The Ford Barn

pjdeb · 05-10-2023, 08:08 PM

I am a Model A guy, but I am in the process of tinkering with a 1923 coupe. My father bought it in 1961. I am not sure how much he did to it as I was away at school. It was not running when he got it. When he was done, it ran well. He passed it to my brother who last ran it in 1993. Now I have it.

Put a fair amount of Marvel in each cylinder. She is not stuck. Turns over easily by the crank.

Gas tank has rust. I have removed the tank and will have it cleaned.

Radiator holds water. I have removed it. Flushed it and will flow test it later.

Changed all the fluids. They were hardly fluid.

Cleaned the carb as best I could, but did not take it completely apart. Later.

Looked inside the transmission, but that is it. Bands look like a hard composite type. Do not want to mess with that now. I will jack up rear wheels when I try to start her.

Coils are the plastic box type. We will see.

Plan to get a new battery and hook up a temporary gas line. Any suggestions on anything else I should do before seeing if it will start?

Not messing with the time or starter or generator right now.

If it shows signs of life I will put more time and money into it.

Am I on the right track or should I do more before seeing if she will start?

Head gasket? Manifold?

BTW, it has a water pump. Good idea or convert back to original?

Appreciate any suggestions.

mhsprecher · 05-10-2023, 08:41 PM

Some advice here: https://www.fordmodelt.net/m/mothballs.htm

redmodelt · 05-10-2023, 08:41 PM

Sounds like you are. Leave the waterpump for now.

pjdeb · 05-10-2023, 09:30 PM

Another question: since I am just trying to see if she will start, I understand it is OK to use a 12 volt battery. Correct?

stevests · 05-11-2023, 09:54 AM

I would locate a new 6 volt - 12 volt can & will damage the Bendix drive & spring.

rotorwrench · 05-11-2023, 01:21 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

If you haven't already done it, see if it has some compression on all four cylinders. If it does, there is a chance that the valves aren't sticking. This will forgo pulling the head. Hand crank if using 12-volts. The car will run on 12-volts but the starter may not be up for it as mentioned. Check your light bulbs. It may already have 12-volt bulbs.

The carb condition depends on how long it set with fuel in it. It could be gummed up or corroded inside. Depending on what carb it has, it may be simple to clean or it may take some port clearing to get it to function as it should. Some are more simple than others.

Always pull up on the crank and don't lock your thumb around the handle. If it kicks back it generally won't injure the person pulling on it. Retard the timer for starting.

A bones · 05-13-2023, 10:49 AM

Good suggestions all.
My way was, I got 2 books before any disassembly.
"1909 1927 Model T Ford Service" published by Ford Motor Co, available as a reprint.
" The Model T FordOwner" by Murray Fahnestock, check with Ebay.
Several weeks of study gave me the edge to maintenace and adjustments.
Later I found "Tinkerin Tips" by Ted Aschman Great for major projects and fixes for a 100 year old car.
I know you will have fun

Model A Ron · 05-15-2023, 07:31 PM

I have both A's and T's and in my opinion I would drop the water pump. I do not have one on my 15 Touring or my 24 Coupe.....never had one overheat yet.....in my opinion Ford got this design right.

rotorwrench · 05-16-2023, 10:23 AM

The lighter weight, lower horse power, and slower average speeds allow the T to work with thermosyphon cooling. Pump add ons might be OK for higher performance builds but really aren't all that necessary for a stock model T.

zoe3 · 05-17-2023, 01:58 AM

if the carburetor has not been completely taken apart, it might be worth doing so to make sure it's clean and functioning properly. The coils should also be checked to make sure they're in good condition.

As for the water pump, it's up to personal preference whether to keep it or convert back to the original system. Some people prefer the added cooling capacity of a water pump, while others prefer the simplicity of the original system.

05-10-2023, 08:08 PM	#1
pjdeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 103	New to T and Need Advice I am a Model A guy, but I am in the process of tinkering with a 1923 coupe. My father bought it in 1961. I am not sure how much he did to it as I was away at school. It was not running when he got it. When he was done, it ran well. He passed it to my brother who last ran it in 1993. Now I have it. Put a fair amount of Marvel in each cylinder. She is not stuck. Turns over easily by the crank. Gas tank has rust. I have removed the tank and will have it cleaned. Radiator holds water. I have removed it. Flushed it and will flow test it later. Changed all the fluids. They were hardly fluid. Cleaned the carb as best I could, but did not take it completely apart. Later. Looked inside the transmission, but that is it. Bands look like a hard composite type. Do not want to mess with that now. I will jack up rear wheels when I try to start her. Coils are the plastic box type. We will see. Plan to get a new battery and hook up a temporary gas line. Any suggestions on anything else I should do before seeing if it will start? Not messing with the time or starter or generator right now. If it shows signs of life I will put more time and money into it. Am I on the right track or should I do more before seeing if she will start? Head gasket? Manifold? BTW, it has a water pump. Good idea or convert back to original? Appreciate any suggestions.

05-10-2023, 08:41 PM	#2
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,817	Re: New to T and Need Advice Some advice here: https://www.fordmodelt.net/m/mothballs.htm __________________ 1924 Model T Coupe 1928 Model A Roadster 1930 Model A Town Sedan 1939 Deluxe Fordor 1945 pickup 1951 Custom convertible

05-10-2023, 08:41 PM	#3
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,342	Re: New to T and Need Advice Sounds like you are. Leave the waterpump for now. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

05-10-2023, 09:30 PM	#4
pjdeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 103	Re: New to T and Need Advice Another question: since I am just trying to see if she will start, I understand it is OK to use a 12 volt battery. Correct?

05-11-2023, 09:54 AM	#5
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 513	Re: New to T and Need Advice I would locate a new 6 volt - 12 volt can & will damage the Bendix drive & spring.

05-11-2023, 01:21 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,438	Re: New to T and Need Advice Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If you haven't already done it, see if it has some compression on all four cylinders. If it does, there is a chance that the valves aren't sticking. This will forgo pulling the head. Hand crank if using 12-volts. The car will run on 12-volts but the starter may not be up for it as mentioned. Check your light bulbs. It may already have 12-volt bulbs. The carb condition depends on how long it set with fuel in it. It could be gummed up or corroded inside. Depending on what carb it has, it may be simple to clean or it may take some port clearing to get it to function as it should. Some are more simple than others. Always pull up on the crank and don't lock your thumb around the handle. If it kicks back it generally won't injure the person pulling on it. Retard the timer for starting.

05-13-2023, 10:49 AM	#7
A bones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: CLAYTON DE Posts: 1,283	Re: New to T and Need Advice Good suggestions all. My way was, I got 2 books before any disassembly. "1909 1927 Model T Ford Service" published by Ford Motor Co, available as a reprint. " The Model T FordOwner" by Murray Fahnestock, check with Ebay. Several weeks of study gave me the edge to maintenace and adjustments. Later I found "Tinkerin Tips" by Ted Aschman Great for major projects and fixes for a 100 year old car. I know you will have fun __________________ Enjoy yer day. Tom Hate can't fix what it started.

05-15-2023, 07:31 PM	#8
Model A Ron Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Troutman, NC Posts: 717	Re: New to T and Need Advice I have both A's and T's and in my opinion I would drop the water pump. I do not have one on my 15 Touring or my 24 Coupe.....never had one overheat yet.....in my opinion Ford got this design right.

05-16-2023, 10:23 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,438	Re: New to T and Need Advice The lighter weight, lower horse power, and slower average speeds allow the T to work with thermosyphon cooling. Pump add ons might be OK for higher performance builds but really aren't all that necessary for a stock model T.

05-17-2023, 01:58 AM	#10
zoe3 Junior Member Join Date: May 2023 Posts: 3	Re: New to T and Need Advice if the carburetor has not been completely taken apart, it might be worth doing so to make sure it's clean and functioning properly. The coils should also be checked to make sure they're in good condition. As for the water pump, it's up to personal preference whether to keep it or convert back to the original system. Some people prefer the added cooling capacity of a water pump, while others prefer the simplicity of the original system.