Barn find, or better?

[AdminJeff]

Sometimes fate just lands in your lap.

I was at my local hardware store a few weeks ago when “George” was running and a guy comes up to me and immediately knows what the car is and even what year it is, As I’m sure you all can relate, that is highly unusual, and so I engage in an informed and lively discussion. Well, after a while he asks if I could use some spare T parts. Duh, does a bear do his business in the woods? His grandfather apparently has been collecting T parts his entire adult life and can no longer get around, and there is an entire storage unit full of T parts nearby that he wants to get rid of. Apparently it’s four complete 1926 Motors, 2 fully disassembled late model T cars plus parts galore from older and newer T’s. Cheap. So I get his number and give him mine and tell him to call me when he’s ready.

My engine is apart now and it’s catastrophic failure - I even need to pour new Babbitt in the crank mains.
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Triple gear failure on a massive scale started it all. Likely victim of bad bearing material, esp since the clearance was set up correctly during the rebuild a few months ago.

So, I’m benched for the year, or am I? Yesterday, I call the guy with the storage locker. He sends me a txt with this list of stuff from his grandfather. We set up a meeting for this morning.
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So, I meet him at the storage yard this morning. The locker is ~25’x 10’ and FULL. I shoot this video of the parts. I buy it all on the spot and get the key to the storage locker. I’m not even going to say for how much. I will say it was a lot less than what I’d spend on just the parts alone to repair my motor.

Before you ask, The Sherman Spit Fire head is already sold to Steve Tomaso!

https://youtu.be/sp6-k-RaH1s

Needless to say, I’ll be at several swap meets in the future and posting in the classifieds. A lot. And doing some heavy lifting over the next couple of days.

And with any luck, “George” will be back on the road in a few weeks.

The wife is now certain I’m nuts and have gone completely off the deep end. No more speculation is necessary. I have no comeback for that assessment.

Jeff

[Allan]

Jeff, forget the T stuff, Tell me about the mini.

Allan from down under.

[AdminJeff]

Jeff, forget the T stuff, Tell me about the mini.

Allan from down under.

1963. It was already sold!

[Wayne Sheldon]

Criminy sake! A ton of T stuff, Ford stuff (I see a fair amount of model A Parts), non Ford parts I think I see some early '30s Buick and Some late '20s Chevrolet (not counting the disc wheels which are worth a bit) (I specifically see a spare tire carrier that is late '20s Chevy I think?)?
I hate to think how much money they spent storing all that stuff! Probably a lot more than you paid for it. However I am glad it is still around in good shape and getting back into the supply chain.

[Dallas Landers]

Lucky day Jeff! Glad you found this stuff. I could see the storage unit being sold to the highest bidder " the junk dealer". Thats how these things are lost forever.

[Mark Osterman]

I would be interested in the roadster seat springs and upholstery kit if it fits a 1923. Mosterman@eastman.org

[John Warren]

I would be interested in the a parts

[AdminJeff]

My inbox was flooded this morning. I know I know. Everyone wants something. Let me get it home and at least figure out what I have. There are also 20-30 (possibly more) large boxes, all labeled refurbed this or that. We opened a couple and they had new SNYDER’s and Lang’s parts, stripped and painted parts, etc.

I’m cleaning out one of my barns today and putting in a bunch of steel shelving. Tomorrow is the transfer. Then Christmas starts. I’ll post updates along the way. If you see something that catches your eye, send me a pm, not an email. I’ll keep them all and respond as I have time. My biz just threw me a major curve ball (a really nasty one) so I’ll have limited time over the coming months while I attend to that, but this project will be fun. I’m not going to dump this stuff, but I will accept any fair offers after checking with those in the know. I’m spending even more to move it and store it, and it all adds up. The promise to the wife will be kept: “I’ll make it all back....really”

Jeff

[AdminJeff]

Load #1. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. I can’t imagine any single member on this forum that could’ve waited until tomorrow...

[Ruxstel24]

Cheese and Rice !!!
Holy motherload Batman !!

[AdminJeff]

So, good progress today, I got the barn cleaned out and shelving installed.
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We opened the first sarcophagus that was labeled “Speedster”
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I got 2 boxes unwrapped and put on the shelves. Only 45 more boxes to go...
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An interesting find was this medical book from 1867. And in surprisingly good condition
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Much more tomorrow.

Jeff

[Henry K. Lee]

Good things happen to good people too!

Karma kicks in when you need it and when you are not expecting it either.

Happy for you Jeff!

Hank

[DHort]

I thought maximum number of photos was 4-5, and you got 11. Did you pull some strings with the Admin?

[AdminJeff]

I thought maximum number of photos was 4-5, and you got 11. Did you pull some strings with the Admin?

I might have an “In” somewhere.... I do think I’m going to have to use something else tho like Instagram. There’s just too much stuff. Too many pics .

Jeff

[Steve Hughes]

Holy moly what a haul. I am very envious.

[Allan]

Jeff, I noticed an SU carburetor and a sideplate with canister which probably belong with the Mini. Being 1963, the best one could hope for is a Mini Cooper. My wife has an 850 auto Mini which is an English import into Australia. It's a '68 but has all the nice trim bits from a Mini Cooper, but absolutely none of the performance!

Allan from down under.

[AndyClary]

I'm glad Jeff found this collection of parts and not me. Everyone knows it's better to know someone with a bunch of parts when you need one than having to store them yourself.

Andy

[AdminJeff]

Yeah Andy... thanks for that.

Here’s load #1 and some interesting items. Of course none of the 4 helpers I had lined up today showed up so it’s going to take longer than I thought to get it all back here.

[AdminJeff]

Load #3. I only had a few hours at the end of the day today so we had to work fast.

Both motors turn over freely so that’s a plus. The one in the foreground looks to be in really good shape. Cylinders smooth, valves clean, etc. I’ll tear into that one first.

I think there’s another 2 full loads. 5 frames 10 doors, and 20 something fenders.

[Matt in California]

Jeff,
Awesome! I hope that you get an engine that works for you!

I have felt blessed recently with good deals! The last one was someone who bought a home and had to play extra thousands of dollars to buy model T parts and other junk (i mean treasures). He has been selling some stuff and just wanted to get ride of the rest... So now I double my stuff.

Here is my conclusion:
1. I am blessed so I want to be a blessing to others.
2. I want to keep the pile down so after 40+ years my mountain is manageable.

BTW. I have a 1926 Touring. I need top bows and seats. I currently just use modern bench seats. The stuff you have looks too nice for my car, but if you have something that you would like to sell let me know.

Matt

[Matt in California]

"The wife is now certain I’m nuts and have gone completely off the deep end. No more speculation is necessary. I have no comeback for that assessment."

....

An interesting find was this medical book from 1867. And in surprisingly good condition.
0AD60A34-6071-4A5D-BA30-6578A51DDDF2.jpeg
24358337-25B7-42A4-9786-C552EE20F1C6.jpeg
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Much more tomorrow.

Jeff

Jeff, I am wondering if that book has the cure for you! Please if you find it let me know. My wife knows that I went off the deep end a long time ago!

Matt

[Will_Vanderburg]

I'm looking for a good, used sediment bowl for a 1922 Center Door.

[AdminJeff]

I'm looking for a good, used sediment bowl for a 1922 Center Door.

Once I post in the classifieds, have at it. This is not a for sale posting, it is a story about finding T parts.

Jeff