Newbie questions
 

Hi all. I'm just starting a 1928 Tudor Sedan restoration, and I have all kinds of questions. I've done a bit of surfing in here and picked up lots of good info already. I'm sure some of what I come up with will be FAQs, so apologies up front for rehashing old topics.

What's the "right way" to manage the engine and transmission disassembly? I started with the assumption that I could remove them as a unit, but I was a bit put off by the sealed driveshaft with the ball joint at the back of the trans. It looked like the only way to disconnect the driveshaft was to unbolt the back of the ball joint. That seemed wrong, so I disconnected the bell housing and pulled the engine out separately. That turned out to be more of a pain than I expected. Reading here, I see a couple of threads which suggest that I had it right the first time. Is that correct? I'm good to go with splitting the ball joint? Presumably reassembly, when I get that far, is the reverse?

I went to hang the engine from my stand, only to discover that the clutch protrudes way out, and none of the hardware I had would reach. Looking around here, it seems the hot ticket is an adapter which holds the engine from the side. Is that what I should be looking for? Anybody got a disused one they'd want to part with?

Is there a thread/tutorial someplace on disassembling the clutch? I've worked with clutches on other cars, but my only experience with multi-disk clutches is motorcycles, and I'm pretty sure this different :-)

Maybe I'll stop here for now. Plenty more questions to come. Thanks in advance for info!

Re: Newbie questions
 

Step #1. Get Les Andrews book Vol. 1.

Re: Newbie questions
 

First, it's not a ball joint. It is the housing for the univeral joint. And yes, as you unbolt the housing you'll see how it all goes.
Second, or maybe first, as CapnDan suggests, get a copy of Les Andrews's Vol. 1 red manual. There are step-by-step instructions for all you are trying to do, except for multidisc clutches. They require some special tools, and you will need to refer to The Ford Service Bulletins for how-to's on that.
Third, you can make an engine stand adaptor for holding your block from the side with a piece of angle iron. Do a search here; there are several threads on how to do that, one in the last week. Costs about $5 for materials.
Fourth, join a local club, if you have one nearby.

Re: Newbie questions
 

Step #2...Join the closest local Model A Club, MARC or MAFCA or both, get to know some of the members who have experience and they for sure will help you out.

Get the Ford Model A Service Bulletins, 1928-1931.

Get to know your Model A BEFORE you attempt to do anything on your own.

Pluck

Re: Newbie questions
 

Welcome to the hobby. I see you have been given some great advice already. Joining a local chapter is always good because if gives you local support and advice for your project. Look forward to seeing the progress on your project.

Re: Newbie questions
 

Great advice. Too many guys get excited and skip this critical step, with disastrous results. Old VW people referred to this as grokking the car.

Re: Newbie questions
 

Welcome. As others have said you need to get some books and do a little
reading before you proceed. There are also a lot of videos on YouTube,
just search "Model A Ford".

Bob

Re: Newbie questions
 

Hi there, you've been pointed in the right direction with previous posts. In regards to the mulitdisc, don't tear the clutch pack apart without reading up on it first, there's a wicked little spring in there and you either have to make a jig and use a press to get it apart or find the mutidisc tool to tear it down or you'll be in the ulegy section next week. There are lots of threads on the subject in the barn forum, just search for multidisc or early clutch. Like Pluck said, read up on the car first, it's way easier to take it apart correctly and a whole lot less frustrating (and less chance of wrecking something in the process). Enjoy the car, welcome aboard!

Re: Newbie questions
 

Ok, message received :) There's a club nearby in which a bunch of guys have old Fords. I'll contact them.

I've ordered a copy of Les Andrews Vol 1.

I have a book with copies of all the service bulletins. Interesting reading.

Yeah, 700, I know it's not really a ball joint; it goes around the front universal. It looks like a ball joint though :) I was just having a hard time beleiving that there wasn't a simpler way to separate the driveshaft from the transmission. Presumably as I get deeper into it I'll get a better handle on how the hardware was engineered.

I log my projects at my friend's shop at http://www.jrd.org/nate/ The start of work on the model A is about here: http://www.jrd.org/nate/10-04-15/

Thanks all. It's great that there are forums like this. I expect I'll be back with lots more questions.

Re: Newbie questions
 

You are on the right assembly line...

Pluck

Re: Newbie questions
 

Join a Model A club, not just an old Ford club. Or at least get your advice from someone who has or knows Model A's. There are problems and mechanics unique to the Model A that need specific knowledge and experience. Multidisc clutch is a good example of this.

Re: Newbie questions
 

Welcome and we are redy for your questions,

What are you trying to get at, the tranny or the engine or both? Next question why?

I pull the engine without the tranny, then the tranny. I have also pulled the rear end out and then pulled out the tranny.

A lot depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

Re: Newbie questions
 

Thanks Mike.

A bit of history on this car: It's been in the family for about 50 years, and hasn't seen much use. Much of its time it's been under cover, in open sheds and things. It's pretty much all there, but not very pretty.

I've had it running a number of years ago, the engine ran ok, burned a little oil. The transmission and drivetrain works, has a tendency to not stay in second. The brakes work, but not well.

Now I'm looking to clean it up and make it suitable for driving in parades and things.

I want to open up the engine and trans, clean 'em up, and have them ready to reinstall. I expect I'll be replacing valves and/or pistons/rings. When it warms up, I'll likely strip the rest of the running gear off the frame, bead blast it, paint, and start reassembly with everything clean.

Unclear what I'll do about the body. New paint, interior and upholstery for sure. I suppose I should replace the glass with the bullet holes :)

At least that's my plan for now. We'll see what happens as the project progresses :)

Re: Newbie questions
 

What about the dangers of death and/or injuries of removing the rear spring without proper techniques and tools?

Re: Newbie questions
 

Looking at it, it does look like there's special technique involved to get it in and out safely.

Do you have pointers to threads here or other resources which would point me in the right direction? It's going to be a while before I get that far (summer) but I'm happy to start absorbing the information.

Re: Newbie questions
 

There are tons of threads on rear spring removal, the short of it, don't touch it without a good spring spreader! Here's a link to Tom Endy's articles, they are an invaluble source of info, happy reading

http://www.santaanitaas.org/technica...tech-articles/

Re: Newbie questions
 

Welcome to The Barn,as others have suggested Please get Les Andrews Book One . Join a local A club. There you will get advise, Help and Parts. I have been playing with Model A's for Many, Many Moon's and I still feel like a Newbie.

Re: Newbie questions
 

I restored my 28 tudor back in the 70s. I still have it and I'm currently doing a refresh. Get all the Model A restoration books you can find and join your local Model A club.

Re: Newbie questions
 

OK that helps a lot. I'd leave the engine alone. It runs, maybe the rings will losten up a bit and the oil problem will go away. The tranny might be a simple as the ball on the bottom of the shift lever is worn square and the whole thing is not in need of a rebuild.

I would pull the tower, rebuild it. Next move to the brakes. How bad is the paint really? Same question for the interior. Does it really need a 2000.00 interior now?

Get it running and stopping and enjoy it for a while, then you can get heavier into the beauty things like paint and upholstery.


Hey Guys/Gals post some of your "survivors" that you drive around. You know the ones that look like they are as old as they are but still drive well. so he can see that it does not have to look like a show car to enjoy it.