Work Party at the Azevedo's Garage

The work party for May 5th focused on packaging the Model T engine to be donated to the National Model T Museum, and to dismantle Don Mitchell's transmission.  Visiting this work party was Tom Miles' son, Tom Jr. (Raleigh, NC).

Neil O'Brien had volunteered to drive the Model T engine, to be used as a fund raiser for the National Model T Museum, to Richmond, Indiana.  The goal was to have the engine to the museum in time for its grand opening.  Neil had made a crate for the trip that had wheels and a cover.  Vernon and Larry moved the engine from the test stand to the crate and Neil and Mark cleaned the engine of excess silicone sealant.  After it was performing to his satisfaction, Larry had run the engine on the test stand for six to seven hours.  It should perform beautifully for the lucky winner of the fund raiser!

Vernon and Larry lifting the Model T Museum engine off of the engine test stand.

Vernon and Neil

Neil securing the engine to the special rolling crate he had made that will double as a display fixture at the museum.

The completed engine ready for the crate lid.

Neil and Paul

Neil ready to hoist the engine into his pickup bed.

The engine ready for the drive to Richmond, Indiana!

Tom Miles and Tom Jr.

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Don Mitchell's transmission wouldn't shift into high gear on his drive home from the Rich Ford car show on March the 17th.  He noticed that there was too much play in the "three fingers" that adjust the clutch tension.  Concerned that there could be a serious part failure inside the transmission, Don pulled the engine and brought it to the work party.  Larry, Don, and other Tin Lizzie members dismantled the engine but found no damaged parts in the transmission.  One of the prime suspects for damage were the clutch disks, but the Turbo 400 disks installed by Clarence Schritter when he rebuilt the engine many years ago, were still in good condition.  The problem may have been a missing cotter key that allowed one of the fingers to go far out of adjustment, preventing the transmission from successfully shifting into high.  Although it may not have been necessary to remove the engine, now Don can rest easy knowing that his transmission is in fine shape!

Thank you to Larry for his hard and excellent work on the Museum raffle engine and for keeping so many of our club T's on the road!

Removing Don's engine from his pickup truck

Larry, Vernon, and Don mounting the engine to a stand.

Don's engine with the hogs head and pan removed.

Larry examining the transmission parts for damage.

Don Souther checking Don Mitchell's engine.

Don cleaning the hogs head.

Breaking for lunch

Installing the engine pan

Don's assembled engine

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