1911 Ford Model T Restoration: Removing the engine

Working on Model T's is not a hobby for those who don't like to get dirty. Just like emptying the cat litter or cleaning up after a dog, getting dirty often goes along with something that is worth having or doing. Henry Ford once supposedly said about a Model T's penchant for leaking that "if it is not leaking, then it is out of oil". I've even seen ancient pictures of Ford Model T dealerships with oil pans located under cars on the showroom floor. So, a reasonable amount of oil dripping can be expected if you own a Model T. What is reasonable depends on the condition of the car.

Therefore, it was no surprise that taking a Model T apart to restore was going to be a messy proposition. So it was in mid March when I started disassembling the car. It had not been driven since at least 2003 (the last date on the license plate) and the engine had been rebuilt in 1971, so the engine and chassis were pretty well covered with at least 50 year old oil and dirt.

Dirt and grime aside, taking apart a Model T is pretty easy. Ford published a Model T Service Manual in 1925 that every T mechanic uses. I am not sure what T mechanics used before then, although the "owner's manual" actually has a fair amount of maintenance instructions in it. Another T owner once referred to it as the "first tool a Model T owner should buy". Amen to that brother. These manuals are available as reprints and are also found in pdf format online. They have good pictures, are simple to follow with step by step instructions.

The Service Manual even should how to completely disassemble the car (and how to reassemble it in a later chapter). I recall following it closely when I first disassembled the 1915 runabout that I restored three years ago. This time I just reviewed the procedure since I had been down this road before.

Removing the engine is one of the first steps in disassembling the car. For an earlier Model T like this one, it is easier to remove the firewall assembly, which includes the steering column and windshield. It also a good idea to remove the head and side lamps to keep from damaging them while removing the engine. After removing those, along with the radiator, it is pretty easy to pull the engine. It is good to have some help at that stage, which my son Alec did. He helped do the same on the runabout project, so he was experienced and I could blame him if anything went wrong.

Back to a Model T leaking oil. This car leaked more oil than "usual". Even with the oil drained, oil kept dripping out. Like the Old Testament story of the widow whose jars kept producing olive oil during a famine, I wondered if this engine would continue to produce oil indefinitely... Fortunately no, as I discovered when I tore the engine down that there was a crushed gasket and damaged retaining ring for the access panel on the bottom of the engine pan. I had a new gasket, but what about the damaged retaining ring? It was shortly after finding the damaged rating ring that I was able to find an undamaged one for this style of oil pan. Who has a 110 year old Model T oil pan retaining ring??? Kim Dobbins. Thank you Kim!

Removing the windshield, headlights and other parts in preparation for removing the engine. Note how much oil is still dripping from the engine AFTER the oil had been drained.