things needed for the road

[wingski]

Hello again, I’ve got another question. Could you guys provide me with a list of things that should be carried with my model A? I have the crank under the seat of my cabriolet, and a tire pump in the storage bin that bolts between the frame horns. The storage bin is lockable and is fairly wide so I’m going to come up with a waterproof bag to hold stuff like the pump and the two model 18 Miro-Flare lenses I have and some road flares. I still have a lot of wrenches and even wooden handled screwdrivers and awls from the thirties and maybe before that. I don’t know when rachets and sockets became available, but I definitely am going to pack a set. The problem I’m discovering is that since my car is Canadian, a lot of the nuts and bolts are not quite SAE and not quite metric. I think there was a another unit used for British cars called Whitworth or something like that, and I still even have a few of those wrenches. I’m going to pack a big screw jack because I hate bumper jacks and a very dependable flashlight or small lantern. I even have a 1943 naval lantern that I coild rewire for modern batteries.

I’d like this assortment to be as authentic as possible, so all suggestions are welcome. No chainsaws because I don’t plan on going off-road, but who knows. I definetly have the clearance for that.

Since I have a rumble seat, trunk storage is basically non-existant, but that’s fine because I love the looks of the rumble seat. Fishing poles and a tackle box could go back there.

Thanks ahead of time,
Mike

[1931 flamingo]

AAA card or equivalent

[History]

I have a craftsman battery operated tool set, drill, saws, light, impact wrench and an air pump that all work on the same batteries. If I get to the point most of you are in I plan on taking the impact wrench and air pump. I don't think I need the sawzall or the jigsaw but you never know. You could always get a cable saw to take the place of the chainsaw.

[Synchro909]

Join the local club and take along a membership register.
Unless I'm on a long trip (anything over about 500 miles from home), I don't take much more than a coil, condenser, rotor button, dizzy body, jack, pump, crank handle and a few spanners and screw drivers - about what I can hold in my hand at the one time.

[Jacksonlll]

A simple test light to check your ignition.

[lindy williams]

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This a subject that everyone has a different opinion on as you can see already. I suggest that you go to mafca.com, click on "site index" and then scroll down to "travelers spares". There's a good list there.

[JohnB15632]

Sometime, a couple of years ago, someone provided me with the attached list of tools.

I hope this helps in some way.

Thanks,
John

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by JohnB15632

Sometime, a couple of years ago, someone provided me with the attached list of tools.

I hope this helps in some way.

Thanks,
John

In other words, tow a spare car behind you and fill it with all of the tools in your shop. . As far as tools goes, I would think that a set of tools similar to what came with these cars would be plenty (plus a test light as Jack suggested). Parts?, set of points, condenser.........AMA membership and go.

[JohnB15632]

I am sorry I posted the tool list. This is exactly why it is not worth posting any ideas here.

[glenn in camino]

There is no good answer to your question. Begin with whatever makes you comfortable. Anything can break. travel with your club, or a friend.

[Roger Green]

John,
Don't be down hearted. I appreciated the list.
ROG

[Licensed to kill]

Originally Posted by JohnB15632

I am sorry I posted the tool list. This is exactly why it is not worth posting any ideas here.

I'm sorry my post offended you. It was not intended and I thought that the would show that I was just yanking your chain. My apologies and don't let someones failed attempt at humour discourage you from further contributions.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

A few basic, ordinary tools are ALL you need. These cars are simple.
Bill Simple

[Kurt in NJ]

I don't worry about tools, just ford toolkit under seat, and a few on the package shelf, running and getting a tool you need and don't have is how you can have bystanders help--- you can't expect them to have parts though

[Mike V. Florida]

For long trips, the national club membership list.

No matter what you bring Murphy's law says you will not have brought the one thing you need.

If you want to be authentic then carry the tools in the toolkit that came with the car. If the user could not fix the car with those he used a mechanic.

[burner31]

I may be crazy, but anything under 100 miles I only carry a gallon of water and a screwdriver, and thats just to adjust the horn.
I figure if I can't trust it for 100 miles I should not be taking it out, and it's a great motivater to ensure everything is right.
Only got stuck one time, it was about 105 out and I overheated, let it cool down and drove it home, and fixed that problem.
Told you I may be crazy
Full disclosure: Once I get the luggage rack and trunk mounted I will be carrying a lot more then just a screwdriver.

[Crankster]

A 9mm, credit card, and a bag of weed.

(Kidding!)

[Clem Clement]

When I was touring in DC and Northern VA a good bit, I carried lots of spares for the tour group. Everyone in the tour had a copy of my list and theirs as well. Many of these items were added based on the experience s of the road:

MODEL A TOOL KIT
FRONT TOOL BOX

Wooden cheese box
Clothes pins
Distributor wrench
Door hinge pin
Fuses-30/20 Amp
Goop/duct and elect. tape
Ignition Switch bypass
Misc. wrenches/Feeler gauge/screw drivers
Muffler seal
Point file
Short Phillips screwdriver for timing
Spark plug wires
Tire weights
Tube repair kit
Wire
Brake switches
Bendix spring
Carburetor
Clutch release arm
Coils-2 + wires
Compression gauge
Cut out Switch-2
Distributor drive gear and spring
Exhaust Clamp and gasket
Fan Belt
Fuel line & filter
Float adjustment tool
Funnel
Gallon of H2O (on running board)
Gas cap
Gasket seal
Grease gun
Glue
Ignition harness cork and nail (replaces bad switch)
Instant Beer
JB weld
Leather belt (Bearing replacement)
Oil
Misc nuts, bolts and washers
Multimeter
Polish
Rags
Rod bearing cap
Rubber gloves
Safety wire
Springs
Spritzer
Starter switch
Timing Gear (socket and tool in tool bag)
Timing Pin
Vacuum hoses
Voltmeter
Water pump and gasket
Water pump grease
Wheel bearings-1 sets
Wheel bearing Grease
PACKAGE TRAY

Batteries
Business cards
Bratton’s catalogue
Flashlight
Fire Extinguisher (on running board)
First aid kit
Good luck charms
Hand wipes
Light bulb box
Model A club Roster (in door pocket)
Repair manual
Snacks
Walkie talkies

UNDER SEAT

Plastic Parts Box
Accelerator return spring
Ammeter-2
Axle key and shims
Axle nut remover
Carb gasket set plus needle valves
Condensers and Points
Gas filter screen and glass gasket
Generator brushes
Distributor cam and cap and top/bottom plates
Engine bearing shims
Exhaust gasket
Hose Clamps
Light Bulbs
Plug wires
Rotor
Spark plugs
Speedo gear
Starter bendix bolts
Water pump packing
Wheel nut washers
Wire ties
Valve and guide
Cotter pins
Crank
Distributor body
Fan belt
Gas gauge repair kit and tools
Jack
Lug wrench
8x10 Glossy of Sandy
Stethoscope
Tire tube
Tow rope

RUMBLE AREA

American flags
Blanket
Bungees
Calico chicken
Chocks
Distrilbutor
Flares
Folding chairs (sometimes)
Headgasket
Hose set
Paper towels
Pancho
Torque wrench
Tool bag

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Clem,
UR you a Model A Parts Supplier? UR your shipping charges reasonable?
Bill W.

[Dave in MN]

Originally Posted by JohnB15632

Sometime, a couple of years ago, someone provided me with the attached list of tools.

I hope this helps in some way.

Thanks,
John

John,
I looked at the list you provided and actually find it could use a few more items for a long trip.
About every other year, I take my Model A on a road trip.
Route 66 - 9,200 miles in 2013
Colorado National Convention 4,200 miles in 2016
East Coast - 5200 miles 2017
Planned trip to Alaska in 2019.


When I am not going on one of these road trips, I am usually one of the last cars in the pack when we participate in Club tours. I stop to help others keep their cars going. I keep the spare parts under the front and rear seat cushions of my Phaeton and the tools in the trunk.

So the list you showed has merit for a few of us who put lots of miles on our cars and for those that stop to help others.

I think the comment about the list was meant in good humor and I took it that way. Like Bill Williamson in the previous post. Good Humor!
I often have fun teasing those that need parts along the way that the cost of the part is much less than the delivery charges!

A good friend who presides over the Winter Restoration Clinics we have for the Twin Cities Club was once asked during one of these meetings what he takes along on longer trips.
He smiled and said "Dave"!

So when it comes to carrying parts in your car and maintaining a list...To each his own!
Good Day!