684:, the spark had to be manually retarded or the engine might "kick back". The crank handle was cupped in the palm, with the thumb tucked under the handle (not clasped over top of it), so that if the engine did kick back, the rapid reverse motion of the crank would throw the hand away from the handle, rather than violently twisting the wrist or breaking the thumb. Most Model T Fords had the choke operated by a wire emerging from the bottom of the radiator where it could be operated with the left hand. This was used to prime the engine while cranking the engine slowly; then the engine was started with a rapid pull of the crank handle. In good tune, an already-primed T engine only has to be cranked half a turn for it to successfully start.
665:
563:
527:
423:
356:
265:
396:, a Model T could not climb a steep hill when the fuel level was low. The solution was to climb steep hills in reverse. In 1926, the fuel tank was moved forward and upward, under the cowl, behind the dashboard on most models, which improved the gravity feed. An aftermarket fuel pump was a common modification made to the Ford's original spartan engine design. Even by the standards of the day, the engine was in many ways a half-manufacture when it came to
637:. A battery could be used to supply ignition current for starting, since it could be difficult to hand-crank a very cold engine fast enough for the magneto to produce sufficient current. However, although all Model T's had a "BAT" (battery) position on the coil box switch and a corresponding terminal on the box, Ford did not supply or even encourage the use of a battery before 1919, when it introduced a battery-driven
29:
546:
system. Thermosyphon was a common engine-cooling method of the era. Hot water, being less dense, would rise to the top of the engine and up into the top of the radiator, descending to the bottom as it cooled, and back into the engine. (This was the direction of water flow in most cars which did have
762:
U.S. consumer market for passenger cars and pickups was shorter, being the 19 years' production run of the Model T itself for that market (1908 to 1927). But the engine continued to be produced and sold to various consumer, industrial, military, and marine markets throughout the world until 1941.
761:
The T engine was produced continuously from
September 27, 1908, through August 4, 1941, exactly 12,000 days. This makes it one of the longest engines in series production, especially considering that the specifications remained mostly unchanged for this entire duration. Its production run for the
676:
Operating the T engine was not difficult after some experience, although the learning curve was longer than today's. The various manual control tasks (such as manual choke and spark advance) and the method of use (such as hand throttle) were typical for automobiles of the era, although they might
495:
of 177 cu in (2.9 L). The compression ratio was 3.98 for most engines; early engines were slightly greater. This value is low by modern standards but was typical for the era, making the engine forgiving of poor-quality, low-octane fuel and minimizing cranking effort at starting.
400:
and other running characteristics which could lengthen the unit's life span and improve the car as a whole. The Model T components were made to wide tolerances to accommodate manufacturing techniques of the day to produce reliable devices, and in making these components, the Ford Motor
Company
306:
The T engine was known for its simplicity, reliability, and economy. The engine remained in production for many years, and millions of units were produced. The engine design's lifespan exceeded that of the Model T vehicle itself, with industrial, marine, and military applications extending its
687:
The T's planetary transmission is famous for its differences from what later became the norm for car transmission operation. The 3 foot pedals are not used in the way later cars use their pedals. Operation is not difficult but requires "unlearning" habits used with later vehicles.
409:
in the early 30's, and their ease of availability in the post-war 1940's and early 1950's at a price that was within the reach of teenagers, mating one to a salvageable example of a Model T or a Model A lacking this eight cylinder engine gave birth to
391:
During most of the T's production run, its 10 US gal (38 L; 8 imp gal) fuel tank was mounted to the frame beneath the front seat. Because Ford relied on gravity to feed fuel to the carburetor rather than a
655:
were introduced in 1915, the magneto was upgraded to supply enough power for the lights and horn. If a Model T had an electric starter equipped, the upgraded electrical system would also be used to supply power to these items.
404:
Since it was up to the end-user to finish what Ford's assembly line left unfinished, the Ford Model T gave birth to the modern aftermarket performance engineering market. Later, with the introduction of the Model A
379:
valves were controlled manually; the latter was with a hand lever rather than a foot pedal. The carburetor had no accelerator pump. Various vendors supplied Ford with carburetors for the T engine, including
783:
inline four with a displacement of 201 cu in (3.3 L). This engine provided 40 hp (30 kW; 41 PS), but made substantially more torque, at 128 lbâ‹…ft (174 Nâ‹…m) of
795:
were also enlarged from the original Model T's engine; measuring 3.9 in (99 mm) x 4.3 in (110 mm). There are no interchangeable parts between the Model T and Model A engines.
979:
850:
542:
reflected the T's simplicity design theme. The first few hundred Model Ts had a water pump, but it was eliminated early in production. Instead, Ford opted for a cheaper and more reliable
648:
for recharging it. In keeping with the goal of reliability and simplicity, the trembler coil and magneto ignition system was retained even on cars with the starter system.
644:
Most cars sold after 1919 were equipped with this starter, which was engaged by a small round foot-operated button switch on the floor. These cars included a battery and a
1287:
Subtitle "A complete practical treatise explaining the operating principles of all parts of the Ford automobile, with complete instructions for driving and maintenance."
971:
846:
1383:
458:, however, was detachable, which not only aided Ford in manufacturing but also made valve jobs (cleaning, grinding, or replacement of the
359:
Cutaway view of the fuel system for the Ford Model T engine, showing the gravity-feed fuel supply, carburetor cutaway, and intake stream.
1388:
871:
539:
291:. It produced 20 hp (14.9 kW) for a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h). It was built in-unit with the Model T's novel
1393:
1299:
1211:
1185:
327:
ability, its simple, robust design allowed a modified engine to successfully run on a variety of combustible fuels including
551:
designs.) The thermosiphon system was susceptible to overheating if worked heavily, but served well for most Model T usage.
401:
engineers used, from a modern perspective, extremely high levels of over tolerance to assure endurance of the end product.
1314:
451:
1125:
1067:
1159:
381:
188:
1096:
1038:
1009:
913:
281:
607:
1334:
614:. A certain amount of skill and experience was required to find the optimal spark timing for any speed and load.
548:
308:
214:
664:
562:
526:
422:
355:
264:
586:
necessary to produce a spark to initiate combustion. This current was distributed by the timer (analogous to a
292:
722:
406:
641:. Even this was not standard equipment for all models until sometime in 1926, the last year of production.
1254:
1378:
1241:
804:
66:
809:
771:
492:
256:
78:
41:
621:, and the method was copied to many other Model T production segments. The ignition system of the
813:
645:
431:
397:
393:
385:
284:
192:
71:
46:
742:
1926: An extra boss was added at the rear for two additional bolts stiffening the transmission.
1293:
1278:
1207:
1179:
681:
634:
595:
435:
339:. According to Ford Motor Company, the Model T had fuel economy on the order of 13–21 mpg
296:
166:
1272:
638:
583:
875:
622:
611:
571:
504:
488:
447:
443:
320:
288:
230:
158:
131:
111:
975:
439:
209:
1227:
1372:
792:
788:
777:
700:
1909: First model year. Water pump was discontinued; subsequent Model T engines used
669:
618:
591:
470:
455:
138:
88:
610:
mounted on the steering column, which rotated the timer, advancing or retarding the
780:
715:
701:
543:
531:
515:
459:
368:
273:
218:
121:
708:
587:
372:
633:
In the early years of Model T production, all engines were started with a hand
1318:
1174:
on 2013-03-20. Created by members of the Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club.
746:
603:
511:
500:
446:
was an uncommon practice when T production started in 1908. It lent itself to
364:
154:
149:
739:
1922: The cylinder casting was changed so a single valve cover could be used.
1117:
1059:
463:
324:
300:
277:
127:
1168:
847:"Fact Check: Henry Ford didn't design the Model T as | Hemmings Daily"
677:
seem more like farm tractor operation to most automobile drivers of today.
28:
749:
652:
575:
376:
336:
202:
1088:
1030:
1001:
909:
972:"Ford's Assembly Line Turns 100: How It Really Put the World on Wheels"
729:
599:
579:
411:
332:
328:
1338:
1354:
784:
733:
554:
Many types of water pumps were available as aftermarket accessories.
606:
in the cylinder. Ignition timing was adjusted manually by using the
663:
617:
The magneto was the first Model T component to be assembled on an
561:
525:
421:
354:
263:
1118:"Encyclopedia: 1915 and 1916 [comprehensive description]"
1282:
1060:"Encyclopedia: 1917 to 1920 [comprehensive description]"
181:
1274:
The Model T Ford car, its construction, operation and repair
1228:"1931 Ford Model a technical and mechanical specifications"
566:
Overview of the ignition system of the Ford Model T engine.
696:
The following major changes were made (listed by year):
1206:. Rochester, United Kingdom: Grange Books. p. 31.
668:
Overhead views of the Ford Model T engine, with the
252:
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208:
198:
180:
175:
165:
148:
137:
120:
110:
87:
77:
65:
60:
52:
40:
35:
21:
426:Cutaway internal view of the Ford Model T engine.
450:, showing the Ford company's prescient focus on
491:was 4 inches (101.6 mm) even, for a total
1277:, New York, New York, USA: Norman W. Henley,
1242:"This 1929 Ford Model a is Not What It Seems"
8:
1204:Vintage Cars - The Finest Prewar Automobiles
1197:
1195:
534:cooling system of the Ford Model T engine.
462:) easier. The block and head were both of
309:Ward's 10 Best Engines of the 20th Century
27:
18:
1257:Ford Motor Co., retrieved January 9, 2023
590:in a modern vehicle) to one of the four
323:. While not engineered specifically for
276:used a 177 cu in (2.9 L)
16:Reciprocating internal combustion engine
1355:"General Model T engine specifications"
826:
547:water pumps, until the introduction of
307:production run. The T engine is on the
1291:
1177:
776:The engine used in the Model A was a
268:Side view of the Ford Model T engine.
7:
1145:
957:
945:
933:
896:
833:
625:was similar to that of the Model T.
1158:Paddock, Stan, Walker, John (ed.),
680:Before starting a Model T with the
982:from the original on 19 April 2017
752:rod was re-routed over the engine.
319:The Model T engine was built as a
14:
912:. Model T Ford Club of America.
874:. Media.ford.com. Archived from
363:The Ford Model T engine had one
83:177 cu in (2.9 L)
1128:from the original on 2000-09-29
1099:from the original on 2000-12-02
1070:from the original on 2000-09-29
1041:from the original on 2000-10-27
1012:from the original on 2000-12-02
916:from the original on 2013-04-12
853:from the original on 2017-12-09
487:inches (95.25 mm) and its
714:1917: Higher head with larger
1:
1271:Pagé, Victor Wilfred (1916),
692:Design changes over the years
347:; 18–11 L/100 km).
315:Fuel choices and fuel economy
1335:"Model T Ford Engine Blocks"
1122:Model T Ford Club of America
1093:Model T Ford Club of America
1064:Model T Ford Club of America
1035:Model T Ford Club of America
1006:Model T Ford Club of America
452:design for manufacturability
1384:Products introduced in 1908
414:culture in the early 40's.
1410:
1298:: CS1 maint: postscript (
1184:: CS1 maint: postscript (
769:
598:. The coil stepped up the
351:Carburetor and fuel system
282:reverse-flow cylinder head
1389:Gasoline engines by model
970:Swan, Tony (April 2013).
704:to circulate the coolant.
602:and discharged it to the
235:20 hp (14.9 kW)
116:4 in (101.6 mm)
26:
1255:"The 1928 Ford ModeL A,"
1202:Cheetham, Craig (2004).
725:introduced as an option.
285:inline 4-cylinder engine
106: in (95.25 mm)
367:, a side-draft, single-
816:using a Model T engine
673:
567:
535:
427:
360:
269:
1394:Straight-four engines
1315:"Model T Ford Engine"
728:1920: Lighter-weight
667:
570:The Model T engine's
565:
529:
425:
358:
287:. It was primarily a
267:
144:Cast iron, detachable
1089:"Encyclopedia: 1915"
1031:"Encyclopedia: 1919"
1002:"Encyclopedia: 1926"
805:List of Ford engines
672:removed in one view.
430:The T engine was an
299:), sharing the same
878:on October 23, 2010
810:Pietenpol Sky Scout
772:Ford Model A engine
766:Ford Model A engine
608:spark advance lever
257:Ford Model A engine
193:Zenith carburettors
22:Ford Model T engine
1244:. 8 December 2020.
814:homebuilt aircraft
812:, a 1929-designed
674:
568:
549:crossflow radiator
536:
503:was a side valve (
428:
407:Ford's flathead V8
398:thermal efficiency
361:
270:
47:Ford Motor Company
1341:on April 25, 2006
1161:Driving a Model T
629:Electrical System
262:
261:
167:Compression ratio
1401:
1365:
1363:
1361:
1350:
1348:
1346:
1337:. Archived from
1330:
1328:
1326:
1321:on June 19, 2006
1317:. Archived from
1303:
1297:
1289:
1258:
1252:
1246:
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1238:
1232:
1231:
1224:
1218:
1217:
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1167:, archived from
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837:
831:
639:electric starter
530:Overview of the
486:
485:
481:
478:
434:, with all four
388:, and Kingston.
297:planetary design
105:
104:
100:
97:
31:
19:
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1308:Further reading
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872:"Model T Facts"
870:
869:
865:
856:
854:
845:
844:
840:
832:
828:
823:
801:
774:
768:
759:
702:thermosyphoning
694:
662:
631:
623:Fordson tractor
612:ignition timing
594:, one for each
582:to produce the
572:ignition system
560:
558:Ignition system
538:The T engine's
524:
483:
479:
476:
474:
448:mass production
444:monobloc design
420:
418:Internal design
353:
346:
343:(16–25 mpg
342:
321:gasoline engine
317:
301:lubricating oil
289:gasoline engine
191:, Kingston and
132:monobloc design
102:
98:
95:
93:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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976:Car and driver
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770:Main article:
767:
764:
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757:Production run
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743:
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726:
723:Engine starter
719:
712:
705:
693:
690:
661:
658:
651:When electric
630:
627:
592:trembler coils
559:
556:
540:cooling system
523:
522:Cooling system
520:
438:cast into one
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210:Cooling system
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187:Gravity feed,
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122:Cylinder block
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1148:, p. 58.
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1007:
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997:
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981:
977:
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966:
963:
960:, p. 72.
959:
954:
951:
948:, p. 89.
947:
942:
939:
936:, p. 56.
935:
930:
927:
915:
911:
905:
902:
899:, p. 65.
898:
893:
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867:
864:
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842:
839:
836:, p. 42.
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619:assembly line
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516:main bearings
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469:The engine's
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460:poppet valves
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112:Piston stroke
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89:Cylinder bore
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68:
67:Configuration
64:
59:
55:
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45:
43:
39:
34:
30:
25:
20:
1379:Ford engines
1358:. Retrieved
1343:. Retrieved
1339:the original
1323:. Retrieved
1319:the original
1286:
1273:
1265:Bibliography
1250:
1236:
1222:
1203:
1169:the original
1160:
1153:
1141:
1130:. Retrieved
1121:
1112:
1101:. Retrieved
1092:
1083:
1072:. Retrieved
1063:
1054:
1043:. Retrieved
1034:
1025:
1014:. Retrieved
1005:
996:
984:. Retrieved
965:
953:
941:
929:
918:. Retrieved
904:
892:
882:November 15,
880:. Retrieved
876:the original
866:
855:. Retrieved
841:
829:
778:water-cooled
775:
760:
716:water jacket
709:Valve covers
695:
686:
679:
675:
650:
643:
632:
616:
569:
553:
544:thermosyphon
537:
532:thermosyphon
509:
498:
493:displacement
468:
440:engine block
429:
403:
390:
362:
318:
305:
293:transmission
274:Ford Model T
271:
231:Power output
219:thermosyphon
215:Water-cooled
79:Displacement
42:Manufacturer
711:were added.
588:distributor
432:inline-four
245:Predecessor
1373:Categories
1213:1840136359
1132:2018-01-23
1103:2018-01-23
1074:2018-01-23
1045:2018-01-23
1016:2022-09-08
920:2012-12-22
857:2017-12-08
821:References
747:carburetor
745:1927: The
682:hand crank
653:headlights
604:spark plug
514:had three
512:crankshaft
507:) design.
501:valvetrain
371:unit. Its
365:carburetor
345:‑imp
240:Chronology
176:Combustion
155:Side valve
150:Valvetrain
53:Production
1146:Pagé 1916
958:Pagé 1916
946:Pagé 1916
934:Pagé 1916
897:Pagé 1916
834:Pagé 1916
660:Operation
646:generator
578:-mounted
464:cast iron
442:. Such a
436:cylinders
394:fuel pump
341:‑US
325:multifuel
278:sidevalve
253:Successor
199:Fuel type
128:Cast iron
56:1908–1941
1360:July 17,
1345:July 17,
1325:July 17,
1294:citation
1283:18002807
1180:citation
1126:Archived
1097:Archived
1068:Archived
1039:Archived
1010:Archived
986:26 March
980:Archived
914:Archived
851:Archived
799:See also
750:throttle
596:cylinder
576:flywheel
505:flathead
377:throttle
337:kerosene
203:gasoline
159:flathead
141:material
124:material
72:Inline-4
36:Overview
734:pistons
600:voltage
584:current
580:magneto
574:used a
482:⁄
412:Hot Rod
369:venturi
333:ethanol
329:benzene
101:⁄
1281:
1210:
910:"1926"
793:stroke
787:. The
785:torque
781:L-head
721:1919:
707:1911:
489:stroke
454:. The
386:Zenith
382:Holley
311:list.
225:Output
189:Holley
184:system
171:3.98:1
61:Layout
1172:(PDF)
1165:(PDF)
635:crank
373:choke
335:, or
1362:2006
1347:2006
1327:2006
1300:link
1279:LCCN
1208:ISBN
1186:link
988:2017
884:2010
791:and
789:bore
732:and
730:rods
670:head
510:The
499:The
473:was
471:bore
456:head
375:and
272:The
248:None
182:Fuel
295:(a
1375::
1296:}}
1292:{{
1285:.
1194:^
1182:}}
1178:{{
1124:.
1120:.
1095:.
1091:.
1066:.
1062:.
1037:.
1033:.
1008:.
1004:.
978:.
974:.
849:.
518:.
466:.
384:,
331:,
303:.
280:,
217:,
130:,
1364:.
1349:.
1329:.
1302:)
1230:.
1216:.
1188:)
1135:.
1106:.
1077:.
1048:.
1019:.
990:.
923:.
886:.
860:.
736:.
718:.
484:4
480:3
477:+
475:3
161:)
157:(
103:4
99:3
96:+
94:3
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