MTFCA Forum

Welcome to the affliction!

hold on to your hat...you're going to be flooded with comments/questions

You have a combination of parts from various year cars. The body, gas tank, and coil box are 1926. The fan attachment and upper water outlet from the head are earlier model. The water pump is aftermarket accessory. The wheels are ? year The transmission is earlier with the narrow pedals. However, that's OK if you just enjoy touring. It could very easily be used for a driver and tour car. Even a speedster. But it would not win a car show for an original or restored to original condition. Have fun.
Norm

Where is Eau Claire? Sounds French but the name sounds German. Hopefully there are other club members near you.
Norm

Iowa Norm, on the river. Looks like a patchwork of parts but a runner. You'll have a blast!! Oops, correction, Wisconsin! Le Claire is in Iowa.

hello my name is mark. just got it home , came with xtra carbs, coils and misc partrs many questions to come i'm sure what do i have here as far as carbs go , i see coil boxes and i'm guessing resistor plates, new timer is installed i haven't heard it run but the person sail it started for a minute yesterday, looks like possible Valve springs in the mix water outlet with an impeller , water pump kit on the motor , and nos generator gear driven on thr right side of motor , as it sits in my garage it owes me $2000.00. i traded it for a Bradley GT i had i think i did ok ... it's 100 years old lol

just found this forum last night so i have lots of reading to do ,you people know your stuff so this project will be fun!! the T is only 40yrs older the me but my theory is if somebody else can fix it so can I, with youtube and the internet the information is out there some where thanks in advance for any help , input and advice .MARK

Eau Claire is in Wisconsin. Le Clair is in Iowa. Wisconsin seems to have a lot of Model T owners and there are probably some nearby.

EAU CLaire, wisconsin great info allready !! bring it on !! it's will be a sunday driver , i'm not a show guy , but i like cool and as dependable as i can get it . if i ever sell it i've got to know what it is good and bad, so information is key thanks again!!

Welcome! That's a neat looking truck.

if any needs any of the parts that won't work on mine let me know ,

thanks the guy i got it from got from this dad when he passed , he saw my Bradley listing on FB marketplace and made me the trade offer, i have a VW trike and and a dune buggy so i didn't need three VW's lol and always wanted a Model T or A but they aren't cheap so i think i did all right,

There is another thread asking if younger people are interested in T's.

Well, there you go!

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:20 pm

Welcome to the affliction!

hold on to your hat...you're going to be flooded with comments/questions

thank !! i'm ready

Norman Kling wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:31 pm

You have a combination of parts from various year cars. The body, gas tank, and coil box are 1926. The fan attachment and upper water outlet from the head are earlier model. The water pump is aftermarket accessory. The wheels are ? year The transmission is earlier with the narrow pedals. However, that's OK if you just enjoy touring. It could very easily be used for a driver and tour car. Even a speedster. But it would not win a car show for an original or restored to original condition. Have fun.
Norm

great info !! that's what i need

JohnM wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:38 pm

Iowa Norm, on the river. Looks like a patchwork of parts but a runner. You'll have a blast!! Oops, correction, Wisconsin! Le Claire is in Iowa.

yup Wisconsin, and thanks

CudaMan wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:55 pm

Welcome! That's a neat looking truck.

thanks, yup had to have it, was tryin to get rid of toys(9) lol but still have 9 i'll sell somthing else , the T is juts to cool , even my 35yr old son like it and he's telling me "pops you got to much stuff" LOL but it's all cool stuff older cars, trucks and bikes

Norman Kling wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 4:31 pm

You have a combination of parts from various year cars. The body, gas tank, and coil box are 1926. The fan attachment and upper water outlet from the head are earlier model. The water pump is aftermarket accessory. The wheels are ? year The transmission is earlier with the narrow pedals. However, that's OK if you just enjoy touring. It could very easily be used for a driver and tour car. Even a speedster. But it would not win a car show for an original or restored to original condition. Have fun.
Norm

the guy told me the body was a 26 4 door cut down looks like they did a nice job so far , coil box is 26 that's ok i'm guessing. he said everything else was 23 does that make sense ?
the generator is gear driven not belt (most pictures i see are belt drivin) so do you know what motor i have , he also said the radiator was done 3yr ago it has flat tube, and the top end was done just before his dad bought it , any ideas what that means (head surface and mabey valve work since i found springs with the misc parts that are in the picture on my table) there is no head gasket in the gasket set just paper ones , oil pan and others i'm guessing , thanks for all ithe info !! i'm making notes as i learn , i'm 60 so i have to write things down

your "year" description makes perfect sense and yes, it is a cut down touring car from 26-27 period

if you were very curious, or when/if the waterpump comes off for whatever reason, the engine number appears just above the water inlet. The SN will tell you what year the block is.

It looks like a 26-27 cutoff touring, I would suggest to assume nothing unless it comes from someone you trust who does mechanical work. If you can wrench a lawnmower engine, you can fix a T. Take your time, it looks like everything is there to make it run.

All Model T's which came with generators were gear driven from the camshaft timing gear. Some T's have after market generators which are belt driven, but that is not the way Henry made them. If the block is clean and you have a good radiator you don't need a water pump. The pump will actually cause the engine to run too cold in cold weather. The Ford thermosyphon cooling system used the natural heat of the coolant to rise to the top of the radiator and as the air blows through the radiator, it cools the coolant which goes to the bottom of the radiator and back into the engine. So it doesn't actually start to circulate until it warms up. Words very well with a good radiator.
Norm

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 9:27 pm

your "year" description makes perfect sense and yes, it is a cut down touring car from 26-27 period

if you were very curious, or when/if the waterpump comes off for whatever reason, the engine number appears just above the water inlet. The SN will tell you what year the block is.

thank you , more great information!!

JohnM wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 9:29 pm

It looks like a 26-27 cutoff touring, I would suggest to assume nothing unless it comes from someone you trust who does mechanical work. If you can wrench a lawnmower engine, you can fix a T. Take your time, it looks like everything is there to make it run.

lol thank you i'm an owner operator trucker so my tool box is full and i fix what i can my self pushing 3 million miles on my truck i have to, iv put on 2milion of the 3 lol but my model T knowledge is light but that will change with alittle help from you all

Norman Kling wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 9:37 pm

All Model T's which came with generators were gear driven from the camshaft timing gear. Some T's have after market generators which are belt driven, but that is not the way Henry made them. If the block is clean and you have a good radiator you don't need a water pump. The pump will actually cause the engine to run too cold in cold weather. The Ford thermosyphon cooling system used the natural heat of the coolant to rise to the top of the radiator and as the air blows through the radiator, it cools the coolant which goes to the bottom of the radiator and back into the engine. So it doesn't actually start to circulate until it warms up. Words very well with a good radiator.
Norm

great info thanks, in the one picture there is a water outlet with a propeller with a shaft and pully dated 1923 , must be aftermarket

Yeehaw Mark! A FUN designed model T! No worries about correctness, just fun. I like it.

I would take a close look at the wiring, particularly where it passes through the firewall. That ain't the way Ford did it. I also noticed a solenoid for the starter. Is the car 12V? Nothing wrong, but the T was originally 6V negative ground. You will not be able to count on any standard T wiring diagrams if it has been converted to anything else. Usually a water pump is a band-aid for another problem - most often a radiator that doesn't leak, but doesn't cool properly either. As the radiator ages, the connection between the vertical tubes and the horizontal fins deteriorates. Since the radiator doesn't leak, the owner thinks the radiator is good. It isn't. If the vertical tubes are round, I would start stashing away a bit of dinero to buy a new radiator or have that one recored. Neither is cheap, but if your radiator isn't up to par, you will be fighting overheating issues until it is. BTW: There's nothing wrong with the round-tube radiator, but if it is (round tube) it's probably original. A properly running Model T with a flat-tube radiator will cool just fine with the cooling system the way Ford made it. Have fun with your car, and welcome to the affliction!

John, Mark has a 3-year old flat tube radiator. He's good to go.

Mark, there are 240 wonderful assembly drawings on this site. Martynn Vowell made and uploaded them. Click on "Gallery" next to your login name. Click "Vowellart" and enjoy the drawings.

Hey Mark, welcome to the affliction, as they say here !
Nice T, looks like a lot of fun to be had riding as well as wrenching,
This forum has a immense amount of knowledge about the T, and a lot of members willing to help any T-er.
First thing to do is order a reprint of Mr. Fords model T Shop Manual from one of the vendors, as you are about to discover the Model T is a rather simple car that is easy to work on BUT there are some things in its construction that are very different from what is the accepted standard we're used to today.
As you are an experienced mechanic (as i am) you will have to Un-learn some things when working on a T, the 'bible' will help with that and if you have a question on some technical problem, or how to fix something, post it here and you'll be swamped in answers in no time at all

...you'll be swamped in answers in no time at all.

...and many of them will be right.

up date!! removed the added wires /wiring from prev owner , head lights and tail light since it had the orig wires in the cloth harness (checked with my DVOM) . looked everything over should work for now. it has a universal key/ starter switch on the dash which is ok for now , i have the orig style switch and guage which will go back in after i test /clean it, so next move figuring it had spark next we need gas and air . i have lot of air so i pulled the elbow and gas valve and drained probably 5 gal old gas (garage will smell for days ) took it all apart and cleaned it out (it was plugged and full of crap) next i pulled the carb and it was pretty clean (sediment bowl did it's job) cleaned it up, float looked good after getting it cleaned no gas in side , blew out the jets reinstalled the float and needle gave it the mouth blow test (upside down and right side up) needle and seat were working good. put the carb back on hooked up the throttle , mixture and choke along with the gas line and i'm ready to go , put in 5gal new gas , went in the house to get my gas guage stick and it showed 4.5gal perfect!! now the best part ... turned on the gas (the valve has kero,off , gas pretty cool) opened the drain on the bowl , yup got gas, key off, timing full retard , 1/4 throttle , jumped the solenoid with a screw driver and cranked it over 4-5 times , choke in/off (gas pored on the floor ) quick wipe up for safety double check full parking break and turned the key . coil start buzzing so i hit crank it turned over 4-5 times and started up nice !!! pulled some timing into it smoothed out backed down the throttle and it runs great!!! happy guy today!!!

more to come!! thanks for all the info and comment's from all of you this is a great site and people for newbies/newT's like me and many others!!!! next question will be about magneto , i see a what looks lik a singel wire connection on top of the bellhousing behind the head , hope it's all in there , lots more reading to do 177 pages to go lol
thanks again!!! Mark

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:41 pm

...you'll be swamped in answers in no time at all.

...and many of them will be right.

thanks

Kaiser wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 05, 2023 12:30 pm

Hey Mark, welcome to the affliction, as they say here !
Nice T, looks like a lot of fun to be had riding as well as wrenching,
This forum has a immense amount of knowledge about the T, and a lot of members willing to help any T-er.
First thing to do is order a reprint of Mr. Fords model T Shop Manual from one of the vendors, as you are about to discover the Model T is a rather simple car that is easy to work on BUT there are some things in its construction that are very different from what is the accepted standard we're used to today.
As you are an experienced mechanic (as i am) you will have to Un-learn some things when working on a T, the 'bible' will help with that and if you have a question on some technical problem, or how to fix something, post it here and you'll be swamped in answers in no time at all

thank you i'm all in and ready to learn , where do i find the book/books i should/want to have, knowledge is power to avoid the really dumb questions and i like reading , orig wiring dia would be nice too

Mark Nunn wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:45 am

John, Mark has a 3-year old flat tube radiator. He's good to go.

Mark, there are 240 wonderful assembly drawings on this site. Martynn Vowell made and uploaded them. Click on "Gallery" next to your login name. Click "Vowellart" and enjoy the drawings.

sweet, thank you!!

John Codman wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:38 am

I would take a close look at the wiring, particularly where it passes through the firewall. That ain't the way Ford did it. I also noticed a solenoid for the starter. Is the car 12V? Nothing wrong, but the T was originally 6V negative ground. You will not be able to count on any standard T wiring diagrams if it has been converted to anything else. Usually a water pump is a band-aid for another problem - most often a radiator that doesn't leak, but doesn't cool properly either. As the radiator ages, the connection between the vertical tubes and the horizontal fins deteriorates. Since the radiator doesn't leak, the owner thinks the radiator is good. It isn't. If the vertical tubes are round, I would start stashing away a bit of dinero to buy a new radiator or have that one recored. Neither is cheap, but if your radiator isn't up to par, you will be fighting overheating issues until it is. BTW: There's nothing wrong with the round-tube radiator, but if it is (round tube) it's probably original. A properly running Model T with a flat-tube radiator will cool just fine with the cooling system the way Ford made it. Have fun with your car, and welcome to the affliction!

thank for the information , rads been done so i'll probably take off the water pump and try it , really like to have a temp gauge of some sort

you will have a temp gauge - coolant will come out the overflow tube or not

if it isn't steaming, you're fine (and with a new radiator and learn how to adjust timing properly, you will be...)

BTW - once you're up and running, carry coolant at about 1/2 way up "FORD" on the shell...any higher and you risk losing coolant simply through expansion and think you're overheating but you aren't

Duey_C wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 05, 2023 2:20 am

Yeehaw Mark! A FUN designed model T! No worries about correctness, just fun. I like it.

yup , i want it so if my buddies, their wives , kid or grandkid want to drive a 100 yr old car they can , only got mabey 2000.00 into it so share the fun/ experience...not alot to lose and easy to fix. my 10yr old grandson will learn drive it next summer when he comes to grandpa's house for sure , making memories and hopefully one day it will be his!!

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 05, 2023 5:02 pm

you will have a temp gauge - coolant will come out the overflow tube or not

if it isn't steaming, you're fine (and with a new radiator and learn how to adjust timing properly, you will be...)

BTW - once you're up and running, carry coolant at about 1/2 way up "FORD" on the shell...any higher and you risk losing coolant simply through expansion and think you're overheating but you aren't

lol sounds good to me , will drive me crazy at first

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:45 pm

Looks like you're off to a good start. I believe so far most of the comments are correct.

I think there is more information available on Model T than any other old car.
https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html

thanks , i'll check that out!

I know there is a good group of Model T'ers where you live. They invited us up from Milwaukee group to have a meeting with them.

Langs, Snyders. Chaffins, etc all have the books you need. The service manual and the books from the MTFCA. You can also order them
from the Museum in Richmond if you would like.

I think there is also a good group in the cities. You really should try to drive over on August 12 to see the cars coming in during the Antique Car Run from New London to New Brighton. All cars were built before the Model T existed.

You might want to contact Jeff Perkins who likes on the WI MN border. Great guy and a lot of knowledge.

Well, the model T drives !!!backed it out of the garage and out to my street took it around the block. Everything works as it should . Reverse , Low gear , high gear, brakes work it was even charging !! now I have to figure out if the magneto works. I should’ve measured the voltage next time I fired up I will . I even change the oil good old 10w30.
When I went from low gear to high gear, holy crap, now you’re rocking right along I was only quarter throttle
People were giving me big smiles, and thumbs up

DHort wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 06, 2023 12:19 pm

I know there is a good group of Model T'ers where you live. They invited us up from Milwaukee group to have a meeting with them.

Langs, Snyders. Chaffins, etc all have the books you need. The service manual and the books from the MTFCA. You can also order them
from the Museum in Richmond if you would like.

I think there is also a good group in the cities. You really should try to drive over on August 12 to see the cars coming in during the Antique Car Run from New London to New Brighton. All cars were built before the Model T existed.

You might want to contact Jeff Perkins who likes on the WI MN border. Great guy and a lot of knowledge.

Thank you very much I appreciate the information

So far no one mentioned spark advance AFTER the T starts.
I once loaned my TT to a friend for a parade and he drove it 7 miles into town but it barfed out 1/2 the coolant and didn’t make the parade. He never advanced the spark ! Once you advance the spark on a running T, power just exudes from the engine. Just throw it down 1 1/2” after start.