Maybe you can't do it all, but...

[Steve Jelf]

I understand how it is for folks who want to hire help for switch repair, mounting new tires, rewiring their cars, and other Model T chores. I still prefer a hired expert for some repairs rather than attempt another DIY project. You have to choose your battles. I have sometimes taken on jobs that somebody else could have done quicker, and surprised myself by being successful with some study, thought, and close observation. I have repaired ignition switches, rebuilt a mag coil, and become pretty good at changing tires, all by a little study and paying close attention. Maybe you really need to hire a job done, or maybe you don't.

[Chris Barker]

I will pay for plastering walls and ceilings, and anything involving heavy concrete, blocks, slabs etc.

Otherwise, I'll attempt most things, even if it involves having to watch INTERMINABLE YouTube videos, where 2 minutes of information is squeezed into an hour.

I wish the people who upload YouTube videos would watch a YouTube video on how to edit a YouTube video

[Jones in Aiken SC]

In my case, I am still working so on the car I am restoring now I act as a 'project manager' and have farmed out some things, such as steering column rebuild, coil rebuild, wood wheel respoking, painting, etc. To me it is worth it to capitalize on the expertise of people who have experience doing these things. I expect this to be the last car I restore so learning how to rebuild coils, for example, is of no interest to me. I do perform a great deal of the work myself; as an example I restored the brass Rands windshield frame and installed the glass. Like you say, you have to pick your battles. I do applaud those who do-it-themselves. I think everyone has a different story of how much blood, sweat, and tears that they have personally invested in their cars.

[John kuehn]

I use to change my own oil and etc on my personal vehicles along with tune ups but the computers in cars and trucks changed that.
As far as Model T’s go I did 75% of the work on mine. machining of the blocks, rebuilding coils, and later the wood wheels I had done but rebuilding the bodies, upholstery, painting and putting the chassis together I did by myself. AND the most important part of a really good paint job is at least 80% preparation. I found out the hard way but it was worth it.

By doing as much as you can you can save a lot of money but unfortunately now days you can have it all done and the cost will be more than the car is actually worth and that’s sad.

My 3 T’s aren’t show car perfect but I tried to keep them correct for the year as much as I could. That was good enough for me.

[RGould1910]

Most all of us farm out some things. The problem is finding someone to do a decent job. Over the years, I learned to do most things myself after seeing poor work done by others. Im sure we all have stoies we could tell.
It would be a good topic. Entertaining and informative.

[Charlie B in N.J.]

I've been in this trade my whole life and honestly I'm pretty tired of it. I trade in my daily driver every 4 years or so because I believe that will avoid getting stuck and I have the oil changed at the dealership so there's no question about the maintenance being done in case of a warranty claim. It's damn close to not actually being worth doing it myself dollar wise what with the price of parts, the time it takes and disposing of the waste oil. They check all the fluids and wash it so it's all good with me. I did do plenty of the work on the T's I've owned like switches, rebuilding coils, wiring, head gaskets. ect but that's over too. A lot of home stuff I now "farm out". For instance I had my fold down attic stairs replaced recently with aluminum stairs. Back in the day I'd have done it with the help of a friend but again it just doesn't pay at my age.

[Wingnut]

After all , a man must know his limitations. I've been a mechanic all my life, from cars to 18 wheelers. For some reason I get nervous even now working on my own equipment. But have no reservations with others, go figure. I spent 30 years a UPS journeyman mechanic, the only cars I prefer to work on now are my Ts. I'm a dinosaur when it comes to this modern computerized stuff they call vehicles. Wingnut

[TRDxB2]

as Yoda has many times

[RecklessKelly]

I do everything myself if I can. The few times that have had to hire out, I wasnt happy with the results or got outright ripped off. Our daily drives are Toyotas, once a year oil change and lube a few things, filter replacements. I have had a radiator recored and gas tank reconditioned, those things were beyond my tool inventory. I have to do it all on my old cars and bikes, its my hobby so I dont mind.

[AdminJeff]

This is such an interesting topic. Like others I've wrenched on stuff since I was a kid, always figuring out how to do things. YouTube really is great for ideas on how to do something you know little about, although you have to be careful of who you chose to take advice from. Some of those videos are dead wrong and some just plain dangerous.

While I used to do maintenance on all my vehicles, at this point (I just turned 60) I now hire "The Grease Monkey," a mobile mechanic/retired cop to maintain my fleet of 6 vehicles EXCEPT for my T & A. I do all my own work on the old cars. The new cars are just not inspiring to work on at all. Yeah, it's mostly all Fords, but no thanks. I prefer to save using my hands for other fun tasks!

I've pretty much been through everything now on my T. Having folks like Erik Barret, Robert Weitzel & Steve Tomaso in your good graces is highly recommended! The hardest tasks to do on a T that I've done myself (with help from above folks) I would rate about like this:

- Installing safety hubs (a royal PITA)
- replacing all the hickory spokes in all the wheels (I can confirm the Regan Press does indeed work)
- rebuilding the Ruckstell
- rebuilding the transmission
- pouring Babbitt
- and last but certainly not least: changing the tire on a clincher rim

Right now I'm in the throws of painting the hood on my model A. Another royal PITA, but the end result will be worth it. It's been many years since I bought paint stripper. Man do the paint stripping products these days SUCK big time.

As always, Your mileage may vary widely!
Jeff

[MKossor]

Give someone tuned coils and they may enjoy a smooth running engine for a while. Teach someone to tune coils and they may enjoy a smooth running engine for a lifetime.

It's not difficult, its fun to do and very gratifying taking an active roll in how well your engine performs as you drive along down the road. Many clubs already have the tools and welcome new members.

[Steve Jelf]

The hardest tasks to do on a T that I've done myself...I would rate about like this:

- Installing safety hubs (a royal PITA)
- replacing all the hickory spokes in all the wheels (I can confirm the Regan Press does indeed work)
- rebuilding the Ruckstell
- rebuilding the transmission
- pouring Babbitt
- and last but certainly not least: changing the tire on a clincher rim

That makes me feel a little better. I've done wheels with the Regan press, fixed a transmission, and reached the point where changing a clincher tire is no big deal. That's three jobs down and a few dozen to go.

[BobUkPipedream]

I do everything on mine because I don’t trust anyone else to do a good job. I am also living beyond my means in many aspects of my life and I balance the books by taking on repairs regardless of whether I can do them or not. Usually by the time I have figured out that I can’t do it, I have well kind of gone and done it anyway. It is one of the advantages of being very stubborn and pig headed. Now I am off to Google diy brain surgery, can’t be that hard…

[GregDeK]

We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, have done some much with so little for so long we are now qualified to do the impossible with nothing. Story of our T adventures…

[varmint]

I'm one of those guys that took their mechanical watch apart when I was five years old and put it back together except for the main spring because my little fingers were not strong enough and because it cut me even though I knew what to do. Probably a good thing I don't have it anymore because I think it had a radium dial. Two years later when I was given another watch I succeeded in getting it ticking again. I consider it a God given talent.

Everything on the T we try ourselves and if we fail, we then have to buy. The two reasons are 1) cost and 2) delay until the part will be available. To my own shame in a quirky way, we live in what looks like a 8000 sq' mansion with up to sixteen bedrooms. Our T is in a detached 6000 sq' garage for years all to it's own self. It's an apartment building where we pay rent and rent for the garage space too, less that a thousand total each month for both spaces. I have never been rich enough to own a house. When we bought the T, we had 3k total to our name and 1k went to the coupe. When I say the number one reason is cost, it's not because I'm a cheapskate. Maybe doing things the "right" way is an option for some from the "right" vendors. What really matters to me is that my wife and I spend peaceful time working together and we get to learn new skills.

[Loftfield]

Beware! Give a man a fish and he will have a nice meal, teach a man to fish and he will spend the rest of his life in a boat drinking Budweiser! Some Model T tasks require a lot of practice, like proper painting. Some require obscure tools, like pouring babbit. Is it worth all the cans of paint wasted learning how to avoid runs, drips, errors, and orange-peel? Once I shell out $$$$ for the equipment, how many times will I use the babbit forms and the line bores? The calculus, that I failed in college, used to determine which activities are worthwhile is complex.

[MechanicalWheel]

Yeah, I agree. Sometimes it's just easier to hire someone, but if you’re willing to learn, DIY can be pretty rewarding.