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Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 11:58 am
by Reno Speedster
I am picking my 1922 up in a couple of days and taking it to the port to be shipped to Alaska. I need to get as free a neutral on the handbrake as possible so the shippers can move it (they will not drive it). The car has Rocky Mountain brakes and the the transmission brake does not really need to work during shipping. I can readjust things when I pick it up to make it drivable.
I have the ford manual with instructions on how to adjust things so the car runs well and I have read the instructions on line. But this is a bit different. Any advice on how to get an idiot-proof free neutral on the handbrake would be appreciated.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 12:15 pm
by Kbillet
Couldn’t you post a note stating to move the brake lever the whole way forward and to then pull it back and watch the left peddle. When that peddle moves forward slightly, that’s neutral. Than pull the whole way back for the parking brake.
Kbillet
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 12:31 pm
by Jerry VanOoteghem
Maybe try elongating the adjustable linkage between the high speed bell crank and the clutch pedal. You'd be removing all of the clutch pedal "free play", and then some, thereby keeping pressure off of the high speed clutch. Would have the same effect as holding the clutch pedal in the neutral position with your foot.
OR
Just find a way to lock the stick on the neutral position.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 12:34 pm
by ThreePedalTapDancer
Put the brake lever upright and insert a block of wood into the slot in front and behind the lever and secure it from moving.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 12:46 pm
by Dan McEachern
What Ed said except place the block in the floorboard slot AHEAD of the brake lever so that as the cam, starts to go from neutral to high, will tend to push the brake lever forward. Make the block just wide enough to keep the lever back just before the cam starts forcing the brake lever into high gear. One behind the lever is ok also, but is not really needed, but ………….
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 1:38 pm
by MichaelPawelek
Besides blocking the brake lever in the most neutral position what about loosening the spark plugs just enough so that if the engine tries to spin the compression will leak out and the T will be easier to push.
Someone tell me if this is a stupid idea….
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 2:16 pm
by Humblej
There is no idiot proof free neutral. I second Dans suggestion.
I have transported a T by ship. Forget about posting instructions, diagrams, and any expectation that they will follow them, they will not. Do not leave the spark plugs out or loose, it will be left outside in bad weather, and handled with the care of wild angry gorillas.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 2:29 pm
by Norman Kling
It is not possible to get it completely free with the clutch disks, which drag a little. I would suggest since you don't need the parking brake, that you take out the clevis pins from the rods and pull the parking brake lever all the way back and tie it in that position. If your rocky brakes are also locked by the parking brake. pull out the link.
Norm
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 4:01 pm
by Reno Speedster
Thanks for the tips. It is going inside a container, not on deck. I do need the parkiNg brakes to work (shippers requirement) I don’t need the transmission brakes to work.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 4:11 pm
by Ed Baudoux
Remove the U-Joint.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 4:51 pm
by Wayne Sheldon
My first thought reading from the beginning, is that a lot of people missed a very important detail. For a variety of reasons, mostly involving safety and liability issues, the hand brake MUST if at all possible be functional by simply pulling back on the hand lever! So, any sort of blocking it or locking it into neutral without the ability to pull it the rest of the way back is a bad idea.
A small rope could be tied to something under the seat and run forward to prevent the hand brake from being pushed all the way forward, but still allow it to be pulled back and set the Rocky Mountain brakes (provided they are set up to work that way?).
If the clutch is draggy? You could remove the small transmission cover, then back the three adjusting screws out a little bit so that the clutch pressure collar can be more loose (put the cotter pins back in?). Carefully count the half-turns and remember them, so that putting them back to where they were is simple and easy. Of course you may discover that some adjustment might be needed anyway?
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 4:57 pm
by speedytinc
Wayne Sheldon wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 4:51 pm
My first thought reading from the beginning, is that a lot of people missed a very important detail. For a variety of reasons, mostly involving safety and liability issues, the hand brake MUST if at all possible be functional by simply pulling back on the hand lever! So, any sort of blocking it or locking it into neutral without the ability to pull it the rest of the way back is a bad idea.
A small rope could be tied to something under the seat and run forward to prevent the hand brake from being pushed all the way forward, but still allow it to be pulled back and set the Rocky Mountain brakes (provided they are set up to work that way?).
If the clutch is draggy? You could remove the small transmission cover, then back the three adjusting screws out a little bit so that the clutch pressure collar can be more loose (put the cotter pins back in?). Carefully count the half-turns and remember them, so that putting them back to where they were is simple and easy. Of course you may discover that some adjustment might be needed anyway?
Mostly good ideas. Changing the 3 finger adjustment wont give you MORE neutral unless its already dragging. The idea of a cable/rope to prevent high engagement, while maintaining the ability to apply the parking brake is an excellent solve.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 5:34 pm
by TRDxB2
ThreePedalTapDancer wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 12:34 pm
Put the brake lever upright and insert a block of wood into the slot in front and behind the lever and secure it from moving.
Good idea! But since others suggest allowing for neutral and brake, just block the unwanted half. No need to write instructions it looks like a hand brake. If they don't recognize it as such they wouldn't think of reading instructions
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 5:45 pm
by speedytinc
TRDxB2 wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 5:34 pm
ThreePedalTapDancer wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 12:34 pm
Put the brake lever upright and insert a block of wood into the slot in front and behind the lever and secure it from moving.
Good idea! But since others suggest allowing for neutral and brake, just block the unwanted half. No need to write instructions it looks like a hand brake. If they don't recognize it as such they wouldn't think of reading instructions
Your pix here shows me a simple C clamp or equivalent on the quadrant would do the job easily.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 7:01 pm
by Harry Lillo
Pull the keystock out of the axle to rear hub and leave a bit of slack when putting the wheel/hub back on.
You can even grease it a bit.
The handbrake works. Everything will be fine.
You can do it on both sides if you like.
I do this on all my rollers until I am ready to start them up.
Harry Lillo
Calgary
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 7:13 pm
by Bryant
Harry said it before me! But when my 26 showed up it rolled around really easy. Took me awhile to figure out why. The axles had the key ways pulled.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 7:17 pm
by KWTownsend
Take the spark plugs out and leave it in high gear.
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 7:20 pm
by George House
Quick !... install a KC Warford !!
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 7:57 pm
by TRDxB2
speedytinc wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 5:45 pm
TRDxB2 wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 5:34 pm
ThreePedalTapDancer wrote: ↑Thu May 26, 2022 12:34 pm
Put the brake lever upright and insert a block of wood into the slot in front and behind the lever and secure it from moving.
Good idea! But since others suggest allowing for neutral and brake, just block the unwanted half. No need to write instructions it looks like a hand brake. If they don't recognize it as such they wouldn't think of reading instructions
Your pix here shows me a simple C clamp or equivalent on the quadrant would do the job easily.
I'd just tape something, someone is liable to steal the c-clamp
Re: Trying to get an idiot-proof free neutral for shipping my T
Posted: Thu May 26, 2022 10:21 pm
by EricMac
When I started reading the thread my first thought was to pull the keys out of the rear hubs. It takes just a couple minutes and everything else remains functional, thus, I third Harry's suggestion.
