Ford Model T - A Closer Look: Transmission & Clutch

[@joevignolor4u949]

Someone once told me that the company manufacturing the transmission gears for Ford was given specifications for the boxes that the gears were to be shipped in. When a manager from the company visited the Ford plant he found out why. They were cutting up the empty wooden shipping crates and using them to make the floorboards in the Model T. So those floorboards you removed, if they were original, were once the shipping containers that the transmission gears came in.

[@andrewwilson8317]

It's a surprisingly sophisticated transmission system for its age. A tried and tested design that shows the genius of the designers

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

The Model-T was not only the most affordable car of the 1910's, it was easier to drive than other cars of the era.

[@markusr7421]

Absolutely true! Many other cars were much more complicated to handle and they are losing oil while driving - loss lubrication. So anyone, who is thinking this car is affordable to drive, should get deeper into automobile's history...

[@dntlss]

that distance between the roof of the T and your garage looks like it could have been measured with a feeler gauge,lol, gorgeous little car, thank you for posting

[@ModelTMitch]

Yes it fits through that door with about quarter inch clearance lol :) Thanks for the comment :)

[@joevignolor4u949]

I find it interesting that the Model T's two speed manual transmission uses planetary gears, bands, drums and stacks of clutch plates somewhat similar to those used in a modern automatic transmission. I guess good ideas have a way of sticking around.

[@robertsmith4861]

Very useful videos for anyone who is "pre-literate" with the care and feeding of your Model T. Thank you Mitch!

[@TiagoFerreira20930]

I must say... The intro is VERY GOOD! Well done :)

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Nice. As someone curious about the Model T, this is a perfect introduction to one of its elements.

[@JoshBrinson]

Losing your key in the gearbox. A phrase no one will ever hear again.

[@user2C47]

Removing the key would also prevent the engine from accidentally being started.

[@dougrundell947]

I love these demonstrations.

[@garyklafta3411]

You might have to drive one one day.

[@Ken19700]

Basically it's an automatic transmission with a human valve body.

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

Ford invented automatic transmission in 1908.

[@laurenceperkins7468]

Sort of. A traditional automatic transmission is a planetary transmission with a torque converter and valving to control the shifting. This is a planetary transmission but just uses the bands and a clutch for starting and stopping with no torque converter. Occasionally you'll also find transmissions that pair a torque converter with a regular manual transmission to get the compactness and large number of ratios available with a manual but not require careful control of the clutch for starting. It's most common on large trucks and some farm equipment.

[@chasehenley83]

Kind of yeah

[@MrGsteele]

Well, that was a hoot to watch, along with the other videos of yours that did the intro and the first one on shifting. Haven't found the one you mentioned on the brakes, but I'll look. A fascinating look back at the early days of automobiles. My first car was a 1953 Ford - the 50th Anniversary edition, as it was known, and it cost me $200 in 1960. Flathead V-8 automatic, whose best and worst features were the smoothness of the engine. Best, because it was smooth as silk and ultra quiet - no vibration at all. Worst, because it was so smooth that people would think it had stalled at a light, and try to start it while the engine was running. The starter motor would then chip the ring gear on the flywheel, and at some point, when you tried to start the car, the starter Bendix gear would jam, and you'd have to push the car to start it. Unless you're the Hulk, you can't jump-start an automatic by pushing it. Loved the car, but my mother had a fit and made me take it back to the dealer. I still have a Model A transmission in the cellar that was hooked up to a WWII-era turret lathe I owned for quick gear changes. Very interesting video, and well done; thanks!

[@joeguzman3558]

Thank you very very much for all your time and instructions ,im in the market for my very first model t and your videos are priceless.

[@lmoore5264]

I always heard my dad talk of how to drive a Model T, but in my head I had it all wrong. Thank you for a great video that brought back memories for me. I think I could confidently drive a Model T after watching your video. I love to hear that Australian accent.

[@thomaswebb9705]

Thanks again Mitch - another great video that - frankly - does a better job of explaining Model T details than just about any other video I have ever seen - including the ones you actually have to pay for! Cheers, Tom W.

[@jamesgrumbos4944]

Another great video from Mitch. I have learned quite a lot obout my T from this man. Thanks, Jim

[@roybo1930]

I LOVE THESE LITTLE CARS! The First Model T I ever drove was a 1920 Center Door Sedan! Boy I hade to get used to it! But after a hour of driving, IT WAS A LOT OF FUN INDEED!

[@jaswmclark]

Good video. The way I was taught to use the handbrake was to hold the palm of my left hand away from my leg, grip the handle with my fingers, and use my thumb to push the latch. I know it sounds awkward but I learned this from a 1921 edition of Dykes Automotive Encyclopedia.

[@brycenew]

Really great vid mate! Many thanks for making this & the others. My mother-in-law has one in storage back in NZ that her father had. Hoping to fire it up & take it for a drive when we are over later this year. These vids are incredibly (underlined) helpful training vids 😊 Thanks again!

[@LMacNeill]

You definitely need all four limbs to drive a Model T. :-D

[@papaike2]

Old Henry wanted to keep your limbs busy all right.

[@jeffvair62]

Outstanding video! Thank you for doing such a great job of explaining the workings of the driveline.

[@cnance1972]

Very simple , yet so very well thought out . Nice videos thank you for sharing!!

[@jky5830]

Great Video. Just bought my first 27 sedan. A little confused as to how this trans worked. This really helped. Thanx.

[@Modeltnick]

With a little experience, you don't have to leave the hand brake in "neutral" as you can learn how to hold the left pedal in neutral while at a stop. Also, when pulling away you can just let the pedal go from low to high while backing off of the throttle. The only time you really need to use the hand brake in neutral is if you are in tight quarters and are doing a lot of short backing and pulling forward. Otherwise, with a little experience, you can drive the car without using the hand brake.

[@ModelTMitch]

Modeltnick Thanks for the comment - see my other video on how to drive a Model T, and you'll see I demonstrate exactly what you explained here :)

[@Modeltnick]

***** Thanks for your comment. I can tell that you really enjoy your Model T! I have a 1916 touring which is a bit more primitive than your car but it starts and runs easily and reliably. These cars are great fun to own and drive. It's no wonder that over 15,000,000 were produced. The design of the car is pure genius! Thanks again.

[@ModelTMitch]

Modeltnick Yes, I certainly do! I was on tenterhooks waiting for it to arrive in Australia - and I couldn't wait to drive down to Newcastle to pick it up from the wharf! I've actually been on the lookout for a brass era Model T, theres something about them that's extra special :) I think my ultimate dream is a 1903 Ford Model A :)

[@walterbeech9690]

You make some great vids, I am new to Model Ts and have learned a lot, thank you Sir.

[@stevecuthbert8856]

Quite interesting videos Mitch. Until now I never really gave much thought into how to operate a Model T. Now I am able to get in a drive off straight away mate.

[@p3l1k44n1]

I wish i had a model T...

[@ondrejmatejmajling9684]

Mee too :)

[@garyklafta3411]

i wish i had a Lambourgini!

[@thomasrpoulsen]

Pump the break = old style ABS / ALB brakes :)

[@johnr8476]

Pretty good setup considering when these were being built. That front gear or flywheel ? with the idler gears would act like a torque converter, kind of like putting a pipe on a short wrench to break a bolt loose, only working with about 20 HP so anything that increases torque helps.

[@ModelTMitch]

Well spotted - but the screen part itself (with the holes in it) isn't stainless, otherwise, no, the magnet would not stick.

[@remusvintila3543]

It depends on the type of steel. There are some grades of stainless that are ferromagnetic.

[@justcarcrazy]

Cold worked stainless steel 316 can become magnetic. To de-magnetise it you have to heat it up to cherry red, then let it cool slowly to anneal it. I had the same misconception on stainless steel cable vs galvanised cable once...

[@TheScooterdude80]

Very cool video, Thanks pal.

[@zzzdogutube]

Thanks for the video, Great stuff! I loved it !Ron

[@juanvaldes1837]

Nice instructions

[@williefleete]

Very similar to an automagic transmission, early ones (and probably modern ones) use clutch bands controlled in some way by engine vacuum, electromechanical or hydrolyic to select different ratios or directions of the gears

[@oddball0045]

william fleete Those bands certainly wouldn't be controlled by engine vacuum, that would be silly (bands would loosen and slip as you accelerate). Also this doesn't have a planetary gear set in the sense that a modern transmission would.

[@no1saphead]

that direct gear clutch works just like a Spicer pull type in a modern truck.

[@Prototheria]

The screen is stainless not so that it won't rust, but so that the metal filings will stick to the magnet- not the screen- when removed for cleaning. :)

[@T-41]

Very informative!

[@project_nihilist]

Its like modern automatic transmission with one planetary gear, that has to be manually controlled. With one planetary gear you can get two speeds and reverse. You said in the other video when the break lever is pushed from neutral to High gear that it was a 1-1 ratio. It showed the clutch pedal come farther up. When this video you had larry turning the crank so we could see the planet gears orbit around. Does pushing the brake lever from neutral to high gear lock the 25 clutch disk and stop the planet gears from orbiting?

[@junkdeal]

I risk putting my foot in my mouth here, but I think he is wrong in this video when he explains the 25 clutch discs, and here is the reason I think this. First off, I am now very old, but in my youth, I scrapped a lot of "T" engine/trans groups and stationary machinery with this engine and trans in the early '70s. As a young mechanic, I really wanted to know how they worked, so I drove to him with some of this stuff and had him lay it out to me. He worked on these cars and knew the principles of operation, especially the trans. Add to this what I know now, and here it is. Planetary sets achieve gear reduction and even reverse by locking up one of the 3 groups in the planetary set. That, without going much further, explains how the gear train works. These clusters, like the annular, sun, or planets, are attached to drums to facilitate this gripping through the pedals, either through bands or clutch plates. That clutch pack at the rear of the cluster in the trans is combined with a band that seizes onto the final rotating "mass" that attachés to the rear end. This acts like a band brake on an early truck transmission that serves as a parking brake. The clutch pack as I remember locks up to connect this last rotating group after it comes out of the first planetary pack, which achieves the reduction and the reverse. If it is anything like a "twin-disc" pack in a crane hoist drum, it locks up kinda like a snap-binder that flatbed guys use. There is a "knee-action" in this tool that keeps it locked once you snap it past a certain point. A lot like your knee "locks up"! If your knee didn't do this, no muscle on earth would allow you to continue to stand so long without tiring the muscles! In other words, that pack at the end of the "T" transmission is held in locked position either by an action similar to the crane drum clutch, or simply a strong spring. IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THIS FOR HIGH GEAR, YOU WOULD NEED TO FORCIBLY HOLD PRESSURE ON A PEDAL FOR AS LONG AS YOU ARE MOVING IN HIGH! hOW LONG BEFORE YOU'D WEAR OUT?! SOOOO........ in the video he says when you hold the low pedal down, you apply pressure FROM THE 3 FINGERS to this cutch pack, which would go towards the rear of the trans as in the video. IF I AM RIGHT, THE 3 FINGERS WOULD ALLOW THAT COLLAR TO MOVE FORWARD TO LOCK-UP THE CLUTCH PLATES! MOVING BACK WOULD KEEP THE CLUTCHES FORM ENGAGING! SOOOO. with the emergency lever held midway back would begin to move the 3 fingers back and release the clutch pack. NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LOW PEDAL!! That just tightens one of the bands to go in low. The reverse does the same thing. IF YOU HOLD THE BRAKE LEVER ALL THE WAY BACK, YOU KEEP THE CLUTCH PACK RELEASED AND ALSO LOCK UP THE THIRD BAND, AS A BRAKE. RELEASE THE LEVER TO THE MIDDLE LETS OFF THE BAND, AND ALL THE WAY FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE LEVER ALLOWS THE CLUTCH PACK TO LOCK UP THROUGH SPRING ACTION AND PROBABLY A KNEE-ACTION TOGGLE TO 'LOCK UP" THE FINAL ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR WHEELS WITH THE OUTPUT ASSEMBLY FROM THE PLANETARY TO ACHIEVE A FINAL DRIVE WITHOUT AN ENGINE DISCONNECT CLUTCH BEING NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE A NEUTRAL POSITION OTHERWISE. I agree I may be a bit off describing this, because there may be onlt one planetary in the trans (I can't remember) so the clutch pack probably locks up another group of that planetary in a way a band couldn't be used due to the necessity of a foot-free way to apply force during almost all the time you are in forward motion to save your muscles!

[@sleb99]

Mitch, you have been a great encouragement to me. After watching your videos I bought a Model T and I have used several to repair it. Would you consider doing a video on adjusting transmission linkages? Mine has all new bands but when I go into second gear I get a sort of shudder where the band seems to slip, then it engages. I think I’m shifting correctly. My linkage is real loose, sort of floppy, and the adjustment bolt that rides on the emergency brake is so off center I’m concerned that soon when I pull up the emergency brake it will miss entirely. Could you add such a video? Thank you for what you have done for this hobby.

[@neilgibbons2532]

Love the historic value of your vids but 2Q does the head lamps run off the battery. And when are you going 2invent the 69 mustang cause this way 2complex for me OMG

[@AutoEuropeCars]

New to model T, watched the video, When you move forward, did you put the gear shifter forward? Or keep it in neutral? Thanks. Mike

[@ModelTMitch]

+Mike Mansour, to clarify, the (parking brake) lever you see only applies to high gear - it closes the high-speed clutch. You press down on the left pedal to move off in low gear. Hope this helps :)

[@greenmtnman7714]

I don't think I've seen it explained how to drop from high to low gear when climbing a hill.

[@BabooRanganathan]

Good one !

[@frankiejacques383]

this australian dude is so knolageble on the tin lizzie you would think he had built it grate guy grate car frankie 36 south georgia

[@ModelTMitch]

Thanks for that inspiring comment :)

[@frankiejacques383]

no problem i hope the car runs well for many years to come just a quick question dose a modle t have enuff power to overtake a nother car

[@ModelTMitch]

Well... if the other car is going slower than about 60km/h (35mph), then yes I can overtake :) But I would have to be driving at full throttle, full advanced spark, on a dead flat road to get that speed :)

[@frankiejacques383]

thanks for getting back to me its just nice to no that sutch an old car can pass a mutch newer one grates vts as allways take care

[@hanslohmannandersen3488]

Frankie Jacques m

[@51WCDodge]

Man wallks into garage, I've lost my key in the gearbox! Answer *9&***()) Off! or similar. Out ogf intrest how long was a gear box expected to last, and do you use a straight oil?

[@parsil8158]

Oh so you too live in NSFW, Austalia?

[@johnpielechaty883]

I can't stop My 1923 T from creeping and actually locking up and stalling the engine, anyone know what to do?

[@PistolsAndPistons]

REALLY GREAT video!! I've read alot about the bands etc but had a very hard time visualizing what they looked like or how they worked. By the way, I have a 26 TT and have been driving it WRONG. I had a feeling that I needed to drive it the way you showed, but had no real confirmation of that. Plus, it's SO HARD to fight the instinct to smoothly apply inputs like we do on modern cars. Where do I get the screen? Did you make yours or can you buy them someplace? Thanks for what you do!!!

[@tagoooU]

Thanks... what is the wire seen at the bottom of the transmission bands inside the cover plate? It looks like something that is pulled on.

[@stevestrickland8978]

Mitch, I saw how you adjusted the low gear band. Questions: where as a rule of thumb should one begin to make adjustments? Should I go all the in then adjust out, or is there a magic place to start? Moreover, concerning the the reverse and brake bands--i suppose i adjust from inside the transmission shell; again where is the ideal place to start adjusting all in then move out, or all out and then move in gradually?

[@ModelTMitch]

I usually adjust mine (tighten) one turn at a time - there is a lug on the adjustment that must be locked in after each full turn, which stops the nut backing out and the band going slack (slipping). You tighten the band until you get a good "bite" on the drum without slipping when you pull away. Over tightening will cause the band to burn out, as it would be in constant contact with the drum.

[@bryanarmbrust7117]

we just acquired two model ts closed to running my question is the low speed pedal do you have to hold it down all the time or does it lock in when u move and what's the procedure from high to low in the midst of all that how do you get it in neutral to brake just wondering thanks

[@ModelTMitch]

The low pedal is only held when you're starting off in low gear, then you shift by moving the handbrake all the way forward and release the low pedal to go into high gear. Couple of ways to get neutral to stop, the easiest for beginners is pull the handbrake back half-way so its straight upright, then press the brake pedal. Alternatively, you can press the low pedal down halfway, this is also neutral, and step on the brake at the same time. Watch my video for full instructions... kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6nJeYCqnMxlmpo

[@ModelTMitch]

I also have a video specifically about changing gear... Hope this clarifies for you :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/maXZn4SPf6iIoas

[@johnossendorf9979]

Mitch Taylor: What is the procedure for staying in low gear to maintain a low speed for an extended period of time?

[@markusr7421]

Just push it as long as you want to go, but I'll tell you what: the low gear is for maximum 10km/h so you certainly will not drive an "extended period" of time in this speed, haha!

[@AutoEuropeCars]

Thanks for the reply, when moving forward I press the left pedal while the shifter in upright position But now the car stuck in gear, can't put it neutral position to start it Mike

[@ModelTMitch]

+Mike Mansour Have you tried pulling the parking brake all the way back?

[@MrNipperthedog]

I have a 1917 Run About leaky Holly model G. Any suggestions?

[@theramblingsoflarry9290]

Where did you get your oil screen

[@ModelTMitch]

Got that ages ago, from Snyder's Antique Auto 🙂

[@americangangster1911]

Don't most Model Ts just have a 2 speed transaxle in the rear? or did they add another gear box behind the engine in the later years.

[@pvccannon1966]

the only transmission in the car is the one he shows in the video. The engine and transmission are one piece in a model t. They share the same oil, so the oil pan goes from the crank in the front to the universal behind the transmission.

[@50zcarsman]

He's thinking of the semi-rare Ruckstell (sp?) 2-speed rear axle.

[@brettduffy1992]

How does the car do stopping at full speed

[@joeguzman3558]

wich model t year would you recommend to start with?

[@finallyitsed2191]

I thought that when you pressed the clutch to the floor, it was first gear then all the way up was second with neutral half depressed. Is this a different transmission that I'm thinking of? The hand brake on one I saw pulled the clutch pedal into the neutral position when it was pulled back.

[@stephenheatherly6254]

You have it right

[@AllAmericanFE]

Just to clarify. When at a complete stop is it ok to keep your foot on the brake pedal? I am a new Model T driver (friend of mine owns one) and I am a little confused if the bands wear when fully stopped or not. Thanks :-)

[@ModelTMitch]

Yes you can keep your foot on the brake pedal, the brake drum (and band) is connected to the tail-shaft, not the engine, so once stationary, theres no slippage anyway. When moving off (either forwards or reverse), I prefer to keep engine revs to a minimum (without stalling of course), and use a brisk pedal movement, to minimize slipping the bands.

[@jimstoeber6335]

I was curious the same thing, but wondered if the brake pedal could be depressed during a stop, most notably when the car is on an incline or decline, to keep it from rolling.

[@MrJeep75]

Can you use low gear to help you come to a stop

[@pvccannon1966]

I have a 27 TUDOR T, and have been driving it since the 80s. U dont need to use low gear to slowdown. Since high gear is direct drive, buy cutting the throttle to idle position the engine slows u down and then u go to neutral by pushing the clutch pedal to the middle and brake to a stop .

[@BillyBobby123]

How tf did people come up with this. Also you sound like Korg from Thor Ragnarok lol

[@magnum9987]

That looked like safety wire

[@Cosme422]

So on a 25 minute drive, are you to hold the clutch down the entire time?

[@DFX2KX]

Yep. Because the clutch arms are linked to the same pedal that low-gear is linked to. So unless you lock the engine in direct drive (hi gear), you're stuck with the clutch down.

[@paulzumpf3612]

Low gear is just to get the car moving or climb a steep hill. In high gear, your feet are not on the pedals.

[@iloverush123]

Son of a bitch, just like a hydraulic automatic. Neat!

[@rodneybrand8521]

Wow !! What a 5.0 would do to this thing..lol...

[@garyklafta3411]

take your car to hot august nights here in Reno next year.

[@cdmcl3]

how Mr. Ford could continue installing those dinky pedals in the Model T for many years is amazing! awkward and unsafe, seems to me! or were people born with tiny feet back then? did Ford not get any consumer advice? if so, did he ignore it?

[@markusr7421]

Guess , people were shorter at the time and there's not really damaging, when pushing ALL of the pedals. Also there were only cows and horses on the streets firstly; just honk and they're about to leave quickly before hitting them, haha!

[@markespinoza7090]

Unsafe? Who ever said cars were safe. How about Tesla’s auto pilot that thinks the car can fly and will drive you off a cliff. I’m ok with the pedals even though my 11wides don’t fit. 😂

[@stephenheatherly6254]

People were generally much smaller back then and shoes were much narrower so it was not really an issue. To say a t is dangerous is really a pointless thing to say as they were made in a time when safety was not a big factor in design of any piece of machinery including cars.

[@Smokey298]

So its like a manual with none of the benefits, and all the drawbacks of an automatic