A 100-year-old Ford Model T has finally returned to the road after spending decades parked with a broken engine. With a Hemi V8 now under its hood, the old coupe had plenty of power, but keeping it running proved difficult.
The family behind the Sleeperdude YouTube channel spent more than two years rebuilding the Ford. Its original four-cylinder engine had thrown a connecting rod, leaving the car parked sometime in the 1950s.
Rather than restore it to factory condition, they turned the coupe into a 1950s-style hot rod. A 270-cubic-inch Hemi from a 1955 Dodge now sits up front, paired with a Tremec TKX five-speed manual transmission and a Ford 9-inch rear axle.
After months of repairs and assembly, the family was ready for the first drive. Unfortunately, several mechanical problems stood between them and a successful trip down the road.
Almost Ready
Before the body could go back onto its custom chassis, the family had to finish the brakes, clutch, and fuel system. During testing, brake fluid began leaking from several loose fittings.
Tightening those connections helped, but a rear wheel cylinder also leaked. Sleeperdude traced that problem to brakes that hadn’t been adjusted far enough, then reassembled everything.
The cooling system brought another setback when a $170 replacement water pump turned out to be the wrong size. Unable to find another one immediately, they reinstalled the original pump despite knowing it leaked.
Once they assembled the remaining parts, the car finally looked ready. A trip onto the scales showed it weighed just 2,305 pounds, with nearly equal weight over both axles.
The First Drive
Starting the Hemi took some patience. Although the engine had run during an earlier test, this was its first time running with three Stromberg carburetors.
After adjusting the fuel mixture and checking for leaks, Sleeperdude finally got the engine running well enough to move the car. He climbed behind the wheel and eased it forward under its own power.
That first attempt quickly revealed a scraping noise underneath. A driveshaft universal joint appeared to be rubbing against a mounting bolt, forcing the family to stop and adjust it again.
With that addressed, they tried again, only to find gasoline pouring from the front carburetor. Coolant was also escaping from the old water pump, leaving Sleeperdude little choice but to return to the shop.
One More Chance
Determined to get farther, Sleeperdude installed a temporary fuel pressure regulator and adjusted the clutch linkage. The regulator reduced the flooding problem, but the engine soon began running short of fuel instead.
After more adjustments, the Ford finally made it to the road. Driving it felt nothing like a modern car, especially with the cramped pedals forcing Sleeperdude to remove his shoes.
Despite those challenges, the Hemi pulled strongly when he pressed the gas. He liked its power, even though he never shifted beyond second gear.
Fuel delivery interrupted the trip once again, forcing another stop. Still, the family reached a nearby friend’s house and made it back to the shop.
More To Fix
The Sleeperdude family still has work ahead before the Model T can handle longer drives. Its fuel system needs a lasting fix, the water pump needs replacing, and the brakes need more attention.
Permanent seat mounts and seat belts are also planned. Beyond those repairs, Sleeperdude wants to build a wooden roof and is considering whether to lower the coupe’s tall roofline.
For now, he plans to spend time working through the car’s mechanical problems. Getting all three carburetors to run reliably remains one of the biggest jobs.