Work Party at the Azevedo's Garage

The focus of the Tin Lizzies work party on Saturday March 31st was to finish assembly and start the engine destined as a fund raiser for the Model T Museum in Richmond, Indiana.  The transmission had been mated to the engine, and it was now time for transmission bands, the pan, hogs head, valve covers, manifolds, and head.  Joining the regular Tin Lizzie members at his first work party was Dante, grandson of Dean, our Club President.  Dante has an interest in mechanics and helped with many stages of the engine assembly that day.

Dante preparing to install a valve cover.

High temperature silicone (orange color) was used for all of the seams that needed to be oil tight.

Russell riveting new Kelvar linings to original metal bands.

Russell at work on the bands.

Tom Miles assembling a fan for the raffle engine.

President Dean cleaning hardware for the engine assembly.

Neil siliconing the bottom inspection plate.

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Larry had been busy building a test stand and the Model T Museum engine was to be the first candidate.  The test stand was based on a T frame, with firewall, gas tank, battery, ignition, coils, and throttle.

Larry's test stand

Another view of the test stand.

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Janice, Hunter, Hannah, and Lorna

Stan and Don

Installation of the manifold studs.

Russell threading manifold studs from bolts.

Tom safety wiring the transmission bolts while it's still accessible.

Don cleaning engine hardware.

Dante preparing to mount the engine front plate.

Neil cleaning the transmission pan prior to installation.

Larry preparing to install the pan.

Neil lowering the pan on the engine.

Dante installing the pan bolts.

A view of the transmission with the bands in place.

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The Club took a lunch break outside with beautiful Spring weather.

Taking a lunch break

Lunch under the portal.

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After lunch the work continued on the engine.  The rebuilt starter donated for this engine turned out to be very tight and broke a Bendix bolt.  Larry removed the starter from his 1925 runabout to replace the defective unit.  The engine was cranking, but it wouldn't stay lit, probably due to an electrical short in the coil box.  Many Club members had plans that evening so work concluded in the late afternoon.  Another attempt to start the engine would be made the following day.  To be continued...

The hogs head ready to be installed.

Hogs head installation

Linda inspecting the engine progress.

View of the engine with head gasket.

Installing the head.

Torquing the engine head bolts.

Michael with the engine ready to be mounted to the engine stand for a test run.

Larry making a minor adjustment to the engine stand firewall.

A view of the front of the engine.

Michael and Russell installing the starter.

Mark removing the starter that was too tight so it can be replaced by a functional one from Larry's 1925 runabout.

The engine mounted to the engine stand and ready to start.

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