updated model T

While at the Keene Hill Climb reunion a fellow drove in with a really nice "T".  He opened the hood on one side,  It was not a T engine, more likely an A.   I saw it had an alternator.  I did not get a chance to talk to the owner/driver as others kept him occupied.   I peeked in and it had the three pedals but were they connected to a T tansmission.  Doubt full.   Then I heard the starter engage.

For the past week, updating a T has been seriously on my mind. I even have a loosely formed plan. Now I just need to find a cheap 26-27 T. And some time. The rest should be easy...

Later Model Ts (1919 and up depending on the model) had electric starters as an option, Generators were optional as well..

There are kits to put an alternator on a T engine, kits for water pumps and distributors as well.

I've worked on both quite a bit, the model T transmission pan is part of the engine oil pan and they share a lubricating system. Not really sure you could connect a T transmission to anything else without extensive fabrication.

The T axle is also partly held in place by the transmission which makes using anything else a bit of an undertaking.

Are you sure you didn't just see a kitted-out model T engine?

Late model T engine: 

Model A engine: 

In reply to Trans_Maro :

Sweet Racing Beat CAI!

In 1989, I went to work for a company, who in 1900, started as a blacksmith shop.  They eventually make timers for Model Ts (you couldn't time the distributor from the factory). 

In the late 1920s, they were an automaker and built entire automobiles.  The business endured the depression, but barely.  They kept selling auto parts, and by the 1990s, they had 18 stores.  Ranked 77th in the nation in auto parts chains at the time.  Sold out in 1998.  

The timer is the equivalent of a distributor on a T. There is no distributor and no provision for one.

The ignition uses four buzzer coils that make multiple sparks as long as they're energised. The timer turns them on and off in the correct order at the correct time.

You are correct, you can't time the distributor in a model T because there isn't one.

If you buy a T, work on one or drive one, take everything you know about how a car operates and throw it out the window. 

Here's how the coil works: https://youtu.be/Tq4aylwt2nQ

More then likely a model A banger with a La Salle box and a banjo rear end. That is and was the hot ticket. Its what I ran in my 28 except with a flathead not a banger.

They made a lot of Model T speed parts. Here’s one I worked on a few years ago... (it’s the one on display at National Harbor for locals.) It has a Frontenac ohv conversion (complete with a dizzy.) Supposedly would go 75mph+, but I wouldn’t want to try that. This one also had a 2 speed rear, and a 2 speed overdrive. Very interesting to drive!

In reply to Saron81 :

Wow!

Very cool!