Quote:
Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead
Atch, good to see you are enjoying your Model A. Just a suggestion, when downshifting, put the Mitchell in neutral, then downshift, then re-engage the Mitchell. Use the Mitchell's synchros. No grinding, no double clutching.
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Wowzer. I'll try that next time I drive it. THANKS!
I plan to drive it about a hundred miles next Tuesday to an annual lunch gathering of four friends (veterans) who meet every Veterans Day at the same Mexican restaurant in Jefferson City, MO. We've been doing this since 2012. There were five of us but Ed has gone on. The rest of us aren't spring chickens anymore so who knows how long this will last. One year Tom and I rode together in his Model A sedan. Several times I've gone in Clarence, my 1948 Ford panel truck. This year Tom is going to ride with me.
As this is the Ford Barn, let me say that I have the drivable Model A, a Model A project, and Clarence. I've had the panel truck since February of 1973. The Model A's are more recent. Nearly all of Bob's old cars have been fords and nearly all of them have been 28/29 Model A's. Two of his Model A's have been his for over 50 years. A sedan and a pu have been runners for most of those 50 years. This year he competed a 28/29 panel truck that he first bought about 40 years ago. Bill is now out of the old car "business" but he used to have a really nice '36 Ford sedan. Tom has two Model A's and a Model T that are drivers. The Model T has been on the road for at least 30 years and one of the model A's probably 20. His other Model A is a running, driving, non-restored car that has always been a driver. He also has enough Model A bodies to put together several more. I'm not even sure I can count all of the old fords that the late Ed had. His two drivers were a '32 5-window and an English Ford Prefect. He also had storage buildings full of old car projects, mostly Fords.
So this is fairly appropriate for the 'Barn.
After next Tuesday I plan to quit driving the "A" for the winter. Or at least until I change oil and lube it completely. And install engine pans and oil filter. I'm still up in the air about an air filter. I live on a gravel road so it concerns me. However, in 1930 when this car was built most roads were gravel. Last night at our monthly Model A club meeting we discussed using or not using air filters. Hey, I'm the president so we can talk about anything I want. Of the 15-20 folks that were there some said do it and some said don't. I've read on here several conversations about it and the consensus here also appears to be split down the middle.
Note that I am president this year because I'm one of the newest (6-7 years membership) and youngest (74) members. Most of the guys are old enough and tired enough that they don't want to be the pres again.
Thanks again for the tip about putting the Mitchell in neutral when downshifting.