Model A 4-Banger Restore ADVICE?

[Kensey]

New guy again, so be gentle.

I have a 30 model a, all stock. Starts and runs, not smoothly but runs. I did drive it, but it wasn't smooth by any stretch of the imagination.

What I've learned:
-tractor carb, so I just got the correct Zenith, rebuilt
-distributor looks all new inside
-timing may be off?
-exhaust leak
-water pump is leaking out of the shaft
-advance lever is a little stiff

So I would really appreciate any good advice as to what to check/look for while I'm trying to refresh the little banger.

Thanks all,
Kensey
Pittsburgh

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I personally think you need to find an experienced "mentor" first who can help you through some of these issues. The questions you are asking are too vague and some hands-on guidence will be most beneficial to you IMHO.

[Kensey]

That is a great suggestion, however a little unrealistic. I did buy the two very large model a manuals from Les. Those are great resources. I guess I'm just asking for any large issues I should look for that you guys know of through experience. But thanks again for your suggestion.

[Jason in TX]

All of that is really no large problem yet. I think your timing is off.

Follow the instructions on this website to a T and you'll have it running really nice.

http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/timing.htm

[Jason in TX]

On that leaky water pump, there is some rope impregnated with lead and graphite behind that brass/silver little nut. Usually you start the car and with it running, take a flat blade screw driver and on the passenger side of the car, you pry up on that nut to tighten it a little. There is an official wrench for it, but people in the 30s just used a screw driver. don't break your pump though if it's really hard to turn. It should be kind of easy to do. Just a little bit should do it and the rope/lead/graphite junk inside squishes a little more and the leak should stop.

A lot of guys get tired of doing this tightening thing that is actually regular maintenance and just get a leakless waterpump that has rubber seals inside so that it looks stock with the packing nut, but you don't have to tighten it anymore.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Originally Posted by Kensey

That is a great suggestion, however a little unrealistic. I did buy the two very large model a manuals from Les. Those are great resources. I guess I'm just asking for any large issues I should look for that you guys know of through experience. But thanks again for your suggestion.

You mean to tell me out of the whole city of Pittsburgh, there is not a single person who is familiar with Model A's that couldn't be persueded to come help you diagnose some of this and be a new friend? THAT seems unrealistic to me. Maybe that is what this hobby has come to though.

[CarlG]

I certainly would be at a loss without the contacts I've had in the Model A community over the last couple of years. -- Case in point: when my truck arrived in Alaska, the head was cracked because the guy that shipped it didn't put anti-freeze in it like he said he would. (It was early March). In order to get my truck home, I went over to U-Haul to rent a dolly, but they wouldn't let me pull it behind my Ford Explorer. SO... I called this guy I hardly knew, but he has a Model A, and lives close to me, asking for help. Within 15 minutes, he -- and 4 other guys, all Model A owners -- showed up at the transporter with trucks and equipment to get my new acquisition home. And it hasn't stopped since then. I'm always being asked if I need something. I even had this same fellow actually thank me for letting him work on my truck.

Can't get much better than that!

[Kensey]

Believe me, I'll reach out to others I meet along the way. There are a few here in Pgh I need to run into at a show. Just not sure how open they'll be to helping out. Truth be told, purest model a guys are not the easiest to approach. Just sayin.

[newshirt]

Did you replace every iginition part, as I suggested on the 9th of Sept? (Coil, wire, dist cap, dist body, rotor, points, plugs, condenser)

I know that sounds excessive, foolish, and uneducated, but if you've not a new car you know nothing about it might help. Plus, it's not that expensive. It certainly helped me.

After doing that, my car ran A LOT better. And then after replacing the manifold gaskets and carb, I thought it was a new car! You will not believe how smooth a Model A can run!!!

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by Kensey

Believe me, I'll reach out to others I meet along the way. There are a few here in Pgh I need to run into at a show. Just not sure how open they'll be to helping out. Truth be told, purest model a guys are not the easiest to approach. Just sayin.

UH, I may be wrong but, you did approach this motley crew with no problem, correct? What makes you think these people are any different than any other Model A owners? I find most all the people I meet in this hobby are ready to jump at the chance to work on someone else' car. Mind you, some do it for a living but most just like working on cars. Braggin rights, ya know.

[Kensey]

I've been reading everything I can, finally feel like I'm ready to dig into her. So I'm just starting now.

Yes, most have been really cool! Sorry, don't mean to offend. But I mentioned down draft intake and got my butt handed to me. Actually pretty funny. That's cool though, to each his own. I do REALY APPRECIATE the advice.

[30ccpickup]

I would recommend the “Model A Instruction Book”, it is the forerunner of today’s owner’s manual. Google it and you should be able to find a reprint. Believe it or not your questions and many questions on the Fordbarn are pretty much the same as they were in 1927 thru 1931 when the cars were new. Henry did a pretty good job in developing his owners manual to help those who were new to the Model ‘A’ to maintain and perform simple mechanical fixes to it.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Kensey

Believe me, I'll reach out to others I meet along the way. There are a few here in Pgh I need to run into at a show. Just not sure how open they'll be to helping out. Truth be told, purest model a guys are not the easiest to approach. Just sayin.

Kensey,
Just remember, MOST Model A owners are NOT purists.

[JBR]

Go to www.mafca.com That's the Model A Ford Club of America. On their website they show 5 model a clubs in PA. with contact information. I'm not sure which is the closest to you. The Model A Restorers Club shows 9 clubs in PA on their website www.modelaford.org One of which is in Pittsburgh. Also has contact information. Surely not everyone of these guys is a purist. Go to a couple of meetings and get to know them a little. Tell them what you have and what kind of help you need. Someone will be more then happy to help you. If there is something I can do by email or over the phone, let me know.
Good Luck,
Jon

[fbech]

JBR is right!!! Since I spend a great deal of my time in St. Louis, I joined a club there, even though I live in TN. The guys are GREAT! I wish I would have joined the A club before I bought the car. You don't necesssarily have to have an A to join a club, just an interest in A's. Check with your local clubs. You will get more than enough help or information. Good luck.

Frankie

[Jim Huseby]

Your determination to learn all you can by research and and by consulting is a major key to your success and maximum enjoyment of your Model A. Among "barners" there is a generally understood, but seldom mentioned, fact about the Model A: The factories produced them with quality-controlled tolerances,dimensions and balance. If you restore it mechanically to the same specs (not to say that you can't make some well-chosen improvements), you will be amazed at its "sweetness" or "Swiss watch" quality, especially if you're already a gear head. There are many, many A's on the road that run and drive, look and sound quaint, but have wear, alignment and balance, etc. issues and their owner's enjoyment of them is largely imagined or is just pride of ownership. That is not meant to demean anyone, but it does mean that you should drive a new-spec "A" as a reference and restore yours to a quality standard that will allow you to enjoy its true essence.