I got an interesting call today

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Jeff
Posts: 47
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:50 am
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Stevenson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Touring
Location: Wilder Idaho
Board Member Since: 2017
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I got an interesting call today

Post by Jeff » Tue Jan 20, 2026 12:22 am

It was on my WhatsApp app on my iPhone and it was from India. of course, as your former AdminJeff, I was immediately suspicious, but I decided if it was a scammer, I'd string him along for as long as I could just so he couldn't scam some other poor soul. I often make a sport out if it - seeing how long I can string them along. My current record is keeping them on the line for over 2 hours. Man were they pissed off when they finally realized I was scamming them. That was a win.

Anyway, to my surprise it was a legit T owner. He has a 1915 and wants to add a starter to the car, not by changing the hogshead and ring gear, etc, but by adding a starter using a period correct add-on contraption. I was intrigued. I've seen pics in the past but never seen one in person. He sent me several examples of what he's looking for. Being in India, I asked him if he knew how I might go about getting new armatures made for T generators and he thinks he has a source. Interesting guy.

So, I'd like to help him. If anyone has one of these contraptions or knows where I can find one, I'd like to help this gentleman and perhaps he can help me get armatures made for T generators.

If I do find one, I have a friend who travels to Bombay often and could squirrel it away in his luggage.

Here are the pics he sent me. The last one is of his car - a beautiful example of a 1915.
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"The trick to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources..." Albert Einstein
1921 Model T Touring, 1930 Model A Roadster
Voltage Regulators, Starter & Generator Repair & Parts manufacturing
www.modeltregulators.com
www.modeltstarters.com


Dodge
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2024 3:05 am
First Name: Dodge
Last Name: Riedy
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Ford Center Door
Location: San Anselmo

Re: I got an interesting call today

Post by Dodge » Tue Jan 20, 2026 4:27 am

Jeff,
I have a Gray and Davis starter generator that is pretty complete with wiring and everything. It even has the correct battery box that mounts on the running board. I don't think your friend is going to stash it in his luggage as these things weigh almost 100 lbs.

I might be able to be talked out of it. I was saving it for my Dad's 1912 Touring for when he wasn't able to crank it anymore.
He fooled me he was still cranking it at 95yrs of age. That car started on a 1/4 of a turn everytime......


Dodge

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Topic author
Jeff
Posts: 47
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:50 am
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Stevenson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Touring
Location: Wilder Idaho
Board Member Since: 2017
Contact:

Re: I got an interesting call today

Post by Jeff » Tue Jan 20, 2026 6:52 am

Email sent.

Jeff
"The trick to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources..." Albert Einstein
1921 Model T Touring, 1930 Model A Roadster
Voltage Regulators, Starter & Generator Repair & Parts manufacturing
www.modeltregulators.com
www.modeltstarters.com


Gene_French
Posts: 1068
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:58 am
First Name: Gene
Last Name: French
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Roadster pkup.
Location: Nunn, CO
Board Member Since: 2014

Re: I got an interesting call today

Post by Gene_French » Tue Jan 20, 2026 9:18 am

Jeff:
many years ago at a farm auction i saw a T motor with a Dodge Brothers starter generator jury rigged on to the front cover using the DB sprockets and a crude assembly of angle iron and flat plate ... possibly any DC motor might be adapted for this purpose and also double as a generator ...Gene French

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