Ford Model T - Starting Safely & How to Change Gear

[@sirMAXX77]

The great thing about owning a Model-T, is you wouldn't even need to lock it, or get a car alarm. The car itself is it's own security, a thief wouldn't know how to start it, let alone drive it.

[@peterbaan9671]

Like manual transmissions in US cars.

[@kevinkennedy8598]

I don’t know a single person who dosent know how to drive stick their are plenty of standard vehicles in the u.s not as many as in Europe obviously but still plenty driving around. I have had many standard pickups and cars. I think they are overrated big time. These newer autos are in every single aspect better than a standard. Europeans are just full of themselves or don’t know anything and think that driving standard is a super power when it is easy and can be learned by anyone who wants to learn it. It’s just a bs stereo type and most things in the us such as trucks are much more challenging to drive then the little euro cars.

[@EricRomeoCooper]

Unless.........he went to youtube.....

[@supercatlive]

@Kevin KennedyNo one: You: GOD Europeans are so FULL OF THEMSELVES

[@bigman8994]

@@EricRomeoCooperunless you’re deaf, you’ll hear the person starting it up and swearing while they try to get it working

[@UfoDan100]

When I was a young kid back in the late 1950's/early 60's my dad used to barrow our neighbors 1925 Model T and take us for a ride on a nice summer evening. A great memory from 55 years ago !

[@pcampbell17]

I have my great great grandfather's Model T (1924) that he bought brand new. Thanks for these vids, I am getting ready to restore it and hopefully drive her around. Cheers from Ohio/USA

[@jhogan1960]

Very good video. My dad is 83, and when I was a kid, I would listen to him and my grandmother talk about their Model T on the Farm. I wish cars were this simple. They were a useful car, simple. Makes me think of my old Volvo 240's

[@ModelTMitch]

That's a good advertising perspective I like it :) .... "The Ford Model T: Cruise Control since 1908" ... has a good ring to it :)

[@ChrisTubutis]

Thanks, Mitch! I was one of the ones asking for this video. :) From ~4 yo to 15 yo, my father had a 1924 4-door Model T that was his grandfather's; it sat in a barn prior to moving to the back of our garage. As a kid, I was enamored with it, thought of hooking up a battery charger to play with the electric stuff (always wanted to hear the horn) but never did, frayed wires scared me. We sold it when we moved to Colorado, got $3,500 USD for it.

[@ModelTMitch]

So long as the radiator has adequate water, and you don't drive it constantly in low gear or uphill, or leave the engine idling at full spark for lengthy periods, the engine shouldn't overheat at all, even on a hot day.

[@phonoboy6578]

I knew a lady, born in 1906, that told me, thanks to the gravity fed fuel system, that when, going up a steep hill in town, she would have to go in reverse so as to keep the car from stalling.

[@noone-nd4ml]

Phonoboy yes this is true

[@robertnrobretual2749]

Thank you

[@rayunseitig6367]

My Dad (1899) mentioned that to me.

[@calvinhandley2373]

Reverse also had a lower gear ratio than low gear, making hill climbing easier.

[@LMacNeill]

My grandfather told me about this, too. He said there was a hill in his neighborhood that was so steep that *everyone* had to drive up it backwards. It was comical to see half the neighborhood driving up backwards in order to keep their engines from stalling. He also told me about a problem with the fact that factory cap for the radiator and for the fuel tank were *exactly* the same -- except the fuel-cap had a small, hard-to-notice hole in it to allow air into the fuel tank as the engine sucked out the fuel. People would occasionally mix up the radiator cap and the fuel-cap, and if the radiator cap was on the fuel-tank, the fuel would eventually quit flowing because of the vacuum that had built up, and the engine would stall. Of course, as soon as it stalled, the air would flow into the tank through the carburetor and equalize the pressure -- meaning the engine would start right back up again as if nothing was wrong. A very common complaint at the mechanic's of the day was a Model T that would stall like this. Simply swapping the caps would fix it. ;-) Of course, people that had installed one of those thermometer-caps like Mr. Taylor here has done wouldn't have this issue. But the car wasn't equipped with that cap from the factory. Just a little Model T trivia for you. :-)

[@enr3870]

Sure it does, when the Model T came out, Canadians drove on the same side of the road as in the UK. My great granfather remembers when they changed over to Left Hand Drive.

[@ianmahon4396]

this is the most comprehensive on this that i have found thank you

[@MRCOOL2345e]

The Ford Model T, cruise control since 1908. Great car by the way. I really enjoy the videos about it.

[@ModelTMitch]

You are right, yes, important to remember though when shifting down to low gear to back off the throttle to idle, so as not to race the engine... So in practice it's... Reduce throttle, then depress the clutch and pull the hand brake back to the middle. The hand brake action is not necessary though, as the pedal does the shifting. Releasing the clutch pedal with the hand brake in the middle will actually put you in neutral. Also halfway between high and low on the clutch is also neutral!

[@davidkean1487]

Just had a crash course( no pun intended) in driving a model T. I know what I was supposed to do but making my brain connect to my feet in some situations was a little difficult!

[@ModelTMitch]

It's not difficult, just different 😊

[@Modeltnick]

Nice T! I have a 1916 touring with no electric starter. It runs and drives well. With a little practice, you get to where you don't have to fool with the brake lever during normal driving. When you come to a stop sign, etc., simply push the clutch pedal half way (to neutral) and the brake until you stop. It does take some practice to judge where neutral is when first learning how to operate the clutch pedal while under way. Thanks for posting!

[@HarmanMotorWorks]

Great video as always. That temp gauge is almost an essential addon for our Aussie summers too. Cheers.

[@tlfrantz1]

Great video!! I love seeing a young Aussie loving an old American car! Thanks for the video!

[@1940limited]

The Model A was certainly a huge improvement.

[@Wlechija]

Hi Mitch, great video. I drive a 1946 Ford pickup,see avatar, as a daily, with flathead and 3 speed gearbox. Not as complicated as a T ,but still have to double-declutch,etc. An anecdote I heard years ago about starting model Ts , was that during the cold winters in the US they used to jack one rear wheel up and turn that, because the oil in the gearbox was thickened by the cold and the car would drive forward, even in neutral, into the person using the starting handle. Also the car was reversed into the garage for the same reason, not getting pinned between the car and wall if using the handle.

[@exquisiteoaf]

You are the Bob Ross of car videos.(That's a positive thing.) Import a Franklin and do a video on that. Or anything else cool and old. I'd like to see you get something very common like a Volkswagen Type I and do these kind of videos about it. Seriously, you have a gift for this.

[@ModelTMitch]

exquisiteoaf Thanks for the positive comment :)

[@Peterjohn32]

dam thats a close fit with the top o

[@ModelTMitch]

In that old shed yes - about 12mm to be exact!

[@Peterjohn32]

@@ModelTMitch 10 year Old comment 🤣 brought me back to watch again 👍

[@whatdoidonext2234]

Good point on changing the timing so as to not break a crank shaft and also ruining a bearing!!! Well taken!

[@iinvokemyfirstamendmentrig7937]

The price of simplicity in car design is the driver is more responsible for the engine. Personally I prefer having more control over the vehicle I'm driving. Some people prefer not to. For those, they can continue driving their overcomplicated modern vehicles. The more parts a vehicle has, the more that can break. I do not have a Model T or A (yet) but I do still drive a somewhat old vehicle (mid 80s). I chose it because it is of much simpler design than modern cars and less to break. If I had a Model A or Model T, I would very likely drive it as a daily driver.

[@yuricat5892]

I Invoke My First Amendment Rights I have both a 1979 vw rabbit and a 2003 Mazda 6 And the rabbit is much more fun to drive and less maintenance

[@wjsj69]

Yes, the codes are "secret" so you have to go to stealership to get it sorted in the back, while they sort your wallet for you in the front.

[@jameswil7687]

I'm planning on getting a Model A for a daily driver. I've been designing things on paper that I can build cheaply to improve one to run a little better in today's time. Overdrive and a OHV head for it. I guess it's strange for someone that's only 20 to want such an old car. But I love them. All around a much better car than a modern one to me. And they can be found quite cheap for a running one in good condition.

[@larryware1]

This video answered my question about how you know the car is in neutral while starting. Thanks for your information videos, Mitch!

[@gold333]

14:15s what would happen if you pushed the clutch in all the way at this point?

[@albertsmith678]

I just have to say great video and if people today had to drive their cars there would be no texting and driving!

[@hartleymartin]

Not a lot of clearance between the top of the car and the top of the garage doorway when reversing out there!

[@williamthethespian]

Amazing. Adapting to the A after years of modern foot movement, must take quite a bit of practice.

[@erebostd]

This is amazing! I wonder why the changed that in the development of newer cars...

[@noelguerrero2770]

A few years back, I had the privilege of refurbishing the engine of a previously restored a 1930 Ford Victoria. I can still remember how the owner's eyes lit up the moment his gem started. Afterwards we had to clean up the garage and the other cars in it because every thing was covered in carbon dust.

[@jonathonhines5614]

such a beautiful car.

[@ztwntyn8]

That was awesome! I always wondered about the timing and throttle.... but absolutely no idea on the pedals. I could drive one now from this. Well, gotta get it started first but I see how to do that as well. Similar to a modern ignition interrupt or like some of us without high torque starters, turn the dist and start, then use timing gun. That's so cool and I would love to try my hand at a hill (from a roll ha). It is a true 'driver's' automobile. I bet some people had a hard time. I'm sure most guys caught on but man, only a small percentage could really feel it, hear it and make the adjustments. This is when driving kept your attention and to me, is fun.

[@ModelTMitch]

Thankyou for the comment, it's these positive messages that makes me want to share more videos :)

[@ztwntyn8]

I told all of the older guys at work. They knew about timing and throttle but the brake lever/shifter blew their mind. I would love to drive one and try a hill, backing the timing etc. That is when you had to drive a car... and be smart about it. Thank you for the video!

[@MoparStephen]

Fascinating videos. I only now (2018) stumbled upon them via random KZbin suggestion.

[@race1006]

You have a vehicle that came with " Rocky Mountain" brakes....(cast right into the brake pedal foot grip)....Henry's idea of Heavy Duty....It's just so cool to be able to see the marketing of that era, The proud owner wouldn't have to say a word. Everyone looking could 'see' the options, literally, the different tops, for example, or as I saw, the option being shown...and cleaverly, I might add. I'm not knocking him...He got us where we are today...

[@tomyarifutomoable]

I always love cars from the old days...

[@davidharris2178]

Great video. Thanks for the instruction. I hope to drive one some day!

[@RanmaChanAndKunoKun]

So much involvement in getting the vehicle to operate, I can only see this is a good thing as it means the driver actually does more than just sit and point the care in the direction you're wanting to go.

[@Famous_Mist]

yes. we should feed and kill ourselves a cow before we ate it

[@jlmust]

Great video, I'm looking at purchasing a model T and your video really helped me understand how the starting and pedals work. Thanks

[@noone-nd4ml]

You've earned a sub and you should have more

[@zzzdogutube]

Thanks Mitch!

[@51WCDodge]

That looks suprisingly fast on the acceleration. Need to plan well ahead that's for sure.

[@exchaoordo]

These are great, thanks!

[@colliesntractors]

Great videos!!! Hope you share more of your T with us. Love your Model T, its a nice car. :)

[@peteacher52]

Hi Mitch - very interesting and informative. My late father's talk of driving a Model T now make sense; even going up a hill in reverse to maintain gravity fed petrol flow! 1925 engine oil was greatly different to modern lubes. Can you get by on SAE30 mono such as we'd put in lawn mowers, or is there a line of oils for veteran engines?

[@ModelTMitch]

Thanks for your comment :) -- yes the modern oils work just fine, HOWEVER... ensure you DO NOT use any oil with names like "Magnatec" or similar Magnetic Oils - while they are fine with modern engines, these oils contain magnetic particles which attracts the oil to metal surfaces within the engine and gearbox. These oils are damaging to a Model T, because of the magneto. Magnetic oils will gum up the magneto and prevent it working very quickly. I personally use Valvoline XLD Premium 15W-40, it's inexpensive and performs perfectly.

[@peteacher52]

***** Thanks! That's interesting too.

[@tlfrantz1]

***** Use oils with a zinc additive, some say 'ZDDP' the zinc is important for those flat tappet cam engines. Here in the States the enviros made us take all the zinc out of oil, thus that oil can destroy an older engine's camshaft in as little as 500 miles.

[@tmackinator]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to post it. When you are in high gear and need to return to low gear, is it just a matter of positioning the hand brake to the middle position and stepping on the clutch petal? In that the transmission is planetary I would guess you can do this while still in motion at an appropriatre speed? Thanks TM

[@rogerthompson5203]

Really great video which clarifies many things. You have shown us how to change up to second gear, but can you then change back down to first when going up a steep hill by simply putting your foot all the way down on the clutch or would the gear change stick need to be moved too? I have also heard that you can just pull back on the lever to the brake position if you need to brake suddenly??

[@paeck86]

What a beauty!!! Thx for sharing!

[@invisableobserver]

I see you don't have the option for an "antique" license plate in Australia like we do in the states. I believe there is a option for a magneto upgrade & an electric radiator fan now.

[@ModelTMitch]

Actually we do have what's called Historic registration, which also has a different license plate to full registration. I recently changed my Model T over to Historic rego as it's a lot cheaper! :) I'll be posting a video of it soon :)

[@Soaptastesok]

Around 15:35 you mention Canadian built model t's have the steering wheel on the right side. Did you mean to say England-built? In Canada we drive on the left side as well.

[@captww1]

Hi Mitch...great video...just wanted to comment on what you mentioned about the Canadian built cars...they were built with a functional driver door, which was usually useless in Canada, as the steering column, and park brake were still on the left, although CDN built EXPORT models did have the controls on the right side...just thought I'd clarify that...Wilf

[@Dylanmcdonald05]

That car is so amazing I love the 29 39 pickups too but my dream car is a 1956 ford f100

[@dukat03]

At 14:15 you show how to come to a stop, but then you engage the parking brake, can you show how to come to stoplight and then go (I doubt you use the parking brake when at a stop light :)

[@Kaputnik11]

Love your videos :) but what is it like to own one? maintenance wise, I'm looking to buy one.

[@ibsoarin]

If you are familiar with vintage and antique automobiles, then a Ford Model T is typical of the era. If someone has never owned an antique automobile, then they have to be aware of the regular maintenance that they require.. It is almost useless to take a Ford Model T to a modern automobile technician. They will not know what to do with it.

[@charliejohnson4166]

I just bought a speedster for my kid.. The next generation of car caretakers. I bought it as its hard to drive. Easy to fix And tskes concentration while driving it. He loves it so much he taught his little girl friend to drive it. Its in ,my hobby shop now getting a fresh paint job. For its 93rd b day...

[@charliejohnson4166]

I have a big model,T WORK TRUCK 4 SALE WITH THE CREEPER GEAR. .. HAVE TO TELL YA OLD MR. FORD. WAS A MAN AHEAD OF HIS TIME....... I THINK OF HIM EVERY TIME I,POUR THAT. KINGS FORD. CHARCOL ON THE GRILL.

[@KamranHaider]

Great ride, nice demonstration, thanks for sharing, man

[@markh12891]

Thanks for doing the very interesting video. I went to Parramatta park on Australia day and was talk to a guy who drives a Model T to work every day. This got me curious how to drive it since it sounded so unconventional. At 11m18s when the video is looking out the window I wanted to see what your left leg was doing :( Google should try making one of these driverless :)

[@ModelTMitch]

+Mark Heuzenroeder Thanks for the comment(s)... The Model T you saw on Australia Day a blue C-cab truck by any chance?

[@ChrisJB84]

Nice video! I have always wondered about how to drive one. It looks complicated lol. But Im guessing there is no down shifting? Courious what you would do if you were driving along and had to down shift.

[@ridethroughlifertl]

You need a Gopro with a head mount. I think you'd get a lot of use out of it! Great video though.

[@ModelTMitch]

Great idea! I do have a GoPro now, may have to make a new video!

[@greenmtnman7714]

I can see how your leg could get tired holding down the low gear pedal for an extended time period. Was there ever a way to lock the pedal in the down position?

[@ModelTMitch]

Good question :) No, there's no way to lock the pedal in the down position, but good news is, you don't need to, that would be like saying can I lock my modern car in first gear, because that's all you'd be doing. Unless you're climbing a steep grade, you don't leave it in low gear, I always get into high gear as soon as possible - this also saves the band linings from unnecessary wear and tear :)

[@greenmtnman7714]

What I was referring to would be where you might be on a wood road or logging road. The conditions would be such so that you can't go fast enough to get into high gear.

[@Soaptastesok]

Just so you're aware greenmtnman, you can start in a modern car in second gear. First gear is unique in the sense that it exists for one purpose; to get the car into second. You do not want to drive in first if at ever possible.

[@int53185]

My dad broke his arm starting a Model T. He said it kicked back on him. Also my aunt was learning to drive on a Model T and apparently didn't get the pedals right and drive right through a barn. Needless to say she never learned to drive after that.

[@southernwulf530]

It's almost like driving a tractor, well the only thing in common is the clutch( just not the same action) and the engine RPM, well on a tractor you have two, the lever and foot pedal

[@mpadil]

Thank you Mitch these are great videos ...this gives me a birds eye view of what my dear ol mum had to do back in her day she drove her 1919 Model - T from 1930 thru 1941 in the State of Idaho with allot of snow and ice in the winter, then she volunteered to join the U.S Navy at the start of WWII She was a tough o bird she was, may she rest in peace now. Have you had a chance to watch the Walton's T.v series ? you look similar to John Boy on the show........look on youtube..thanks.

[@ANDROIDMTKKING]

.Nice ride bro.awesome.whats the old vintage music in the intro.

[@j12torts]

Beautiful oldie car I want one. How much was the import? Any special rules for rego?

[@gravedigr12]

very sweet ride

[@Armi1P]

I can't image how that clutch work internaly, it's seems so illogical

[@ibsoarin]

Imagine a planetary transmission like a modern automatic transmission has. Instead of automatic tightening of the various transmission bands, the Ford Model T's low speed transmission band is manually tightened by pressing down on the clutch pedal (low gear). When the clutch pedal is released all the way back, then the transmission is shifted into direct drive (high gear). When the clutch pedal is held in the middle, then the transmission is disengaged (neutral). You could learn to drive a Model T Ford in less than 10 minutes. You just have to forget about anything that you have done before. That is the hard part.

[@Groveish]

@@ibsoarin So it's not at all like the clutch in the manuals which just disengages the flywheel from the transmission.

[@chasehenley83]

Seems fun to drive

[@Sheloppe]

This is very cool.

[@ryanwoodward3801]

awesome model T love it

[@SunnyAustria]

Thanks so much for sharing this!! :-)

[@esapk1]

How do you change back to the low gear when the vehicle is still moving? I think I have not seen that. Do you have to set the hand(brake) lever to the neutral position first or just press the clutch pedal? How is it done?

[@RaginCountryBoy]

Great video!!!

[@scottwheeler1641]

Hi, It seems there are three bands in the gearbox, reverse, brake, and low speed. But im not sure how it changes into high speed. I believe it is 1-1 gearing in high. Could you please describe this for me, Many thanks, Scott from Cornwall

[@6arO0O2a]

great car ,i love old cars

[@Mercmad]

Your T looks to be quie original, is it an older restoration or just a well preserved car?.i learned to crank engfines by practicing on a pair of T's at my local Ford dealer ship. Both were cars that Ford NZ would loan to dealers for Display. in the 1960's .

[@ModelTMitch]

Older restoration :) It's fared well since 1966 :)

[@Mercmad]

Well that's 51` years, it was newer when it was restored than what it is now .. a really nice example .

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

Lovely video. Thanks. 🙂

[@ruawhitepaw]

All the controls seem difficult to me, but they are just unfamiliar. I imagine that once you practice, it becomes as natural as driving a modern car?

[@sunnycloud69]

What were the top speeds for these vehicles stock ?

[@ModelTMitch]

Ford claimed the Model T had a top speed of 45mph (72km/h)

[@MrWolfSnack]

***** But that would be unwise on wooden-spoke wheels and unpaved or nonexistent roads of the time period, unless you were mad.

[@Haruki_Aikawa]

Mitch, I could listen to that electric start all day long, something about those 6 volt starters cranking over all that steel. By the way... Is there any kind of cut out for the starter button? As so it isn't activated accidentally once the engine is over and running... Or is it just a tough button?

[@Heroofutopia]

This really helped.

[@Famous_Mist]

very good vídeo and Car. thank you

[@PetrScorpio]

Nice, Thank you

[@mudemmeonick]

How did you manage to get the car into Austria? Care to talk us about the process?

[@kurttappe]

* Australia

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

Pretty darn cool

[@wbarney59]

you seem like a very nice young fella god bless and thank you fir good videos

[@Mercmad]

PS, you have rocky mountain brakes too?

[@ModelTMitch]

Yes I fitted those a few years back :)

[@rpeek]

That's awesome!

[@armandpekah5298]

Very interesting! How do you tell if you are within the speed limit/s including school zones & the like? What's the top speeds on down hill, on flat road, on up hill? Do you have 2 gear speeds for reverse also? Do you ever get confused driving the Model T, accidentally (forgetting momentarily) using the various controls like it was your regular modern vehicle? Does it have a fan belt to run a fan to cool the radiator? If not I can see why motor would easily over heat on a hot day! Thanks for the demo!

[@Antiquetractorsetc]

Is it possibly to have a Model A or a Model T truck as a daily driver?

[@ModelTMitch]

Yes it is - my friend in Sydney has a Model T truck as his *only* daily driver.

[@nitro105]

Find Jay Leno's comments on youtube about driving his Model T daily

[@robertsmith5744]

If you are low on gasoline you may have to climb a hill in reverse, yep. -- It is a gravity fed carburetor.....and you might starve the carburetor of fuel in a steep climb.

[@ferenczattilagabor]

Is the car shake inside at idle?

[@peterschmidt6571]

GREAT,and THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Ham549]

What about down shifting?

[@rolanschneider5182]

You have pretty garage :)

[@ModelTMitch]

+Rolan Schneider Thankyou, although it's a common Australian garage - nothing special :)

[@AureliusR]

Why would the Canadian one be on the right? We drive on the right.

[@DoomFinger511]

What did it cost to buy and import a Model-T?

[@PolizeiPaul]

Wow, I didn't know the Canadian Model T has the steering wheel on the right, All Canadian cars now days I think have it on the left just like U.S.

[@Footrotflats251]

howcome you didnt put it on club plates?

[@ModelTMitch]

It is now :)

[@Footrotflats251]

@@ModelTMitchhow much is club reg all up per year in nsw? Think it’s like $100 member fee, $90 permit fee for 45 days or 180 for 90 days, no pink slip Nearly 100 years of the somewhat modern motorcar 👀

[@Rebar160]

Did they ever make a right hand drive model t?

[@ModelTMitch]

They certainly did, these were built in Canada as a rolling chassis and engine, the bodies were added in the countries they were sold, including Australia.

[@CatsForLife21]

Thanks for the information. #OneMessageFoundation

[@stanleydenning]

Electric start was an expensive option in 1926. In 1927, it was standard. At least that's what my dad told me. He was an expert restorer.

[@ronhicks4671]

my first car in 1962 was a t model ford cost me 27 pound had to double shuffel no syncro gears