MTFCA Forum

Well, Erik Barrett certainly saved the day. He’s got a completely rebuilt 27 trans we’re putting in the car right now. And he had a 280 cam just lying around that I’m putting to good use. And he’s touchingly up the valve seats.

The tranny is perfect. All new bushings, new clutch, new ring gear etc. And the drums have much more material than mine did. Talk about lucky - it’s my lucky day. I should be able to get it all back in the car next week.

And I got a nice little surprise-Erik’s eagle eye spotted something on my crankshaft. See if you can see it.

T folks are just amazing.

Jeff

Appears someone stamped a couple E's on there...Maybe Elvis

You give and you receive.
Can't think of anyone on the forum more deserving, Jeff. Christmas bonus came early !!
Now quit doddering around here and get to work, you got a schedule to make...chop chop !!

Erik has been asked to do babbitt work for the 1904 Model B 51 ( also known as B 52 ).

A good guy - always helping out.

FJ

Ruxstel24 wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2019 3:24 pm

:
Now quit doddering around here and get to work, you got a schedule to make...chop chop !!

No kidding. I’m Just stopping by to make sure everything is working on the forum for all you kids. I love watching these guys work. Erik’s shop is like Xmas. It goes on and on T parts everywhere. Just when you think it ends there’s more.

The cotter pin in the wrist pin bolt, isn't doing you much good.


Herm.

And while fixing what Herm has picked up on, I'd be drilling oil holes in the pistons for the wrist pins as well.

Way to go Erik!

Good choice for your clutch!


Jason Walters

Erik is truly one of the best!

Jeff is going home tomorrow with his engine. We did it with partner Robert Weitzel. We took care of the other issues while we were in there, Jeff will be touring in no time. Would not have been possible without all the help.

Erik Barrett wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:04 am

Jeff is going home tomorrow with his engine. We did it with partner Robert Weitzel. We took care of the other issues while we were in there, Jeff will be touring in no time. Would not have been possible without all the help.

That has to be the Understatement of the year (but it is only April...) Seriously, I’m in awe and now have a brain full of T knowledge to digest. I arrived at 10:30 am yesterday and we did all this by 9pm today.

-New 280 grind cam, new tappets where needed
-New bronze cam gear
-Complete valve job including facing and grinding of all valves and valve seats
-Tear down of a “rebuilt” ‘27 transmission
-Adjust/reem all transmission bushings and bearings for proper clearance
-Replace low pedal shaft and refurbished/welded the pedal cam gears which were totally worn out and likely contributed to the low drum failure
-New clutch spring
-Re-banded low and reverse with Kevlar linings (destroyed by the “incident “) - thanks Harold!!
-Reassembly and adjustment of transmission
-reshim & adjustment all rod bearings
-clean everything and reassemble.

Wow. I almost collapsed from exhaustion last night but I paced myself today and made it thru ok. Erik and his dad are true gentleman and their Model T knowledge is simply amazing. Their shop is equipped with literally every tool, jig and “T” implement imaginable. And the spare parts...they go on for miles. I got lost more than a few times. Thankfully I left a trail of peanuts each time to help men find my way back.

This was a team rally like none other, and I’ve been racing cars for 20 years and had my share of rebuilds, of all types, and at all hours. But 100 year old technology kicks my ass. And in totally unexpected ways.

Things are simple but technically innovative and quite unique. Stuff had to be invented back then out of necessity where there was no precedent or prior art. Some of the fixes to problems we encountered had me scratching my head but this quote from Erik sums it up nicely, “it lasted 100 years so far, this fix will last another 100.”

Indeed, some of Erik’s fixed may last longer than that.

My sincere thanks to Erik and Harold “Dad” Barrett and Robert Weitzel for the last 36 “insane” hours. I’ll never forget this experience.

AdminJeff

ps: WoW!!

Erik Barrett wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:04 am

Jeff is going home tomorrow with his engine. We did it with partner Robert Weitzel. We took care of the other issues while we were in there, Jeff will be touring in no time. Would not have been possible without all the help.

You guys are the best.

While we're giving attaboys, Erik's buddy, Robert Weitzel, has helped me with parts, some wheel straightening services and introductions to other folks.
I'm new to Model Ts, and a guiding hand is appreciated.

And the final touch before I put it back to work.

Looking so good! I hope you make and enjoy the tour! Some of the most fun I ever had on tours were the ones when something went wrong, and last minute repairs were needed.
A huge THANK YOU to all that stepped up to make this repair possible, especially, but not limited to, Erik B and Robert W. They are both wonderful people in this hobby. Many people, including me, owe them many times over.

Lookin great Jeff, I met Eric and Robert in Lincoln Nebraska in 2017. They were racing their car Wild Cherry, quite a unique fast car. After seeing the car and following it on the internet, Eric knows what it takes. It was great that they could help you. Robert brought a head down to Bakersfield for my race car. Good guys! What goes around comes around. Thanks Jeff for sharing, and thanks Eric and Robert for stepping up.

wayne sheldon wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:36 pm

Many people, including me, owe them many times over.

What comes around.. etc,etc. I can’t even count the hours I’ve put into chasing Russian and Chinese hackers, rebuilding the site and keeping it up and running. And I must reset half a dozen passwords a day for all you forgetful folks (don’t worry, I also have CRS. Can’t Remember Sh$&). Computers vs a model t engine. If you know your craft, you can make it look easy. But truth be told, it’s anything but easy... and I’m eternally grateful this hobby has folks like the Auburn crew. Im sure it’s like this in most of the cities in the US.

Jeff