which Model T book to purchase ?

Tom Bellfoy

Tom Bellfoy

Senior Member
Hello:
I'm new to the Model T scene, having focused on my Model A's for the past four years. Last year I brought home a 1917 chassis which is in pieces and I need to find a book on the basic mechanics of the Model T. I am looking for a book similar to The Mechanics Handbook by Les Andrews books on the Model A. for info on the steering/brakes/suspension/rear and assembly etc.

The books listed by the vendors are not very explicit in what they cover so I would appreciate some input from you Model T guys

I do have the following books:
1. Model T Ford - The Car that changed the World by Bruce McCalley
2. The Engine by MTFCA
3. The Electrical System by MTFCA

I was thinking of these books as listed by the Vendors - which one if any would be best or can anyone suggest a better book ?

1. Model T Ford 1909-1927 Restoration Handbook
Snyders # BC-18 $39.95
2. Model T service manual, 296 pages
Lang's $29.95 - 2012 book price)

Thanks
Tom
 
Start with "The Bible" (the Ford shop manual) and the rest of the MTFCA books. Next would be Bruce McCalley's Model T Encyclopedia. The disk version, with all the extra material not included with the paper version, is the best $50 you can spend on a Model T.

http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html
 
If it's the restoration book with the mostly red cover I wasn't much impressed with it. There's too much to cover in a book that that thin. Skip it. As stated the "Bible" (service manual) is probably your best choice. Just keep in mind that it was written as a job timing book. That is something to tell bosses how long a job should take. In other words guys using this book already had Ford knowledge. That's why some of the descriptions can be a bit vague. We use it as a service manual today but that's not what it was 80 years ago.
 
Time study. That's the word I was trying to think of. Just something to beat a slow mechanic over the head with.
 
Considering you are essentially building the thing from the ground up, you will also want the MTFCA books you don't yet have (Axles, Carburetor, Transmission). You'll also need to research what are the correct parts for 1917. That's not just an aesthetic consideration, to make the thing pass inspection by the "correct police". While some parts will work on any year of Model T, there were many changes during the nineteen years of T production, and some parts simply won't work on your car. You'll need to know what to buy and what to skip.
 
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