grant two piece oil ring but it still was binding. I found a set of Hastings rings with a one piece oil ring. Set the gaps to .017 and installed them, It started on the third crank! thanks for all the input. bobt

Good on you!
The bottom view of the Laurel is gorgeous and looks like two O.T.'s I have here. :)

The jamboree was another outstanding success with 75 cars and about 150 folks. Some of the folks we get to see is only at this yearly event. Auction items made some OK seed money for next year. Thanks for everyone's efforts who put it on! Y'all did a super job. See everyone next year in Sauder Village!

Looks like the oil can thing is to protect from sucking in trash. The top has an adjusting nut for air intake?. Constant speed boat/canoe motor?

Thank you for all the suggestions and helpful hints. I will be bringing my 1909 Pierce Arrow Model 40PP and my daughter will be with her grandfathers 1902 Oldsmobile. Cars got all packed up this evening in the trailer and will be on my way Thursday Morning.

Jerry made a point I was about to make. If the adjustable pinion bearing collar comes loose the driveshaft, and consequently the pinion gear mesh can be affected. This is not the case if time is taken to face the drive shaft bush and also fit the rivet/pin when installing the U joint. This is good insurance against the collar becoming loose. I...

1925 & a few years earlier, window riser handles were held in place with a rather large headed slotted screw - totally different than the '26 - '27.

Apparently my age and my TBI are making me helpless.
How can I send an email or a PM to a forum member?

There are two ways to navigate to the screen to send an email or PM to a member

The first way: If you are responding to a posting of theirs then just click on their username . You can see if they are online or not in upper right corner.
This...

Stevens also made a dud or two. Their early cast iron driveshaft sleeve puller was one. A really stubborn sleeve could see the puller breaking before it would budge. I was given one such broken tool. They made a revised version which was much better.

Allan from down under.

Can't recall whose inner seals I recently ordered from, but they have a relief in the edge for the sleeve to set in - no cutting required !

Snyder's current seals show the relief ! If I remember correctly, Chaffin's began modifying those seals years ago.

Steve, The seals I used from Snyders was the same as you have pictured. I did not have to...

I wouldn’t have expected that in Lovell!

-Jason in Cheyenne

I started buying off ebay when they first appeared on the internet. This is before Zelle, PayPal, or anything like that. To date, I have yet to sell anything on that platform.

I know several people that sell on ebay. Some people I know use it as their sole income. One thing that seems to be agreed upon by all the sellers, even though the...

Nice one, thanks for posting!

Leaking around the threads or from the crimp of the base to porcelain? Its a mix of fuel & oil before combustion.
Threads can be sealed with a bit of anti seize. I prefer the conductive stuff. Mine is aluminum based.
There is a copper version also.

I looked at the wheels. One has what appears to be a poorly stamped “11” another has a poorly stamped “12” within a diamond (see pictures). I have also thrown in a shot of one of the wheels and the inside of a wheel hub.

Thanks! Was unable to check email for a few days. Sorry for delay.

It all depends on how authentic you want to be. A real Murphy fastener usually has an M with a circle around it.

Ford print detail of the rear axle taper, latest rev, 6-'25

Axle detail keyway.jpg

Photo eleven is a 1914 style touring with the 1914 style windshield. Photo number eight is a 1914 style touring car with a 1913 style windshield. The big, unanswerable question is whether the windshield is original to the car or a replacement at some point for some unknown reason.

We lost a good man. Angel was a valuable contributor and an asset. He helped me with my MT500 car. He was there for the Tin Lizzies of Albuquerque and the Model T hobby. I was also impressed with his musical knowledge . He was a good Dad and person.

Dan H.

Here's the adv on your NOS piece!

depend retain.jpg

I would stick the rear end in first. Going to give you a more stable platform to work with even with one wheel off the ground.

If he's in the driver's seat of that thing, he might as well have blinders on. Maybe he put a really loud horn on it....

Bill

Your best bet is to make a you tube video and then post the address on here.

Thanks Dave,

Last thing I want to do is Hijack Alex's thread, so last post!

I doubt I will ever make a YouTube video, but you never know! LOL

Alan, Yes, I close the side door, before I drive so not that wide! :D . Ironically this trailer is a few inches...

My Dad, Douglas Eastwood, was a charter member of the Model T Ford Club of Southern California his membership number was #3.
I believe the club was formed in 1951, the same year I was born.

If the shackles have the brass twist type threaded in oilers, might these also be used on the king pins and tie rod ends? If that is the case, the only flip top ones may be in the frame for the handbrake cross shaft. 15-17 is when the changes from brass to flip tops was made, so all sorts of overlaps may have happened, including changes from...

Thanks for the info

Take a look at this for turn signals. Signal Dynamics, part # 01003. This very small unit is 100% solid state, self canceling, and the flasher is internal to the small control unit, that is about the size of a half pack of cigarettes. The only down side it requires 12 volts. If running LED’s, a small battery would last the entire touring season,...

Ford used a single upholstery tack with a larger head than the all the other tacks. It is better to drill the socket, but often you will find the nail on the tack has been driven through the metal socket. Driving a new tack into an existing socket hole may not work well. The hole in the wooden bow is likely oversize due to previous nails and rust...

REMEMBER THAT A MODEL T DOES NOT HAVE REAL BRAKES! Learn to drive it the way it is and then decide if you want to add disc brakes which some do. Average speed for a stock T is around 30-40 MPH. And that may be too fast for some people. They don’t have electronic ignition that thinks for you and YOUR the one who thinks for your T. Read and study...

I have a pair of new, never used front Rootlieb fenders that are for the Model A speedster kit. Can you use them?
Don

Here is what they look like, never seen one in person.
15m1.jpg

I am always amazed how well those cars run. With the hard braking and quick starts. Haven't seen anyone break a crankshaft yet in those races.

Tim

I've discovered that a certain Russ Furstinow was also active in that club and he should be around here :-)

Cross drive replaced the timing cover and drives mag at right angle to crank.
Here is a link to old post about different make of cross but has pictures.

I have a '22 Coupe and the brass roller turns freely along the track so I would guess that your roller should roll and not be in a fixed position. Sliding a solid metal piece against another solid metal piece would cause one to wear a flat spot or hole in the other.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the info. Looks like someone chose brass lamps from 1915 on my car at some point. The motor was cast in April 1916 so it probably came with steel sidelamps.

Thanks,
James

No, it is a diary, space for daily entries. Ford never indicated daily maintenance as far as I know. It is just a piece of promotional material to keep the T model T front of mind.
Has anyone ever seen another, with its front page?

Allan from down under.

Contact the Salty Dog Museum in Shandon, Ohio. They have a lot of vintage fire trucks and a lot of knowledge on how to make them run!

We are always willing to take donations, especially cash donations.

The room for more vehicles is extremely limited, but we will never refuse a gift.

Rod

George, there gone for a month, I think Paul's said she will have text service.

Bill's personal FB page is active. I believe that he's in the Auburn area.

Thank you everyone who offered the parts I needed. Turned out that Mark Freimier from Model T Haven moved from his home state to Cocoa Florida just 20 miles from me. I was able to make a new friend and get all the parts I needed saving me a ton of money on shipping. Again, Thank you.

Don’t waste your money. Buy the 6 volt wired ones. They work good and you can see them even in the daytime. I know the ones I had are hanging on a hock in the garage.

I agree. Just get the kit from one of the vendors and be done with it! Barely a few hours work setting it up. I bought two amber
turn signal lamps actually for a Model A in...

How fast will your Model T go, 40mph, 45mph, 50mph? Doesn't matter because you only have brakes for 32mph. The real question is not how fast will it go but fast will it stop!

You are in the middle of the state. You have a couple of Model T experts on the east side of Iowa, John Williams and Dean Yoder. They are both on FB, but they do not look at it on a daily basis, but you could IM them.

frontyboy,
My BIL will disagree with you, if running a distributer the addition of a older MSD box will make a noticeable improvement especially under
heavy load & it has a chip in it. ( it mimics the T coils by firing the plug multiple times but with the precision of a single point ignition. ) OOPS :lol:
Craig.

David

Seems the plate is held in the housing with those circular like upsets, like small rivets. You might try to carefully pry the plate off the housing. That may free the internal spring and socket.

Going back together some sort of fasteners will be needed, as the spring behind the cup and bulb contact exerts some force. Maybe small Pop...

This is what TCP coatings told me

Kinda like a Politician's answer, ....huh.??.

Geez, there is not a thing wrong with spraying Epoxy primer over the top of the substrates to act as a Sealer, .... except you just spent many hours blocksanding to 400, -or 600 grit only to find yourself priming with Epoxy that now has left a slight orange-peel...

Made this quick chart for the later steering gear connecting rods (drag links).

Helpful for the later Ts. These are all forged ended Ford design.

478764.jpg

This is what I built with some junk wheels, broken Model A springs, old bed frame and some sheet stainless that I found at the dump. The hard part is making sure that everything is parallel. WIN_20241226_11_59_49_Pro.jpg WIN_20241226_11_59_39_Pro.jpg

Any older vehicle that has operated in road salt should be carefully inspected for structural damage from rust. Abuse or crash damage can also compromise structural integrity. A friend of mine had a new 1970 International Scout. He thrashed it from day one. When it was about a year old, it was up on a lift for some reason, and I noticed that 7 out...

Craig, thanks for the reply. I have the yoke you mentioned. I just needed the length. Thanks again. Jim

Correct, Miles - one would have to fabricate an over & under front wishbone arrangement.