New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Good Day,

I am a new owner of a 1930 Model A Briggs Body Town Sedan. Some of you are familiar with the car as it used to belong to my father BrianFrench65. Dad passed away in January, and I just brought the car home from MA to VA where I live. For those who know, the roads in VA are much different than in MA, with higher speed limits, longer distances between places etc.

I know I need to change the fan blade out. I have the aluminum two blade fan brand new in the package, it currently has a four blade fan on it. Les Andrews says I have to remove the radiator to change the fan blade, is that accurate? I am nervous about tearing into this car, and I don't have Dad to look over my shoulder, or send pictures to now. Being as new as I am to "A" ownership, I don't know anyone in my area that could come over and give me a hand. I have joined the "local" Model A club, and Tech Day is this Saturday, but it is a 75 mile drive, so I am pretty nervous about driving the car that far on the old fan blade.

Noting that it is a long drive to get anywhere, what tools/parts should I have in the car? I do have Hagerty and AAA, but would prefer to be able to get myself going again for quick, simple roadside repairs.

I don't know that the parking brake is grabbing.... I looked in the Les Andrews books, and I didn't see how to adjust the parking brake, just the levers...

I have changed the headlight bulbs to LEDs, and it has the LED Taillights on it, I am wondering if there are LED bulbs for the Cowl Lights, the dome light, and the dash light?

I am excited to be here, looking forward to learning more about these beautiful cars. I grew up around As and they just kind of faded into the background, but as an adult, I am looking forward to getting out and really enjoying the car.

-Ben

King George, VA
1930 Briggs Body Town Sedan

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

The 4 blade fan isn't the fan most are worried about. The original Ford 2 blade is the one that has a higher fail rate due to design and age. If the fan on the car shows no cracks you have little to worry about.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Welcome to the Barn! Congrads on your new 'Hobby'. You are starting off good with replacing that fan with the aluminum 2-Blade. and you basically just need to tilt the radiator forward a little bit.

A simple toolbox will work. I have a set I got at Home Depot and stays with the car.

I would highly suggest that you get the high-mount brake light. The one that goes in the back window. As you probably already have seen, once you take that car out on the road, you are a magnet for looks and horn honks.

From a spare parts perspective. In mine, I have a spare Carb. and I have a spare distributor.

Again welcome to the Barn and the hobby, where the key is, this is a hobby, and be prepared to spend some $$$.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

When I buy a part? I buy two, one for now, one for later

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Welcome to the 'Barn, and Happy Motoring!!

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Ben - Welcome to the Barn, and to all things about these quirky but lovable cars. As J Franklin has stated, the four blade fan is NOT the original steel two-blade fan that folks are concerned about. Here is a thread we had last week on this very subject, with photos. Fire that car up and drive to your tech day, and ask for help replacing the fan. If you have the parts, this would be a good time to replace the radiator hoses (preventative) as well.

If you don't know the history of the car, it might be a good idea to also drain and refill all the fluids with fresh - oil, transmission, differential, coolant.

The emergency brake is adjusted at the rear backing plate where the actuating rod U-shaped section attaches to the actuating arm. Loosen the lock nut, remove the cotter pin and clevis and remove the U-shaped adjuster from the actuating arm (goes into the backing plate). Turn the adjuster in or out to affect the length of the actuating rod.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Awesome! I feel a lot better about my fan knowing that it isn’t the ticking time bomb fan. Would love to get it changed ASAP, but was very nervous about tearing into the car as drastic as it sounded, especially with no guidance. I will bring the fan to Tech Day with me along with my membership application and check. ��

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Welcome to the Barn! There are a lot of knowledgeable people here to help out with any questions you may have! Enjoy your car!

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

I would enjoy the car as is and ease into changing everything out..........

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Ben - ronn has it nailed. Change out the safety-related stuff (like you already have headlights and taillights, maybe seat belts?), change out wear items (oil, lube, tires if necessary, brake adjustments) but otherwise get to know your new family member as she is. Over the years I've wasted a lot of time and money on things that really didn't need to be done to enjoy and learn about a new car.

And it looks from your avitar photo that you have a little one. The Town Sedan is the perfect family car (but I may be a little biased, as I have two TS). Don't forget the car seat for him/her! What a great way to grow up with Grandpa's car.

As far as tools: I carry a jack, lug wrench and tire irons; a set of 3/8" drive sockets; a set of combination wrenches; and a small tool bag with feeler gauges and assorted pliers, cutters, screwdrivers and a couple of different sized adjustable wrenches. Nothing fancy or extensive, a lot of these are extras I had lying around my shop. I also carry a jump box, a small battery-powered air compressor and a cheap multi-meter. Over the years I have, or someone I have been with has, used most of these. But your best tools are your brain, your credit card and your AAA card. Don't obsess about tools.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

JayJay,

Appreciate the advice. I am feeling better and better about driving this car. Dad mentioned I should swap the tires out for radials. It does have new LED headlights, Taillights, and turn signals, as well as seatbelts. Two car seats about take up the back seat of the car, we have twin girls, they have been on a few rides when we were up in MA over the last year, and seemed to enjoy their rides (right to sleep, quick wake up for ice cream, and then back to naptime).

The first cruise night at the auto shop up the road is tomorrow, hoping for no rain. Very excited to share Dad's car with his granddaughters and have them grow up around the car.

Thank you all for being so welcoming and answering dumb questions for me. I am sure I will have more and more questions as time goes on. For now, I have been reading all of Dad's posts, coupled with all the emails he had sent me about the car, and piecing together the holes I was missing in what had been done with the car.

Happy Motoring

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Welcome to the barn and to the Model A family.

Start out with some short trips around town and maybe into the surrounding countryside. Those are called "shakedown trips" that will let you know if there is anything that needs attention and that will build your confidence.

Join AAA so that if you need help it is available.

Your dad may have put most of the tools and spare parts in the car that you will need. If not, they could be in his garage. I carry a long 1/2-inch breaker bar with a socket wrench to change the tires if needed. The socket on the end of the hand crank does not provide enough leverage for tightening and loosening.

I keep a notebook in the car to record gasoline purchases, maintenance, and repairs, with the mileage.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

I agree with nk (as usual) about the lug wrench. I have a folding version of the traditional cross-type lug wrench, available at the river store. It folds up nicely. Plenty of leverage when you push-pull to get my 55 lb-ft lugs off. Breaker bar and socket works too.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Welcome and sorry about dad passing away. But it sounds like he loved his car and you are going to as well so I think he will be happy. Here are my thoughts on your cars as I have the same body style.

1) keep tabs on the wood. That is the roof, windows and doors. As long as dad replaced the wood or still has solid wood then you should be fine.
2) That is it.

The wood body is the real difference, other than that drive her, get to know her and have fun. Radials are an option but the bias ply's do just as well unless you plan on driving in rain and snow.

Mike

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

If you haven't put a few hundred local miles on your car yet I'd drive your modern car to the tech day. Consider getting a Mitchel overdrive if you want to take those high speed roads.

You've got a couple months to get the bugs out and get comfortable behind the wheel before MAFCA has the National Tour in your backyard. https://sites.google.com/view/mafca-...onal-tour/home

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Remember for the high speed roads that the large side area of the body and the airplane winglike front fenders will make it uncomfortable to drive at high speeds.

Charlie Stephens

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

I have thought about it and I think I will take the much newer Ford to the tech day event and hopefully meet someone that lives local to me that can give me some pointers and advice. This forum is a great resource but sometimes it can be immensely beneficial to have someone stand with you and point things out.

Route 3 from Fredericksburg is 60mph. I came down it at about 45-50 mph in the right lane. Lots of horn honking, but it was everyone driving slowly past me to wave and smile. ��

I think 45-50 is my max period. I would much rather cruise around slower, I just have to take some of those roads to get to the lower speed roads. I feel like I need to build up my confidence in the car and the idiot behind the wheel before I attempt a longer cruise.


Cruise night up the street tomorrow evening. Going to take her up there and see if there are any Model A folks there. Just got done shining the Ol Girl up from her trailer ride down here from MA.

Thanks again guys, you have all made me feel very welcome and at home here. Looking forward to getting to know you all as the years go on.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Ben - welcome aboard, we are practically neighbors - I live in Fredericksburg. We have a great AACA Chapter in Fredericksburg, I hope you'll consider joining.
Steve
'31 model A pickup
'35 deluxe fordor

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

I just swapped out the aluminum fan in a friends car to the six blade fan, and we didn't have to pull the radiator. we did remove the hood drain the radiator and loosen the top hose clamp and by popping off the brace rods we moved the radiator forward. no need to pull it off, just lean if forward a bit. it took us about 30 minutes to swap it in. I had rebuilt his water pump back to stock since someone had cut down the water pump impeller, when driving over a certain rpm his car would boil over. so we built a stock water pump with a leakless rear bearing so grease wouldn't get into the radiator and a 6 blade fan. it now runs ice cold

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

I went to Minters Cruise In tonight here in King George and met a gentleman who is part of the Northern Neck AACA and was telling me a little about that while we talked about his A. Sounds like I may see you around at one of the cruise nights.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

i do that with six-packs!! lol ;)

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Check out our club website and plan to attend our annual AACA car show. Swap meet and car corral on June 7th.
http://hfraaca.org/

Steve

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

Steve,

Unfortunately, we will be out of town at that time. ☹️

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

No worries. Another fun thing is the monthly cars n coffee at the Frederucksburg classic car center. Its the last saturday of the month April - October, 8-10 am. There are usually a few other As there too.

Re: New Member and a Couple of Questions
 

I will have to check my schedule, that sounds like a blast though!