Low gear drum in this 1911 Model T is overheated and cracked

Apr 16

Low gear drum in this 1911 Model T is overheated and cracked so the old drum needs to be separated from the gear and a new drum riveted on.
You can see the discolouration from overheating in the picture. This comes from slipping the low gear band by not being firm on the low gear pedal.
The new drums are heavier and able to handle overheating better.
The rivets are drilled through on the mill, rived heads are drilled out with a center drill and the body of the rivets are then knocked out with a punch.
Once the low gear shaft is out, it's chucked and indicated in the lathe. The low shaft is checked for runout and the old bushing is machined out.
More to come.
#1911modelt #sgmechanicalservice #ifixstuffyoucant #prewarcars #modeltford

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Apr 16, 2026

Reply to ShawnG…

Replies (9)

· Apr 16

Excellent work Shawn! Could you post a picture of the band? Is this a typical problem across all T's or something Henry fixed later on?

· Apr 16

@alsancle
The band lining was pretty trashed, looks like it came loose from the rivets and was falling apart. I found a lot of band material throughout the engine and transmission so everything is being torn down and cleaned out.
Original Ford band lining was cotton and is no longer available. Kevlar is used now and that's what this band was.
Kevlar can handle a lot of heat and abuse but, unfortunately it transfers that heat to the drum. Cotton will crack drums too but usually the lining fails first.

· Apr 16

@ShawnG There seems to be a similar problems with brake linings these days. The replacement material is just not as good as the original stuff. Which I guess was asbestos based.

· Apr 16

I'm learning a lot about the Model T lately. Thank you!

· Apr 17

@Royale835Sedan
They're great fun. Everyone should have a chance to drive one.

· Apr 16

Great work!

· Apr 17

@dj1970
Thank you.

· Apr 16

Impressive work.

· Apr 17

@TeslaFan01
Thank you.