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Old 02-27-2021, 12:59 PM   #1
700rpm
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Default Considering buying a T

I’ve always been a Model A guy, but this is tempting. The seller says it’s all original, 90% complete, and was running when parked. Been in the family since new. It looks a little rough, but good unrestored T’s are getting hard to find. He’s only asking $1500. What do you guys think?
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File Type: jpg ModelT.jpg (149.2 KB, 279 views)
File Type: jpg T2.jpg (147.6 KB, 257 views)
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Old 02-27-2021, 01:03 PM   #2
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

I always wanted a T and bought one fully restored 3 years ago. I refer to it as a major mistake.
A 1924 one door turtle back roadster.
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Old 02-27-2021, 01:18 PM   #3
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

A couple of new tires and some fresh gas and you are all set!
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Old 02-27-2021, 01:33 PM   #4
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

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Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
I’ve always been a Model A guy, but this is tempting. The seller says it’s all original, 90% complete, and was running when parked. Been in the family since new. It looks a little rough, but good unrestored T’s are getting hard to find. He’s only asking $1500. What do you guys think?
The headlight reflectors look good...
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Old 02-27-2021, 02:06 PM   #5
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

Ray, surely you jest! I think the cows got the better of that car. Not much left useable. Couple hundred bucks? I think new wooden wheels alone are over a grand, RUN! Plus T's aren't worth much finished. I put a '15 T touring together a few years ago, and it really is an interesting car, nothing like a Model A, but to be honest, I don't put 300 miles a year on it anymore.
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Old 02-27-2021, 02:12 PM   #6
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i can see 2 or 3 weeks work in that
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Old 02-27-2021, 02:24 PM   #7
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

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Originally Posted by McMimmcs View Post
I always wanted a T and bought one fully restored 3 years ago. I refer to it as a major mistake.
A 1924 one door turtle back roadster.
[/B]
Wayne, wow!! I'd much rather tour in one of my Model-Ts than As. More leg room for me, arguable more crowd appeal at stops, more touring opportunities, etc. I've had e of my T to the top of Mt. Rushmore, we've toured the New England states, several tours through the Midwest, toured the same routes and location as Henry Ford & the Vagabonds did 100 years to the day, driven on the sand of Daytona Beach, and even drove 340 miles in one day on the Blue Ridge and Skyline Parkway from Blowing Rock, NC to Luray, VA. My daughter even hillclimbed her speedster when she was still in high school at the FAST hillclimb in Unicoi. My kids would 10 to 1 rather have a Model-T over an A. Matter of fact, both kids started driving their own Ts on tours when they each turned 16. My family definitely does not feel like Model-Ts are a mistake. Several other regulars here like Bill Stipe, Randall Strickland, and a few others likely feel the same way about their Ts.

Below are a few random pix of my family touring with our Ts. Even a video clip of my son Blake unloading & starting his speedster on a tour in Galax, VA. It definitely runs out of steering WAY before it runs out of throttle, ...and will easily outrun most stock Model-As.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYZ8uQ0VkiA

.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Beach.jpg (40.5 KB, 116 views)
File Type: jpg Blue Ridge Parkway.jpg (73.2 KB, 123 views)
File Type: jpg Clear Lake IA.jpg (59.0 KB, 120 views)
File Type: jpg Michigan Tour 2007.jpg (71.1 KB, 115 views)
File Type: jpg Hillclimb 01.jpg (63.9 KB, 109 views)
File Type: jpg Hillclimb 02.jpg (77.0 KB, 102 views)
File Type: jpg Hillclimb 03.jpg (98.8 KB, 105 views)
File Type: jpg Gateway Mountain.jpg (77.1 KB, 105 views)
File Type: jpg Blake & Bre with friends in Minnesota.jpg (74.0 KB, 117 views)
File Type: jpg Vagabond Tour.jpg (102.6 KB, 137 views)
File Type: jpg Richlands Tour.jpg (93.8 KB, 115 views)
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Old 02-27-2021, 03:07 PM   #8
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

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Wayne, wow!! I'd much rather tour in one of my Model-Ts than As. More leg room for me, arguable more crowd appeal at stops, more touring opportunities, etc. I've had e of my T to the top of Mt. Rushmore, we've toured the New England states, several tours through the Midwest, toured the same routes and location as Henry Ford & the Vagabonds did 100 years to the day, driven on the sand of Daytona Beach, and even drove 340 miles in one day on the Blue Ridge and Skyline Parkway from Blowing Rock, NC to Luray, VA. My daughter even hillclimbed her speedster when she was still in high school at the FAST hillclimb in Unicoi. My kids would 10 to 1 rather have a Model-T over an A. Matter of fact, both kids started driving their own Ts on tours when they each turned 16. My family definitely does not feel like Model-Ts are a mistake. Several other regulars here like Bill Stipe, Randall Strickland, and a few others likely feel the same way about their Ts.

Below are a few random pix of my family touring with our Ts. Even a video clip of my son Blake unloading & starting his speedster on a tour in Galax, VA. It definitely runs out of steering WAY before it runs out of throttle, ...and will easily outrun most stock Model-As.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYZ8uQ0VkiA

.
Looks like you have great fun. I found it more work than fun. I am sure I am in the minority. No offence intended to Model T people. Wayne
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Old 02-27-2021, 03:45 PM   #9
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

I have also always been a Model A person. I wanted to buy a Model T in high school. It was for sale for $150 and pretty much stock. I would guess mid 1920's. But my father said no. He had experience with Model T's and knew they could be dangerous. He lost an axle or gears on a down grade in LA with his parents in the back seat and had to head for a curb to stop. I kind of agree with him that it can be dangerous car.

Fast forward to about 12 years ago when I had the money to buy a 1915 Model T touring car. I bought it because I had never owned one and wanted the experience. I put a lot of work into the that car, basically increasing the value twofold. One of the first things I did was put working brakes on the rear wheels so that I would not have to depend on a connection between the transmission and rear wheels. I really enjoyed that car and drove it all over the south east. But eventually I had enough experience and sold it to buy another A. If I had the money and space I would have kept it.

The A is a modern car compared to the T. It has a real transmission and 4-wheel brakes. Plus a steering box. The T had a steering setup more like a gokart. The transmission brake is almost useless. Coast to a stop then apply the brake. The ignition system is from another era. But that is part of the charm of a T.

A comfortable speed is 35 mph and maybe 40 on a 4 lane road that is flat and straight. It cannot go on the highway. Although people build speedsters that can do 70 mph but you will never catch me riding in one.

If you can afford it and have the room, I recommend owning a T and an A. A 1915 Model T or earlier will get you into the Horseless Carriage Club tours which are a blast because of the variety of brass cars. Even an occasional Stanley Steamer.
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Old 02-27-2021, 06:04 PM   #10
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

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I have also always been a Model A person. I wanted to buy a Model T in high school. It was for sale for $150 and pretty much stock. I would guess mid 1920's. But my father said no. He had experience with Model T's and knew they could be dangerous. He lost an axle or gears on a down grade in LA with his parents in the back seat and had to head for a curb to stop. I kind of agree with him that it can be dangerous car.

Fast forward to about 12 years ago when I had the money to buy a 1915 Model T touring car. I bought it because I had never owned one and wanted the experience. I put a lot of work into the that car, basically increasing the value twofold. One of the first things I did was put working brakes on the rear wheels so that I would not have to depend on a connection between the transmission and rear wheels. I really enjoyed that car and drove it all over the south east. But eventually I had enough experience and sold it to buy another A. If I had the money and space I would have kept it.

The A is a modern car compared to the T. It has a real transmission and 4-wheel brakes. Plus a steering box. The T had a steering setup more like a gokart. The transmission brake is almost useless. Coast to a stop then apply the brake. The ignition system is from another era. But that is part of the charm of a T.

A comfortable speed is 35 mph and maybe 40 on a 4 lane road that is flat and straight. It cannot go on the highway. Although people build speedsters that can do 70 mph but you will never catch me riding in one.

If you can afford it and have the room, I recommend owning a T and an A. A 1915 Model T or earlier will get you into the Horseless Carriage Club tours which are a blast because of the variety of brass cars. Even an occasional Stanley Steamer.
Yes, -the older we get, the wiser we get. Check your PMs.
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Old 02-27-2021, 06:49 PM   #11
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RPM,

Are you handy with money ??
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Old 02-27-2021, 07:26 PM   #12
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

Hello ,
I bought a 20 Model T tourer about 20 years ago .

Since I was a kid I was attracted to the history and looks of the T as well as its agricultural Mechanics.It was the first Antique car I purchased.

After owning it and driving it for 12 months I decided to sell it.
Why ? Every time I it took it out for a a drive whether short or long at the end of the drive I had a headache.
I never had headaches before this.
I put this down to the stress I was under driving it in a big city.

Every time I got close to a set of traffic lights I had to decide whether to proceed at normal speed or slow down in case the traffic lights changed.This was stressful as I knew if the lights changed when I was reasonably close to the lights I could not stop in time if travelling at 35 mph.All I had was the transmission brake band to stop the car.

It was only a matter of time before my luck would run out and I would be T boned by another car..
The number of red lights I ran through made me decide the T was not suitable to drive in a big city with lots of traffic.
If I lived in a small town this would not have been an issue.

After I sold the T and got the A I no longer got headaches when driving the A.
I still love the look of the T models but for me they are not suited to driving in big busy cities.
Mark.
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Old 02-27-2021, 07:35 PM   #13
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

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i can see 2 or 3 weeks work in that
Roger is on the right track with this one.

Turn it over to any one of the impossible time schedule car 'restoration' shows on cable TV and they'll have this baby tour and show ready in what, 5 days tops? Throw in the drama of the wrong set of rims that were sourced and the cussing and stupidity and vo-ila,,, we gots a SHOW

THAT is how you handle this.
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Old 02-27-2021, 08:25 PM   #14
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RPM,

Are you handy with money ??
Seems the only kind of money I ever have is real slippery.
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Old 02-27-2021, 08:25 PM   #15
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I have my grandfather's Model T (it was his work car in the 40's and early 50's). My Dad gave it to me and I restored it. All of the above is true in that driving in modern traffic is risky, certainly in a populated city. They don't move fast. And the bit about a broken axle and loosing your brakes is all too true. If you do want a Model T, certain modifications are almost essential, particularly floating rear hubs and auxiliary brakes.

I will never get rid of my Model T even though I rarely drive it, and when I do, only out on a sparsely traveled country road. By comparison, I refer to my Model A's as my "modern cars." A Model T owner has to be willing to tinker and tweak and not everyone is willing to do that. Far more tinkering and tweaking on a Model T than a Model A. Having said that, I sure would like an early brass T.......
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Old 02-27-2021, 08:27 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by MARKA View Post
Hello ,
I bought a 20 Model T tourer about 20 years ago .

Since I was a kid I was attracted to the history and looks of the T as well as its agricultural Mechanics.It was the first Antique car I purchased.

After owning it and driving it for 12 months I decided to sell it.
Why ? Every time I it took it out for a a drive whether short or long at the end of the drive I had a headache.
I never had headaches before this.
I put this down to the stress I was under driving it in a big city.

Every time I got close to a set of traffic lights I had to decide whether to proceed at normal speed or slow down in case the traffic lights changed.This was stressful as I knew if the lights changed when I was reasonably close to the lights I could not stop in time if travelling at 35 mph.All I had was the transmission brake band to stop the car.

It was only a matter of time before my luck would run out and I would be T boned by another car..
The number of red lights I ran through made me decide the T was not suitable to drive in a big city with lots of traffic.
If I lived in a small town this would not have been an issue.

After I sold the T and got the A I no longer got headaches when driving the A.
I still love the look of the T models but for me they are not suited to driving in big busy cities.
Mark.
What city were you in?
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Old 02-27-2021, 08:46 PM   #17
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

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Originally Posted by MARKA View Post
Hello ,
I bought a 20 Model T tourer about 20 years ago .

Since I was a kid I was attracted to the history and looks of the T as well as its agricultural Mechanics.It was the first Antique car I purchased.

After owning it and driving it for 12 months I decided to sell it.
Why ? Every time I it took it out for a a drive whether short or long at the end of the drive I had a headache.
I never had headaches before this.
I put this down to the stress I was under driving it in a big city.

Every time I got close to a set of traffic lights I had to decide whether to proceed at normal speed or slow down in case the traffic lights changed.This was stressful as I knew if the lights changed when I was reasonably close to the lights I could not stop in time if travelling at 35 mph.All I had was the transmission brake band to stop the car.

It was only a matter of time before my luck would run out and I would be T boned by another car..
The number of red lights I ran through made me decide the T was not suitable to drive in a big city with lots of traffic.
If I lived in a small town this would not have been an issue.

After I sold the T and got the A I no longer got headaches when driving the A.
I still love the look of the T models but for me they are not suited to driving in big busy cities.
Mark.
I like to look at them, and that is about it. Took a spin in one at The Henry Ford. They just are not practical these days. They sure were great in the day. I love my A. Cast iron drums, super heavy duty radiator, and an overdrive. I can take it to the hardware store, out for a spin, on tour with my local club. It's a very nice car.
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Old 02-27-2021, 09:12 PM   #18
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I have my grandfather's Model T (it was his work car in the 40's and early 50's). My Dad gave it to me and I restored it. All of the above is true in that driving in modern traffic is risky, certainly in a populated city. They don't move fast. And the bit about a broken axle and loosing your brakes is all too true. If you do want a Model T, certain modifications are almost essential, particularly floating rear hubs and auxiliary brakes.

I will never get rid of my Model T even though I rarely drive it, and when I do, only out on a sparsely traveled country road. By comparison, I refer to my Model A's as my "modern cars." A Model T owner has to be willing to tinker and tweak and not everyone is willing to do that. Far more tinkering and tweaking on a Model T than a Model A. Having said that, I sure would like an early brass T.......

And Greg just think about this, The T was the first little car, that the average person could afford, THAT WORKED. That's why they sold so many of them.
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Old 02-27-2021, 09:19 PM   #19
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Ray
I live in Melbourne Australia which is about the same size as LA. 5 million people. I live 15 miles out in the burbs. The city spreads out in a radius of 50 miles in all directions from the center.

In the suburbs there are traffic lights everywhere , now they have cameras on them so you incur a $200 fine if you run them.

Once out in the countryside it is great. It just getting there that is the problem.
You cannot run a T on a freeway, but with an A you can .

Big cities suck. Avoid living in them if you can.
My plan in a few years is to shift to Dunedin NZ my favorite city , with less than a million people and get out of the rat race.

Mark.
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Old 02-27-2021, 09:58 PM   #20
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90% completely gone
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Old 02-27-2021, 11:39 PM   #21
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MarkA, 15 million! My city has only about 650,000, and spreads out to about twice that, but traffic is nuts and you have to drive a ways to find a nice country road.

I just read “The Lost Man”, by Jane Harper, a very descriptive and interesting novel set in the Outback. Sounds like there might be a gazillon square miles with zero traffic! you might enjoy it.

Good luck in NZ; I have an old US Navy shipmate who retired to the North Island and loves it. I wish I could do that.
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Old 02-28-2021, 04:59 AM   #22
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I’ve always been a Model A guy, but this is tempting. The seller says it’s all original, 90% complete, and was running when parked. Been in the family since new. It looks a little rough, but good unrestored T’s are getting hard to find. He’s only asking $1500. What do you guys think?
700RPM, if you can get them to take $1000 and throw in the squash jump on it! There is a lot of patina with that ride.............
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Old 02-28-2021, 11:45 AM   #23
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Like a lot of others, I thought I wanted a Model T to go along with my 2 Model A's. Worst mistake I ever made. I was at an auction and bought an original '24 Tudor, original interior, ran and drove great. The other guy bidding was a rat-rod guy who was going to cut it up. Got it home and replaced all the plate glass windows, new wiring harness, new radiator, new tires, added a set of Rocky Mt brakes, got the license and registration sorted out, cleaned up the interior, etc. Now what ?? Its impossible to drive in city traffic. It terrifies me !! Now it just sits in the garage taking up valuable space. I love looking at it and talking about it but hate driving it. Maybe if I lived in the middle of Nebraska with no one around for miles I would think differently. I'm in it so deep now that I doubt I can get 2/3 investment back.
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Old 02-28-2021, 12:11 PM   #24
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I learned to drive in a T in the mid '50s. The first time I drove in traffic was a Friday night in downtown in the big city, what a white knuckle ride that was. I still enjoy Ts, sold my last one about 2 years ago.
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Old 02-28-2021, 12:12 PM   #25
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Seems the only kind of money I ever have is real slippery.
Ditto
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Old 02-28-2021, 12:53 PM   #26
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Looks like a money pit. I’d walk quickly away!
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Old 02-28-2021, 12:56 PM   #27
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We use to live in a small town in Central New York. Country roads everywhere and so were Model T’s and A’s, plus many other antique cars. You could drive them.

There not for everyone. Like an antique airplane or wooden boat. You have to just want to own one.

We live on the shoreline in Connecticut. Lots of back roads, but not the fun driving your car as in a more rural area. To many city drivers.

If you live in the right place? Model T’s are a blast.
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Old 02-28-2021, 12:59 PM   #28
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I’ve always been a Model A guy, but this is tempting. The seller says it’s all original, 90% complete, and was running when parked. Been in the family since new. It looks a little rough, but good unrestored T’s are getting hard to find. He’s only asking $1500. What do you guys think?
What the seller said was TRUE 75 years ago. History lesson? It is now a rust pile.
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Old 02-28-2021, 02:45 PM   #29
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RPM, that pile is what is called "yard art." If he gives it to you, drag it home and plant flowers in and around it. Perhaps with a few nice boulders about.

I redid everything in my T, from the headlights back. It had a Ruckstell two speed rearend with 3:1 gearing. I put disk brakes on the rear that I could ride down a steep grade instead of going into low band. They stopped very nicely. I tightened up the steering and aligned the front end, even straightening out the twisted axle with a 6 inch pipe wrench and floor jack on the end of the handle. I drove it on all over the back roads of North Carolina and neighboring states, which there are still plenty of. I felt fairly safe driving it. It would go over 50 mph, although I never drove it that fast on a regular basis.
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Old 02-28-2021, 08:40 PM   #30
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I would make sure you change the oil if you get it lol......looks like a driver to me

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Old 02-28-2021, 08:52 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by Gene F View Post
I like to look at them, and that is about it. Took a spin in one at The Henry Ford. They just are not practical these days. They sure were great in the day............... .
Gene my first ride in a Model T was at Greenfield Village! It was fun, but at over 6 feet tall I had a horrible time trying to get in and out of the thing.

I do appreciate them, enjoy seeing them, but I will stick to Model A's and early V-8's for antique Fords
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Old 03-01-2021, 02:34 AM   #32
Jembow
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

I have an 09 T touring, 28 A rpu and my avatar V8. They are all very different drives, but the T is the lively one. Light as a daisy, go-kart steering, super fast gear shift.
I've had the T 40yrs, must have done 60,000 miles.
Read Farewell my Lovely
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/19...well-my-lovely

The biggest mistake Ford made was not developing the epicyclic gearbox into a 3 or 4 speed, like the brilliant Wilson box. The crash box in the A was a step backwards.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...dLx3sPf5AWMJze

To drive a T today you do need improved brakes, and someone needs to come up an improved steering box. The late Ralph Rick's used his 1915 as a daily driver; it had Austin Metropolitan 4 wheel hydraulics, 37 V8 steering box and OHV head, cruised freeways at 70mph, but I like to potter country lanes at 20mph with the coils quietly buzzing..
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Old 03-01-2021, 05:49 PM   #33
Gene F
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

I see some comments about faster speeds on the Ts. I have heard that the engines will not stand that for very long. I have heard that the babbit will go away. If not that, then the crankshaft will snap.
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Old 03-01-2021, 07:10 PM   #34
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

The crankshaft in a Model T will snap. It happens all the time. A lot of people will tell you that it is caused by the 4th main, the bearing at the end of the transmission, being out of alignment, and they may be right. My personal belief is that it is caused by torsional vibration causing fatigue cracks in the crank. The Model T crankshaft is very spindly and the original pistons are heavy cast iron. This puts the natural frequency within the operating range of the engine. People put aluminum pistons in the engine but not until there have been lots of miles built up with the cast iron pistons.

For gofast Model T's a Model A crank is used with insert bearings. Or a new crank with the same size journals as the Model A and counter balanced. If I remember correctly the journals for a stock Model T crankshaft are only 1 inch in diameter.
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Old 03-02-2021, 02:25 PM   #35
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

Ray, somebody is pulling somebody's leg.............


for only a little more dough, you can get a running driving car. Ive seen nice drivers lately for under 5k. Im talking tourings and roadster.........


that is a lawn ornament.
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Old 03-02-2021, 04:53 PM   #36
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Default Re: Considering buying a T

I think it's missing something!
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