boss347convertible wrote:

Bullet Bob wrote:

We were on the road from LA to 'Vegas back in '78.  Going on our annual trip to visit Ed Winfield...only model T's and A's with Winfield equipment allowed.  Running north on I-15 in the Speedster at about 65.  The engine had a little vibration that started that morning  but was only real noticeable close to three thousand... we're talking a Model "B" with a Riley Four Port head. 
Anyway, it didn't seem to be getting any worse so why worry, right?   About 20 miles south of Vegas, completely without warning, it chucked the No. 3 rod cap.  Needless to say it went downhill from there.  I'm glad I had seat belts in that car 'cause Jean would have gone over the side.  Kong jumped on the CB and says, "hey Evans, you're leaving parts in the road back here."  No kidding!.
The only things that weren't ruined were the head and carbs (thank God, those were pretty rare even back then), side plate over the valve box, water pump, and water inlet, and flywheel.  Block, crank rods, pistons, pan, cam, lifters were all junk.
Those old engines had provisions for cotter pins on the rod bolts.  Seems I must have missed one on the No. 3 rod. 

You just can't check this stuff too much. 
 

Excellent story, We are driving the Model T's from Orange County to Death Valley and back. I am building two T engines and transmissions, one specifically for touring as I have replaced the number one and two rods in the engine presently in the car and number three and four are making some noise. Not surprising considering the engine still has the original cast pistons with quarter inch rings. I know at least one guy that is using nylocks on the rod bolts and has racked up several thousand miles on them with no issues. I may do the same as I have a 3 dip pan and installing cotter pins on the fourth rod bolts can be challenging. Thanks for sharing your story.

It's really good to hear that there are others on here that are also into the early stuff.  I sold that car in '91 and have not been involved in early iron since, though I keep looking at Model A's on BAT. The car is presently owned by Rick McIntosh (ex of Mac's Antique Auto Parts) and I was able to visit it and take it for a short ride/drive on my birthday in August  2018 at his home in Lockport, NY.  He's a very nice guy and loves the car...finished 1st Sportsman and 9th Overall in the Great Race in July of that year.  I hand built the car from Oct, '72 to Aug, '74 so it's great to know it's still being used and enjoyed. 
Post a picture of your T-Bone.  I'd love to see it and if I can make the photo gods on this forum work I'll post a shot of the Speedster.

6sally6 wrote:

red351 wrote:

.......and looking at a round up punch in the hood about where the air cleaner is....

Gaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Me too!! Don't cha just hate that?!
6s6
 

I did that too! Made me drink more beer.

It was a slow day back in 74 when my uncle asked the six of us cousins to change the oil in a brand new twin. We were also washing it and got to talking about the last nights ball game before putting the fresh oil in. That was my first engines rebuild and led to the start of my career as an A&P.   

Nylocks are frowned on in the aircraft engine compartment.

Bullet Bob wrote:

boss347convertible wrote:

Bullet Bob wrote:

We were on the road from LA to 'Vegas back in '78.  Going on our annual trip to visit Ed Winfield...only model T's and A's with Winfield equipment allowed.  Running north on I-15 in the Speedster at about 65.  The engine had a little vibration that started that morning  but was only real noticeable close to three thousand... we're talking a Model "B" with a Riley Four Port head. 
Anyway, it didn't seem to be getting any worse so why worry, right?   About 20 miles south of Vegas, completely without warning, it chucked the No. 3 rod cap.  Needless to say it went downhill from there.  I'm glad I had seat belts in that car 'cause Jean would have gone over the side.  Kong jumped on the CB and says, "hey Evans, you're leaving parts in the road back here."  No kidding!.
The only things that weren't ruined were the head and carbs (thank God, those were pretty rare even back then), side plate over the valve box, water pump, and water inlet, and flywheel.  Block, crank rods, pistons, pan, cam, lifters were all junk.
Those old engines had provisions for cotter pins on the rod bolts.  Seems I must have missed one on the No. 3 rod. 

You just can't check this stuff too much. 
 

Excellent story, We are driving the Model T's from Orange County to Death Valley and back. I am building two T engines and transmissions, one specifically for touring as I have replaced the number one and two rods in the engine presently in the car and number three and four are making some noise. Not surprising considering the engine still has the original cast pistons with quarter inch rings. I know at least one guy that is using nylocks on the rod bolts and has racked up several thousand miles on them with no issues. I may do the same as I have a 3 dip pan and installing cotter pins on the fourth rod bolts can be challenging. Thanks for sharing your story.

It's really good to hear that there are others on here that are also into the early stuff.  I sold that car in '91 and have not been involved in early iron since, though I keep looking at Model A's on BAT. The car is presently owned by Rick McIntosh (ex of Mac's Antique Auto Parts) and I was able to visit it and take it for a short ride/drive on my birthday in August  2018 at his home in Lockport, NY.  He's a very nice guy and loves the car...finished 1st Sportsman and 9th Overall in the Great Race in July of that year.  I hand built the car from Oct, '72 to Aug, '74 so it's great to know it's still being used and enjoyed. 
Post a picture of your T-Bone.  I'd love to see it and if I can make the photo gods on this forum work I'll post a shot of the Speedster.

Less than two years is a quick build! Glad to hear that you managed to stay connected to the car and even though you don't have the car, you continue to see your efforts being well cared for. I will try to post a few photos of the T after I transfer them from the phone to the computer.

red351 wrote:

If it wasn't for 1or 2or 3 and or whatever beers . I would hardly get enough ambition to go out to the garage in the afternoon anymore.
Just yesterday I knew I found my missing 5/8 socket while holding a Keystone and looking at a round up punch in the hood about where the air cleaner is....

Ouch!

Oh man, I absolutely love it!  Really, really cool old race car vibe. 

Bullet Bob wrote:

Boss: 
As I built it, 1974

Well that shot uploaded fine but I can't make a current picture work. 

BB, very nice work! That must have been a hoot and a holler to drive! I can't believe you did all that work in two years. I tried to upload photos, but can't seem to get it done. If I figure out the process, I'll post a few.