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Model T Project Page 3
U.S. WW1 AMBULANCE COMES TO LIFE
The Engine It was time to pull the engine out and break it down to see what kind of condition it was in. I suspected that the engine was in good enough condition to run on its own but I had to do a partial tear down to replace all the seals.
The Engine came out very easily by sliding it forward off the drive shaft. Then the two of us lifted the motor out of the frame, then we hung it on the engine stand. The crankcase was removed and I found no evidence of engine trauma from its previous life from back in the 1930's. I removed the timing cover and inspected the gears, The crankshaft and rods looked good, camshaft looked good, valves looked good, everything was just gunky dirty from very old oil and blasting media that had gotten in the engine from the sandblasting shop.
I took the crankcase to the car wash and then cleaned it up and re-painted it. I sprayed the whole engine and transmission out with carb cleaner and a parts brush. It took about 12 large cans before I was satisfied that I had all the grit out. Then I sprayed clean motor oil all through the inside of the engine and turned it over by hand so everything would be coated and cleaned. Then I put the engine back together using new gaskets and seals. The old engine cleaned up pretty good and I was feeling good about putting it back together and starting it up.
While the engine was out it was time to paint the frame its military color. I used reproduction military paint Khaki Olive Green (It is a Pre World War 2 shade). The entire car is being painted by hand with a brush. That was how the car would have been painted on dock when they were delivered to France. Soldiers with a pail of paint and a brush.....thats the way it was done.
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The Engine came out very easily by sliding it forward off the drive shaft. Then the two of us lifted the motor out of the frame, then we hung it on the engine stand. The crankcase was removed and I found no evidence of engine trauma from its previous life from back in the 1930's. I removed the timing cover and inspected the gears, The crankshaft and rods looked good, camshaft looked good, valves looked good, everything was just gunky dirty from very old oil and blasting media that had gotten in the engine from the sandblasting shop.
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I began to build up the engine as well as other new parts in the systems ....such as new brakes on the rear wheels (important) and I replaced the old worn out cotton transmission bands with new wooden ones. The wheels and tires went on and finally .....the radiator and hoses, whew!!! I mounted a motorcycle battery to supply electrical power for the first engine start because I didn't know if the magneto was in working order.
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This car was last started sometime back in the 1930's when it was driven into or towed into a field and abandoned...left for dead. It was now time to try and start the old "Tin Lizzy" and bring her to life in the next century 70 years later.....
It took about 10 cranks and "Tin Lizzy" coughed, sputtered a little and smoothed right out.
Alive Once Again
First Engine Start Video
It took about 10 cranks and "Tin Lizzy" coughed, sputtered a little and smoothed right out.
Alive Once Again
First Engine Start Video
Moving Under Her Own Power For the First Time Since The Great Depression
The Front Sheet Metal
My original LH and RH Cowl Panels were rusted out. I ordered TT Truck panels as replacements because they are manufactured without the door. I must say that cutting and fitting these replacement panels was a lot of work but the patience paid off with a really nice looking Cowl. It was then time to to bolt the Fenders, Running Boards, and Hood Shelves into place. I routed the electrical harness and installed leather hood lacing on the firewall. I also installed a new rear hood retainer.
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Since all the wiring for the Head Lamps was now in place, I installed my restored head lamps that I had finished at the beginning of the project. I attached the wiring and installed the light switch in the firewall. Now the head lights work!!
Next will be to apply some touch-up paint on all the new bolts and start working on the Ambulance Body.
Picture This:
Tin Lizzy bringing back the wounded at night on the muddy shell torn dirt roads of France. The flash of artillery in the night sky....the sound of the guns...dodging the shell holes and columns of troops, trying to get your valuable cargo to the nearest aid station...life depends on it...knowing some will not survive the journey.
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Picture This:
The Ambulance Body
The LH and RH Main Sills have been fitted and bolted in place. I custom fit the
LH and RH cowling supports. The karosene lanterns are bolted to these cowling supports.
LH and RH cowling supports. The karosene lanterns are bolted to these cowling supports.
The 5 cross members (bolsters) have been fitted into place.
I fabricated all the floor boards from .75 pine and poplar and custom fit them as required. Then I made support straps from .125 thick steel. I used 1.5 angle iron and carriage bolts to mount the heel board.
The completed floorboards and mounted oil lamps. I fabricated mounting brackets for the oil lamps from .125 steel.
Reverse Pedal Extension
Tom Strickling donated one of his fine reproductions of a period Reverse Pedal Extension. "Never Get Your (Combat) Boots Caught Again". This is a cast aluminum slip on pedal with a retaining bolt. No Modifications to the car. The idea is that your big ole foot does not get tangled or accidently depress the other pedals when using reverse. If your interested in getting one of these for your Model T you can contact Tom at the following link. strickstuff@yahoo.com
Reverse Pedal Extension
Tom Strickling donated one of his fine reproductions of a period Reverse Pedal Extension. "Never Get Your (Combat) Boots Caught Again". This is a cast aluminum slip on pedal with a retaining bolt. No Modifications to the car. The idea is that your big ole foot does not get tangled or accidently depress the other pedals when using reverse. If your interested in getting one of these for your Model T you can contact Tom at the following link. strickstuff@yahoo.com
Home Page 4
STAY TUNED!!!!!! I HAVE LOTS MORE TO SHOW YOU!!!!!!!
David L. O'Neal
shellshock@ww1history.com
Kansas, USA
