Universal "T" education
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Topic author - Posts: 143
- Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2020 4:34 pm
- First Name: David
- Last Name: Kahle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '26 coupe, '26 touring, ‘14 Staude tractor conversion, '27 coupe, '19 roadster, ’15 speedster, '14 touring
- Location: Leeper, Pa.
Universal "T" education
I have read a number of solutions to the problem of extending the fuel shutoff handle from under the car to the outside. For sure the passing of time makes the trip to the ground and to the center of the car further with each birthday and I now find it a quite a chore to make the journey. As a result I often leave the fuel valve on, risking a leak and a fire, even though I know better. I have made a few "universal joint" attempts to alleviate the problem but never was satisfied with the "fit and finish" or the operation of any of my creations. Last night, brainstorming the issue, I came to the realization that a '26, '27 carb adjustment universal might be the answer. I had an old one and proceeded to saw off the needle valve end flush with the threads and cut off the ears that provide tension to hold the adjustment. I then chucked up the valve from the "potato" and drilled a #3 hole into the handle end about 3/4" deep followed with a 1/4-28 tap. A drop of locktite secured the new universal joint to the valve and tonight I will extend the yet to be made handle to the exterior of the car body. So far my investment is zero and the time spent was about fifteen minutes. Simple but practical and still 100% Model T.
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- Posts: 4634
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
- First Name: Norman
- Last Name: Kling
- Location: Alpine California
Re: Universal "T" education
let us know how it works. That u joint seems a bit small and weak for the job. I leave mine on all the time and have a valve next to the carburetor which I can reach under the hood which I turn off when parked. Only time I use the one at the bulb is if I am working on the fuel line.
Norm
Norm
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- Posts: 1241
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 am
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Nunn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
- Location: Bennington, NE
- Board Member Since: 2017
Re: Universal "T" education
Steve Jelf has what appears to be a robust valve extension that works for him. I believe Dallas Landers has an old faucet handle to control his valve. I should do some Googling rather than typing and maybe I can locate the photos.
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- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Universal "T" education
I like the U-joint idea. That should work. Let us now how it works out.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Posts: 759
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:23 pm
- First Name: Austin
- Last Name: Farmer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Touring
- Location: N.W. Illinois
Re: Universal "T" education
When my Grandpa restored our 1925 touring, he installed a small fuel shut off valve by the carburetor, close to the firewall.
Just a 20 year old who listens to 40 year old music, works on 75 year old airplanes and drives 100 year old cars.
The past is only simple because hindsight is 20/20.
The past is only simple because hindsight is 20/20.
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- Posts: 964
- Joined: Wed Jun 19, 2019 12:57 pm
- First Name: Art
- Last Name: Mirtes
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring
- Location: Huron, Ohio
- Board Member Since: 2016
Re: Universal "T" education
I, also, got too old and tired to crawl under the car before and after driving or even starting it. I installed a period looking valve at the carburetor. Before winter i turn off the valve at the tank just to keep it limbed up.
Art Mirtes
Art Mirtes
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- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:24 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Universal "T" education
It's a rude awakening among the kids I play with as we come to learn there's a minimum level of agility that's necessary in order to drive and maintain a Model T. I suppose at some point we'll all have to hang up our spurs . . . ?
As for the saddle horse, I got him trained to pick me up off the rail - so far, so good !

Get a horse !