1926 Model T Coupe update

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Topic author
Matt_A_1926
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:04 pm
First Name: Matt
Last Name: Atchinson
Location: N.Y.

1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by Matt_A_1926 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:30 am

Hey guys, Matt here. It has been a long time since I posted on the MTFCA forum. I'm still using the Facebook one regularly but I thought I'd start posting here more often again. Anyway, my 26 coupe! A lot has happened since I last posted here. The car has now been "90%" totally rebuilt mechanically. I located an original large drum Ruckstell unit locally. I paid $600 for it, it was missing the linkage and shifter as per usual. I figured most of the internals would need replacing and probably cost me around 1,000 to rebuild. Nope! I measured everything out and nearly everything was within acceptable wear tolerances. I put four better condition Hyatt roller bearings in, put on new neoprene seals inner and outers. The Ruckstell has a coiled spring on the drive side which apparently was an accessory oil return item to prevent leaks,left it on. I was generously given an 11 tooth original pinion in good shape by Erik Barrett, thanks again Erik! I shimmed the ring gear so that the Ruckstell was giving about .012 clearance. I put new bearing sleeves in, and replaced the bearing sleeve on the drive shaft and replaced most components on the shaft as well including a better condition universal joint that was nice and tight.

Now for the engine.....OK, I won't get too detailed here but I put up with a lot of bull pucky. Short synopsis is the guy I used did a terrible assembly job, this could have been forgiven but he also stole some rare and valuable parts. He moved after I picked up the car. Suffice it to say I'm looking for him and that's that. Once I addressed the assembly problems (given the next statement and what I later learned I doubt this guy did the mechanical side of things), wow! what a sweet engine! I'd been collecting parts for two years so here's the laytout: Prus high compression head, .040 over aluminum Jahn's pistons with new rings. .300 lift cam and adjustable lifters, oversize 1.540 valves from Lang's and hardened seats. The car has a late period Sure Mike counterbalanced crankshaft that needed .010 cleanup but looks to have been NOS. This is apparently the later version of the sure mike where they addressed the breakage issues by adjusting radii. Replacement transmission from pops that cleaned up very nicely. New Field coil ring. I'm currently running a Simmons carburetor and a Chaffins high flow intake, stock exhaust but I put a tractor muffler on the back to lessen back pressure. I'm running an Anderson timer for timing. I bit the bullet and got a Bergs flat tube radiator for cooling, next part may step on some toes but: I put a very nicely made original water pump on along with a 180 degree thermostat.
She now fires up and has tremendous power. I bet I'm somewhere in the 35 to near 40HP range. She climbs almost any hill in 2nd, with only the most steep ones making me have to shift to ruckstell low ford high. Oh, and the Ruckstell. I was nervous given my amateur nature of mechanical rebuilding but wow! She works beautifully! I find I'm much more confident in my myself on that now, it has driven and shifted wonderfully. I babied the motor for the first 500 miles, never driving above 30mph or so, usually 25mph. One time only on a flat I opened her up just to see what she is capable of. WOW! I have a speedo app on my phone at 55mph her front end was getting squirrelly so I backed off, but the throttle had only been 3/4 open! This means my ultimate goal with this car has been successful: plenty of power to pull the hills in the Catskills and Adirondack mountains where I live and drive regularly. Actually I haven't made it to the ADK yet but I plan to climb her up Whiteface mountain. She now has between 1,100 and 1,200 miles on her since getting the engine back. I feel so much better about the fiasco earlier this summer with the motor right now. Honestly it had made me so angry, so upset, that it was slowly killing my love of the Model T hobby which I have enjoyed with my grandfather pretty much since I could walk. I had never had a bad experience with a T guy before and had always known them as kind and amiable people. One of my lifelong problems is even though I expect the worst from people I choose to trust people too easily despite this. Life's too short to think everyone is out to screw you. My faith has been bruised, but restored. Several of my local club guys came to my aid, helping me to replace stolen parts and offering sympathy and advice. Right now I need to rebush the front end and replace the front spindles: she has early front spindles when I need the lowered 26 27 style. As I address the front end I'll also be adding a set of brake equalizers to the rear. With great power comes great responsibility. I generally keep her around 35 to 40mph, but I want better brakes. I am very excited for this touring season. It wasn't until late July that she was broken in so I missed most events this Summer. My calendar is already full of events!
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Topic author
Matt_A_1926
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:04 pm
First Name: Matt
Last Name: Atchinson
Location: N.Y.

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by Matt_A_1926 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:31 am

pics
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Topic author
Matt_A_1926
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:04 pm
First Name: Matt
Last Name: Atchinson
Location: N.Y.

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by Matt_A_1926 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:32 am

pics 2, little guy is the son of a friend visiting from down South, he loved it!
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Topic author
Matt_A_1926
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:04 pm
First Name: Matt
Last Name: Atchinson
Location: N.Y.

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by Matt_A_1926 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:34 am

pics 3
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Topic author
Matt_A_1926
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:04 pm
First Name: Matt
Last Name: Atchinson
Location: N.Y.

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by Matt_A_1926 » Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:35 am

pics 4
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David Mazza
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:04 pm
First Name: David
Last Name: Mazza
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 t runabout
Location: North Adams ma

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by David Mazza » Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:57 pm

Great to see your still at it and awesome that your car finally runs after all the setbacks! I’m still down here in the Berkshires getting a 20s style hotrod 25 roadster together. Through all the difficulties it can be difficult to keep with it! Hope to someday cross paths!


Scott_Conger
Posts: 6431
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
Location: Clark, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by Scott_Conger » Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:42 pm

Nice Matt
very pleased for you
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured


hah
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: hardiman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 coupe
Location: stoughton, ma

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by hah » Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:24 pm

Just read your thread. Interesting to here your dilemma regarding the deficiencies of your engine builder. We have this in common as a highly reproable engine builder here in Massachusetts has done to me what yours in New York has done to you. It is ironic people will stoop lower than whale $-@-!-* on the bottom of the ocean and pilfer one's rare and valuable parts. It makes you think as it pertains to ones hobby people have such scruples, As a results of this "life lesson" my faith has diminished in much of this community. I may take some heat for stating this scenario. However, the truth hurts and as Hume states, people are cruel and weak. Nonetheless, I am having a blast working towards building my car, basically, entirely on my own no matter how long it takes and as long as my health allows me too.

BTW, we have the same car!


Topic author
Matt_A_1926
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:04 pm
First Name: Matt
Last Name: Atchinson
Location: N.Y.

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by Matt_A_1926 » Fri Jan 10, 2020 6:44 pm

It is what it is. I've decided while I'm not giving up looking for him, I have to otherwise move on or let it consume me. Can't dwell on it. I'm happy things seem sorted out and I'm having a blast with my car. I have many, many journeys planned for this year.


hah
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:57 pm
First Name: john
Last Name: hardiman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 coupe
Location: stoughton, ma

Re: 1926 Model T Coupe update

Post by hah » Fri Jan 10, 2020 7:53 pm

Exactly, this is why I quoted, "life lessons". We all know there are a bunch of meat sticks out there who pose for humans, You and I just ran into a couple. I don't feel alone! LOL! It's all you can do.

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