The Ford Barn

Martinbuilt · 02-14-2024, 09:38 AM

So, I'm new to Model A's.
I bought an A motor at a yard sale 15 months ago. I met a bunch of local guys, bought lots of spare parts, and I'm building a car.
I'm not an expert, but I've managed to learn enough about A's to pull it off (I think...)

Saturday, an inexpensive T motor showed up on FB.
It doesn't look terrible, and I thought it would be fun to mess with.
However, I've watched a few videos, and decided this thing is from another planet.
What I need, is some recommended reading. Ideally, a basic book that explains disassembly, and gives an overview of the whole car.

The motor does not turn, although I don't see any serious issues in the bores. I don't want to do anything too drastic, until I know how it's put together. Could just be a stuck brake?
Anyway, thanks for any suggestions.

gz · 02-14-2024, 11:25 AM

Your motor is a 1926 or 1927. It is based on the transmission cover that bolts to the block and the fan pulley that is mounted to the cylinder head.

These can easily be loosened up. Just soaking the cylinders with some loosening fluid and let them sit a few days and try to keep turning the crank. Keep them lubricated with some oils and it will eventually break loose.

The brake cannot be stuck, it is all one unit that will turn once it is loosened.

Good luck and welcome to the Model T world!!! It's a lot of fun!!!

Will N · 02-14-2024, 11:54 AM

The reference 'bible" is the Blue Book: https://www.modeltford.com/item/T1.aspx

mercman from oz · 02-18-2024, 11:35 PM

Model T Ford motor that Martinbuilt saw advertised on Face Book.
He needs suggestions of where to start on a new Model T project

k gilmore · 02-23-2024, 12:09 PM

A new project can be fun.........but it can be $$$$.

39portlander · 02-25-2024, 01:33 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

once you can get the motor rotating a compression test should be done first, second pull the transmission and the side cylinder valve cover and observe things while rotating motor. The various parts vendors sell the engine bracket to mount on an engine stand.

Required reading.... The Model T Fordowner by Murray Fahnestock and get a model T parts catalog or go online and learn the various parts and pieces about your particullar vehicle.

If you are near pittsburg go on the MTFCA and locate your closest club, there are a wealth on knowledgeable people in your area and mostly more than willing to help with tools, good sound advice. Good luck and let us know how things go with your project.

Martinbuilt · 03-02-2024, 01:32 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have one of those stand adaptors holding my a motor. It looks like it'll work with the T.
The guy gave me a sturdy little cart I can use to roll the T motor around on, while I try to free it up.
I just discovered the mtfca forum, been reading threads as time allows.
The owner of the motor had some other odd parts, a rear axle with small drums, and a tired radiator. He wasn't getting much interest, so they are here now as well.
Last weekend, I called one of my local A friends, and asked if he had any T stuff. I came home from his place with a beautiful frame, another radiator, some wishbones, and a coffee can full of nuts/bolts.
Very inexpensive, I think he was happy someone wanted it.
I don't know what year the frame is, he thought "teens".

Martinbuilt · 03-02-2024, 01:47 PM

Quick photo

Kurt in NJ · 03-03-2024, 06:56 AM

A couple years ago when I was at Hershey there was a T motor on a engine stand and I was looking at it, the guy said make me a offer —- I said 5$, I was pulling a box of generators, he got me to 12$, then put 3 more generators in the box , another vendor saw I was on a mission and said I needed a light, added a carriage light to the pile, had to push it all a mile they were taking pictures, when I turned the corner of my row the wheels were squeaking, my partner at the booth knew it was me , the plastic wheels on the cheap engine stand are good, it came with a side mount adapter for the T engine too, the block still had shims on the mains, burned up rod bearing though, no cracks, 6 months later I bought a model t

Martinbuilt · 03-03-2024, 08:38 AM

Excellent.
Mine wasn't that cheap. I'll have to try Hershey next fall. By then, I should have some idea what I'm doing..

02-14-2024, 11:25 AM	#2
gz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,666	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T Your motor is a 1926 or 1927. It is based on the transmission cover that bolts to the block and the fan pulley that is mounted to the cylinder head. These can easily be loosened up. Just soaking the cylinders with some loosening fluid and let them sit a few days and try to keep turning the crank. Keep them lubricated with some oils and it will eventually break loose. The brake cannot be stuck, it is all one unit that will turn once it is loosened. Good luck and welcome to the Model T world!!! It's a lot of fun!!!

02-14-2024, 11:54 AM	#3
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,100	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T The reference 'bible" is the Blue Book: https://www.modeltford.com/item/T1.aspx

02-18-2024, 11:35 PM	#4
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,376	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T Model T Ford motor that Martinbuilt saw advertised on Face Book. He needs suggestions of where to start on a new Model T project

02-23-2024, 12:09 PM	#5
k gilmore Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 13	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T A new project can be fun.........but it can be $$$$.

02-25-2024, 01:33 PM	#6
39portlander Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suth'N Maine Posts: 1,996	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) once you can get the motor rotating a compression test should be done first, second pull the transmission and the side cylinder valve cover and observe things while rotating motor. The various parts vendors sell the engine bracket to mount on an engine stand. Required reading.... The Model T Fordowner by Murray Fahnestock and get a model T parts catalog or go online and learn the various parts and pieces about your particullar vehicle. If you are near pittsburg go on the MTFCA and locate your closest club, there are a wealth on knowledgeable people in your area and mostly more than willing to help with tools, good sound advice. Good luck and let us know how things go with your project. Last edited by 39portlander; 02-25-2024 at 01:49 PM.

03-02-2024, 01:32 PM	#7
Martinbuilt Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Near Pittsburgh Posts: 77	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T Thanks for all the suggestions. I have one of those stand adaptors holding my a motor. It looks like it'll work with the T. The guy gave me a sturdy little cart I can use to roll the T motor around on, while I try to free it up. I just discovered the mtfca forum, been reading threads as time allows. The owner of the motor had some other odd parts, a rear axle with small drums, and a tired radiator. He wasn't getting much interest, so they are here now as well. Last weekend, I called one of my local A friends, and asked if he had any T stuff. I came home from his place with a beautiful frame, another radiator, some wishbones, and a coffee can full of nuts/bolts. Very inexpensive, I think he was happy someone wanted it. I don't know what year the frame is, he thought "teens". Last edited by Martinbuilt; 03-02-2024 at 01:49 PM.

03-03-2024, 06:56 AM	#9
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T A couple years ago when I was at Hershey there was a T motor on a engine stand and I was looking at it, the guy said make me a offer —- I said 5$, I was pulling a box of generators, he got me to 12$, then put 3 more generators in the box , another vendor saw I was on a mission and said I needed a light, added a carriage light to the pile, had to push it all a mile they were taking pictures, when I turned the corner of my row the wheels were squeaking, my partner at the booth knew it was me , the plastic wheels on the cheap engine stand are good, it came with a side mount adapter for the T engine too, the block still had shims on the mains, burned up rod bearing though, no cracks, 6 months later I bought a model t

03-03-2024, 08:38 AM	#10
Martinbuilt Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Near Pittsburgh Posts: 77	Re: I need a place to start. The basics of a Model T Excellent. Mine wasn't that cheap. I'll have to try Hershey next fall. By then, I should have some idea what I'm doing..