Category: Repair and Maintenance of the Model T Ford

Want to know how to do it right the first time? Your Model T will be reliable if you use these informative articles.

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Replacing a Model T Ford Crank Bushing Sleeve T3903

The earliest Model T’s did not come equipped with a starter, so the hand crank was or is the only way to start the engine other than push starting. The fellow above is displaying risky form. You should never wrap a thumb around the crank while cranking, and all pressure on the crank must be upwards.

The crank bushing wears out from constant use. Very seldom did anyone bother to lube the crank bushings. And with the bushing on the front of the car, mostly exposed to the elements, water gets in and causes rust. At some point the Model T mechanic will need to replace a crank bushing for one or all of these reasons. Let’s take a look at how it is done.

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Fixing a 1915 Model T Round Fellow Wheel

The Model T Ford continued to evolve from the day the first Model T was built in the fall of 1908 until the last Model T rolled off the assembly line in 1927. Very few parts were unchanged for the entire production run of the Model T. Not to be classified as a part that went unchanged were the wheels. The first Model T Fords had very frail looking and fairly complex wheels. The wheels used in 1909 model year had a “teardrop” shape for the spokes, with the pointy end of the teardrop facing the hubcap side of the wheel. They were built with non – demountable rims in 30 X 3 size on the front and 30 X 3 1/2 on the rear.

While the size of the wheels was the same in 1915, the wheels had become much more burly in construction, as well as being easier to manufacture. 1915 wheels had  a round profile to the spokes, with neither a front nor a rear side. This simplified manufacture, and made the wheels stronger, albeit somewhat heavier.

Even though 1915 wheels are sturdier than 1909 wheels, they still fail occasionally, especially after 100 + years of use and abuse.  We will take a look at how to fix a common problem with Model T wheels, a broken or loose rivet.

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Repairing a New Day Timer

One of the most common aftermarket timers for the Model T Ford was – and is – the New Day. Made from a very hard Bakelite type material with copper contacts and a bronze wiper style brush, the New Day was popular because it needed virtually no maintenance. The original old New Day timers are one of the best aftermarket timers that you can find. Often they are found for sale at swap meets for less than $10. My advice is to buy any good ones that you see. On eBay they tend to command $40 – $50 in good shape with a usable brush.

In more recent times there have been attempts to manufacture the New Day timer for sale by the Model T parts trade. Results have been mixed as we shall see. In any case, occasionally there are defects related to wear and age that can be corrected to salvage a defective New Day timer and make it into a usable one. This installment of Model T Ford Fix will show you just how to do that.

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Repairing a Model T Ford Roller Timer

 

This drawing shows proper location and colors of the wires leading from the timer to the coil box.

The Model T Ford roller timer is the most reliable and best performing timer available for your car. Please do not take this to mean any roller timer or every roller timer. There are some very useless reproduction timers both current and from the past. The ones that work well are those made by Ford, and a few of the replacement brands such as Bull Dog and old stock Tiger timers. There used to be some awesome reproduction roller timers made by Howard Cascia, but since his death several years ago there have not been any good replacement roller timers made by anyone. Let’s take a look at what it takes to repair a roller timer that has been damaged by lack of lubrication.

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Fixing a Flat Tire

We all try to be prepared when setting out on a tour in our Model T’s. The photo above shows Edsel Ford’s 1915 touring just prior to departure from Detroit on his epic drive to San Francisco to visit the 1915 Pan American Exposition. Edsel and the crew at Ford Motor Company tried to think of everything he might need on the trip. We can see many period accessories on his car, including wire wheels, rope, and even a rifle scabbard secured between the spare tire rack and the driver. We know that Edsel and his car suffered several flat tires as well as ruined wheels on his month long drive. It really puts things in perspective when you have a flat tire to fix on your Model T.

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