New Guy Could use some help

[bkhiatt]

Hi All,
Long time lurker, reader, and researcher, first time poster

I've been doing the Model A thing for almost 20 years with a 1928 Phaeton and 1931 CCPU so I thought I had ol' Henry figured out, but the Model T seems to be a different beast.

I am working on a what I thought was a 1923 Model T Roadster (with the wooden pickup bed accessory instead of a "turtle deck" trunk) that I inherited from my uncle. It was partially put back together after he started and enginer and rear end change before he couldn't work on it anymore and I've bee slowly getting it back together. I've been searching online, and reading books, and looking at forum posts, but I have come across 2 things that have stumped me.

#1) I have always thought that I had a 1923. My uncle's signs that he used at car shows said it was a 1923. I ordered a set of floorboards for a 1915 to 1925 Roadster/Touring Car (Snyders T-3626-A). They are not wide enough at all, and the slots don't line up with the pedals properly (Reverse and Brake line up, the clutch pedal does not). As I dug deeper, I found that the firewall patent plate is the style that Snyders and Lang's sell for a 1926-1927 with only 2 rivets instead of 4. But I don't have a cowl gas tank or the 1926-1927 style ignition mounting in the dash.
So are Synder's floor boards all wrong, or do I not really have a 1923 body here? I haven't found a good set of floorboard or body dimensions for a 1923 Roadster online (I've found lots for Tudors though) to really see what I have. The history on this car is kinda fuzzy and I'm guessing it is a collection of parts from many years.

#2) The carburetor doesn't look like any of the model T carburetors in the books or on the websites. I asked ChatGPT what it was and it told me it was a Carter downdraft . So much for that AI stuff. Does anyone know what this carburetor is?

Thanks in advance for any help, pointers, or tips.

Thanks,
Brian

[DHort]

OF is a Stromberg Carburetor. A common replacement for a Holley.

[KWTownsend]

The engine may be 1926-1927. The pedal spacing is different. Post a pic...

[jsaylor]

The Model T Encyclopedia has descriptions year by year here. http://www.mtfca.com/encyclo/index.htm
Also you might have a 23 with a 26-7 engine.

[John kuehn]

Pictures of your T would help identifying your T. Many Model T’s were altered over the years and it won’t be surprising if yours has been. With so many T’s made over the years people would find a chassis and engine and put one together.

[Mike Silbert]

Henry made sure the car parts were mostly "interchangeable" so for the last 100+ years they have become mixed up to keep them running and to suit the owners desires.
Since day one the aftermarket has provided "better ideas". While some were better, some were worse, and some just cosmetic.
That leaves very few authentic examples out there unless they are restored to be that way.
While there is not really a problem with that, except it can be difficult to get the correct parts.
The parts sellers list the parts for what they originally fit because that is the best they can do.

The Model T Ford was designed and meant for the owner to repair the car themselves so you might have to make a custom floorboard that fits your car configuration.
We can help figure out what is going on to determine what to do if we know the car history and get pictures.

It sounds like a 26-27 engine in your car.
And that Stromberg OF carburetor is a good running (very popular) carburetor if it is in good condition.

There are stacks of reference books and pages of digital documentation so large this can be overwhelming sometimes.
Other local T owners can also be one of your biggest information.
And there is the forum...
There are many lifetimes of experience here and the past forum history stretches back to 2009.

Everyone's car is different so pictures are very helpful in identifying parts.
And some of us just want to see other peoples cars!
While I enjoy a "perfect" car my favorite kind is the imperfect driver car where you don't have to worry about it.
Enjoy your car and honor your uncle by taking it out and enjoying it like your uncle meant to do.
When you get stuck we can help get you back on track.
Keep it safe and enjoy.
Mike

[Steve Jelf]

After a century many of these cars have "incorrect" parts to varying degrees. Some have one or two parts of the wrong year, and some are parts salads made up of whatever fits well enough to be crammed in. Most are pure enough to allow a pretty good estimate of what year they are. This page partially explains dating: https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG90.html

This page on selling a T suggests pictures you should take, both for selling and dating a T: https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG100.html

Post enough good pictures on the forum, and you'll soon know what you have.

[bkhiatt]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the reponses.

I'll work on some pictures tonight.
Stromberg carb. Ok, that got me going in the right direction I think.
I didn't know 26-27 pedals were different, humm. I hate woodworking though..
I appreciate the info links, I hadn't found those previously but now have them bookmarked.

Thanks,
Brian

[Scott C.]

If your replacement floorboards are to narrow and the pedal spacing is wrong. It sounds like you have a 26-27 and not a 23. 26-27"s have wider floorboards and they have a door on both sides.

[NoelChico]

I had to temporarily swap a 26 engine in my 23 touring when I wrecked a rod a week before a tour. I had to custom make the floorboards to fit the 23 floor and 26 pedals.