MTFCA Forum

I got my 27 TT out for the second time this weekend. Wow do I need to practice driving it. Fortunately I have a parking lot to practice in. I start out fine and travel along just fine however my stops or not so graceful. I cannot stop with killing the engine. I am pushing halfway down on the far left pedal and all the way down on the right pedal and I kill it every time.
I am very new to the model T world. Until November I had never even ridden in one so I have a lot to learn.
Also when moving along and going to high range the transmission sounds noisy. The noise is gear noise like an old transmission sounds but seems excessive. How concerned should I be?
Any of you in southern Indiana? I would like an experienced T person to drive it and make sure all
Pedals are adjusted properly.

Try taking the truck out of gear with the hand lever when you stop. Straight up should be neutral. Don't worry about learning to drive. Millions of people have done it, and you're smarter than some of them.

Duane,

You don't say whether or not your truck has an auxiliary transmission. Typically, the "gear noise like an old transmission" originates in an aftermarket unit and is pretty common.

In addition to what Steve suggests you might also try going from high to low (left pedal all the way down) "easy" (don't just jam it down suddenly but do go all the way down to not slip the band too much ) slowing the truck then back up to the half way (neutral) position as you apply the brake (right pedal).

God luck!!

Your noisy transmission is most likely worn out triple gear bushings. When driving in the large parking lot in high gear slowly push down on the clutch pedal and increase throttle until truck has no forward motion and engine is running a fairly high RPM. That clutch pedal feeling will be neutral. It’ll probably need some adjustment. What do you know about the engine/tranny rebuild status ??

I really don’t know much about the engine and tranny rebuild. The only thing I know is that a couple of guys that heard it start and run were really impressed how well it started and ran, and how quiet it was.

Yes it does have an auxiliary transmission. It doesn’t sound like the sound is coming from there but it certainly may be. I will try theses suggestions soon.
Thanks

My TT has a Chicago 3 speed aux. Trans. Straight drive which is normal T trans is quiet. Overdrive and under drive in the Chicago is pretty noisey. See that your aux. Trans is in straight or direct drive. What type aux trans is in your TT?

Duane,

My TT has a Muncie aux tranny. It growls like an old dog. Even without knowing what type of aux tranny your truck has, my money is on it as the source of the noise.

I'm with Henry on this

And unless you want to quit having fun and do exploratory surgery (which may or may not result in a silent transmission), I'd drive it that way. Those old transmissions sometimes made that kind of whining noise on their best day out of the factory.

Avoid the temptation to dismantle anything that doesn't seem right (unless absolutely sure). It is a T, not a Honda. With no disrespect intended, the younger you are, the worse these things sound: For one, you've never experienced something like it, and two, your hearing is still good...

Scott's comments are spot on. I've been riding in my TT since I was a baby in arms (it was my grandfathers TT). That tranny has growled for over 65 years (I'm now 71) that I personally remember. Drive it and don't worry. If it quits you'll know it.

Hi Duane,
Welcome to the hobby. Be careful, often the first T leads to a second!!

I had to learn to drive my truck much as you are doing. Just keep on practising.

I would suggest 'ignoring' the aux trans at first - what I mean is don't try changing gears in it, just focus on getting the basic pedal operation smooth.

I am not familiar with your aux transmission, but check if it is possible to get it into neutral. If so BEWARE as your brake is in the standard transmission, and getting the aux in neutral means you have no effective brake. The hand brake may slow you down a bit but don't rely on it.

I found using the hand brake 'half way' like Steve suggested was a good way to start, then progress to Georges' suggestion until you get the feel for the pedals. At the end of the day, what works for you works.

Remember, millions of folk learned to drive the T and you can too, it just takes practice

Keep up the good work, and maybe a photo or two as well?

Cheers

Adrian Whiteman, New Zealand

Yeah; you ought to hear the stock transmissions at The Henry Ford. Growled like a Godzilla movie. Adrian (above) is spot on. Develop the many driving techniques a T requires. Just don’t expect to keep up with T cars. A former 2 time MTFCA president tried to with his TT. Blew up 2 engines.

George

some learn by education
some learn by doing
some learn through tragedy...that's the most expensive education of all

Scott,

You forgot the last bit:

'Sadly some just don't seem to learn at all!'

Usually they are they ones who never ask and if they do they never listen, and in any case they already know it all anyway.
Ah well, life is interesting

Guys thanks for all of the great help. Unfortunately I have to work at the NSRA nationals in Louisville for the next several days so I won’t be able to play with the truck this weekend. I can’t Waite to get it back out and learn how to drive it. I will
Report back and post more pictures.
Somebody replied that I had better be careful because I could become a T addict. I think it may be to late. I have several hot rods and classic cars but this old truck is quickly becoming my favorite.

drool..

I do like trucks!

Glad to hear you are enjoying it

Now THAT is a GREAT truck!

Even I might be converted with something like THAT!

If its the same truck, it belonged to someone around Wales, Wisconsin about 25 years ago. Looks like the same one.

Big, Green and really cool. You guys know I like it!

Big, Green and really cool. You guys know I like it!

Ha ha - I wonder why

cheers
Adrian

Duane,
I see your TT is a former REA truck. This is very cool as I am actually restoring my 24 TT C cab as an REA (actually its predecessor American Railway Express). Any pictures you could post/send on details such as lettering etc would be appreciated.
Bruce Carswell

Duane, you have fun at the NSRA Nationals! That truck will wait for you. Quite patiently, in fact.
What an absolutely beautiful truck! And I thought my Lucky was a good lookin' ol' devil that has no view behind without a huge mirror.
Around the yard, I keep the Warford in low (under drive). Like Steve suggested, perhaps get used to pulling the controller/hand lever back to neutral for a bit. I still do sometimes in all three runners here.
I drove a gorgeous T snowmobile one time, couldn't find neutral with the pedal either. I didn't have the time to straighten that one out.
It isn't easy being green. Just ask Kermit.
Hehehe. It's different typing my own name to another T fellow. I know of three of us here. Oop, then there's the confusion between Duey C and Mr David Dewey here too sometimes.
Du