Michael Housholder and other Tin Lizzie members continued working on Michael’s new 1924 Model T pickup that he had recently purchased in Yuma, AZ.  The previous owner said that it hadn’t been driven in over two years.  Michael had sorted out his coil problems at the previous work party and was looking forward to hearing the car run.  The carburetor on the pickup couldn’t be adjusted so one of Larry’s “tried and true” carburetors was installed.  The timing was adjusted and the plugs cleaned.  The engine did eventually start and sounded good.  It is a bit noisy due to a leaky exhaust manifold but this is a minor problem.  The original round tube radiator is also leaking and will have to be repaired, replaced, or recored.  Everyone, especially Michael was very happy to hear this T fired up after so long and it will be a reliable driver soon.

Tom Miles was continuing work on his 1926 touring car project.  He had new wood for his coil box and was fitting and making adjustments at this work party.

Mark Wing’s engine needed to have the rods and caps rebabbitted so Larry showed him how to remove the old babbitt, bead blast the bonding surfaces, tin the areas with ammonium chloride, pre-heat and prepare the mold, and heat and pour the babbitt.  There were a few rejects but eventually four rods and matching caps are now ready for the boring operation.  Other work remains on this rebuild including the transmission (final assembly and magnet retainer-plate height adjustment), valves (cutting, installing, adjustment), the pan (a new bushing for the crank handle and wishbone cap mounting bolts), mounting Kevlar linings to the bands, new pedal bushings, and final assembly.  Once this is done, attention will turn to the chassis and body which are still in the complete but unrestored condition at the time of purchase from fellow club member Bruce.

Bob Ross was busy boring the rods and caps for Bruce’s 1925 Tudor engine rebuilding project that had been poured at the previous work party.  In addition to troubleshooting and teaching babbitting on this work day, Larry was doing final lapping of the main bearings and crankshaft after Bob was finished with his machining operation.  Using Plastigage,  Larry confirmed a uniform 0.002″ clearance on all the bearings.  Bruce’s engine is coming together very nicely and will be on the road again soon.

Thank you Larry for a great work party!

Larry demonstrating rod babbitting. Mark babbitting the rods to his 1925 Model T touring engine. The Babbitt after pouring into mold. Larry and Tom working on Tom’s coil box. Michael’s new 1924 Model T pickup Ken Rowland working on the engine with Michael. Larry Don S., Kirk, Don M., Larry, and Michael working on Michael’s 1924 engine. Carburetor adjustment on the 1924 Model T pickup engine Larry, Michael, and Vernon Larry doing final lapping and adjustment of the main bearings. Michael, Larry, Don M., and Kirk Bob Ross doing final boring on rods and caps.