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Gather a small group o Model "T" owners
together and I promise you can get a lively discussion going just by
innocently asking which timer works best on the "T".
Let's talk about the system Henry designed into our beloved T's. A low
voltage mechanical timer to send 6 volts to the coils. With something that
simple nothing can go wrong, right?? As all of us who have cussed this
system know, there are several problems with this "low-tension"
design.
Ford knew there were problems with the timers as evidenced by their
continuous experiments with various materials and designs starting almost
the day the "T" came out in 1909 and continuing right up until
they last one came off the assembly line in 1927.
Henry buried the timer down on the front of the
engine where it is not particularly easy to get at but it is certainly easy
for oil, dirt and water to find it! If you're using a conventional timer
with a roller then a little oil is needed but it should be clean oil and it
should be a small amount of oil.
The "Tiger" timer is the modern day equivalent of the original
Ford timer. Some folks swear by them and others swear at them. To get
reasonable life and smooth operation, the "Tiger" needs to be
cleaned and oiled just about every time we take our "T" out. Being
a lazy guy, this is not my
favorite timer!
Another popular timer design was the "New Day" timer. It was sold
during the model "T" period and is still available today from any
Model "T" parts supplier. The "New Day" uses a bakelite
housing with a spring-loaded copper brush which wipes around and over for
copper contacts. The timer case says, "Never needs oiling" but a
little lubricate smeared around the path of the rotating brush will greatly
increase the life of the "New Day" timer. A quick wipe and fresh
lubricate every once in a while won't hurt anything either but it is
more maintenance free than the "Tiger".
The problem with both these timers is the
relatively short life they have. Most folks I've talked
with say they replace these timers each season or
about every 1000 miles. Back in the Model "T" period both these
timers could be bought new for about a dollar to a dollar and a half but now
you won't get too much change when you hand the friendly parts man a ten and
a twenty for one!
Which brings us to my favorite for long trouble
free timer operation...
Again, back in the "T" era, there was a
company that sold seemingly hundreds of gadgets and accessories for the
Model "T". The company was "The Anderson Company" and
their product name was "Anco". You'll find many of their ads in
the magazines of the period. One of their products was the "Anco"
Timer. It used a different principle than the "Tiger" or the
"New Day". It used a spring-loaded steel brush which pressed
against four steel fingers as it rotated around the housing. This eliminated
the biggest problem with both the "Tiger" and the "New
Day" which was the uneven wear between the metal contacts and the
insulating material on either side of the contacts! The insulation, being
softer, always wore faster and, sooner or later, caused the roller or brush
to jump when it passed over the high/low spots! The Anco didn't and doesn't
have this problem!
The Anderson Company and Anco are long gone but a
fella by the name of Bob Thompson has resurrected the Anco design and
upgraded it to use today's modern high grade steel for the contacts and
brush. Folks, this timer is a winner! Bob is so confident, he gives a 2 year
warranty on it! Just like the "EverReady bunny", it just keeps
going and going! I've got one on my '12 Touring that's got 4000 miles on it
now and it still ticks along like new!
You'll find the ad for the Anderson timer in the Vintage
Ford and I notice that Smith
& Jones and Langs
have them in their catalogs. They cost a little more but they're well worth
it. You probably won't have to buy another one.
See you down the road..
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