Learning to drive a 1917 Model T

drpepper1885

drpepper1885

Member
I recently purchased my first Model T, a 1917 roadster pickup. I am still trying to learn the art of driving these things and have a couple of questions for those more experienced T drivers. I purchased the MTFCA video on "How to drive a Model T" and watched it about two dozen times, paying close attention to how Matt Foye shifts from low to high gear. It looks so easy in the video! Well, my daughter and I took old Lizzy out for a drive around the neighborhood on Friday and each time I tried to go from low gear to high gear, it stalled (5 times in a row within sight of the house...quite embarrasing) and I had to get out and crank it up. When I finally did get going and was able to go into high gear, the car shuddered a little bit going into high gear (not smooth as I expected) and then went lickety split down the road as smooth as silk. So, here are my questions:

1) Is it normal to have the car shudder a little bit when you go into high gear? I think I am not transitioning from low to high right.
2) My neighborhood has a ton of shorter streets, stop signs and kiddos. Can a person drive a T in low gear to help keep the speed down? My 1917 loved it when she got into high gear and purred along, but I don't have the luxury of long open stretches at this time. She does fine in low gear, but I do not want to damage her.

Sorry for these novice questions, but I love these Model Ts and am determined to learn how to drive them. It was especially nice to see the elderly man down the street light up when we passed by and honked the "Hand Klaxon"! Thanks so much for your time and advice.
 
1) Make sure you move the throttle all the way up to shift just like a stickshift car.

2) Low gear is good for starting out but too low to normally keep driving in. It depends on your speed. Just don't accellerate too fast when going slow in high, the cranks usually don't like it.

Keep the questions coming. It is good if you can find a local model Ter to help also.
 
Retard the spark a little bit, sometimes more. i probably rev' mine too highly in low but it makes for smoother shifting.
 
Hi drpepper 1885, I'm going through the same learning process. I put on about 40 miles yesterday on back country roads. It really helped boost my confidence in my driving abilities. I went to a car show and was the oldest vehicle at the show (there's some question yet regarding the year of my T, 1917 or 1920) I'm learning how to throttle down and to get my foot off the left hand pedal in a hurry. This way the car doesn't shudder when the bands are engaging. When the shift is right it feels more like an automatic in a modern car shifting from low to second gear. After the car shifts I'm on the throttle pretty quick in order to get the rpms up. This technique results in the car having a tendency to "lug" the motor, but normally provides for a good "take off". I'm havin a lot of fun with my T and the "old" guys love it.
 
I am posting in here, as this thread seems to be related to my question and the proper place for it.
I just yesterday afternoon purchased my first Model T, a '20 Speedster (will introduce car tomorrow with photo in separate thread) with Ruckstell rear that's been hibernating since 1995. My first surprise came when pushing the car on my trailer: according to the seller and 20-year owner, there is no neutral unless the clutch is engaged. Is that true: the car can't be pushed unless somebody basically sits in it and pushes the clutch to the halfway position?
I apologize for my ignorance; need to learn this in baby steps.
 
The hand brake lever should disengage the clutch when pulled about half way back. There is always considerable drag in the transmission since even in neutral there are a lot of pieces rotating in usually cold oil.
 
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