MTFCA Forum

After spending the last year going thru the car, today was the first attempt to start Daisy Mae ('14 Touring).
3 priming cranks, followed by two pulls ignition on (Bat), and she came to life first time since 1969.
After running 15 minutes, with a 30 min cool down she offered up a free start. 2 hours later, one crank with no prime got it. She sounds REALLY good!!!

I had been warned by the prior owner that the mag wasn't working. Everything appeared good, no crank play, and I was getting at least 2- 3 volts spinning the crank, so I recharged the magnets in the car crossing fingers it was just dead magnets...
Started on battery to ensure a good start, but once running I crossed fingers eyes & toes, switched to mag....and.... smoothed out into a purr!!! I haven't tested the output yet, but she ran well idle on up.

Needless to say, I'm doing my Happy Dance!!!

Couple more items to go thru before I roll her out for her first test drive, but, this was a great start!

There is something wonderful about a first start after a significant amount of work, bringing a machine back to healthy life.
Wishing for you many years ahead enjoying the fruits of your labors, driving and touring the T often.

Thanks Wayne!
Truth be known I was full of trepidation & anxiety with the first crank....any number of things could have been wrong to cause a no start. But I had been patient & thorough...been a long year of archeology & repair and ensuring everything was as it should be.... but, I've also always been the same way after any engine rebuild.
Heck....I should have known better though....it's a true testament to the T!!!!

I contacted the prior owner to inform him of today's news.
I was mistaken. While I knew his dad had done some partial restoration in 1969, I thought they had it running. Turns out they were never able to get it to run, and had rolled it back into the barn. That's why he had warned me the mag was probably bad. Today's startup was the first time it has run since it was put in the barn in 1935!!!!!

Yup...feeling good!!!!

I remember my mate's Dad's comment about a mechanical rebuild. "Why were you surprised when it started right up? If you did everything correctly, it could do nothing else." Looks like you did everything correctly. Well done!
You have outdone my efforts with my Henrietta. She had only been sleeping since 1954. On start-up she ran beautifully, so my son suggested switching her to magneto, and she ran even better. Two days later the generator came alive too!

Allan from down under.

Thanks Alan!
While this is my 2nd T (with a 29 A garage mate), I've wanted a 1914 T since I was 7.....only took 60+ years, but to think it's been 90 yrs since she ran last....and purrs like a kitten at that.... ya... I'm bouncing off the walls tonight after the past year of patience & perseverance bringing her back.

My wife took me to Hooters for wings & beer to celebrate...
She's such a good egg.

Some don't understand our addiction... but a day like today makes it all worthwhile!!!

Ya know what they say Kurt, "All good things come to those who wait". Way to go on a well-done job! By the way, I received the Warford brochure in the mail Saturday. Thanks again, now enjoy taking your T for drive.

Some pictures would be great!

One of the greatest things about this addiction is the people that come into your life. While I certainly accept credit for all my work that led to this point, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge all the help I've received from the members on this forum....from all the advice & suggestions, to those who have helped me along the way with parts. Heck, even my 10 yr old Grandson rebuilt my coil box for me.
It truly is one of the best things about the hobby.

Kurt... that's wonderful news. I really am looking to meet you hopefully this spring here in the Ohio.

Not quite perfect...
Got some very minor bubbling in the head gasket between 2 & 3 above the lower coolant port.
Cranked down on the bolts when hot, lessened it some, but still spits out a tiny bubble every 3-5 seconds.

Some issues still to keep me busy...
No surprise...

Congrats on getting it running!

You may want to put the rear on jack stands and chock the front tires for testing all the transmission pedals and hand lever before going on a drive. Then test everything again on the ground to see if the brakes work again with a load.

Vernon,
that was actually on today's checklist.
All 3 operating well, without load anyway.
The only thing still in progress are the clutch plates.
Months ago it was apparent they were 'glued', where I had soaked everything in tranny fluid & acetone.
First start yesterday was done with a wheel jacked, where even in neutral the wheel would spin, or would drop RPM significantly being under load with full handbrake/neutral. I shocked it several times spinning & hitting the hand brake yesterday and it's loosening up. Yesterday it wouldn't start if on the ground, but would today.
Today was also spent playing with carb settings (old mechanic sight/smell/heat methods), and testing what methods she likes/doesn't like with cold/warm/hot starts. I was truly amazed however how often I'm getting free starts when warm, even after an hour cool down....I'd venture 20% while hot/warm.
Tomorrow I'll be changing the oil to clear out any loosened gunk, but before refilling will first run a bath of kerosene, pull the plugs and spin it a bit before draining, chase it with a quarter or two of oil, spin/drain then add in fresh.
More to go, bit by bit, but I'm not in a hurry for her first test drive until I feel satisfied & she tells me she's ready.
Daisy Mae is an old girl and I know she needs gentle nudging to bring her out of her 90 year long nap....