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First Time Drive I know it's probably best to have someone (an expert) drive my T for the first time to teach me, but I don't know one in the area. It'll be your advice and Youtube videos. This Saturday I plan to go through it carefully to make sure all is ready. I know I have to install one of the brake rods. Not sure why it's off. That brings me to my question. Where should the Parking Brake be while driving? I've seen, and read, of it being in the middle while in low gear and then throwing it forward for high. The Instruction book seems to elude to it being pushed forward for driving, once, and that's it. What's appropriate? Does it matter?
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Re: First Time Drive Get yourself a copy of an owners manual and you can learn everything you will need to drive your car. One big thing to remember is when you need to stop don't use your left foot like you would on a clutch!
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Re: First Time Drive The parking brake lever should be fully forward when driving your Model T. Bringing it to a vertical position will put your trans in neutral. You can go in reverse from that neutral position, and put it in low gear to move forward. I usually push the clutch pedal to low and move the parking brake lever forward at the same time when moving forward in my Model T. If things get confusing while learning to drive your T pull that brake lever to vertical/neutral position and start over again.
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Re: First Time Drive One more bit of info; not to add to the mystery of learning to drive your T but you will find over time that there is a neutral sweet spot in your clutch pedal between low and high that will allow you to not to have to keep using that brake lever to get your trans into neutral. Finding that neutral spot will come with experience.
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Re: First Time Drive Quote:
I do hope, and plan to learn that! I can. |
Re: First Time Drive Just hold the. Hi/low pedal in neutral and move the parking brake forward. Then start driving it.
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Re: First Time Drive Hold your foot against the "clutch" pedal, so it does not come up any higher than when you have the parking brake lever vertical and then move the parking brake lever all the way forward. Simply push down on the clutch pedal for low gear and let it come up for high gear. When you go to stop, push the clutch pedal half way in (gets you neutral) and step on the brake. It is not necessary to keep using the brake lever, other than bringing it to vertical and using reverse pedal. Just remember you only have neutral whenb the clutch pedal is depressed half way down. You can tell by listening to the rpm's of the engine to tell when you have reached neutral. Have fun, Model T are more bang for the buck than any other cars I know of.
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Re: First Time Drive Newby driver, leave the parking brake in the vertical position for now. When the T is in low, reverse or stopping the clutch disks are not engaged it's in neutral. That will allow you to slowly drive the car and practice going forward/backwards and stopping along with using the throttle and setting spark. But don't race the engine, keep it under 10 MPH approx.
After you have had some practice and ready to go a bit faster, hold the low pedal in neutral release the parking brake, press down on low, get rolling, back off the throttle and let the pedal up into high while at the same increasing the engine speed. For reverse, I have been driving for many years and still put the parking brake handle in the neutral position. DO NOT TRY AND GO FAST IN REVERSE!! Unless you want to go for a poop your pants ride! LOL (not joking) |
Re: First Time Drive I need to voice my knowledge. First I'll say that all that has been said is good and truly valuable.
After you sort out the pedal routine, and have comfort in controlling your travel, I would like to make you consider this. Upon takeoff ( launch ), remember that the function is clamp. Not the same as sliding a heat resistant disc and pressure plate. The weight of a T, the gearing, and the low end available torque will allow one to simultaneously open the gas valve ( lever ) fully as you clamp the slow band, with a heavy firm foot. As soon as you roll out and RPM are up simultaneously cut the gas and get high gear.. Then regulate gas to suit. This practice will prolong the band life, as opposed to feathering the slow pedal on roll out. As speed is increased oil is replenished to the band. This practice was offered by a Rural Delivery Postman who used his T for a decade or more. I Found it reading Murray Fahnestock. |
Re: First Time Drive I guess I haven't checked my responses lately. oops.... Been busy, I guess. I've made progress. I've learned how to drive the car without using the parking brake, just 'floating the clutch' at stops. One big problem is the shudder and bang when shifting into high. Still not sure if it's me or (Josephine) the car. Also it needs all the wheel studs replaced, new generator, and the magneto is bad. Fun car, though!
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Re: First Time Drive Are you backing off the throttle when going into high?
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Re: First Time Drive Quote:
Yes, returning to idle. |
Re: First Time Drive It may take some getting used to but try just backing the throttle off to where the rpm matches for high gear. Idle may be a bit too far.
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Re: First Time Drive Curious. How much forward creep do you get in neutral at Idle?
Wonder if maybe clutches are too tight |
Re: First Time Drive Quote:
So far I haven't noticed any. I actually wondered if (I don't know what it's called) the big spring at the back is weak? I talked to another T guy the other day and he said to let off the clutch by just sliding my foot sideways off the pedal. Is there room for that? My car is currently down for repairs (generator....3 bad hubs with loose studs) so I can't test that. I do wonder if I tried to let up on the pedal at the same time I'm decreasing the throttle? Currently I close the throttle and then shift. |
Re: First Time Drive I back off the throttle and let off the pedal simultaneously.
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Re: First Time Drive In my post above, June 26, I used the word simultaneously.
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Re: First Time Drive Quote:
I'm going to give that a try. Hopefully next week. |
Re: First Time Drive Quote:
I hope to try that next week. |
Re: First Time Drive Hello Catman, first congratulations on your Model T purchase. I have been in the Model A hobby since 1964 and a day came in 2006 that I wanted to have a Model T experience. I purchased the first and only Model T I looked at (crazy maybe) but it was a 1914 Touring car in good running condition. To me it is a beautiful car with its brass headlights, horn and radiator.
I encourage you to study your Model T on how it works. It is a safe car if it is respected but can be very dangerous if you are not paying attention. I don't trust myself to remember everything (turning 80 in October) so I made a starting procedure check list and put it in a plastic sleeve to protect it. Pretend you are about to take a flight! I use it everytime I go to use the car. Model T Starting Check List: 1. Retard the spark (lever full up) 2. Check Oil, water and gas. Note: If hilly, minimum gas level is 2-3 in. 3. Block rear wheel 4. Set Emergency Brake 5. Set throttle down 4-5 notches 6. Open carb 1/2 Turn counterclockwise 7. Turn on gas tank 8. Insert key (leave key in off position) 9. Crank 4-5 times (Key Off) with choke 10. Turn on key (hope for a free start!) 11. Crank till car starts (no choke) 8-10 times or less 12. Set spark down 2-3 notches, adjust speed, adjust carb clockwise 1/2 turn 13. Remove blocks from rear wheel, verify no creep 14. Now the fun begins, Drive! |
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