OT-Model T Ford Questions

GarryinNC · Jan 15, 2014

Did Model Ts ever get self starters? If so when? Was it an option? How did they engage the engine to start? My dad remembers that some Ts had 'Hotshot Batteries' that would turn the engine over if the flywheel was in the right position.

Also did the engine and transmission share oil and did the housings bolt together and seal with a gasket etc.

Dad said the my grandfather bought a new T in 1921 and later had a 1927 model that is the first one he remembers. They got a Model A Ford in the mid 1930s. Dad was born in 1925.

I figure there must be several with T model knowledge on this forum or maybe one of the others.

Thanks, as always.
Garry

J. Schwiebert · Jan 15, 2014

The answer to the first question is yes. My neighbor was in to model "T". When they had his sale the mentioned the car or the spare engine was after such and such a year because it had a self starter.

Paul from MI · Jan 15, 2014

Yes, later one had starters, generators,& electric lights. Early ones were hand crank and acetylene lights with a carbide gas generator mounted on the running board. Since the original ignition system was a vibrating or buzz coil for each cylinder with a flywheel generator powering it, if the buzz coil was powered by a small dry cell battery it would spark continuously. If the engine was stopped with a cylinder slightly past TDC and the coils were powered by a battery the plug would fire and any gas in the cylinder would be ignited--so the engine would start. It did work but everything had to be just right, so cranking was the normal method of starting.

RusselAZ · Jan 15, 2014

In 1919 on the closed cars the starter and generator was offered as an option. In 1921 starter and generator became standard equipment on the closed cars and available on all models. Vehicles that didn't use the electric options had plates to cover the openings where the options went.

Transmission and engine shared oil. The oil pan went from the front pulley to the output of the transmission, just one big sump.

"Hotshot" 6 volt batteries were necessary for starting unless you could spin the engine fast enough with the hand crank to generate voltage. The engine had a built in magneto throughout the Model T' production to operate the ignition. The model T's ignition coils didn't work with just one spark but could keep firing as long as power was fed to it and they worked with a set of vibrating points. A very interesting system.

GarryinNC · Jan 15, 2014

Thank You for the information. I searched the web and found some info in the time since I had posted.

Garry

GarryinNC · Jan 15, 2014

Thank You for the information. I searched the web and found some info in the time since I had posted.

Garry

Jon Hagen · Jan 16, 2014

My mom told of her dad's model T.
She said that in summer, grandpa would choke and crank the model t a couple turns with the ignition off. He would then turn the engine untill 1 cylinder was just past TDC. Turning on the vibrating coil ignition would light the compressed fuel / air charge in that cylinder and start the engine.

JDemaris · Jan 16, 2014

I've seen that done with Ts that have battery ignition. I don't think it works with the early Ts that only have a magnets on the engine's flywheel to make spark.

Richard G. · Jan 16, 2014

Russel is correct. Option in 19. 4 quarts of oil for engine and tranny. Flywheel and magnets splashed oil into a funnel on a long tube going down to the front cam gears and front main bearing. Oil flowed back through pan and rods dip into it and splash it around. I call it the splash and hope system. Here is my 17 which was hand crank only. and a couple of photos of one I rebuilt last year for a friend. I pour and line bore the main bearings.
Richard in NW SC

PJH · Jan 16, 2014

Parade trick. Kill the engine. If it happens to stop at the right place in rotation, the coil will fire it off. If it doesn't fire off, driver hops out, barely spins the crank and banters with the crowd while he hops back in. Good show! Good fun! July 4! Cotton Candy! Ho-made ice cream! I'm ready!

Goose · Jan 16, 2014

Long after the rest of the family had updated their cars, my Grandpa had a '25 "T" coupe he insisted on driving. I rode with him a lot, and it had a self starter.

Earlier hand crank models needed the "hotshot" battery for starting. Once the engine was running, and the magneto generating spark, you turned a switch from "Battery" to "Magneto" so the engine ran on the magneto instead of wasting the battery.

First vehicle I ever drove on a public road was a 1923 Model T one ton truck with a Ruxtel two speed rear axle. I was about 11 or 12 at the time. Things weren't too formal in rural areas at the time.

GarryinNC · Jan 16, 2014

Thanks everyone. The personal stories are what I love to hear. Keep them coming!

My dad said that in the early 30s when was 6 or 7, he was with his dad and oldest brother at feed mill, near railroad depot, in Model T touring. Dad and his brother were waiting in car watching a man load fertilizer onto a wagon pulled by two mules. A train spooked the mules and they headed straight for their car. The mules sort of straddled the hood and the wagon tongue came through the windshield. My uncle pushed dad down into the floor board area just in time to avoid the wagon tongue. He says that there was a print from the mule's shoe in the fender when they traded the T for a used Model A.

Garry

OT-Model T Ford Questions

GarryinNC

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J. Schwiebert

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Paul from MI

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RusselAZ

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GarryinNC

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GarryinNC

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Jon Hagen

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JDemaris

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Richard G.

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PJH

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Goose

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GarryinNC

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