Jim Thode-thank you. I remember having a couple of those rectangular boxes that people said were Model T coils. They were 1/4 inch maple with square dovetail corners. The coils were imbedded in mastic resin . They looked 'new' or at least unused. I had no trouble selling them in '74 when I was in college.
Yes, that site has helped me out a lot. It actually got me in touch with my local chapter and a couple guys came over and lent me a hand with the engine already. That site is a treasure trove of T knowledge.
I agree the crank may be repairable. The thing about Model T engines and many other early engines is that they do not use shell rod or main bearings. The molten babbitt bearing metal has to be cast directly into the block (or rods) and machined into final alignment and size. Jim
I highly recommend Amsoil Z-rod 10w30 for your car. It has the zinc your engine was designed for and is synthetic too. I use it in both of my classic Fords.
A hectic project, fixing up a really old car is more difficult than designing and building a new car from scratch. On a new car if you cant get the part you want you can put in a part from another manufacturer, you can put in any thing as long as it does the job. On an old car there is no where to go to buy parts, so depending on where you are in the world you some times end up having to make them yourself which is really a hard task as making a replica of some thing is harder than making a part of your own design, because with your own design you can do what ever you want, on a copy there is only one way to do it, and if its a complex part it can be very hard to replicate. So well done in getting this car going it would take more patience than what I have left in me. I have done a couple of big builds, a 400 cube small block Chevy V8 went into a 1988 Toyota Supra and a Smart for Two which I converted to a pure electric car 60v DC, but having to re manufacture what was done in the past is much harder to do. I know the restorer of this car knows that, but a lot of people think the level of complexity with new builds and restoration builds is the same, but it isn't restoration to 100% of original on really old cars is much harder to achieve.
Reminds me of the first car I ever had a 23 T in about 45, I was 15! I used the vaporizer as a base and made a n angle to mount a Model A carb. The A foot pedal stuff bolted right to the back of the T block. Much more power and driveabilty. I used my Ruxtel with a lever and a spring. I torque shifted it. T low, Ruxtel high, Then, T high, Ruxtel low, and finally both T and Ruxtel high. As such, I got the missing second gear an get away was so much better. Many tales of that car
Thanks for the comment. Pulling with the left hand, thumb flat is the safest way to crank a Model T. If it were to kick back it would kick back before the TDC 11:00 crank position and push your hand away from the crank handle. Cranking with the right hand or cranking full circle can cause serious injury if it kicks back. Do a google search for "Model T Ford Forum: Different Method of Hand Cranking ?????" or "Model T Ford Forum: Left handed cranking a new insight " for more info. Jim
At least you have a late model with steel spoke wheels (Only available for 26~27), the wood spokes tend to fail at higher speeds! Many wood spokes have failed and caused roll over accidents.
Thanks for clearing that up. I'm about to start building a Model T pickup with a 3 foot bed. Not having the money for the exactly right parts, I'm going to put the body on a modern frame. Well, maybe a '76 Datsun or an old Maverick frame anyway. Still in the acquisition of parts stage.
irishcowboy111 , I don't plan on putting a starter on it. Just makes one more thing to break and cause problems. Model T's from 1909 to 1918 had no starter. From 1919 to 1925 starters were an option and in 26 and 27 starters were standard equipment on all cars. You can find all the changes by year for Model T's by goggling "MTFCA Encyclopedia". Thanks, Jim
Richard, It has a standard Model T Kingston L-4 carburetor on it. Also it has a Ruckstell two speed rear end in it. It gives four speed rather then the original two speeds. Thanks, Jim
The Hungarian Jozsef Galamb was the designer for the Ford T model. This man was the chief designer of Ford's company nearly 40 years. Jozsef Galamb goes to a school on Hungary, the upper industrial high school. In it for the school which one today for Óbudai University, earlier Donat Banki Technical College.
playingwithfirehurts The original problem was a bit of rust in the main fuel pickup in the carb. After that it has always started fine. Some things are done off camera. Thanks, Jim
Very cool. I am myself building a roadster pickup: from parts though. I thought it would be a 25, but after checking my engine serial numbers turns out the engine is a 26. So I too am now building a 26 truck. I have the engine all apart now. It looks like i'm going to need new rings, new valves, hone the top of the cylinder (the rest is mirror bright, too bad). I also am going to need a new fuel coil for the trans and need to have one of the piston arms rebabbitted. hope to drive by end summer!
gringo le breaux, Not really breaking in, just testing to see if it would run and checking for any problems. At that time I drove it only about 1/4 mile. Thanks, Jim
If you still have the T. Your spark rod from the commutator to the connector on your steering wheel is too long. Fold it in the middle (if the fold is there already, increase the fold), the spark lever should only be the distance of two fingers from the top to start. Then rotate clockwise to the top to the stop for the run position.
One was climbing the old gravel road from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft in New Mexico. Shifting up and down on the Ruxtel, just like the big truck guys di with their two speed rear ends. At night to alleviate the over heat!! later, I built a 23 speedster from junk parts. No try to crank it up. Put wife on the gas tank and towed. it. No start??? til i found she had the brake pedal down and the rear wheels did not turn, merely skided on the dirt roaf! Once fixed it fired nicely. ,Another story there/
paytontech, There are many sources for tires and wheel, both new and used. New tires run about $100 and up and wheels up to $350 fro new wire wheels. Jim
Love watching videos of the Model T start and drive learning curve. I was there once. It takes a bit but you'll get it. There is a definite science to driving the T. Hopefully you get it before you go through a set of bands. Once you get it down it will start first flip of the crank after one flip of choke. Get that idle down too. It's idling way too fast. Is your choke wire run out the front yet? Makes life much easier. Good luck with it. Love the T but they are not for everyone lol.
Hi Jim good job i see ya got 26-27 pedals anyways back when a boy maybe 13 my job was getting kerosene for the shop stove in a doctors coupe with trunk. This was just a go getter called today just a beater. My invention in the winter was a string tied to the spark lever cause i could hand crank better than the starter even jacked up. Always to run for spark & it always died. The string worked..bring it back in one piece (never mind me) or a lickin. can sterno heat no cops free USA. samuel
wi11y1960, Thanks for the comment. If you do a google search for "Model T Ford Forum spark control settings" you will find a chart of spark control settings for a Model T. The spark lever should be fully retarded for starting and the lever should be advanced or pushed down after the engine is started. Jim
The crankshaft is bad because it was scored by a bad rod bearing. The crankshaft may be able to be ground down to smaller size and the rod bearing babbitt re-poured. Then maybe the other crank bearings would need placed and bearings poured in the block. All together most likely more expense then replacing the engine with a good used engine. Jim
In recent years, there have been several attempts to re-write history and claim that Ford's Model T was not designed to run on ethanol/alcohol. Attempts have also been made to re-write history to say that John Rockefeller did not use Prohibition to shut down the alcohol fuel industry. I just published a thorough review and analysis of Ford's intentions for the Model T, as well as an eye opening look at what I believe John Rockefeller intended to do. The story is called: Yes, Tin Lizzie Was An Alcoholic. You can find it at: www.theautochannel.com/news/2019/04/20/660939-yes-tin-lizzie-was-alcoholic.html
Yes the steering was very bad. I found that the caster was essentially reversed so it would not track straight. I adjusted the caster and it now tracks straight down the road. pbase.com/jimthode/caster
Easier to Start a Ford if the trans is allowed to roll over . The rear wheel acts as flywheel to keep the engine turning .If the bands are new(ish) it helps too.
Awesome job! Must have felt pretty good to have it move the first time! Here's the question: How did you convince the fam this was something you needed? haha
Thanks...I went there, and yes you really did take it further! I'd say a complete restoration, as far as I can tell! Looks great, runs great, and certainly sounds great! Congrats on such a great job!
Weird. I was taught just the opposite when I owned my T. Back when I was a member at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, it was two fingers on each side to start it. The Commutator rod went over the top of the steering shaft correct? If it doesnt, then that would explain it. As my spark lever would have been backwards.
I remember in the mid-1950s I was about six or seven years old there was a old guy with a model T it was stuck alongside the road first time I ever seen a car that old he was trying restart the car he was cranking at and doing a lot of swearing and I asked him what was wrong with his car and he swore at me
The main driving brake is a single band in the transmission. There are hand lever mechanical drum parking/emergency brakes on the rear wheels. No brakes on the front wheels.
Great work on the T and truly a fun video to see another gear-head like me smiling through it all. Kindest regards, Steve, owner of a '24 and '27.
It's nice to see one of these old beauties being restored this way.
Jim Thode-thank you. I remember having a couple of those rectangular boxes that people said were Model T coils. They were 1/4 inch maple with square dovetail corners. The coils were imbedded in mastic resin . They looked 'new' or at least unused. I had no trouble selling them in '74 when I was in college.
Yes, that site has helped me out a lot. It actually got me in touch with my local chapter and a couple guys came over and lent me a hand with the engine already. That site is a treasure trove of T knowledge.
Interesting test drive! W/O the body, it deff looks closer to a horseless carriage, than it does an automobile! I like this very much!
Oh wow, simply loved the sound of that engine. Certainly made me smile, thanks for sharing.
Beowulf 59 hite
This is a first class video and I really enjoyed it! Keep up the great restoration! Love to keep watching the progress.
One off the best Model T video's on you tube!
I agree the crank may be repairable. The thing about Model T engines and many other early engines is that they do not use shell rod or main bearings. The molten babbitt bearing metal has to be cast directly into the block (or rods) and machined into final alignment and size.
Jim
I highly recommend Amsoil Z-rod 10w30 for your car. It has the zinc your engine was designed for and is synthetic too. I use it in both of my classic Fords.
A hectic project, fixing up a really old car is more difficult than designing and building a new car from scratch.
On a new car if you cant get the part you want you can put in a part from another manufacturer, you can put in any thing as long as it does the job.
On an old car there is no where to go to buy parts, so depending on where you are in the world you some times end up having to make them yourself which is really a hard task as making a replica of some thing is harder than making a part of your own design, because with your own design you can do what ever you want, on a copy there is only one way to do it, and if its a complex part it can be very hard to replicate.
So well done in getting this car going it would take more patience than what I have left in me.
I have done a couple of big builds,
a 400 cube small block Chevy V8 went into a 1988 Toyota Supra
and a Smart for Two which I converted to a pure electric car 60v DC, but having to
re manufacture what was done in the past is much harder to do.
I know the restorer of this car knows that, but a lot of people think the level of complexity with new builds and restoration builds is the same, but it isn't restoration to 100% of original on really old cars is much harder to achieve.
Reminds me of the first car I ever had a 23 T in about 45, I was 15! I used the vaporizer as a base and made a n angle to mount a Model A carb. The A foot pedal stuff bolted right to the back of the T block. Much more power and driveabilty. I used my Ruxtel with a lever and a spring. I torque shifted it. T low, Ruxtel high, Then, T high, Ruxtel low, and finally both T and Ruxtel high. As such, I got the missing second gear an get away was so much better. Many tales of that car
That's awesome, can't wait to start my old truck for the first time
The tune, “Spanish flea” really fits the video!
sounds good , my dad had a 27 model T fordor. it was a blast to drive.
Thanks for the comment. Pulling with the left hand, thumb flat is the safest way to crank a Model T. If it were to kick back it would kick back before the TDC 11:00 crank position and push your hand away from the crank handle. Cranking with the right hand or cranking full circle can cause serious injury if it kicks back.
Do a google search for "Model T Ford Forum: Different Method of Hand Cranking ?????" or "Model T Ford Forum: Left handed cranking a new insight " for more info.
Jim
Good job mate. I love old car's.
during your fist drive you've essentially made an oversized go kart, I like it
Way KOOL Jim! I didn't think that thing would ever run. You done GOOD!
Very nice I love your car. Congratulations, GREAT WORK.
9
At least you have a late model with steel spoke wheels (Only available for 26~27), the wood spokes tend to fail at higher speeds!
Many wood spokes have failed and caused roll over accidents.
Thanks for clearing that up. I'm about to start building a Model T pickup with a 3 foot bed. Not having the money for the exactly right parts, I'm going to put the body on a modern frame. Well, maybe a '76 Datsun or an old Maverick frame anyway. Still in the acquisition of parts stage.
irishcowboy111 ,
I don't plan on putting a starter on it. Just makes one more thing to break and cause problems. Model T's from 1909 to 1918 had no starter. From 1919 to 1925 starters were an option and in 26 and 27 starters were standard equipment on all cars. You can find all the changes by year for Model T's by goggling "MTFCA Encyclopedia".
Thanks,
Jim
Jim Thode what sort of top speed does that beauty have?
Car and music are fantastic!!!!!
This is unique. We should preserve our old Glory.
Richard,
It has a standard Model T Kingston L-4 carburetor on it. Also it has a Ruckstell two speed rear end in it. It gives four speed rather then the original two speeds.
Thanks,
Jim
That music and font reeks of 2011 and I love it.
That was so many brand new parts that it's more of a new vehicle than a model t original
The Hungarian Jozsef Galamb was the designer for the Ford T model. This man was the chief designer of Ford's company nearly 40 years. Jozsef Galamb goes to a school on Hungary, the upper industrial high school. In it for the school which one today for Óbudai University, earlier Donat Banki Technical College.
boy I bet that old engine had one heck of a knock.
playingwithfirehurts
The original problem was a bit of rust in the main fuel pickup in the carb. After that it has always started fine. Some things are done off camera.
Thanks,
Jim
The first part of this video reminded me of an old "Keystone Cops" movie, lol. Great job!
AWESOME!!!!!! Now you can go places and show off this beauty!! Great hobby
I heard you can get 50 more HP if you reflash the ECU lol :P
In a dream world scOtte.
@silverbird58 i'm sorry, but are ecu is really important to the engine? I mean if there's no ecu will the engine works well?
Use whiskey sweetins out the mix gives u 50 rpms more lmao jk
@iBiana Doubt If you are spending that much anyway... you could probably put in a pair of disc brakes and call it a day.
One of the better hobbies. Love that baby.
Very cool. I am myself building a roadster pickup: from parts though. I thought it would be a 25, but after checking my engine serial numbers turns out the engine is a 26. So I too am now building a 26 truck. I have the engine all apart now. It looks like i'm going to need new rings, new valves, hone the top of the cylinder (the rest is mirror bright, too bad). I also am going to need a new fuel coil for the trans and need to have one of the piston arms rebabbitted. hope to drive by end summer!
I like the jack stands made from tree rounds.
gringo le breaux,
Not really breaking in, just testing to see if it would run and checking for any problems. At that time I drove it only about 1/4 mile.
Thanks,
Jim
Very nice - thanks for sharing the video.
You have to be in shape to crank so many times. My dad had a Hale pumper fire engine with duel ignition - it started both ways.
Wow, thank your for the cool video, I am sourcing for a model like that, best wishes from Germany, Robert
If you still have the T. Your spark rod from the commutator to the connector on your steering wheel is too long. Fold it in the middle (if the fold is there already, increase the fold), the spark lever should only be the distance of two fingers from the top to start. Then rotate clockwise to the top to the stop for the run position.
one of the tightest engines ive heard on here! good work buddy :)
love the intermission music
i cant imagine trying to start this in winter...
By the 1920s electric start had been introduced. I think they were added in 1917.
Ouch, that's a lot of work. Good job.
The song is Herb Thomas-Spanish Flea
One was climbing the old gravel road from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft in New Mexico. Shifting up and down on the Ruxtel, just like the big truck guys di with their two speed rear ends. At night to alleviate the over heat!!
later, I built a 23 speedster from junk parts. No try to crank it up. Put wife on the gas tank and towed. it. No start??? til i found she had the brake pedal down and the rear wheels did not turn, merely skided on the dirt roaf! Once fixed it fired nicely. ,Another story there/
paytontech,
There are many sources for tires and wheel, both new and used. New tires run about $100 and up and wheels up to $350 fro new wire wheels.
Jim
new parts or old parts..its still a model T..thats why theres parts stores..
Love watching videos of the Model T start and drive learning curve. I was there once. It takes a bit but you'll get it. There is a definite science to driving the T. Hopefully you get it before you go through a set of bands. Once you get it down it will start first flip of the crank after one flip of choke. Get that idle down too. It's idling way too fast. Is your choke wire run out the front yet? Makes life much easier. Good luck with it. Love the T but they are not for everyone lol.
Congrats Jim really nice work,you're a good mechanician for sure
Hi Jim good job i see ya got 26-27 pedals anyways back when a boy maybe 13 my job was
getting kerosene for the shop stove in a doctors coupe with trunk. This was just a go getter
called today just a beater. My invention in the winter was a string tied to the spark lever
cause i could hand crank better than the starter even jacked up. Always to run for spark &
it always died. The string worked..bring it back in one piece (never mind me) or a lickin.
can sterno heat no cops free USA. samuel
Love that gravity feed tank, one smash and you'r ash.
not really
Great work!. I hear that buzzing trembler coil plain as day ;-)
wi11y1960,
Thanks for the comment. If you do a google search for "Model T Ford Forum spark control settings" you will find a chart of spark control settings for a Model T. The spark lever should be fully retarded for starting and the lever should be advanced or pushed down after the engine is started.
Jim
The crankshaft is bad because it was scored by a bad rod bearing. The crankshaft may be able to be ground down to smaller size and the rod bearing babbitt re-poured. Then maybe the other crank bearings would need placed and bearings poured in the block. All together most likely more expense then replacing the engine with a good used engine. Jim
oldtimesmatthew,
I very good source of information on Model T's is the The Model T Ford Club of America Forum.
Good Luck,
Jim
Jim Thode automatictransmission
"Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass song fucker
wow, amazing!
@6:43 you became my hero
does this car car has the oooooouuuuuugggaa horn?
This one sure does: ua-cam.com/video/vW-V7hY027w/v-deo.html
😂😂😂👌👌 I needed to know that too
I Think That Car Had The Klaxon Horn.
You would have been there on a horse by now these things will never catch on
In recent years, there have been several attempts to re-write history and claim that Ford's Model T was not designed to run on ethanol/alcohol. Attempts have also been made to re-write history to say that John Rockefeller did not use Prohibition to shut down the alcohol fuel industry.
I just published a thorough review and analysis of Ford's intentions for the Model T, as well as an eye opening look at what I believe John Rockefeller intended to do.
The story is called: Yes, Tin Lizzie Was An Alcoholic. You can find it at: www.theautochannel.com/news/2019/04/20/660939-yes-tin-lizzie-was-alcoholic.html
A lot of cars in Brazil run on straight cane alcohol... smells interesting when driving.
Looks like a nightmare to handle.
Yes the steering was very bad. I found that the caster was essentially reversed so it would not track straight. I adjusted the caster and it now tracks straight down the road.
pbase.com/jimthode/caster
my admiration for your work!
Easier to Start a Ford if the trans is allowed to roll over . The rear wheel acts as flywheel to keep the engine turning .If the bands are new(ish) it helps too.
Love that Herp Alpert!
Has to be a very proud owner.
Probably doesn't like that unleaded ethanol gasoline
ebayerr my local gas station carry's leaded but it comes at hefty
a price
No need for leaded gas. There are thousands of Model T's and other old cars running on unleaded gas with no problems.
The Model T was designed to run on ethanol as well, so I don't think it would mind running on blended fuel.
Looks like you had tons of fun driving! :D
Neat video…I wish you lived next door!
Like the moment you have used to sound with the 9th Symphony
very nice vehicle i wonder how much was invested to bring it back
Work of me mechanical art
That is nice peace of enginering ;) great work.
They look like cars that you see abandoned everywhere in the Fallout game series.
Love the car
Looks like you got a good workout starting her up :)
phooesnax, It is just a hobby, you have to do some unproductive things sometime.
At least the motor shuts-off flawlessly.
Awesome job! Must have felt pretty good to have it move the first time! Here's the question: How did you convince the fam this was something you needed? haha
too lazy to read all the comments.....so this is the breaking in run?....how long was it? looks like a great project
You really brought it back from the dead! Great work! Do you plan on taking it further?
Here is what is looks like today:
ua-cam.com/video/Mi_uNkVZjTI/v-deo.html
Thanks...I went there, and yes you really did take it further! I'd say a complete restoration, as far as I can tell! Looks great, runs great, and certainly sounds great! Congrats on such a great job!
Great job i liked watching you're video i really enjoyed it
Left as it appears in the video, it would have made an awesome TROG car!
Kinda wonder! If a two cylinder harbor freight engine would work in the same chassis? A snow mobile gear box , "some have reverse".
I'd Love to own this vehicle, or even a modern replica of it...
Too bad you arent near me, I need help getting this old guys 29 ford started in minnesota-lol
Good job👍 Enjoyed watching Thank you
Weird. I was taught just the opposite when I owned my T. Back when I was a member at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, it was two fingers on each side to start it.
The Commutator rod went over the top of the steering shaft correct? If it doesnt, then that would explain it. As my spark lever would have been backwards.
I remember in the mid-1950s I was about six or seven years old there was a old guy with a model T it was stuck alongside the road first time I ever seen a car that old he was trying restart the car he was cranking at and doing a lot of swearing and I asked him what was wrong with his car and he swore at me
Do these cars have only rear brakes ! And they're mechanical , not hydraulic right ?
The main driving brake is a single band in the transmission. There are hand lever mechanical drum parking/emergency brakes on the rear wheels. No brakes on the front wheels.
@@jimthode cool Jim thanks 😊
very nice
I live in Washington too! subbed.
thanks for the vid and all the hard work on the car (and starting it!!!!) and
you won't think of a starter eh?
That crank bearing very easily repaired. Why buy new?
T wheels are different then A wheels. May be able to find used wood spoke wheels for $50.
Jim
great job!
When did Ford introduce electric start on the T?
From 1919 to 1925 starters were an option and in 26 and 27 starters were standard equipment on all cars.