1909 Locomobile Toy Tonneau, Rebuild Improvements for Reliability

[alsfarms]

Are you a Locomobile guy and are you going to be at the Bakersfield Swap Meet?
Al

[alsfarms]

So. Cal here we come...... I hope to run across plenty of parts help and advice along the way.
Al

[alsfarms]

I made the round trip to Bakersfield, had a good time, pleasant weather and good friendly folks. My tip for the day, If you live near and have the old car bug, you miss out if you don't participate in Swap Meets like Bakersfield.
Al

[alsfarms]

My above comment is really directed to me. This year is the first time that I have had time to attend. I am recently retired so I do have a bit more control of my time. Next year I will take my brother to Bakersfield so he can partake of the cornucopia of Model T Ford parts available.
Al

[alsfarms]

I will post two pictures of an original fan assembly, all aluminum, for the Locomobile.
Number one
Al

[alsfarms]

Number two

[alsfarms]

Here is what gives the early Locomobile the ability to stop and start, (cone clutch). What are your thoughts, experience and advice, from the close-up picture of the clutch material? I am thinking that this clutch has many more miles. Of course I will need to degrease as the rear main has been leaking. The advice needed here is this; should a cone clutch be run in a very dry condition or is a bit of lubricant good to keep the clutch chatter down to a minimum?
Picture One
Al

[alsfarms]

Picture Two

[alsfarms]

Here is a close-up picture of the actual clutch material, showing condition.
Picture Three
Al

[alsfarms]

I was shared some "Advice" on a possible locations to research and see if a complete copy of the Locomobile Service handbook may be found, (same as my incomplete copy). I will share them here. One reference is the AACA library. They are currently checking to see what they have. The second reference is the Detroit Public Library, Automotive History Department. They are also checking to see what Locomobile literature they may have that could help to complete my Handbook. I will share what I learn as a potential tip for others here that may need/want to locate copies of original literature that would aid in restoration of antique automobile projects.
Al

[alsfarms]

Here, I will post a few pictures of a nice race car seen at this years Bakersfield meet. This is off the subject of Locomobile reliability improvements but does share some good design qualities that can be used in our own builds for working with aluminum.
Enjoy....
Al

[alsfarms]

Two....

[alsfarms]

Three, with some effort, and simple design, I can see why aluminum has been used for MANY years with our antique automobiles. This is my tip for the day, do not be afraid of aluminum.
Al

[Plumbline]

Looks like this car was or is licensed to drive on the highway. If so, it would be a heck of a lot better than a cyclecar!

[alsfarms]

Back to the Locomobile, does anyone know of a 1912 or 1913 Locomobile Model L. I am curious as to what range of numbers could be found on those engines as a comparison with my 1909 engine.
Al

[jeff deringer]

Here is what gives the early Locomobile the ability to stop and start, (cone clutch). What are your thoughts, experience and advice, from the close-up picture of the clutch material? I am thinking that this clutch has many more miles. Of course I will need to degrease as the rear main has been leaking. The advice needed here is this; should a cone clutch be run in a very dry condition or is a bit of lubricant good to keep the clutch chatter down to a minimum?
Picture One
Al

My experience with leather cone clutches is to stick with leather, don't try to modernize it with Kevlar or other products. If it is dry it will grab and you'll know it right away. So will your axles! But don't put much Neatsfoot Oil on it or you won't go anywhere, it will just slip. Then you'll have to find some Fuller's Earth and start playing that game. I have rarely had to put a small amount of Neatsfoot Oil on mine. I little bit goes a long way. That's my experience anyway.
Hope that helps.

[alsfarms]

Hello Jeff,
When you applied the "oil" to your leather cone clutch, would you depress the clutch then add a drop every 6" ? How jumpy would you let the clutch get before you would re-treat the leather?
Al

[alsfarms]

Does anyone else have practical experience with cone clutches? For a while I see lots of us were using Kevlar material for the lining. My experience with industrial Kevlar would make me not want to use that material as it can really chew up shafts and shaft sleeves in rotating applications. Yes, I know a clutch is not supposed to continually slip but it will. Kevlar has also been used on Model T Fords, what do you Model T guys have to say about Kevlar material? Is it a good solution?
Al

[jeff deringer]

Hello Jeff,
When you applied the "oil" to your leather cone clutch, would you depress the clutch then add a drop every 6" ? How jumpy would you let the clutch get before you would re-treat the leather?
Al

Well, I’ve only done it twice I think in 25 years. The first time in my shop with a toothbrush, very lightly! Yes, depress the clutch and put a stick in to hold the pedal down if you don’t have a helper. The second time was on a tour. I didn’t have my trusty toothbrush so my industrious father in law found a crow feather on the ground! It worked great! So much that I kept it in my tool box. If it gets so grabby you’re worried abiut breaking an axle, and your leg is getting cramps trying to gently release it in the now seeming ten thousandths sweet spot...you should have already done it. But again, lightly. You can always do it a second time.

[alsfarms]

A "Crows" feather, what a nice tip for the day on how to apply Neatsfoot oil to the lining of a cone clutch!
Al