MTFCA Forum

Hopefully, with any (good) luck, we have the Ford Special racer on the road today. Dean and Bruce are getting it “there” with my limited input.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ej76yf9ussf31 ... r.mp4?dl=0

Below, one feature the Benson Library (THF) drawings show for this racer/motor (labeled “M-III”) was this bit of cosmetic “fluff,” a flange for the “dashtank” opening allowing the #4 cylinder exhaust to protrude behind the firewall. That’s one way to hide a 300 c.i. motor in a T chassis:

That thing is gonna MOVE....

Looking good!

What awesome progress!

Driving. This racer is incredibly quick accelerating. Now for work on the 5 ball carb, and a few more issues:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nwzmmt8cn65f1 ... s.mov?dl=0

Wonderful!

WOW! I really enjoyed the ride. How fast were we going?

Perry asks about "clocking" your speed? I see that it appears you are "clocking" your screws? Such attention to detail!
Incredible car!

Such a great run! I hope it only runs better for you as you dial it in!

Thanks for the ride. Brings back memories.

Hi Rob, It looks like the ride went really well. I can tell by your smile at the end of the run!
Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Keith

She sounds good. Hope you and Bruce are pleased with all the work you have put in on the car. Was Dean able to get the AC brakes on her?

WOW It sounds like a Curtis JN-4 and it flies like one.

Thanks all. Perry, we were hitting 60 mph plus. At least the "chase car" reported 55 to 60. I know we had a few "white knuckle" bursts. It's difficult to explain the exhilaration and acceleration one feels with this machine. It's like riding a 4 wheel motorcycle. I'd like to find a way to up the gearing to 2.5:1. We have 3:1, and there's way more torque/power than are necessary in low and pulling into high.

Dave, we haven't started to put on the brakes yet. Once we get it to consistently go fast, we'll worry about slowing down.....

I've heard people say a Model K is like a T on steroids. If that's true, this is like a Model T on crack.......

how did it run in the cold?

That second video reminded me of the Sheriff's description at the end of Second Hand Lions.
Glad to see it back running,
Thanks for sharing
Kevin

Tim, ok, but it was coming out of a heated shop, and temps were in the upper 40’s to low 50’s. We were fortunate to catch the warmest day of the week.

NICE!

Did you get the clutch slipping under extreme torque problem fixed?

(Incredibly nice!)

Wayne, we have the blue discs in (Chebby) with spacer and stronger spring. After the hill climb in Lincoln two years ago, it was a little toasty, but still holding. We put new discs in, and I think I just have to get used to not "dumping" it into high at full power/acceleration. "In the day" hill climbs were usually a half mile to mile and a half, I think usually with at least one switchback. They were also from a flying start, so my guess is, the car would already be "hooked up" in high before hitting the start line. Most of the circular track races were also flying starts (from what I've read). One exception was the one mile timed match race between the big Ford Special racer and the Blitzen Benz, which, interestingly was from a standing start. The two speed Ford beat the world record holder (the Benz held both the circular track and straightaway mile records at the time).
Cheers,
Rob

Maybe you will have to take it ro the Newport Hill Climb in October. I hope to be there this year. Standing start. Maybe you can set a new record for the hill.

Dave,
The Newport Hill Climb is only 1/3 of a mile long if I’m reading it correctly, and from a standing start. Period hill climbs were flying starts, and, as mentioned earlier, usually a half to over a mile, usually with at least one switchback or hairpin turn. This would test climbing ability, as well as cornering, braking, acceleration etc. Most cars advertised the prowess of a car driving “on high” and “running through the gears” with straight cut transmissions and cone clutches, or planetary transmissions, was optimal. Ford performed very well in competitions during 1907, 1908, 1910, 1911 and 1912, all with 2 speed planetary transmissions. Because a planetary is just like a 3 or 4 speed tranny in high (or direct) gear.

I’m not going to ask this racer or my Model K to perform like a “dragster” anymore. Competitions were usually from a flying or running start, again, to test performance, not power and speed shifting “out of the hole.” At least, that’s what I think. It would be good to have a “true” vintage hill climb, that combines distance and the requirement of turning and decelerating and accelerating during the run.

Love those bucket seats!!!! 79se

Hi Rob, I'm probably out of line here but what's wrong with using a stock Model T clutch? The old Long beach/Signal Hill, hill climbs were not a running start and we had no clutch problems.

Ed aka #4

Ed,
Nothing wrong, just a lot of stress and strain “dumping” into high gear at full throttle with this motor on stock T drivetrain. When we took the motor apart the clutch was a little crispy, used only a few times hard on the Lincoln hill climb.

I appreciate the performance many achieve with stock T drivetrains and T motors. I just do t want to tear things up on this racer. I hope to get west with it this summer and hope to participate in a few vintage race events. If so, maybe I can return the favor (you gave me a ride in Lincoln many years ago) and give you a ride.

Rob, I remember our ride and can't wait to sample your beast.

Ed