New member with a question, please

[kwhmopar]

Hello, my name is Kevin and I just purchased a 1923 Ford Model T Tudor. The car is very complete and original looking. It needs a few things to get road worthy. One thing it is missing is the gas tank. I've been a car guy all my life, so not new to cars. My question is this, where does the gas tank reside in a Tudor? The information I have read says the '23 used an oval tank. The driver seat is secured to the floor. The passenger seat hinges forward. So, that leaves no possibility of the tank being mounted under the front seat. The rear seat is difficult to remove. It doesn't appear to be enough room under it for the oval tank to fit. Under the car hangs the battery and exhaust system. I'm at a loss for where the tank can fit. Any help, advice and/or possible pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Kevin

[Wayne Sheldon]

The gasoline tank should reside under/inside the driver's seat, under the small cushion. It is a sort of square/ cube shape, with a slightly slanted top. It is accessed by removing the driver's seat bottom cushion. The seat needs to be unbolted from the floor to remove or install the gasoline tank. It is a bit smaller than the oval or round tanks used in mode body styles (about 8 gallons?). Both the earlier center-door sedans and the later two-door sedans as well as SOME early style coupes (mounted inside the small turtle deck/trunk near the back) used basically the same small tank.
The tank might still be there?
That looks like a nice original two-door sedan.

[perry kete]

I believe the tank under the seat would look similar to this

[kwhmopar]

THANK YOU!! I thought I was going crazy. The gas tank sure enough is under the driver's seat. Sorry for the bad pictures. The car is still in my enclosed trailer. So, not much lighting. A quick peek inside the tank and it looks reasonably clean. It's been difficult looking the car over in the trailer. Very hot at times too. I followed the fuel line from the carb, but it just ended near the battery. The sediment bulb is in the box of parts that came with the car. It not being attached to the tank, I had no idea to look up at the floor under the seat. Thank you again for the information. It is much appreciated. Kevin

[John kuehn]

Your Tudor sedan looks pretty good and seems to be an original car! If it were mine I would remove the tank and clean it out along with the sediment bulb.
Your lucky to find that 2 door and looks like it was stored out of the weather!! That’s a really good thing.
Have you got the Ford service manual yet? If you hadn’t owned a T get the manual.it will save you a lot of time in learning about a T. Good luck and there is a lot of help here on the forum to help get that T going.

It looks like it won’t take a lot to at least get it started and see what’s what. My advice would be to clean it up as it is and drive and run it the way it is for a while. They are only original once! Then decide what direction you want to go with your T. Welcome to the Model T world!

[kwhmopar]

I'm excited to get started working on it. The previous owner knew engines pretty well and started trying to start it. He mentioned a valve might be sticking. I'm familiar with small flat head engines so, I don't think I will have any problems working on this engine. I did pick up a copy of the service manual. Also a couple books about the carb and electrical system. I am so happy the original tank is there and usable. Thank you for the advice and the welcoming. Kevin

[Dan Hatch]

Next thing you need to do is search “ rear end thrust washers”. Most important you know about them. It is a major safety concern. Dan

[Oldav8tor]

Dan is sure right about that - such an original car may have babbitt thrust washers in the differential which should be replaced with bronze. If the babbitt ones fail, you could be left with no power, no brakes and a chewed-up rear end. While in there a modern pinion bearing would be a good idea, as is checking the condition of Hyatt bearings, axles, sleeves, seals, etc. etc. etc. You get the idea.

You need to get a copy of the Ford "Bible" - it'll explain a lot of things.

You may be familiar with small flat head engines but are you familiar with babbitt bearings? They are used throughout. Their installation takes someone with the right tools who knows what they're doing.

The transmission is pretty much unique to the Model T - there are lots of bits of arcane knowledge that one needs to know in order to rebuild and maintain them.

Learning how to keep a Model T running was commonplace a century ago....I'm not sure if some of our younger folks would know how to roll down a manual window, much less set the timing or adjust the carburetor on a Model T. I have to give my ancestors a lot of credit.

I've found this forum to be really helpful-not just the answers to my questions but the answers to other's questions as well. I also found club membership to be a great source of knowledge, advice and help. Through long-time Model T'ers I've been introduced to many individuals with special skills that you can use to do the things you don't trust yourself to attempt....or bail you out when your attempts fail. It is a wonderful hobby, not just the fun of working on and driving very old cars, but especially for the people you meet along the way.