Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

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hardconfess
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2025 10:05 pm
First Name: Samuel
Last Name: Ryan
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
Location: United Kingdom
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Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

Post by hardconfess » Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:17 pm

Hi everyone

I am new to the Ford Model T and am very interested in maintaining and restoring this classic car. I would like to know the important maintenance tips to keep it running well and what parts need replacing or repairing most often. Also, are there any resources that would be helpful for a beginner like me? If anyone has experience restoring a Model T, please share your story!

Thanks everyone!


Daisy Mae
Posts: 348
Joined: Mon May 06, 2024 9:32 pm
First Name: Kurt
Last Name: Andersson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring
Location: Panama City Beach, FL

Re: Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

Post by Daisy Mae » Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:33 pm

From a maintenance perspective, just an immediate comment is anyone new to a T the one thing most important as compared to a modern car is to learn how to use an oil can and know the many points in the chassis needing constant/frequent attention. Proper lubrication in the minds of the modern age usually only equates to oil changes every 7,000 miles....with an antique car it demands your attention every time you drive it.

A lubrication chart can be found online, or buy one from a vendor.

After that, start reading all the many resources available and learning all you can about how the T operates to familiarize yourself with all the components...with that knowledge you will then be better prepared to recognize/identify issues needing attention.
Call me anything you want...just so long as it isn't "late for dinner"


DHort
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Re: Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

Post by DHort » Wed Feb 12, 2025 12:25 am

service manual.jpg
service manual.jpg (3.84 KiB) Viewed 1309 times
I recommend you get a copy of this book. All the vendors have it.
Then ask more questions.

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TRDxB2
Posts: 6260
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First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

Post by TRDxB2 » Wed Feb 12, 2025 12:53 am

hardconfess wrote:
Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:17 pm
Hi everyone

I am new to the Ford Model T and am very interested in maintaining and restoring this classic car. I would like to know the important maintenance tips to keep it running well and what parts need replacing or repairing most often. Also, are there any resources that would be helpful for a beginner like me? If anyone has experience restoring a Model T, please share your story!

Thanks everyone!
There are numerous sources of information online & many websites have info for down load
This is most popular & has reference manual by Model Year https://www.cimorelli.com/mtdl/default.htm
Silimlar ro MTFCA https://forum.modeltfordfix.com/
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger


AndyClary
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Last Name: Clary
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout 1926 Coupe. Mercury Speedster #1249
Location: Usa

Re: Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

Post by AndyClary » Wed Feb 12, 2025 9:24 am

Welcome to the hobby Samuel. There is an MTFCA chapter in the UK, the contact information is accessible from the MTFCA.com homepage. I realize the UK is a big place but there might be a member near you. There is nothing like having an experienced hand to show you the ropes.


Andy


John kuehn
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* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Re: Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

Post by John kuehn » Wed Feb 12, 2025 10:59 am

Nothing beats having the Ford Model service books in learning about a Model T. They are available from the parts suppliers. Snyder’s and Lang’s carries them. The MTFCA is an excellent source of information and the forum is loaded with all kinds of info about a T.

Surprisingly you can also learn about the parts from the parts books from the T parts suppliers. Lang’s, Snyder’s, and others will send you a free catalog if you call them. This is a convent way to assist you about which parts are interchangeable and aren’t. The parts diagrams are a great help. Of course hands on experience is a big help too but having the how too books at hand can save you time and trouble. It’s always best to learn what NOT to do along with what to do. Good luck!

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Learn About the Ford Model T – Maintenance and Restoration Experience?

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed Feb 12, 2025 3:03 pm

The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

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