Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-03-2012, 02:11 PM   #1
volleybill
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Ana
Posts: 7
Default 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

In the process of restoring my father's 1930 Model A Pickup that was sold out of the family when i was 10 (1976) and recently reacquired this year

I have the cab and bed off the frame and something interesting is installed on this vehicle. So in the cab area mounted on the inside of the firewall is what looks like a chamber with 3 rubber hoses leading out of it along with a pull lever know that was attached to the steering column. Now 2 of the hoses ran from the coupling chamber back to a device on the rear axle right hand side. The other hose runs through the firewall and attaches to a copper tube into the intake manifold. Now my buddy says it appears to be some sort of vacuum setup but we are not sure what it is controlling in the rear end. Could this be some sort of limited differential slip setup or lockout? Unfortunately i started taking the pickup apart before checking out the function of that setup.

Bill
volleybill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 02:24 PM   #2
CarlG
Senior Member
 
CarlG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,109
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Some pictures might help
CarlG is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-03-2012, 02:40 PM   #3
volleybill
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Ana
Posts: 7
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Working on the picture part - Just thought someone may know off the top of their head for now I will attempt to get a shot this evening
volleybill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 02:47 PM   #4
Russ/40
Senior Member
 
Russ/40's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santee, California
Posts: 3,505
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

It could be a Columbia two speed axel from a later model Ford. They are vacuum engaged. Is there a canister mounted on the passenger side of the differential?
Russ/40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 04:11 PM   #5
volleybill
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Ana
Posts: 7
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Here is a link to the photo in PhotoBucket:

http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/...A/IMG_0654.jpg
volleybill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 04:19 PM   #6
volleybill
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Ana
Posts: 7
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
After more research, it seems my 1930 Pickup may have the following rear end:

http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/...feature21.html

Which i believe would be a 1934 or later axle?

Is this a good think if it is in working condition? If not can it be removed and a cover put in it's place?

Last edited by volleybill; 12-03-2012 at 04:32 PM.
volleybill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 06:39 PM   #7
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Looks like you've got a columbia rear end,(very advantagous). Ck in over on the EV8 board for more info/questions you might have. Could also do a search over there for more info.
Happy motoring.
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 10:23 PM   #8
pat in Santa Cruz
Senior Member
 
pat in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: santa cruz, calif
Posts: 2,011
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

its a columbia 2 speed. Another way to get an overdrive. Very desireable among V8 enthusiasts. To put one on a model A must have required some adaptations. Do you have hydraulic brakes?

Parts are available from John Connelly
box 891311 Temecula Ca 92589
phone: 951-719-4077
email: [email protected]

www.columbiatwospeedparts.com
pat in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2012, 04:28 PM   #9
volleybill
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Ana
Posts: 7
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Yes - My Model A pickup DOES have hydraulic brakes - Just had the drums powder coated semi-gloss black
volleybill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2012, 04:29 PM   #10
volleybill
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Ana
Posts: 7
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

So basically i should take it apart and determine if it is in working order with nothing broke? Or is there a method i can verify by rotating the rear wheel by hand and engaging it? (up on blocks with bed and cab off)
volleybill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2012, 12:59 AM   #11
pat in Santa Cruz
Senior Member
 
pat in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: santa cruz, calif
Posts: 2,011
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Quote:
Originally Posted by volleybill View Post
So basically i should take it apart and determine if it is in working order with nothing broke? Or is there a method i can verify by rotating the rear wheel by hand and engaging it? (up on blocks with bed and cab off)
I would advise not to take it apart if it works. To test it: remove the vacuum chamber. Looking inside the axle, you will see a slot into which the lever from the vacuum chamber fits. Jack up one wheel, place the trans in neutral and have a friend rotate the wheel while you slide the slotted part with a screw driver or drift . When it engages ( or disengages depending on where you start) your friend will feel a change in the drag on the wheel and you will hear it clunk into or out of gear. On an open drive line you would notice a change in the speed ratio between the wheel and drive shaft. Odds are its good inside the axle. The vacuum chamber diaphragm gets old and brittle, and failures there can happen. Its a simple rebuild, BTW. To test the vacuum chamber, see if the shaft pulls out and pushes in with some resistance, and you can hear air rusing in or out of the fittings. If that passes, put your thumb over the hose fitting on the end of the chamber, and pull the shaft out...you should feel suction. If you do, connect the chamber to a vacuum source and see if the shaft retracts on one side and expands when vacuum is applied to the other fitting.. If it works smoothly and without any vacuum leak noise once at the end of its stroke, you are good to go. Inspect the hoses for cracks. They can be cracked and should be replaced when they are.
pat in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-07-2012, 11:04 AM   #12
PO51
Senior Member
 
PO51's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 274
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Bill,
Don't forget about Moss auto parts in Orange Ca, if you need parts quick, great guys there and bins of old parts to look through are a lot of fun!
PO51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 10:26 PM   #13
Vanspeed
Senior Member
 
Vanspeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Suttons Bay, Mich.
Posts: 3,384
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

That is a pricey rear end! If you wanted to restore the truck to original, and install a correct A rear end, you could sell that rear end for around 1000.00, if it is in working order. Nice find.
__________________
Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.
Vanspeed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2012, 10:55 PM   #14
columbiA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: B.C. Canada
Posts: 1,746
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

I have Columbia OD,s that I have modified in both my A,s.One has been in use since 1960.I wouldnt drive an A in modern traffic conditions without an OD.That OD of yours is worth more than $ 1,000 if its in good shape.
columbiA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2012, 05:09 PM   #15
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

If someone changed your stock MECHANICAL brakes to hydraulic and the car sat for 1/2 year or more, the only way I'd feel safe about the brakes is to remove the drums and check the wheel cylinders for leaks. They often rust and leak from setting unused. Also check the hoses for cracks.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2012, 05:40 PM   #16
volleybill
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Ana
Posts: 7
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Actually drove the car around the block and tested out brakes and what not - but had NO idea about the Columbia OD so i did not check that out when it was running before i tore it apart to restore even better I am replacing the wheel cylinders and master cylinder with the kit from Macs in New York
__________________
1930 Model A Pickup with Columbia OD (restoring)
volleybill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2012, 07:27 PM   #17
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

That columbia (if working correctly AND with all the controls) probably worth around $3,000. JMO
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2012, 10:04 AM   #18
larrys40
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: St Charles , Missouri
Posts: 1,994
Default Re: 1930 Model A PIckup rear end questio...

Bill,

Definately a columbia.... As Pat from Santa Cruz says John Connelly is the guy who supplies parts and can advise you on it, however, I will let you know he won't like the fact that it's in a Model A... He's a firm believer they should only be in the V8's..... Since you already have it... I'd leave it... just make sure the adaptation arrangements... ie, axle housings, spring hanger arrangements are top notch. I can't see them from the photo. Columbia's have some inherent weaknesses in several of the internal parts. Modifying them or "Bulletproofing" them so to speak is what John does along with selling rebuild parts, etc. He is excellent... Properly rebuilding a columbia depending on what it needs, and is a job that is best handled by someone schooled in them. Rebuilding depending on what's wrong can be expensive. Call John for advise.
Parts are available from John Connelly
box 891311 Temecula Ca 92589
phone: 951-719-4077
email: [email protected]

www.columbiatwospeedparts.com

I agree.. .the axle is worth more than 1K if good. Good luck!
Larry S
larrys40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:35 PM.