Bad Driving Habits ??
Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 4:27 pm
Just wool-gathering rather than drift from Steve Jelf's "Transmission Autopsy" thread.
I know I'm not alone in my admiration for Steve's massive contributions to this forum and to the Model T hobby. There are few of us who have put so many miles on Model T Fords, nor delved so thoroughly into their care, upkeep and conservation. I can scarcely believe that "bad driving habits" caused his recent transmission failure, but in so far as he, himself seems to question his own counsel, to mash down firmly on pedals, I'm thinking it could be helpful to clarify what that means, exactly.
In the main, operation of any mechanism that requires the application of a friction surface to engage the momentum of moving parts would seem to require a certain tactful "feel" when initiating such transfers. I don't think Steve ever intended that the Model T driver should stomp on the low or reverse pedal with the speed and force one might use to dispatch some loathesome insect. It would seem more prudent to apply pressure to the pedals smoothly, increasing in intensity as the machine begins to move and pick up its load, until the band firmly locks on the drum. This seems particularly logical when applying reverse (?). The point being, the driver should not seek to circumvent the purpose of the band linings, which is to allow slippage until inertia is overcome. However, that interval should be as short as possible while allowing smooth operation. The driver should not play a "soft" pedal, allowing unwanted slippage, friction, and wear to occur.
Slippage and friction bring me once again to question the advisability of using kevlar. I know folks who like it really like it, and doubtless there are more who use it without mishap than those who have found difficulty with it for one or another reason. Is it really necessary for most owners to use a "bullet proof", extra long-wearing band lining that is known by its nature to generate a lot of heat rapidly when misused or improperly adjusted ? How many thousands of miles can one expect to drive a Model T without having to replace wear items and perform maintenance ? For the record, I purchased my Model T as a "tired" veteran tourer. The previous owner put well over 10,000 miles on it, and maintained it well. It came to me with the same wood band linings in it that had been installed at the time he bought it. Just a thought.
I know I'm not alone in my admiration for Steve's massive contributions to this forum and to the Model T hobby. There are few of us who have put so many miles on Model T Fords, nor delved so thoroughly into their care, upkeep and conservation. I can scarcely believe that "bad driving habits" caused his recent transmission failure, but in so far as he, himself seems to question his own counsel, to mash down firmly on pedals, I'm thinking it could be helpful to clarify what that means, exactly.
In the main, operation of any mechanism that requires the application of a friction surface to engage the momentum of moving parts would seem to require a certain tactful "feel" when initiating such transfers. I don't think Steve ever intended that the Model T driver should stomp on the low or reverse pedal with the speed and force one might use to dispatch some loathesome insect. It would seem more prudent to apply pressure to the pedals smoothly, increasing in intensity as the machine begins to move and pick up its load, until the band firmly locks on the drum. This seems particularly logical when applying reverse (?). The point being, the driver should not seek to circumvent the purpose of the band linings, which is to allow slippage until inertia is overcome. However, that interval should be as short as possible while allowing smooth operation. The driver should not play a "soft" pedal, allowing unwanted slippage, friction, and wear to occur.
Slippage and friction bring me once again to question the advisability of using kevlar. I know folks who like it really like it, and doubtless there are more who use it without mishap than those who have found difficulty with it for one or another reason. Is it really necessary for most owners to use a "bullet proof", extra long-wearing band lining that is known by its nature to generate a lot of heat rapidly when misused or improperly adjusted ? How many thousands of miles can one expect to drive a Model T without having to replace wear items and perform maintenance ? For the record, I purchased my Model T as a "tired" veteran tourer. The previous owner put well over 10,000 miles on it, and maintained it well. It came to me with the same wood band linings in it that had been installed at the time he bought it. Just a thought.