Transmission drums, how much wear is too much

[Arbs]

Greetings,

I'm new to the forum and Model T's. I recently picked up a '23 touring and I'm working on a deeper dive into what exactly it is that I purchased. Today I peered into the transmission and gave the drums a once over. I found that the drums had a few grooves in them. The grooves are just deep enough that you can feel them when you run your fingernail across the drum. I've included a shot that hopefully shows the grooves. Other than the line or two per drum, they feel very smooth. How much of a concern is this? Replacing the bands is on the agenda but should it be sooner rather than later?

Thanks,

Dan

[Allan]

Dan, if the car is driveable as is, the adjustment on the bands shows plenty of adjustment left. This indicates that the drums are not worn thin. The grooves around the drums are likely to have been caused by a band rivet or two in the past. New band linings will conform to these once fitted, with no apparent downside. It is a cracked drum or excessive rust pitting that chews bands up.
Allan from down under.

[Moxie26]

The groove that you see on the brake drum is actually mating of a cover that goes on the drum and gets bolted in to the drum. The groove in the reverse drum is likely from band rivets peened in-line with the band...... In my opinion, I think it's time to put new linings on the bands.... I prefer the wooden band linings.

[JTT3]

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[Kerry]

Looks like the clutch finger adjustment is just about maxed out.

[Scott_Conger]

Daniel

you need new bands, like yesterday!

[John kuehn]

From what can be seen of the drum grooves they aren’t that deep or bad. What may have been starting the light grooves is the rivets on the bands starting to rub directly on the bands!

You really need to install new bands ! I would just install new bands and run the car. There are T’s that are being run with a drums worse than yours. More than a few too.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

As others have stated, your drums look fine. Bands need relining though...

[Arbs]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your help. I'm hoping to have this T road ready by spring.

[Scott_Conger]

Research the Forum for advice/opinions on band material
If opting for Kevlar, heed all advice regarding the care necessary to install for safe operation

search as: "MTFCA band material"

read carefully and absorb the information offered

finally, regardless of material chosen, plan on pulling and inspecting condition of hog's head and expect to spend some money and time making it PERFECT. The days of simply stuffing bands through the door on top, ended the day that original Scandinavia cotton linings quit being available

[J and M Machine]

don't forget to purchase a lint screen for the new bands and Clean it often.

[Arbs]

John,

I have the screen on order from Langs. Thanks.

Scott,

Now I'm curious as to the difference between the original liners and the new ones. I'll be looking that up.

I have some time to make a decision on the material. I'll dig into the research. Thanks.

[JTT3]

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