September 2019 Newsletter – The Montana 500 Website

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The Montana 500 Newsletter

Volume 59, Number 4 September 2019

St. Regis Selected for 2019 Fall Meeting

Montana Cross Country “T” Association Fall Meeting
- St. Regis Community Center: 230 Lobo Loop, St. Regis, Montana.
- Meeting Date: October 6, 2019.
- Meeting Time: Scheduled to start at 12:00 pm noon, MDT. Expect 2 hours.
- No Food Allowed in building: Bring your own coffee, water, etc.
- Tony will call ahead for admittance to the building. ?

Map to St. Regis Community Center, St. Regis, Montana

The President’s Message

Matt Hansen, President 2019-2020 gbluffcider@yahoo.com

I want to thank everyone for participating in the Columbus Endurance Run. It was a fun time with fun routes looping Big Timber, Harlowton, Martinsdale, Wilsall, and back to Columbus. The second day was even more fun with slow cars out first running to Bridger, Cody, back to Bridger and Columbus. And the third day with fast cars out first was quick. Columbus to an underpass near Laurel and back. Numerous participants commented on how good the routes were.

Columbus was a good host city. The motel and parking lot was good, the restaurants were great, even the NAPA store was good. We held our meetings in Doug Braun’s shop and had our teardown and banquet there also. Thank you Doug. The Ford garage had us display our cars on a closed off street especially prepared for us. Local vendors supplied the food too. On Thursday, the day after the event, we drove to Red Lodge and did a tour of a good museum and had lunch at Bill Barnes’s home. A very fun time again.

Be thinking of nominations for next year’s location for the Endurance Run. When you nominate a city, be sure of your proposed routes, lunch and gas availabilities. We hear that Dan Brown will propose Miles City, Montana, and has the details (Motel, gas stops, lunch stops ready.)

Remember the meeting will start at noon.

Matt Hansen, President 2019-2020

Tentative Meeting Adgenda

Call the meeting to order:

Old business:
- Reading, correcting, and approving
  - October 14, 2018 Meeting Minutes,
  - Treasurer’s Report
  - Thank you’s to the Timers, Flaggers, and Data Entry
New Business:
- Election of New Directors
- New Rules (if any)
- Other new business

Pick dates and host town.
- Endurance Run Date:____________
- Host City/Town,
  - Motel,
  - Gas,
  - Routes,
  - Lunch,
  - etc.
- _________________________________________
- _________________________________________
Other considerations for the meeting?
- _________________________________________
- _________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
Adjourn the meeting.

Montana Cross Country Model T Association Annual Meeting

October 14, 2018.

St. Regis Community Center, St Regis, Montana 11:00 a.m. MST

Present: Tony Cerovski, Russell Hana, Chris Hana [guest], Maggie Hansen [guest], Janice Hutchinson, Mark Hutchinson, Sharon Mullins [guest], Martha [guest], Ralph Brevik, Montana Barnard, Bill Mullins, Tom Carnegie, Brook Johnson, Rose Hodges, Charles Hodges, Nan Robison, Char Bonebright [guest], Rick Bonebright, Mike Stormo, Rick Carnegie, Mike Cuffe, Matt Hansen, Doug Langel and Janet Cerovski. Denley Loge arrived near the end as a guest.

Meeting Called to Order. President Bill Mullins called the meeting to order at 11:01 am. Janet volunteered to record the meeting minutes.

2017 Meeting Minutes. Russell made the motion to accept the minutes as printed in the newsletter. Tony second. Motion passed.

President Nomination. Bill opened nominations for the President position. Mike S nominated Matt Hansen. Tom second. Tom motioned that nominations be closed and we cast a unanimous ballot. Someone seconded the motion. Motion passed. Matt Hansen is the 2019-2020 President and a director until Fall 2021. Matt took control of the meeting.

The members gave a big thank you to Bill Mullins for his years as president. He thanked the club membership for all their support and help.

Nominations for Vice-President. Tony nominated Rick Bonebright. Tom second. Nan nominated Mike Robison. Russell second. Rick C moved to close nominations. Vote was taken by paper ballot. Rick Bonebright was elected Vice-President for the 2019-2020 years and will be a director through Fall of 2021.

Nomination for Treasurer. Janet Cerovski was nominated as Treasurer. Nominations closed. Motion to elect Janet by unanimous ballot. Motion passed. Janet will be Treasurer for the 2019-2020 years and will be a director through Fall of 2021.

Nomination for the one remaining Director. Matt opened nomination for the one director position open. Brandon Langel, Garrett Green and Mike Robison were nominated. Rick C motion that nominations cease. Vote was taken by paper ballot. Mike Robison was elected as the new director, term beginning in 2019 serving through Fall of 2021.

Introduction of People Present. – Each person above stated their name and hometown.

Treasurer’s Report. Janet presented the treasurer report for 2018 to date. Starting balance was $4,479.90, profit to date is $439.35 with the ending balance at $4,919.25. Report was passed around to review. Treasurers report was accepted as presented.

New Business: Matt called for new rules. Matt announced there are three new rule topics:

1. Tire size

2. Spark plugs

3. Gasoline source.

He asked if there are other topics to add to the list. None being suggested Matt started with the spark plug topic.

Spark Plug Adaptors. Tom C said on two or three cars, the directors had the drivers pull out their spark plug adaptors and screw in ½” pipe threaded spark plugs. Tom is proposing a new rule that states using ½” un-adaptor plugs. Much discussion followed. Rick B asked if using adaptors and 14 mm sparkplugs were an advantage. Tom thinks there is a bigger challenge to running ½” pipe thread plugs. Agreed there is no advantage to the 14mm plugs, but they do come in a variety of heat ranges. Tom C made a motion that ½” NPT spark plugs required. Use of spark plug adapters not allowed. Rick C second. Mike Cuffe called for question. Hand vote was taken. Motion passed. All cars must use ½” NPT spark plugs. 14mm spark plugs and or adaptors not allowed.

Use of Pump Gas Clarification. Matt opened discussion on fuel source. Concerns that at least 2 drivers carried and used their own hauled gas instead of filling up from gas station pumps along the race route. Matt asked to clean up this issue because most drivers thought hauled gas was something like un-sportsman like. Tom discussed fuel detection meters, fuel tanker truck, and the like. Rick B said why not state use of carried gas cans is not permitted. Tony C read current Rule B1 last line, “Cars must use straight automotive pump gas as fuel during the race time, starting with inspection and continuing until the end of the race.” Discussion about all T’s filling up at the first gas station in the designated town. Not all comfortable with that as there may be more than one station in town, one station can get really crowded, and the other station may carry different grades of gasoline. Matt re-read the current rule. More discussion by many. Janet mentioned the importance of supporting the town stations. Bill said he got bad gas from a station in Dillon. Most feel it was an issue at the race, but don’t want a new rule. Rick C says “sheep happens”. Rick B motioned to leave the rule as written. Motioned passed. All cars to fill up from local gas stations at each designated stop.

Tire Size. Matt opened discussion on tire size. Matt mentioned he tried motorcycle tires last year and felt it had no advantage and will not use them again. Discussion about tires that fit a 21” rim.
Rick B asked “Didn’t the rules state at one time that 4.40-4.50 tires were to be used on 21” rims?” Tom stated that 440/450 or 475/500 work fine. They are a perfectly normal tire. Rick C made a motion that radial tires not allowed. Rick B second. Motion passed. Tony stated Ford’s 21” wire wheel was designed for the 440/450 x 21 tire size. To use a wider tire or narrower tire could be a safety issue.

Rush Roller. Mike S asked what the people thought about allowing the use of a “Rush roller” in an original Ford type roller cap. Discussion brought up that they have been used in the past. Matt asked if it was available to everyone and was told yes. Mike S found his at a swap meet. After discussion, Rick B made a motion to allow Rush rollers (in an original Ford factory type roller cap). Tom second. Motion passed. Someone said Rush did not build a timer, just the roller.

Rush Roller photos provided to show an example of the one Stormo passed around at the meeting.

Domain Name. Tom said the Montana 500 domain names are up for 10-year renewal. This includes Montana500.com and Montana500.org. Tom stated he would like someone else to be the webmaster. Dwight Patten was contacted by phone and agreed to be webmaster. Later in the meeting, it was decided that Dwight would be co-webmaster with Tom C and Matt H. After much discussion, Mike S said, I move that we leave everything alone, let Tom renew it (Montana500.com and Montana500.org) just the way it is. If he (Tom) wants to give Dwight full use, he’s in charge, then so be it. It was second by several. Motion passed. After some further discussion a question was asked if Tom and Dwight are now co-webmasters, the answer was yes. The above motion was amended to Tom and Dwight are Co-Webmasters, and passed. The replacement motion was to let Tom renew the Montana500.com and Montana500.org domain names. The co-webmasters will be Dwight and Tom. Motion passed.

Host for Domain Name. Tom C said the hosting for the Montana500 domain names has been sponsored for the last x number of years by the Antique Auto Ranch. Cost has been about $12.00 per month.

Facebook Page. Matt announced that there is a Montana500 Facebook page and currently Mike R, Tom C, and Matt H are Facebook co-webmasters. If interested in adding to the Facebook page or being an additional webmaster for Facebook let Matt know. A discussion followed.

2019 Race Data. Nan made a motion that the 2019 race date to start the third Sunday of June with inspection on Sunday, June 16 and ending on Wednesday, June 19. Possible tour day Thursday, June 20. Tony second. Motioned passed. Race towns nominated were Deer Lodge, Lewistown, Glendive, Billings, Miles City and Columbus. Voting narrowed the decision to Deer Lodge and Columbus. Columbus was voted as the host town for the 2019 Endurance Run.

Tour Class Viewpoint. Charles Hodges spoke of his first-time participant experience with his tour car. Charles said he had a wonderful time at the 2018 event. He said he is proud of his Model T and his was probably the most original Model T there. He did not like all the rain or going out last in tour class. He prefers tour cars go out ahead of the race cars. Rose Hodges said it would be better if tour cars got to the gas station first and left town first. Charley said on the last day he went out first and every timed car passed his tour car when on Interstate 15, and he liked seeing everybody that day. Mike C said slower cars out first does not matter much when on the interstate. Tom said cars in the tour class usually move up to the race class the following year, and slow cars can be a hazard to faster cars on narrow hilly roads. Rick B said he would like to see everybody there, touring class or racers, draw for position. Discussion that timed cars will draft off faster speedster cars and some tour cars will hold up the race. Matt suggested starting the tour cars out 1 hour ahead. Rick C suggested two hours early. The White Sulphur Springs tour cars had a different route. It was decided that tour car positions will be determined at the race. Discussion ended.

State Representative from St. Regis, Montana. Mike Cuffe introduced Denley Loge, State Representative from House District 14, St. Regis, Montana. Denley welcomed us to St. Regis and said enjoy the area and food.

Matt adjourned the meeting at 12:40 p.m.

Respectively submitted,

Janet Cerovski, substitute Secretary

Please Note the following sources of Montana 500 information:

Dbl-Click this website if you need to review all known and current meeting minutes, newsletters, race results, rules, and photos.
- https://themontana500.wordpress.com/

On Facebook, try this for video feeds and live updates.
- https://www.facebook.com/Montanafivehundred/

The Antique Auto Ranch website data is updated.
- http://www.antiqueautoranch.com/montana500/indexnonrefresh.html

MCCTA “MONTANA 500” RULES VERSION 2018.10.14

Updated OCTOBER 14, 2018

Note: All cars that tour along must meet the rules flagged with a *.

Note: 2017 & 2018 newly adopted or changed rules in italics.

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

A1. * These rules dated October 14^th, 2018 supersede all others. They are intended to outline current acceptable practices. Deviation beyond these practices may result in disqualification or time penalty. Directors are responsible for interpretation of all the rules pertaining to the Association and assessment of time penalties. Decision of the Directors is final.

A2. * All cars must comply with Montana license and insurance requirements.

A3. * No alcoholic beverages will be allowed in competing cars. Substantiated violation is cause for disqualification.

A4. * Drivers performing in an unsafe or unsportsmanlike-like manner will receive 1 warning. Second infraction may result in disqualification upon review and affirmative vote of 2/3 of the remaining drivers.

A5. Not more than two people are allowed per endurance car while under time.

A6. * All drivers and relief drivers must be a paid-up member of the MCCTA.

A7. * Tailgating of any kind is not authorized or condoned by the MCCTA. Drivers must maintain a safe following distance. No tailgating of support or tour vehicles or any non-participating vehicles.

A8. *All participating cars must have attached or placed directly on both sides a sign with name of sponsor or owner and hometown. Use three (3) inch letters preferred.

A9. *Drivers must drive at or below posted speed limits. Drivers will be accessed a one-minute penalty for each mile per hour over the posted speed limit as determined by the association.

A10. Drivers are responsible for following the prescribed route. Failure to travel the entire prescribed route will result in an assessment of slow time for that leg plus a penalty of fifteen minutes. Flaggers or signs may be posted as deemed necessary or advisable.

A11. Routes will be planned to avoid running through stoplights under time.

A12. * All Ts will be available for subsequent inspections at any time. Any member may initiate an inspection at any time, subject to approval by a majority vote of the directors present.

A13. * All drivers and relief drivers must sign an Endurance Run Waiver and Inspection Form.

A14. Every year new lead inspection seals will be placed on each competing car.

A15. Placement position results for cars that do not complete the entire endurance run will be based on actual mileage completed.

B. GENERAL RULES

B1. Body must be painted. Body parts must be stock for year of car, sawed off touring cars allowed. Cars must have four fenders, splash aprons, running-boards, and if so equipped: front splash apron, dash, and radiator shell, and all replacement body parts must be made of metal. Chassis parts may be assembled from any year T parts. Gas tank must be stock for that year of car and mounted in stock position. No fuel additives are allowed. Cars must use straight automotive pump gas as fuel during the race time, starting with inspection and continuing until the end of the race.

B2. All T’s must be assembled from stock parts and/or reproduction parts equal to stock specifications, with the following exceptions:

B2a. * All competing cars must be equipped with two headlights and one or more rear stop and tail light in working order. The stop and tail light does not have to be a single unit.

B2b. * Horn of any type in working order required.

B2c. * Rear view mirror of any type required.

B2d. Windshields must be stock for year of car. No altering. Must have safety sheet or safety plate glass top and bottom. Windshields to be completely closed and sealed by an inspector.

B2e. * Padded seat and back rest of any type required.

B2f. Original turtle deck may be replaced by some type of substantially built box or turtle deck. Minimal length and width equal to size for stock turtle deck on that year of car, with floor, sideboards and end-gate. Sides and end no less than six (6) inches high from the floor and made of no smaller than 3/4″ wood.

B2g. Fuel line not to exceed 3/8″ I.D.

B2h. * At least 36 inches of 1 1/2″ exhaust pipe required, properly attached to and extending from the exhaust manifold.

B2i. Only stock cast iron or stock aluminum or new manufactured intake manifolds with ports not to exceed 1 1/8″ diameter are allowed. No grinding or performance enhancing alterations of the intake or exhaust ports allowed. Chaffin’s manifolds under current production are allowed as long as the gland ring is 1 1/8” or less.

B2j. Only stock Ford roller type, New Day, Anderson flapper type timers, Crystal or TW timers allowed. A Rush Roller is allowed in Ford Timers. Quick couplers NOT ALLOWED in timer wires.

B2k. Holes must be drilled through the heads of the following bolts for braided seal wire: two center head bolts, middle two small pan bolts, and a hole must be drilled through the threaded end of both bolts that fastens the carburetor to the intake manifold. Please paint the heads of the drilled bolts a contrasting color.

B2l. Only NH swayback or Ford “F” swayback carburetors allowed. Carburetor must be complete, including choke butterfly. The Association’s 0.710″ gauge MUST NOT go through the carburetor from either side. The club’s W gauge shall not pass from the choke side of the carburetor. Carburetor must conform to the diagram as printed. No material can be added to the interior of the carburetor. The spray needle diameter must be 1/8” +/- .015”.

B2n. Only Model T type wire wheels, Model T type wooden spoke wheels, Model T type disk wheels, Model T type aluminum spoke wheels, Model A 21″ wire wheels, or 30 by 3 1/2″ wire wheels are allowed. 4.40-4.50 and 4.50-5.00 tires allowed on above 21-inch wheels.

B2o. Only stock Model T or Ruckstell rear-ends and axles with 3.64: 1 Ratio:

– standard eleven tooth pinion

– forty tooth ring gear

– stock roller bearings

– Ruckstell rear-ends must be locked in high.

B2p. Cast iron or aluminum pistons of stock Model T type required. Cast iron pistons must have a full set of .250″ width rings in place. Aluminum pistons must have two (2) .125″ width compression rings and one (1) 0.1875″ width oil ring in place. Pistons must conform to the attached diagrams. Refer to Illustration for Piston Dimensions

B2q. There must be one stock piston, rod and cap assembly in the engine. Exceptions: Cap may be drilled for dipper, and grooved for oil. The other three (3) assemblies can be balanced to this one. Piston is not to exceed a height of .400” above the head gasket.

B2r. Rods must be Model T Ford script. Maximum center to center distance of 7.030″ measured from center of rod journal to center of wrist-pin.

B2s. Any cast iron original Ford script head is allowed, but the combustion chamber is limited to 270cc minimum. The head will be measured without the head gasket, without spark plugs, and the spark plugs holes will be plugged with clay to be flush. One stock combustion chamber is required, the other chambers to mimic the stock chamber. No material can be added to the combustion chamber to equalize.

B2t. The crankshaft must be Model T Ford Script with a stock stroke of four (4) inches + / – .030. Chroming, hardening or grinding of journals allowed, not to exceed 1.250″ maximum or 1.208″ minimum diameter.

B2u. For all valves use a minimum stem diameter of 5/16″, a maximum head diameter of 1.500″ and seating face of 45 degrees. Use either pins or two-piece keepers. Radiused, 45 degree or three angle seat grinds allowable.

B2v. Any cam that doesn’t require modification of the block may be used. Bearing bores must be standard size, no relieving of the bearing bores. Adjustable timing gears allowed.

B2w. Adjustable flat tappet lifters (push rods) of stock dimensions, stem oversize to 1/32″ allowed.

B2x. Only stock Model T Ford and Model A Ford valve springs are allowed.

C. NON-OPTIONAL ITEMS

C1. * Emergency brakes must be in good working order.

C2. * All transmission bands must be in good working order.

C3. * Complete set of floorboards required.

C4. Rebuilt or new radiators allowed. Must be built to stock dimensions including tanks and side brackets.

C5. No modifications of the inside oiling system allowed.

C6. Non-Model T style and size tops not allowed.

C7. Throat of carburetor may be smoothed as long as the Association’s .710″ gauge does not pass. No altering of the basic design of the carburetor allowed. Carburetor must be complete including all butterflies, adjusting needle, and stock spray needle. Choke and throttle rods must pass a visual inspection for stock uniform shaft dimensions with no obvious modifications. Butterflies must be original size.

C8. Bolts on wishbone at rear of pan must be safety wired. Front wishbone accessory braces on pre-1920 cars allowed. Use standard wishbone sizes.

C9. Use stock configuration spring sets with a minimum of seven leaves per spring set.

C10. External auxiliary accessory type brakes are not allowed.

C11. Belly bands are allowed and if the motor mount breaks the car takes the standard penalty. The belly bands cannot be used for support at any time.

C12. Accessory pan arms are not allowed except for as an emergency repair while under time.

C13. Steering dampeners are not allowed.

C14. Ignition battery must be 6 volt type.

C15. Accessory battery charging devices must be disconnected.

C16. Battery disconnect switches and fuses are allowed in the primary circuit, excluding the ignition system.

C17. Original type ignition switch required.

C18. Cylinder bore not to exceed 3.825″ maximum or 3.750″ minimum

C19. Counter-balanced crankshaft not allowed.

C20. E-timer is not allowed.

D. ITEMS WITH OPTIONS

D1. Optional equipment must serve the original purpose and no other purpose.

D2. Optional equipment includes:

-Anderson flapper type timer

-Balancing of rotating parts

-Band material type

-Body color

-Bronze or roller thrust washers and neoprene seals on Model T or Ruckstell rear ends and axles

-Camshaft bearings and seal

-Camshaft gear may be drilled

-Camshaft timing gear material type

-Coil box material type

-Crystal timer

-Engine splash pans

-Fan use and type

-Fourth main type

-Gas strainers allowed

-Gauges

-Grooving and drilling of the rod bearings and main bearings

-Hardened valve seats

-Hood use

-Hot air stove, original type

-Internal timer material type

-Knurling of piston

-Maximum of one outside oil line allowed

-Muffler use and type

-Multi-piece piston rings

-Neoprene seals use

-New Day timer

-Rod bolts and nuts choice

-Shock absorber use and type

-Spare tires and type of carriers

-Stainless steel and swirl polished valves

-Timer ball or needle bearing rollers

-Tops of open cars use

-Transmission oil screen and steel band drums allowed

-Turn signals

-TW timer

-Use and type of high speed clutches, such as Watts and Turbo 400

-Use of offset key between crankshaft timing keyway and the crankshaft timing gear keyway

-“V” type belt and pulleys

-Water pump design and use

-Windshield wiper of any type

-Zerk fittings in place of oil and grease cups

E. TIMING AND TEARDOWN RULES

E1. Timing will begin as designated for each car whether or not the car is on the starting line. Starting times can be adjusted at the timer’s discretion. If the timers recognize a beneficial savings in time, a lagging car may be sent out ahead of its designated time. Usually this will be discussed with the Directors ahead of time. Time will start for this car when it leaves the starting line.

E2. * Each car will come to a complete stop before starting at the timer’s direction.

E3. Removal of head or pan while at stop (not under time) or on tour day, if tour day occurs during the endurance run, will impose a time penalty of 1 hour. Report this infraction to the inspectors immediately. Removal of head or pan under time must be reported to the inspectors at the first opportunity for replacement of seal.

E4. Changing the carburetor imposes a time penalty of 15 minutes. Report the infraction to an inspector immediately. Replacement carburetor must meet the requirements stated in the Inspection Rules.

E5. Disabled cars will receive slow time for each leg not completed. In addition, cars trailered in on the last day are not eligible for prize money or trophies.

E6. Replacement of complete engine is cause for disqualification.

E7. The top car will be torn down immediately following the last flag. Additional teardowns will be put to a vote of the Endurance drivers. Endurance drivers will vote to accept or reject items of question.

E8. The first-place car will be torn down by a panel of five inspectors. The driver in the top position at tear down cannot be an inspector, but the next five place drivers are required to be inspectors for tear down. If the first-place car is disqualified, the next place lower will be inspected, until a car has been found qualified. All inspectors must vote. Any driver has the right to consult with an inspector on any issues concerning the cars. The five teardown inspectors have final say in what is brought to the vote of the drivers.

E9. The teardown team must ask the drivers present if there are any other items that should be reviewed, before the completion of the teardown. Items brought up will be voted on by the drivers present. If a majority of drivers vote yes, the teardown team will take a look at the item brought up.

E10. The Tear-Down Manual is a supplement to printed Rules. If there is conflict then the printed Rules will take precedence.

Montana Cross Country “T” Association

A Schedule S nonprofit Montana Corporation

Founded in 1961

Background:

The Ford Model T was voted the “Car of the Century” which was an international award given to the world’s most influential car of the 20th century. The election process was overseen by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation with a narrowed field of 200 cars. The winner, the Ford Model T, was announced at an awards gala on December 18, 1999 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Montana Cross Country “T” Assn. is dedicated to rebuilding, refurbishing, preserving, and proving stock Ford Model T’s. In some cases, members fully restore these cars to a “new car status” in most every aspect.

The Assn. also allows the above Model T’s that meet written safely requirements to be endurance-tested at their annual runs. The Montana 500 is sort of a proving ground for the owner, engine builder, chassis builder, and electrical systems builder.

We highly recommend that you get yourself a Model T and join these endurance runs. Expect to have some old school (or new school) fun. It is a friendly helpful atmosphere.

Membership Information:

Active Membership includes all the privileges of the Association including issues of the Montana 500 Newsletter. Annual dues are $10 and entitle the member one vote at meetings.

Touring & Endurance class: $35.00/Run.

Current members and those wanting to become members should send a check to:

Attn. Treasurer, Janet Cerovski

1004 Sioux Road, Helena, Montana. 59602

Montana 500 Web Information:

1. https://themontana500.wordpress.com/

2. https://www.facebook.com/pg/Montanafivehundred/posts/

3. http://www.antiqueautoranch.com/montana500/

Executive Officers:

President: Matt Hansen Spokane

Vice Pres: Rick Bonebright Missoula

Treasurer: Janet Cerovski Helena