Hello all, im brand new to forum here but I am looking for some help. I have diesel mechanic degree and have grown up around heavy equipment all my life so am very familiar with mechanics. I am working on my grandpas 1926 model t. he has had it a few years and has had no problems with it. We recently went to drive it, backed it out of the garage and had no forward gears. It will go in reverse and seems to engage normally. We took the inspection cover off the transmission and the bands all seem to be ok and adjusted all right. We did try tightening up the forward band and that did not change anything. We started it up with the inspection cover off and when the forward pedal is engaged everything looks fine but there is absolutely not load draw on the engine and the "drum" does not seem to slow down or begin to shift into gear like it does when we put it in reverse. Was wondering if there could be something wrong inside the drum with the discs or if anyone had any ideas where to start diagnosing without removing the trany first. Any tips would be much appreciated!
HELP 1926 Model T No forward movement!
- Thread starter 900rider
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CharlieB
Well-known member
The drum does have to stop so that's a problem. Perhaps there's actually no lining on the band? How far down does the pedal go? If it backs up the clutch is probably working. How about high speed? jack up 1 rear wheel and slowly move the emergency brake handle forward it should engage high.
Steve Jelf
Well-known member
It's stopping the drum that forces the planetary gears to turn the drive shaft in low. If stepping on the pedal doesn't stop the drum, there's your problem. I would guess the band is too loose and/or short of lining.
More generally, no amount of previous mechanical experience prepares you for the Model T. It's relatively simple, but not what you expect. If you dive right in without knowing what you're going to encounter, you're in for some surprises. At least one of them can be pretty expensive. Forewarned is forearmed.
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html
More generally, no amount of previous mechanical experience prepares you for the Model T. It's relatively simple, but not what you expect. If you dive right in without knowing what you're going to encounter, you're in for some surprises. At least one of them can be pretty expensive. Forewarned is forearmed.
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html
Thanks for the help so far.
We will try jacking it up, but we could not get high range to engage with it setting on the ground. The car does also have the warford 3 speed on it, and it is a model A engine not that i think that makes a difference.
As far as the band goes i am 95% positive it is not broke, i took the adjusting bolt all the way out and removed spring and could shuffle the band back and forth and it felt complete. I also tried adjusting the band to its max tightness and that did not make a difference.
The lining on the top side that you can see looks good there is probably around 1/4' or so of lining visible. It was hard to tell if the drum was stopping or not when the pedal was stepped on with the oil splashing around, but it did not appear like it. We can do some more investigating.
Also grandpa said he thought he backed it outside and tried to move forward and he thought it popped or something and there was nothing. If it was a band lining problem or clutch problem wouldn't it usually be kind of a progressively getting worse type of problem and not all of a sudden nothing problem?
As far as the mechanical experience, the model T is definitely a beast of its own haha. A lot different than anything ive ever worked on, but very interesting and im finding it to be slightly addicting
We will try jacking it up, but we could not get high range to engage with it setting on the ground. The car does also have the warford 3 speed on it, and it is a model A engine not that i think that makes a difference.
As far as the band goes i am 95% positive it is not broke, i took the adjusting bolt all the way out and removed spring and could shuffle the band back and forth and it felt complete. I also tried adjusting the band to its max tightness and that did not make a difference.
The lining on the top side that you can see looks good there is probably around 1/4' or so of lining visible. It was hard to tell if the drum was stopping or not when the pedal was stepped on with the oil splashing around, but it did not appear like it. We can do some more investigating.
Also grandpa said he thought he backed it outside and tried to move forward and he thought it popped or something and there was nothing. If it was a band lining problem or clutch problem wouldn't it usually be kind of a progressively getting worse type of problem and not all of a sudden nothing problem?
As far as the mechanical experience, the model T is definitely a beast of its own haha. A lot different than anything ive ever worked on, but very interesting and im finding it to be slightly addicting
J Franklin
Well-known member
Post some fotos please. An early hotrod!
Got the problem fixed today! Found out the 1/4' key stock on the left rear wheel was broke in half and the axle was spinning in the hub. We are not sure why it still worked perfect in reverse, thinking either the key stock would catch or wedge in reverse or maybe something with the diferential? Not sure what type of diff the car has but thinking maybe it doesn't allow the right wheel to slip or something along those lines in reverse? At any rate its fixed. I totally forgot to snap some pictures to day to, I will try and do it next time I am in town. thanks for all the help
I totally forgot to snap some pictures to day to, I will try and do it next time I am in town. thanks for all the helpDick Webber
Senior Member
I'm still puzzled about the Model A engine
dumb person
Well-known member
i have heard of a chevy 490 engine fitted to the T oilpan too.
32 chevy vett
Senior Member
I've seen a model A engine in a model T. But I though it was a lot of work and money. For what you gained. It did get a lot of attention.