The Ford Barn - 6000 miles

The Ford Barn (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/index.php)

- Model A (1928-31) (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3)

- - 6000 miles (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351116)

6000 miles, 11 National Parks/Monuments/Etc. Twice over the Continental Divide, summiting 10,300 feet. A few manifold gaskets, a few overheats, and a lot of memories.

More details! Where did you start, states and cities traveled through? Tell us more!

That is awesome! Feel free to share details!

New York area to the Grand Canyon. NJ, PA, WV, OH, IN, IL, MO, KS, OK, TX, NM, AZ, UT, CO and back. 10 year old had a free pass to the National Parks, so we had to use it. Most of the trip it was 95+ degrees, topping 106 in Zion, with 7-10% grades, hence the over heating, which cooked the paper manifold gaskets, which required improvisation.

What material did you use for the gaskets?

Sounds like you two had a great time! It would be REALLY nice if you could do a screen-print of a Google Map of your travels. Attached is one that my son and I did in 2009, in a Suzuki Aerio, not a Model A...

Congratulations on a very successful, life time rewarding trip.

Sounds like you know how to 'screw together' a reliable Model A.

Thanks for sharing.

How long did it take?

I would like to drive my Model A across the US some day. I have driven across the USA in a modern car several times and pulled my travel trailer across the States with my pickup a couple times.

The best way to see the USA is by car and not at 40,000 feet. Driving a slow car through all the little towns and on all the back roads is even better. We stop at many national and state parks when we do the trip.

In a modern car you can cross the country in 5 days. In a Model A it would take at least 10 days and up to several months if you stop along the way to smell the roses.

If you decide to do this in your Model A, the most important thing is to have the car well sorted out with years of experience driving it around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN (Post 2403463)

What material did you use for the gaskets?

Paper gaskets from the suppliers to start, and then second, and then was able to pick up material from Oreilly's that worked for a bit, and then cut another set that lasted. I did not have gland rings, as I couldn't install them on a Burtz. I think they would have helped.

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy (Post 2403502)

How long did it take?

19 days. Might have shortened or lengthened it depending, but life keeps moving even when you're on vacation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar (Post 2403541)

There were things that were missed, because you had to have reservations, which when driving a Model A is something you can't guarantee to make it at that specific time. And then there were fortuitous stumble upons, which would never be found taking the interstate.