Three Rivers Model T Ford Club
P. O. Box 7083
Kennewick, WA 99336
“T-Times” is the publication of the Three Rivers Model T Ford Club and is published monthly solely for its members and exchange with other antique automobile groups. Editorial copy and advertisements should be sent to: Editor 218 NE A Street College Place, WA 99324 by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s issue.
The Three Rivers Model T Ford Club is a chapter of the Model T Ford club of America. Membership is recommended and encouraged. Make membership requests to: MTFCA P.O. Box 126 Centerville, IN 47330
2010 Officers
Club President 2010 Marlene Coder m.coder@hotmail.com
Vice President Dean Stokes dwstokes1@embarqmail.com
Secretary
Wanda Stokes dwstokes1@embarqmail.com
Treasurer
Mike Porter
Newsletter Editor Dale Peterson dpeters0258@gmail.com
Board Members
1 Year -- Dale Peterson
2 Year -- Marlene Coder
3 Year -- Russ Armstrong
The Three Rivers Model T Ford Club is dedicated to the restoration and enjoyment of the Model T Ford. Ownership is recommended but not a requirement of membership. Annual dues are $20. Monthly meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at the Reata Springs Baptist Church, 2830 Leopold Lane, Richland, WA at 7:00 PM.
BIRTHDAYS
11-01 Doris
Burma
11-09 Dave Ottem
11-13 Joan Dionne
11-19 Hattie Huetson
11-19 Dale Peterson
11-24 Bertha Feik
11-24 Joe Kuhns
11-28 Jolene Kuhns
Callendar
November 18 Monthly meeting 7:00 PM at the Riata Springs Baptist Church, Richland, WA
December 12 Christmas Party at Cousin's Restaurant in Pasco 1:00 PM-5:00 PM. We will again have a gift exchange, bring a "unisex" gift with a value up to $10.00 if you wish to participate.
January 22? Annual dinner meeting to install new officers and start to plan for a new year of touring. Date, time, and place to be determined at the December monthly meeting.
June 27 - July 1 2011 MTFCA National Tour, Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
Treasurer - Mike Porter
Marlene Coder - 1 year
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
Dale Peterson
After the transmission problem was resolved, our first real tour with Miss Daisy was a weekend trip to Joseph, Oregon with the Three Rivers Model T Club. Was it ever good to get behind the wheel, cruising the back roads with friends. Since we live between the Tri-Cities and Joseph, we met up with the tour at Westin, OR for breakfast. Then it was down the road with the first obstacle, Tollgate Hill.
Recently, we had gone on a one day tour with the Walla Walla Historic Auto Club to Fishhook Park. On the way, Miss Daisy had lost power and quit. After pulling to a stop, nothing could be found to explain this ocurance. A pull on the crank after a thorough examination and the engine roared to life and off we went to finish the trip.
Now back to the Joseph trip, all was going well until 3/4 up Tollgate Hill, Miss Daisy again lost power and came to a stop. With more hill to go and lunch waiting ahead, we accepted the indignity of being loaded on the trouble trailer. After a great meal, I just couldn't give up and not at least try to finish the trip with Miss Daisy. Mike Porter told me that the best way to find the answer to an intermittent T problem was to just keep on driving it and it would eventually make itself known. So when a pull on the crank all seemed well with good compression, on with the key and she fired up just fine. Well, she couldn't get off the vulture wagon quick enough. No more problems all the way to Joseph including two more fair hills. A side trip to Imnaha was taken in stride and it seemed Miss Daisy was doing just fine.
On the way back it was my turn to let Miss Daisy down. With all the distractions of the morning, I had forgotten to fill the gas tank. This time when Miss Daisy came to a halt going up hill, it was a sudden loss of power and the cause was quickly determined to be a lack of gasoline. But not to despair, one of the other drivers had a gallon for times such as this and we made it the remaining three miles to the pump at Enterprise. Only a little embarrassed, we were soon on our way back up Tollgate Hill. But nearly half way up, Miss Daisy again lost power and came to a halt. A little time on the side of the road and just like before, she started right up and continued up the hill. Only she lost power again in just a couple miles and this time when she stopped, it was with a notable drawn out metallic squeak. And also, this time after a short time, then a longer time, the crank was not going to budge. The rest of the group had gone ahead earlier and left Jim Langdon in his Model A behind to make sure we made it back OK. Out came a tow strap and Miss Daisy made it to the top of the hill where we could call our son Jay to bring the truck and trailer to rescue us.
Once home, it was again time to set the hood aside and get the hands greasy. Bill Sheller was planning a tour to the old Barlow Road and around Mount Hood in three months, and I was really looking forward to that trip. I was sure glad for that inspection plate on the bottom of the pan and the flat head that made it easy to get to the business end of the T engine. With the head off, it was obvious where the problem was. The number 2 cylinder was gouged pretty badly. With the upcoming tour getting closer, I made the decision to pull the one piston, remedy the problem as best I could and see if Miss Daisy would be ready in time. The rod bearings seemed to be just fine and it wasn't until the piston was out that I learned the source of the problem. The wrist pin had frozen and had actually welded itself to the aluminum piston. A hone removed all of the scrape marks except two that I could still feel with my fingernail (and see with my eyes). But, I really wanted to go on Bill's tour, so one new piston with rings installed, the job was finished with the thought that if it used too much oil, winter was a much better time to pull the engine and do a rebuild.
Just for good measure, dippers on the rod caps, a water pump, and an outside oil line was added. The cause of the failure? I'm not sure but I do know that 1) the engine had sat for over 20 years after rebuilding and the bearings were likely dry and 2) the long steep up hills out west leave the front of the engine without much oil from the splash oil system.
The decision must have been a good one because Miss Daily did just fine, climbing from bottom to top of the Columbia Gorge at least five times on the tour. And, she still does not smoke or seem to burn more than the normal amount of oil. So lessons learned this time? First, even though Henry made one of the most reliable cars of the time, he also did a good job of making a car that the average Joe could easily work on. Why else are there so many of them still around. Second, I sure love driving Miss Daisy!