The Ford Barn

Scotch · 04-06-2013, 02:52 AM

Last year the wife and I went to a relatives ranch in Northern California. At the time we were getting a tour through the barns fairly fast and I didn't get a good look, but, in one of the barns was a truck with wood spoked wheels! I'm assuming it's a Model T but I guess I'll determine that when we go back up there. It's possible I'll be going tomorrow, if we do, I'll take plenty of photos. There is also a possibility I may get the opportunity to take it home at some point, so I'm really hoping it's a T!

What should I look for? I know to get the serial off the engine and off the frame if I can see it... What's the easiest way to see if the engine is stuck or not? Trying to move the crank? Anything else I should do/lookout for while I'm there?

Thanks - Scott

yachtsmanbill · 04-06-2013, 08:45 AM

As a barn find, and if the price is "right", get it outa there and deal with the net results when you get it home. A single 1/4 turn on the hand crank will tell if its frozen or not. Thats even a moot point at this stage. The biggest part about moving it right now is that theres air in the tires (unless they are rotted into the dirt in the barn) and releasing the parking brake. Thats the long handle on the left of the driver by the door. It does a few things; all the way back is engine neutral and parking brakes on, half way forward is neutral and brakes off, all the way forward is transmission in high gear and brakes off. This may seem confusing if youve never driven a T before, but its really quite simple.
If for some reason it was parked decades ago with the brakes "on", they may be lightly stuck to the drums. Theyll break lose really easy. This will also ease a hand crank test to see if the motor is frozen. If the brake lever was left all the way forward, the brakes will be free, but the 21 internal clutch plates may be stuck together which may make it feel like its froze up. Thats really two seperate simple problems to overcome.
If you need to air up the tires, try a little air at a time. The rubber will be tired and hard and when a tire blows out with your face right in front of it, you can get hurt. Get your block numbers and a MILLION pics with a digital camera ( not a freakin' cell phone camera either!!!!) and post them here for some more in depth analysis. ws

32 chevy vett · 04-06-2013, 08:59 AM

Welcome aboard Scott. I hope it turns out to be a T. T's are a lot of fun. And
this is a great site if you own one.

Scotch · 04-06-2013, 11:41 AM

Thanks guys/Bill?
It's looking like we are going today to look at it! Probably in the afternoon. Thanks for the info, that is much needed. If I remember right it was parked in the barn on a pile of wood planks, so that should be good. We'll bring a couple digital cameras. I'll post pictures hopefully this evening. I'm hoping it's an early factory conversion or a TT!

Scott

yachtsmanbill · 04-06-2013, 12:55 PM

As a "newbie" looking to see if its a T or a TT, the rear end is the biggest giveaway. A TT will have BIGGER 5 or 6 lug rims and a worm drive differential with the worm gear on top. A T has a centered bevel gear drive. The TT also has massive springs on the back along with a heavy looking crossmemember. Generally, itll also have 2 foot long running boards with a battery carrier below the drivers door.
Dont forget to empty your card and charge the battery on that camera! ws (Bill)!

Scotch · 04-06-2013, 01:20 PM

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hmmm, I kinda remember there possibly being running boards... Hopefully!

Scotch · 04-06-2013, 10:50 PM

Alright, it ended up being a little different than what I remembered, including being a little rougher than I thought. But the engine serial was 690XXXX so the motor is from 1922? At any rate it looks to be a Roadster pickup!

http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/a...chalous/T1.jpg

Does it look like a good project car? The rust is bad, and if you look closely at the motor, it looks like water and mice have gotten inside of it!

Scott

dumb person · 04-07-2013, 01:23 AM

Cannot see the wheels but what i can see of it looks pretty good. Most barn finds look like that.

yachtsmanbill · 04-07-2013, 09:17 AM

Still only see the one pic. Looks pretty substantial nevertheless. Get it on a trailer and head for the nearest car wash with a bucket o' soap and a brush! Handle that radiator with care. Maybe its junk, maybe not, but at least its something to start with! Is it a freebie? Thats even better yet! I use tinypic http://tinypic.com/ makes it really easy to load good sized pics. You may hafta sign in but its free! ws

This is what I started with...

And ended up with this so far...

Then momma says "Atta boy, COME HERE!!!"

Scotch · 04-07-2013, 11:54 AM

There we go, I'm learning how to do this picture posting stuff. My concerns are the motor and the rust on the body. What do you all think? It seems fairly complete, I couldn't find the hood. But it could be hiding somewhere. Does it look like a 1922?

Not sure if I can get it or not. If I can get it, it'll be free. But if they want to keep it. They will, money doesn't matter to them.

Jack Innes · 04-07-2013, 12:07 PM

I am pretty sure it is a 23 roadster. The top & windshield style started in 23 & the front fender style ended in 23.

Looks like a good car. You should look around the farm for the "trunk". It was easily removed & may be hanging in the rafters somewhere. They often survived because people knew what they were & for that reason they often show up at swap meets as well.

What you have here is the textbook Barn Find!

What is the TT truck ahead of it?

Scotch · 04-07-2013, 12:37 PM

Not sure what this is. Maybe yall can tell?

Scotch · 04-07-2013, 12:39 PM

My guess is a Cab Truck turned into a trailer?

Scotch · 04-07-2013, 12:42 PM

This 1930's truck was sitting next to the roadster.

15max · 04-07-2013, 01:55 PM

The chassis with the wood bed mounted on it looks to be a car chassis a couple of years older than the roadster in the first pictures. Maybe 1919 or so. It has the earlier spring clamp arrangement. The roadster looks like the 1923 to 1925 ones.

yachtsmanbill · 04-07-2013, 03:18 PM

I get about a dozen blank spaces where the pictures should be. Maybe 2-3 showed up... ws

e-tek · 04-07-2013, 08:06 PM

Looks like you moved photo's on your hosting site after you linked to them here

Steve Jelf · 04-07-2013, 11:39 PM

The T-chassis wagon is 1917-1919. It has the 1913-1920 pinion housing and the non-tapered springs introduced in 1917. It appears to have some kind of aftermarket accessory shocks in front.

Scotch · 04-08-2013, 12:16 AM

Sorry guys, they were all there till I moved them to a new album. Still learning... This should work.

Scotch · 04-08-2013, 12:22 AM

So again my main concern is rust on the body and engine, and water/mice living in the motor...?

04-06-2013, 02:52 AM	#1
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Newbie with a barn find Last year the wife and I went to a relatives ranch in Northern California. At the time we were getting a tour through the barns fairly fast and I didn't get a good look, but, in one of the barns was a truck with wood spoked wheels! I'm assuming it's a Model T but I guess I'll determine that when we go back up there. It's possible I'll be going tomorrow, if we do, I'll take plenty of photos. There is also a possibility I may get the opportunity to take it home at some point, so I'm really hoping it's a T! What should I look for? I know to get the serial off the engine and off the frame if I can see it... What's the easiest way to see if the engine is stuck or not? Trying to move the crank? Anything else I should do/lookout for while I'm there? Thanks - Scott

04-06-2013, 08:45 AM	#2
yachtsmanbill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wi. Posts: 1,406	Re: Newbie with a barn find As a barn find, and if the price is "right", get it outa there and deal with the net results when you get it home. A single 1/4 turn on the hand crank will tell if its frozen or not. Thats even a moot point at this stage. The biggest part about moving it right now is that theres air in the tires (unless they are rotted into the dirt in the barn) and releasing the parking brake. Thats the long handle on the left of the driver by the door. It does a few things; all the way back is engine neutral and parking brakes on, half way forward is neutral and brakes off, all the way forward is transmission in high gear and brakes off. This may seem confusing if youve never driven a T before, but its really quite simple. If for some reason it was parked decades ago with the brakes "on", they may be lightly stuck to the drums. Theyll break lose really easy. This will also ease a hand crank test to see if the motor is frozen. If the brake lever was left all the way forward, the brakes will be free, but the 21 internal clutch plates may be stuck together which may make it feel like its froze up. Thats really two seperate simple problems to overcome. If you need to air up the tires, try a little air at a time. The rubber will be tired and hard and when a tire blows out with your face right in front of it, you can get hurt. Get your block numbers and a MILLION pics with a digital camera ( not a freakin' cell phone camera either!!!!) and post them here for some more in depth analysis. ws __________________ " Warning; the following contains content that the anal retentive may find offensive - please skip on to the next posting!"

04-06-2013, 08:59 AM	#3
32 chevy vett Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ashby, Mass. Posts: 250	Re: Newbie with a barn find Welcome aboard Scott. I hope it turns out to be a T. T's are a lot of fun. And this is a great site if you own one.

04-06-2013, 11:41 AM	#4
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find Thanks guys/Bill? It's looking like we are going today to look at it! Probably in the afternoon. Thanks for the info, that is much needed. If I remember right it was parked in the barn on a pile of wood planks, so that should be good. We'll bring a couple digital cameras. I'll post pictures hopefully this evening. I'm hoping it's an early factory conversion or a TT! Scott

04-06-2013, 12:55 PM	#5
yachtsmanbill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wi. Posts: 1,406	Re: Newbie with a barn find As a "newbie" looking to see if its a T or a TT, the rear end is the biggest giveaway. A TT will have BIGGER 5 or 6 lug rims and a worm drive differential with the worm gear on top. A T has a centered bevel gear drive. The TT also has massive springs on the back along with a heavy looking crossmemember. Generally, itll also have 2 foot long running boards with a battery carrier below the drivers door. Dont forget to empty your card and charge the battery on that camera! ws (Bill)! __________________ " Warning; the following contains content that the anal retentive may find offensive - please skip on to the next posting!"

04-06-2013, 01:20 PM	#6
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) hmmm, I kinda remember there possibly being running boards... Hopefully!

04-06-2013, 10:50 PM	#7
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find Alright, it ended up being a little different than what I remembered, including being a little rougher than I thought. But the engine serial was 690XXXX so the motor is from 1922? At any rate it looks to be a Roadster pickup! http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/a...chalous/T1.jpg Does it look like a good project car? The rust is bad, and if you look closely at the motor, it looks like water and mice have gotten inside of it! Scott

04-07-2013, 01:23 AM	#8
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Newbie with a barn find Cannot see the wheels but what i can see of it looks pretty good. Most barn finds look like that. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

04-07-2013, 09:17 AM	#9
yachtsmanbill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wi. Posts: 1,406	Re: Newbie with a barn find Still only see the one pic. Looks pretty substantial nevertheless. Get it on a trailer and head for the nearest car wash with a bucket o' soap and a brush! Handle that radiator with care. Maybe its junk, maybe not, but at least its something to start with! Is it a freebie? Thats even better yet! I use tinypic http://tinypic.com/ makes it really easy to load good sized pics. You may hafta sign in but its free! ws This is what I started with... And ended up with this so far... Then momma says "Atta boy, COME HERE!!!" __________________ " Warning; the following contains content that the anal retentive may find offensive - please skip on to the next posting!"

04-07-2013, 11:54 AM	#10
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find There we go, I'm learning how to do this picture posting stuff. My concerns are the motor and the rust on the body. What do you all think? It seems fairly complete, I couldn't find the hood. But it could be hiding somewhere. Does it look like a 1922? Not sure if I can get it or not. If I can get it, it'll be free. But if they want to keep it. They will, money doesn't matter to them.

04-07-2013, 12:07 PM	#11
Jack Innes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 704	Re: Newbie with a barn find I am pretty sure it is a 23 roadster. The top & windshield style started in 23 & the front fender style ended in 23. Looks like a good car. You should look around the farm for the "trunk". It was easily removed & may be hanging in the rafters somewhere. They often survived because people knew what they were & for that reason they often show up at swap meets as well. What you have here is the textbook Barn Find! What is the TT truck ahead of it? __________________ Jack Innes, Brooklin, Ontario

04-07-2013, 12:37 PM	#12
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find Not sure what this is. Maybe yall can tell?

04-07-2013, 12:39 PM	#13
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find My guess is a Cab Truck turned into a trailer?

04-07-2013, 12:42 PM	#14
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find This 1930's truck was sitting next to the roadster. Last edited by Scotch; 04-08-2013 at 12:07 AM.

04-07-2013, 01:55 PM	#15
15max Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 327	Re: Newbie with a barn find The chassis with the wood bed mounted on it looks to be a car chassis a couple of years older than the roadster in the first pictures. Maybe 1919 or so. It has the earlier spring clamp arrangement. The roadster looks like the 1923 to 1925 ones.

04-07-2013, 03:18 PM	#16
yachtsmanbill Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Two Rivers, Wi. Posts: 1,406	Re: Newbie with a barn find I get about a dozen blank spaces where the pictures should be. Maybe 2-3 showed up... ws __________________ " Warning; the following contains content that the anal retentive may find offensive - please skip on to the next posting!"

04-07-2013, 08:06 PM	#17
e-tek Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Great White North Posts: 16	Re: Newbie with a barn find Looks like you moved photo's on your hosting site after you linked to them here __________________ E-tek Restorations thread at GJ.com www.E-tekRestorations.com

04-07-2013, 11:39 PM	#18
Steve Jelf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Parkerfield KS Posts: 526	Re: Newbie with a barn find The T-chassis wagon is 1917-1919. It has the 1913-1920 pinion housing and the non-tapered springs introduced in 1917. It appears to have some kind of aftermarket accessory shocks in front.

04-08-2013, 12:16 AM	#19
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find Sorry guys, they were all there till I moved them to a new album. Still learning... This should work.

04-08-2013, 12:22 AM	#20
Scotch Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Citrus Heights Posts: 14	Re: Newbie with a barn find So again my main concern is rust on the body and engine, and water/mice living in the motor...?