Model T Safety Tips for the Road
Being relatively new to the hobby of driving a Model T, there are a few things I have found that have helped me prepare my car for touring. This is information I have gathered from seasoned mechanics and veteran Model T drivers. This list is by no means a complete list, but just some obvious areas of concern to help insure you of a safe trip and preventable breakdowns.
WHEELS
- Tires are in good condition and do not show signs of excessive wear.
- Tires do not have dry rot.
- Tires are properly inflated.
- Wooden spokes on wheels are tight and sound and have no cracks.
- The wheel nut is tightened properly and the cotter pin is in place.
BRAKES
- Brakes are capable of stopping car and holding it on an incline.
- The hand brake holds in place.
- The brake handle holds in a locked position.
WHEEL BEARINGS
- Clean and grease the wheel bearings.
- Tighten the wheel bearings properly.
- Be sure not to over grease the rear wheel bearings.
FRONT END SUSPENSION
- Check the condition of the springs.
- Make sure there are no broken leaves.
- Check to make sure the spring shackles and bushings are in good condition.
- Check the condition of the radius rod ball.
- Check condition of the steering linkage.
ENGINE
- There should be no knocking sound.
- An excessive amount of oil should not be used.
- There should be good babbitt.
- The engine and chassis are lubricated properly.
GAS TANK AND FUEL SYSTEM
- There is no excessive amount of rust sediment in gas tank.
- There are no gasoline leaks.
- The cut off valve works.
MISC
- The transmission bands and drums are adjusted properly and show no signs of excessive wear.
- Universal joint is ok and properly greased.
- All bolts and nuts are properly tightened and secured with cotter pins.
- The radiator is capable of cooling the engine.
- The fan blade is in good condition and has no cracks.
These are just a few areas of attention that can help make your trip more enjoyable while not having to worry about any preventable incident.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Contributed by Tommy Supak
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