Year: 2019

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Rebuilding the Model T Ford Muffler

The typical Model T Muffler used from 1914 – 1917 has cast iron ends, rolled steel shells, and three bolts securing the parts to one another. Earlier mufflers are similar except that the mounting brackets are separate pieces of stamped steel. Later Model T mufflers have no tail pipe and use only a single bolt through the middle to secure all the parts together.

Our 1914 Model T has gotten louder over the years. So loud that it sounded as if there was no muffler. A quick glance under the car confirmed that there was indeed a muffler. We decided it was time to take it apart and see why it was not doing its job any more. While this is a 1914 muffler, the process of overhauling a muffler is essentially the same for all years.

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Changing the Oil on your Model T Ford

First thing we did was elevate the front wheels so that most of the oil from the dips in the pan will come out. You could also drive the front wheels up over a curb, or park on a steep incline with the nose high.

Touring season is upon us. One of the things we do every year to get the cars ready for extended driving is to change the oil. Our cars are all equipped with an oil screen in the transmission, so this is also a good time to clean the screen as well.

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Swapping a Rear axle on the Model T Ford

A huge fallen Sequoia tree in what was then known as General Grant Park provides a nice backdrop for a Model T photo in 1914. Today the park is known as Kings Canyon National Park. 

We built a replacement Ruckstell axle for our Model T a couple years ago. See the articles here: https://modeltfordfix.com/the-ruckstell-two-speed-axle/ 

Finally the time has come to install it. The Ruckstell axle in the car worked fine, it has the standard 3.63:1 gear ratio. The axle being installed has the optional Ruckstell ratio of 3.25:1.

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Front Axle Alignment for the Model T Ford

Alignment is critical to control of the car. It also is a big factor in tire wear. Obviously having tires that are the same brand and size might also help! In the depths of the great depression a person might have to decide between buying food or tires. The photo above shows the result.

With several Model T’s in the garage we get to drive a different one often enough to be able to compare them to each other. I started noticing “hmmm the ’15 doesn’t drive as nice as the other ones.” It was sort of squirrelly at higher speeds. It seemed to dart one way or the other on bumpy roads. Something wasn’t right. I thought about putting the car together about 25 years ago, and couldn’t recall ever checking the alignment. Maybe I never had? With that thought I started researching what the various Model T  manuals around here said in order to make a decent job of it.

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