Work Party at the Azevedo's Garage

The work party for July 28th was focused on preparing our T's for the upcoming "Rough Rider" tour to Las Vegas and Mora, New Mexico on August 23rd through 26th

Bob's recently acquired 1926 roadster had a catostrophic differential failure with broken gears and split spool.  Luckily, although Bob lost his braking capability, he was able to bring the car to a safe stop with the application of the hand brake.  The roadster was trailered over to Larry's garage where the parts were assembled to rebuild the rear end.  The roadster is much safer now and it's a relief that the differential failure didn't occur while on the upcoming tour!  In addition to the rear end problems, the roadster wasn't running as strongly or smoothly as it should.  Bob had already cleaned and adjusted the carburetor and fuel system so at least some of the problems were attributable to the electrical system.

Larry had purchased a coil tester from "Ron the Coil Man" Patterson when he was in Albuquerque in March to present his seminar on coil rebuilding during the annual MTFCA Business Meeting.  Larry made some repairs to the coil tester and now it works properly.  Using the tester, Larry determined that Bob's coils were either putting out too little or too much amperage.  With some adjustments, Larry brought the coils into spec and the roadster now runs better.

Larry hand cranking his newly repaired coil tester to adjust Bob's 1926 roadster coils.

Larry adjusting clearances on a coil

Neil using a rim spreading tool to reduce the diameter of the 21" split rims to ease the tire changing project.

Bob and Mark installing the Insa tires from Mark's coupe on Bob's roadster rims.

Bob's roadster with wheels removed for tire replacement.

Doug working on Bruce's 1926 coupe.

Doug and John installing blocks and hood shelves

Dean adjusting the steering wheel on Bruce's coupe

Bruce working on the coupe

Taking a break in the cool shade!

Larry welding a lock on one of Bob's 21" split rims.

Welding the lock in place

Larry and Paul look over Paul's broken rim mounting lug.

Paul and Larry joined by new member Dave who owns two Model T's!

Larry repairing the broken lug

Grinding the newly welded lug

Bob checking the torque on his rim nuts.

Larry making some adjustments before Bob's departure.

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Mark had purchased five new Firestone tires, flaps, and metal stemmed tubes around a year ago, and the upcoming tour was an incentive to finally change the tires on his 1925 coupe.  The Insa tires (made in Chile) on the car were installed in the 1980's during it's major restoration.  Almost thirty years later, they were beginning to show signs of cracking on the side walls but still have ample tread. Using Larry's rim spreader tool, Neil and Mark switched out the tires to the new Firestones in a couple of hours.  The tires and tubes that were removed from the coupe were in better condition than the tires on Bob's roadster, so as an interim measure, the Insa tires were installed on the roadster that afternoon also.  So, in total, nine tires were removed and replaced in a day!  One of Bob's 21" split rims had a lock that had broken off.  The lock was found and welded to the rim.  In addition to thinking about new tires, Bob is going to keep his eyes open for rims in better condition than the ones on the car.

Paul also a brought a rim for his 1920 touring that had a broken lug eyelet.  Larry welded in a filler and ground the area smooth.  This repair made it possible for another vintage part to continue giving decades of service!

Bruce's 1926 coupe was still on the hydraulic lift and John, Doug, Bruce, and Dean continued work on the car.  A lot of work had recently been completed including fender, running board, and radiator installation.  Unfortunately, the car won't be ready for the Rough Rider tour as was originally hoped, but thanks to Larry and other club members, the car isn't very far away from being road worthy.  When we last spoke with him, Bruce was in the process of ordering an upholstery kit.

Thanks to Larry and Lorna for another fun and productive work day at the Azevedo's garage!