November 2002

Dear Model T’ers Everywhere,

"A little boy watching a man cranking his Ford, impudently asked: "why don’t she play, mister?" (Funabout Fords by J.J. White, 1915, Chicago, The Howell Company)

Our next get together will be held at Barney’s Steak House, 1615 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, on December 1st – if you haven’t made your reservation please call at 407-671-2812 or email at ejayk@yahoo.com for more information. Nancy and Joe are also preparing us a 2003 calendar for the membership – so please send her your favorite picture of you and your car – she will return the pictures: Joe and Nancy Kaiser, 8049 Lake Waunatta Drive, Winter Park, FL 32792. There will not be a club meeting on Wednesday December 4th and our first meeting in 2003 will be on Wednesday January 8th at 7PM at the Casseberry Seminole County Library.

Mike Bartlett is continuing to make progress on our first annual Model T Ford Car Show and Flea Market that will be held at Blanchard Park on January 18, 2003. We still need some volunteers to help to raffle tickets, award ribbons, help sell hotdog, conduct a silent auction, sell cokes, help with advertising, get flyers out (come to the next meeting and get a bunch), etc. Please give him a call or email him at 407-366-5616 or email at tcporl@bellsouth.net to sign up to help. PLEASE plan on bringing your Model T and talking T with the public.

Richard Fortner’s Gleanings for the Model T ford club of Central Florida this month are: (1) When installing transmission band nuts and washers, tie them together with dental floss. This will allow installation while tethered (and you can leave the dental floss on the nuts and washers); Keep your old spindle bushings and use the bronze to make bushings for the arms; and (3) To remove the bushing from the commutator end of the starter, screw in a 5/8" tap – it will jack out the bushing.

The Coker Tire Company will be at the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona Beach Nov 26 – Dec 1 – if you need a new set of tires, tubes or rim liners – Jerry Isbell of Jerry’s Model A Store in Casselberry will order them for you – and bring them to his store for you to pick up – and if the Model A clubs and our T clubs order at least 25 tires we can even get a further reduction in price ---- sooo give Jerry a call at 407-695-8911 – this advertisement was brought by the change in your pocket!!

Our very own Ben Wheeler has provided us with "Ben’s Practical Tips for Driving and Repairing a Model T Ford" or "Stuff No One Else Will Admit To"

Getting ready for the road: Most folks store their T’s at least part of the time. Therefore, getting them road-ready is a necessary part of taking a ride. (Sometimes this routine can save you from walking, later.)

Rule Number ONE: Don’t take ANYTHING for granted with a T!

Tire pressure, generally accepted to be 55 lbs pressure. Check it! Take a look at your spokes while you’re at it, make sure they aren’t loose or cracked.
Oilers; Brass or Top Hat type. Put oil in ‘em, you can’t use too much. NOTE: If your oilers never seem to need oiling, they are clogged, bet on it! Like changing bushings do ya? <grin>
Grease your fan busing and universal joint.
Check your engine oil level – T’s use a quart a week, running or not!
Check to make sure you have gas. Many is the day that has been spent cussin’ a poor ole Ford that didn’t have any.
Driving:

Every body loves a model T … they must, there’s always a crowd following mine … let ‘em pass, and smile, not matter what they say when they go by. They can’t help their impatience, the poor fools.
Beware looming giant dump trucks!
Drive as if you car has no brakes. It doesn’t!
A pair of pliers, a few pieces of wire, a screwdriver, a combination ½" and 9/16" wrench and a jack can work miracles on the road side. (A shovel isn’t a BAD idea either)
Carry a flashlight.
Do not wear loose trousers without a belt! (You TOO can become a running board mooner!)

MAKE a grea"T" day!

Mike Story, President, 407-678-5477, email: mjstory@quixnet.net

Copyright© 2003 -Modet T Ford Club of Central Florida - All Rights Reserved