New Doodlebug Owner
 

Hi guys! I'm a proud new owner of what I believe is Model AA based doodlebug. When growing up in the late 60's, my dad found and we rebuilt a 1929 Model A based doodlebug, we rebuilt the engine, had many new or rebuilt pieces and painted it black with red trim. The 29 grille shell was trashed so dad found a shiny 31 shell and then built a small hood. It had the Model A 3 spd backed by what I think was a Chevy truck 4 spd and it must of had an AA rear end because it had dual bud rear wheels. It also had 37 Ford style front wheels and caps on a spring-less swing axle. This is the vehicle I learned to drive on. Alas, not one photo found so far.

As an adult I've often thought about this little tractor and looked at many photos on the net and hoped to one day find it. An ad recently caught my eye on CL because this doodlebug had the same style front hub caps and was the first time I'd seen a doodlebug with these wheels and caps since I started looking. Could this be the one? Two days later we drug it home from about 300 miles North and it is now residing in its owns safe and dry corner of my shop carport;

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...B3dpN&lb=1&s=A

One question I have, is regarding the PTO and pump setup that wa son it. I pulled it off as I do not think I have a use for it, but not even sure what it is or what its for. The PTO is a 6 bolt and the PTO Driven Water Pump has the words The Deming Co. Salem Ohio cast into it along with these casting numbers; AA2880 Mount, AA2966 Pump Body and BB2871 Pump End Cap.

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...Z75C5&lb=1&s=A

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...Ndj5z&lb=1&s=A

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...Kk5mj&lb=1&s=A

I hope the picture links worked, if not I can get educated on a better method of posting pictures here. I'm hoping that some of you will have knowledge of this pump and what it may have been used for.

Thanks!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Best of luck of with it.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Looks like you have a mouse house in the last picture. I hope the resident has moved on. Sorry I can't help with your questions. I'm still in the AA-101 class. It may take me years to graduate.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Kroil, it's a miracle! As the first big step to getting this rust pile up and running again, I've been trying to get the transmission shift tower off. Slowly wedging in putty knives, soaking with PB Blaster, then gradually driving in thicker implements until I could spray penetrant directly onto the shift forks and gears, but not any major progress until switching to Kroil.

https://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com...IMG_1588-M.jpg

After about a week of squirting Kroil into the transmission, I finally felt the tower start to move.

https://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com...IMG_1587-M.jpg

Anyway, pretty happy to make a little progress.

PS, can anyone tell me how to properly post pictures here?

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

If the pictures are sized properly you should just be able to

go advanced

scroll down to and click on manage attachments

Click on "choose file" in the new window, find your picture files and open them

Then click "upload"

They should post along with your comments....

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

I too am in AA-101, it's pretty interesting! I can't help but think someone out there knows what these pumps were used for? It seems by all the AA and BB markings on the pumps and bracketry that this was a Ford approved accessory. Thanks for responding!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Looks like they still make Deming pumps. http://cranepumps.com/products/produ...ID&browseID=37

Bob

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Attempting to add pictures properly, here goes;

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Check out the AA Forums and the AA Ford truck page. If it has the letters AA in it they will be able to answer your questions.

Mike

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Thanks to all of you!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

I am curious, what did you have to pay for it ? Wayne

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Gathering parts;

Recently did some work on a Honda quad as barter for a much better cowl than the one on the doodlebug, I thought it was 30-31 but then had an encounter with an older gentleman selling parts on CL who said it was actually a late 29 cowl. He said you could tell it was a late '29 because it still had the screw on style gas cap and because it uses the older style dash gauge panel. This fellow also sold me several other pieces to go along with the cowl and a radiator I got off of Ebay. As of now, parts include the cowl, radiator, grille shell, transmission and bellhousing, dashboard and gauges, and a motor that will be picked up in 2 weeks.

Planning to gather parts and pieces all winter and then next summer begin the tear down and rebuild of this old machine. Here are pics of Fred with his doodlebug as well as his very original '29, and my "new" parts & pieces;

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Your new cowl is off a 28/29 fordor sedan.
You can use it as is and replace your existing cowl
Or you can take the gas tank out of the fordor cowl and put it on top of your existing cowl.
If you want it to look the way it used to look, you'll probably want to do the later.

That's a neat story that you were able to find your old family doodlebug.
Neil

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

You have a 1929 to 1931 model AA 4 speed transmission behind the engine and a 28-29 dual high Ford auxiliary transmission behind it. You have an interesting project. Be careful, it will want a garage mate soon.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

in the icons above the text window click the mountains icon to insert an image and paste the image url in there or put [IMG]image url adress[/IMG]
https://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com...IMG_1588-M.jpg

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

The Dog:cool: wants to know, "IS IT THE SAME DOODLEBUG"?:confused::confused:
Bill W.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

My brother says yes, I say no. It has some striking similarities but a few tiny clues that tell me it is a different tractor. Coincidentally my brother says he's found another doodlebug near Spokane that is intriguingly familiar. Stay tuned for updates on the build and any new discoveries.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Headed back to see Fred this Saturday, will be picking up an engine and he agreed to sell a pair of AA bud wheels. Will post more pics after the weekend.

Bill W; we may never know for sure, the memories of a 14 year old and his brother are pretty vague, I clearly remember the front wheels and hub caps, my brother remembers the steering, rear brakes & linkage. The items that are significantly different, mainly transmissions, could have been changed in the last 45 years. Will we ever know? Maybe it doesn't matter. I'm loving the project and enjoying the process and so is my brother.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Went back to see Fred this weekend and bought an engine and two rear wheels.

He said all of his engines had been in something that ran when they were removed, so I took a gamble. I picked a random motor and gave him $300. My plan for the motor is to pull the head and clean & inspect and to pull the pan and plastigage the bearing clearances and check the cam condition. I may even go ahead and put in a set of rings, but that will be next summer and plenty of time to ponder that move.

The pieces are piling up, I'm hopeful that when I really tear into this project it will not take long to have a running tractor.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

From the photos, it looks like you have a dual-hi reduction transmission behind the 4 speed. That is the same setup I had in my doodlebug. It makes for a really low low. Mine had the rocker foot pedal cut off, and a lever welded to it.