MTFCA Forum

I started my 14 for the first time this year yesterday, and since it was cool I couldn't get it started normally so I resorted to jacking up a rear wheel and got it started OK. It's a pain having to jack it up so today I decided to try to build a simple axle lifter to do the job easier. This is what I came up with. I made a notch in a 4x4 by boring a hole thru it with a 2 1/2" hole saw then cutting thru the hole leaving a half round notch. Then I nailed it together on a 48" 2x4 and added a couple of plywood gussets. You just set the notch under the axle (it will be at a slight angle) and push down on the long bar. The car needs to be in neutral as it will rock a few inches as you lift. It lifts the rear wheel about 1/2" off the ground, and seems to be quite stable.
Ralph

Nice job Ralph!

All those old time T owners would approve

I found this jack some time ago and painted it and put on a new handle. I works well but you'd have to have a pickup to take it along! It was made by J.H. Whetstone in Michigan.

Great Barn thinking, love it.

I'd consider a hose clamp or (being for a T) a couple of laps of baling /fencing wire just below the notch to mitigate against splitting.

Bruce

Sorry if i'm not up to speed on this...

How/why does lifting a rear wheel make it easier to start?

Jeff

Even with the car in neutral, there can be a lot of drag in the 25 clutch discs due to the oil between them still trying to hold them together some. And you can have a little drag in your bands. You have to overcome all this when you are cranking with the wheel on the ground. With one wheel in the air the drag actually works to your advantage by letting the wheel spin and act as a flywheel. Gives you a little more time to get to the spark and throttle after you have cranked her up. It's surprising how fast the rear wheel spins, but it stops easily when you apply the parking brake. Good idea to have a block in front of a front wheel just in case.
Ralph

I don't need no wheel block!

I use the Model A front bumper when the T is in the garage.

That’s fine and dandy when you’re at home and in the garage but what about a lunch or ice cream stop on a club tour ? With my ‘14 runabout I carry a bottle jack with a pipe extension welded to a steel cradle that cups under a rear axle + a six inch 4x4 to place in front of a front wheel. The steel “cradle” acts like the upward curls of a jack stand. I keep em in the turtledeck but they’ll fit easily in a runningboard tool box.

George,
I don't plan to carry it with me since the car starts fine with the crank when it is not cold.
I have been playing with it more and it can raise the axle with only a 2' long 2x4 arm. This could be a cheap and easy way to take the load off your tires when the car is stored for the winter.
Ralph