Getting a model t running

M

Mshaynes21

Junior Member
Hello

I am a new model T owner. I just bought a 1917 model T couplet. My first Model T. I am told it is one of the rarer body styles but my reason for buying is I really liked the look of it.. Not sure of the originality of everything. I know it has been changed to a distributor. Just wanted to know what I should look at besides engine oil level before trying to start it. It hasn’t been run in awhile and I didn’t want to do any harm by just jumping in and trying to start it. Thanks for any info you can give me.
 
Get a copy of the owners manual, most dealers carry them, even if it is in the 1915 to 1919 range, it would have about the same information on how to drive a Model T.
 
FIRST, take the spark plugs out and put some diesel in the cylinders. You dont want to rotate the engine when its dry inside. leave the plugs out and spin the engine. this will splash the diesel onto the valves and the cylinder walls, and will blow all the diesel out.
SECOND, do all the things the other guys say. clean the points and inside the carburetor as a minimum
 
Did you buy the Couplet that was advertised on the MTFCA website? Great car and a great buy. Congrats!
 
bgarrett said:
FIRST, take the spark plugs out and put some diesel in the cylinders. You dont want to rotate the engine when its dry inside. leave the plugs out and spin the engine. this will splash the diesel onto the valves and the cylinder walls, and will blow all the diesel out.
SECOND, do all the things the other guys say. clean the points and inside the carburetor as a minimum
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Personally, I'd use something with better lubricating qualities than Diesel fuel! Diesel is good for washing parts in a tub, which shows you that it is a better solvent than lube oil! Use several tablespoons of 0W-20 engine oil in each cylinder, crank over a few revolutions with the plugs out and let it sit for a few days. The oil will trickle down past the rings and lube the lower cylinders and piston skirts.
 
It takes spark and fuel to make one run. With the plugs out, try turning the engine over with the switch on if you have a battery in the system. You should be able to hear the coil sing for each piston as you turn the engine over.
 
gz said:
Did you buy the Couplet that was advertised on the MTFCA website? Great car and a great buy. Congrats!
Click to expand...
Sorry. I haven’t checked this in awhile. I bought the one that was located in Canada. Saw it posted in Hemings. Hopefully I can get it going reliably It has been changed over to a distributor and I believe the engine is from 1922. Wood is in great shape. Overall seems to be a solid car Just need to get some issues sorted out with the engine and transmission.
 
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