The 14 Model T Re-Furbish

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
First some background on the car...

This Ford Model “T” was originally owned by my grandfather Loran. Back in 1958, he heard thru the grapevine that two old bachelors in Brooten, Minnesota were looking to sell their old 1914 Model “T” and being that my grandmother (His Wife) was born in 1914 it was important to him that he got that car. Grandpa loran was a great car lover, owning such vehicles as a 37 Cord, T-birds, a model “A” and a center door model “T”, so after a quick convincing to his wife he went to go buy another car.

He brought his 5 yr. old son (My Uncle) to go look at it and once they got there, they were brought out to the chicken coop were it had been sitting for an estimated 30 years. Even though it took a little bit to get it running, they did finally get it going.

Larry.jpg

The two old gentlemen wanted to celebrate the sale of the car and wanted to have a drink. My Grandfather, not being a “drinking” man watched them pull out an old jug filled with some kind of liquor. He was a good sport and did have that drink with them to celebrate. Then they towed it home and went to work. He spent the next few years restoring the car, physically hunting down the parts he needed to restore the car, cleaning it up, painting it and redoing the upholstery. To this day family still has that old jug as that was part of the sale.

He was most definitely a Ford man. He loved to tinker and many people came up to the family over the years who would recall going into the hardware store at any given time just to talk “cars” with Grandpa Loran.

loran.JPG

Since Lauren’s passing in 1984 no one has been able to drive it because it isn’t as simple to drive as one would think. So roughly after 25 years in storage my mom and I enlisted the help of the local Model T club to instruct us on “How to fix, maintain & drive a Model T”. 2010 was really the first year we have had it out, we took it to a few threshing shows, local car shows and even did a 120 mile tour in it back in 2011, even used in my Wedding in September of 2012 and a few car shows this year.
This car other than being a family heirloom it has some unique touches like the acetylene gas head lights and a hand crank to start the engine. The most interesting thing about the 13-14’ “T’s” is brass plating except for the “T” that my grandpa bought, it’s the only nickel plated one that I have ever seen and so far have not determined weather the car came that way or if it was some European model of some sorts.

2011-06-17 19.55.04.jpg

Since Lauren finished the car over 50 years ago, it has remained untouched. As much as I would like to keep the car 100% original as possible the engine and transmission were just having too many issues and I decided before it turns 100 that she deserves a tight, well running engine for the next 100 years.

After the power plant is finished there will be some minor body restoration done on the fire wall and the nickel plating.

CIMG0229.jpg

So in October Mike, Luke and I started pulling the motor. Which involves removing the headlights, marker lights, radiator, hood, fire wall, windshield, steering wheel and the floor boards.

DSC_9476.jpg

To Be Continued...
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
Here is the "T" next to is "A" a few years ago. The Model "A" is from 1929 and 100% original and running. I remember ridding in the rumble seat as a kid.

CIMG0383.jpg
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
First step was to remove the headlights and the radiator. The "T's" had no water pump and relied on a system called "Thermo -siphoning"


From the good book...

Cooling system.JPG

Cooling System diagram.jpg



Mike cautiously removing the radiator

DSC_9497.jpg
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
Next was to take the coil box, wires and timer (now called the distributor on newer cars) out. Here is how it works...


From the good book...

Ignition oporation diagram.jpg

Ignition oporation.JPG

Magneto oporation.JPG

Timer.JPG
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
Here is an explanation of how the controls work to operate the ignition and the throttle. Yes there is no gas pedal, it is just a lever on the steering column that is mechanically connected to the throttle plate on the carburetor.

Spark and throttle lever oporation.JPG

Spark Controld by.JPG

Steering wheel Controls.jpg

The steering wheel on the 14 (notice the small touches of nickel plating here and there)

DSC_9483.jpg

DSC_9484.jpg
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
Here is how the foot pedals operate in conjunction with the throttle/timing levers

From the good book...

Foot Peddal oporation.JPG

Foot Peddal oporation diagram.JPG

Foot Peddal oporation diagram 2.jpg

The foot levers on my "T"

DSC_9487.jpg
 

steve

With "LOD" Since 1997
very nice story, i can't wait for the rest and post a pic of the 37 Cord when you are done
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
Next we focused on removing the wind shield, marker lights and the steering column.

DSC_9555.jpg

DSC_9502.jpg

DSC_9553.jpg




This is the other end of the steering column, it is a one to one gear ration. Both the rods from the ignition and throttle travel down the shaft. Once the car is moving it's surprisingly easy to turn and has a tight turning radius.

Below the picture is a pit-man arm with your typical 3 link steering configurations.

DSC_9565.jpg

Notice the little black "cup" on the steering block just under the treble light? Here is how to grease a model "T" steering and other components.There are about 15 of these located through out the car.

Grease cup.JPG
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
After the firewall, steering and other related bits were removed we were ready to start dismounting the engine from the car. The transmission and engine share the same oil pan and oiling system.

DSC_9566.jpg

DSC_9581.jpg

20131026_181423.jpg


And this is how she sits now, currently in storage some where other then my garage.

DSC_9601.jpg
 

Meister

New member
Thank you for sharing, that is very interesting! I never knew Model T's were so complex to drive.

In your picture of the cooling system, does the coolant only circulate through the head? The block has no water jacket?

Doug
 

Meister

New member
Really!? Three pedals, two levers and a steering wheel! :laugh:
Well, the directions seemed a bit complicated! :p

My wife complains that I always make her pay attention to the gauges....she wouldn't know where to begin if I told her to monitor the spark advance!

Doug
 

Lvnmarks

quandoomniflunkusmoritati
In your picture of the cooling system, does the coolant only circulate through the head? The block has no water jacket?

Doug
Only flows through the head an around the combustion chamber. Wait till I explain the oiling system.... :)


It takes a little bit to get used to the flow of operations, but after a few minutes is no more complicated than driving a five speed. Just a careful balance of the clutch and throttle.
 

billcu

Head Moderator
I really enjoy old cars and the old technology. Everything was so simple then. I'd like to install a firewall ignition set up like that on my CE.:)

I've got an old Model T Instruction Book, it says it was reprinted in 1956:
 

Attachments

Top