MTFCA Forum

Since I was in 4th grade, I have always wanted a Model T Ford as a daily car. They're just beautiful machines, what can say. Well, fast-forward 6 years and I am now on the fence between a Ford Model T going 45 mph and a Ford Model A going 65 mph. It's hard to choose between vintage qualities and reliable qualities. But if both are missing something, it would be AC. In the near future, I will be moving to Florida and summers are HOT! I thought about installing AC into the cars but I didn't want to ruin the originality. After some research, I came across the Evapolar Portable AC/Humidifier/Fan. Does anyone think that this little machine can decently cool the interior of a Ford Model T/A in 90 f temperatures?

First off, not a good idea in thinking you will be cruising at 45mph in a T or 65 in an A. that will kill either real fast. As for air con, both are airy enough from opening windscreens, removable side curtains or wind down windows and fold down tops.

I think I've seen a T pic posted on here some years back that had AC. Have no idea what the post was about or how to find it but it's been done,

If that is what I think it is, "a swamp cooler", it will only add humidity. Just Sayin'


Hank

We had a local that put a homemade ac in his 24 coupe. He got a 6 volt add on heater for a 50,s truck, 6 volt fuel pump, cooler , coppers tubing and ice. He put tubing inside cooler filled with ice. Used pump to move water through tubing in cooler to heater mounted in car. Cooled the car very good. He used it with good results at National Tour in Mobile Al in early 90’s. Dan

Hank is right. Swamp coolers work by heat absorption as the water evaporates. The effectiveness of the cooler depends on relative humidity in the ambient air. In the dry air of Henderson NV, you would get a cooling effect. However, the high-humidity conditions of Florida allows much less evaporation and less cooling.

In the seventies there was a company that manufactured Brand new model A reproductions with all modern runningear that had everything from A/C to cruise control. A friend of mine has one in comiefornia but never uses it since he is too big height wise. I assume it had to pass certain criteria like crash test and smog to be on the road when it was manufactured. Something like that would be more safer and comfortable in the Florida heat than something converted. Just an idea. Frank

Hal Schedler

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80 ... 1247886639

Frank those were Model A Shay’s using a Pinto power train.

Hank

FWIW, long ago in days of working 24/7 and Company Cars, I would sometimes be in some of the hotter parts of the United States, I found out about the Swamp Fans. They worked reasonably well in the dryer parts of the States, West Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, etc., but really cooled only if it was dry. They sat on top of the passenger window, and if one was not careful, would dump the cooling water all over the interior in a quick stop, I don't think that in Florida it would do you much good. I have been known to dump a sack of crushed ice on the floor boards, open the under dash vents, and drive on, worked pretty well, like I said, Company Cars.

Charlie B in N.J. wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2020 7:39 am

I think I've seen a T pic posted on here some years back that had AC. Have no idea what the post was about or how to find it but it's been done.

"Your wish is my command..."

This is a picture I took of Hal Schedler's sedan at the Centennial in Richmond in 2008. It would, of course, be worth pointing out that Hal is in the air conditioning business.

There are a number of people that have AC's in there Model A, not swamp coolers. Google Fordbarn; Model A AC
https://www.google.com/search?client=fi ... Model+A+AC

In the seventies there was a company that manufactured Brand new model A reproductions...

Shay.

Remember these? I do. Mom may have gotten a little cool air because it was in her window where she could pull the strings to keep the drum wet. My little brother and I in the back seat with all the windows closed were dying from the heat.

My runabout's AC is a roll-up rear curtain.

My daily driver here in Georgia is a 1970 F100 with no A.C.. It's something you just get used to and long trips are planned for early morning when the temperature is low.

Couldn't imagine a T with AC, would feel wrong.

On the 1984 cross country run there was a guy from Richardson, Texas named Ralph Reeder who drove a center door sedan with air conditioning. I never saw his set up, but the car was fast. It would drive around me, climbing a hill and disappear over the next one. I’m sure it had an overhead. It was hot in mid July and he would drive around me with all the windows rolled up and smile and wave. Here is Ralph and his wife Candy and their car. Rest In Peace my friends.

I have a friend with an air condition Model A. Probably easier to to do the A than the T. Also the A has twice the horsepower of the T so it would probably drag a T down quite a bit running AC.

Not too sure a modern AC auto compressor would drag down our precious 20 HP. We used to have a ‘62 ch&$€y II with dealer add on AC. When you flicked the switch to turn it on while underway, you were thrown forward in the seat. Nowadays, the compressors somehow don’t steal HP from the little KIAs and Prius. AC in a T might be s good idea.

AC could be added to either an A or a T. Would take some mods that require some skills and knowledge (or $$). Expecting cruising at 45 in a T or 65 in an A would require significant upgrades in any case. Both would need modifications to power, gearing and brakes to be anything near reliable and confident sustaining those speeds.

Model A's would be easier to modify - I did that in stages over the last 2 years - higher compression cylinder head, camshaft mods, and different carburetor for phase 1. I also rebuilt the front axle and added good shock absorbers. The most recent phase added an overdrive to keep the RPM range appropriate for a steady 60 to 65 (which I frankly don't really enjoy but know I can do). Handling is still somewhat marginal in any surprise situation. Model A brakes with iron drums can be adequate if properly set up. The updates were not cheap.

Model T's are far more primitive with regard to steering, stability at speed, power and especially braking. I like to think of a stock T having 25 MPH brakes, anything faster requires planning ahead. Stock brakes only work on the rear wheels, adding brakes to all 4 is not a trivial undertaking and not available as a kit. The T also has no shocks and while the suspension is well suited to rugged roads, it is not suitable for quick turns at any speed. Gearing changes are readily available for a T but with a stock 20 horsepower that will slow you down in anticipation of hills, power changes would almost certainly be required. Power can be increased reliably but gets expensive.

Contact Hal Schedler in Northern California if you are really interested in an A/C in a Model T. He is retired from running his own automotive air conditioning business and he installed one in his Model T Fordor Sedan. I think it was based on a Chev. S-10 unit. We rode with him for awhile on a tour once and the A/C worked quite good, even with 4 adults in the car, and it still had plenty of power. Hal really knows Model T's and air conditioning also.

Keith

Maybe you should get a little later vintage ford product like this.

My, how splendid! It's just too bad that I'm just not willing to have a window AC and generator hanging off the car!
Good laugh, though.

Today I am traveling west along I-40 thru Eastern Arkansas.

In the trailer is a 1911 Model T Touring bound for Albuquerque and a 1927 Model T Tudor bound for Flagstaff.

I never run the air conditioning in my F350 CC Dually.


FJ

John, there is nothing I like more than to see an early ford as a daily driver. I’m working on a 1962 ford econoline pickup truck for mine. There are several people I know that drive Ts and As daily. Go for your dream! HOWEVER, you need to know the limitations. There is an old saying with Ts, you can drive them all day and all night at 35MPH, OR you can drive them all day at 45 and spend all night working on them. I’ve followed my cousin for years now, he driving his T to Richmond, or many times to Dearborn. He might as well have cruise control because he is a mile or two from 35 mph the whole way. Engine Joe just recently took a couple shims out, and cousin will do the same th8ng for another 10 years.
My experience of long distance driving is with a model A at about 45. Sure , they can make 60 but they don’t like it. I have a friend who gets on the interstate down by Columbus with a stock model A roadster, for short spurts.
Today, with autos we don’t even check the oil. With these old cars, maintenance is essential. Checking the air pressure, checking the lubrication in all areas, greasing the car. Nowadays you don’t even grease a car. If you desire to slow down and smell the roses , it’s a great idea. So, if you don’t mind the greasing, the airing, the oiling, the tightening of loose nuts and bolts, and adding to that keeping the air on, you will have plenty to keep you busy. Most Ts have wooden framed bodies. That’s another whole thing to take care of. There is a very active model A club in the ft Myers area, and a lot of T ownership there, too. Good luck on the choice.

Dropacent wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2020 1:49 pm

...but they don’t like it. ...

Tim, that's exactly the phrase I use when people ask about my T and speed. It's not a question how how fast it can go, but of how fast it likes to go.

Oh yes, Mr. Morsher, I would love to be able to do that kind of work. Maintaining a little old car is one of the joys that I want to experience when driving a T or A. In the part of Florida that I will be in, there is little traffic and everything I need is about 5 miles away. My high school, my future college, the supermarket, a gas station, etc are all nearby. I would love to just be able to cruise 35-45 mph to those places. AC is just one of the things I was thinking about to make the ride a little more comfortable. But I sure can handle it, so long it is the Flivver or A.

45 mile per hour in a T with 25 mile per hour brakes with today's traffic is bad enough model A with better brakes. That being said nothing like a country road and a drive in your T

I have driven my Speedster in 100 degree heat and you barely notice it is hot until you stop. With my touring I put the top up to keep the sun off, and heat comes up through the floor from the exhaust, and it is not too bad. You can have that Florida heat and humidity. Almost as bad as Texas. I will stay up here in Wisconsin where I can drive in the snow and make donuts if I feel like it.

Top up, windshield tilted back top and bottom and its pretty nice even on hot days. Like sitting under a shade tree with a stiff breeze.

I LOVE and remember the pic of Hal's A-C unit and would but I have open cars...

" I like to think of a stock T having 25 MPH brakes, anything faster requires planning ahead." Even at speeds under 25 you need to plan ahead. Remembering that most T ride on 30" tires with a very very small foot print, does not take much to lock up the brakes in a panic stop, sliding isn't stopping!! Been there done that.

Here is a link to Fordbarn, they are talking about AC's in Model A's right now;
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281104

1194668jc wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2020 4:10 am

Since I was in 4th grade, I have always wanted a Model T Ford as a daily car. They're just beautiful machines, what can say. Well, fast-forward 6 years and I am now on the fence between a Ford Model T going 45 mph and a Ford Model A going 65 mph. It's hard to choose between vintage qualities and reliable qualities. But if both are missing something, it would be AC. In the near future, I will be moving to Florida and summers are HOT! I thought about installing AC into the cars but I didn't want to ruin the originality. After some research, I came across the Evapolar Portable AC/Humidifier/Fan. Does anyone think that this little machine can decently cool the interior of a Ford Model T/A in 90 f temperatures?

You might be better off with something like a Maverick of a Falcon. Some of them will do 65 if conditions are just right.Level ground, no headwind, etc.

It's been a while and my memory may be a bit hazy but I remember seeing Andy Mounce's 26/27 touring with air conditioning (not a swamp cooler). So it can be done.

The first picture is a hybrid swap cooler (would work in a tent) - the second looks inviting but is just the evaporator and fan part so be aware.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/509955928/ ... ed-3&frs=1

1. I used a small compressor as used in the Mazda aftermarket air conditioner kit

2 The power draw is almost not noticeable. About as much as when I turn on the alternator. At a high idle RPM you can just barely hear engine change when the ac is turned on and off

3 The air conditioner works great but all the air leaks in the T detract from it a bit. Still a whole bunch better than nothing

4 I installed the alternator above the compressor on the drivers side of the engine. I have an oil pump in the generator hole.

5. A single serpentine belt drives the alternator, fan and compressor. The condenser with a fan is under the car attached to the frame and it works great.

6. Though the ac does not show, unless U raise the hood, it kinda makes a purist cringe

The ac has been in my Fordor for a log time and it has never needed additional freon.

I would add pictures but dragging and dropping isn't working. Maybe the files are too old?

I’ve daily driven old cars with no AC, here in the Houston area. And the summer heat here is as bad as anywhere I’ve ever lived and I lived in some of the world’s hottest and most humid places.

It’s ok under the circumstances you’re describing where the drive is short and you don’t have to stop a lot.

It becomes a bit more unpleasant if you’re sitting still in traffic jams or at stoplights. I think a T would be an ok daily driver for a five mile commute, once you’re very adept at driving it. I think I’d install aftermarket brakes on it though. When you daily drive a vintage car (or any car for that matter) it’s a numbers game. Eventually, a bad situation is going to present itself and your ability to stop very quickly helps. And there’s nothing quick about stock Model T brakes.

I’ve avoided modern upgrades on my T if they’re highly visible or if they substantially change the overall Model T experience. But with a daily commuter T, I’d seriously consider the disc brake setup that’s available.

I really wonder what attracts folks to vintage cars.

The ownership is driving a vehicle manufactured long before they may have been born, or they want to relive their youth. Operating a vehicle that require them to think rather than a microchip.

If you want a vehicle with air then purchase a car of the late 1940's when air condition was offered.

To place an air conditioner in a 20 HP vehicle...well you may as well ad an anchor to the car as the air conditioner will use about 5% of the power produced by the stock engine.

You want the car air conditioned, buy a tow vehicle with air, attach a trailer, and tow the Model T.

I sense that the fun out of driving a slow car with no modern amenities is being lost in the 21st century.

Turned on the 1913 “AC” in Lizzie a month ago.
Folded the windshield, rolled up the rear curtain !

Ken Davis. builds a/c system kits for the model A for $1180. looks like they could be used in a model T especially if it had engine mods for more power. a small under dash evaporator and the condenser with a electric fan mounts in the rear behind the axel. lots of photos. cheaper than classic air and made for model A.

GEORGE, you are dead wrong about the power draw of an air conditioner, if it is done right. I used s small Mazda compressor and you can barely hear a
rpm change when I turn the AC on and off. ( My2cw)

The compressors in the old R-12 systems sucked quite a bit of power, it seems like the new systems are a lot more efficient power-wise...