Preservation
Collection
U.S. WW1 AMBULANCE COMES TO LIFE
Eventually, I had the entire car stripped down to the frame and engine. I decided to remove the engine head and inspect the valves and pistons for carbon build up. Upon removing the the head I found that a squirrel or chipmunk had made a winter nest inside many years ago. I found a nice cache of acorns and walnuts with some soft bedding inside the head...he had a good winter, all the nuts had been eaten. He must have gotten in where one of the hoses had rotted away. This left an open door for the little guy to come and go as he pleased.
Once the head was removed I was amazed how clean the engine was inside. No rust and very little carbon. It was then that I decided I would try to start the engine with out a re-build.
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The next order of business was to get the frame and engine down to the sandblasting shop. I put blocking plates made out of wood on all the open ports of the engine and sealed them with silicone gasket sealer. I called a tow truck and hauled the naked Model T to the sandblasting shop. I hauled all the other parts in my pick-up truck.
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Unfortunately, the high pressure of the sandblaster blew out some of the old brittle gasket material on the engine and allowed blasting media into the engine. With the engine being clean and painted it was a lot nicer taking it apart to clean and inspect the inside. I'll show that phase later.
My sights were now set on restoring components like the kerosene lanterns, the steering wheel, the coil box, the head lights etc. As I finished restoring these items, I stored them in a safe place so I could use them as new parts when I was ready for them.
I also had to get new parts on order so I would have the parts on hand when I was ready for them.
New Gas Tank
Carb sent out for re-build
Radiator sent out for re-core
Coils sent out for re-build
Found replacement wheels and tires - my wheels were rotted through and falling apart
