The Ford Barn

noho · 09-06-2016, 04:57 PM

I plan on owning a Model A at some point and using it as a daily driver, even though I have some or little mechanical background. To improve this, what would be a good book to read or study, for the engine of a model A?

Juggler · 09-06-2016, 05:32 PM

Welcome noho

The Les Andrews Model A Ford mechanics handbooks Vols 1 and 2 are a good place to start. Not without issues, but a good place to start.

Used copies show up in the swap meet here. Avoid Amazon prices if possible

Bruce Adams · 09-06-2016, 05:36 PM

Consider going to the Model A Restorer's Club website or Model A Ford Club of America's web site, finding a region / chapter near you and dropping in on a meeting, talking with owners, and perhaps you can see / ride in a Model A and see the engine.

30ccpickup · 09-06-2016, 05:45 PM

Above info plus fordbarn is spot on. I find that buying one is the best way to learn. It is tough to speculate on what you need to know.

100IH · 09-06-2016, 06:24 PM

Keep reading the Barn, eventually you will get the the gamut and then can look up in the Less Andrews book some further clarity. Also, use the advanced search here on the Barn to find other threads that might answer some questions that remain. A reprint of the owners manual is another vital part of the library. You can't beat having your own sources to fall back on..Eventually you will need a body parts book and the guidelines.

C26Pinelake · 09-06-2016, 07:04 PM

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Welcome to the family. If I were you I would rethink the daily driver bit. This 85 year old was not meant for today's freeway speeds, sudden stops and traffic tie ups. A couple on here are forever experiencing problens. A daily driver Model A will not save you money. You also have to ensure that your insurance company is aware of your intent to drive back and forth to work. Wayne.

Larry Jenkins · 09-06-2016, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noho

I plan on owning a Model A at some point and using it as a daily driver, even though I have some or little mechanical background. To improve this, what would be a good book to read or study, for the engine of a model A?

Get the book "Service Bulletins" for the Model A. Amazon has a few very nice used ones. I bought one there and it's pretty nice.

Larry

Mike V. Florida · 09-07-2016, 01:17 PM

Don't forget the Model A instruction manual that came with the car.

CWPASADENA · 09-07-2016, 11:55 PM

All very good advice.

Also, I would try to find a Model A Club in your area. You will find a lot of help there.

Chris W.

burner31 · 09-08-2016, 01:12 AM

Be sure to read your bank book first.

Seriously tho, I find my Model A costs less to restore, drive, maintain then my '57 Chevy.

Welcome to the World of Model A's

Safewiz · 09-08-2016, 06:29 AM

Welcome to the Barn. I bought my first Model A the end of last year, and although I have been wrenching for 40+ years, it became very clear I would need help with it. I also made my A my daily and have put 4500 miles on it since. As stated above, do your research and try to find a local Model A club for guidance. They are wonderful cars, and I get as much enjoyment out of maintaining it as I do driving it. Good luck with your quest, and should you decide to buy a Model A, some of the best information is found on this sight, along with people who want to help.

JohnLaVoy · 09-08-2016, 08:35 AM

Check out MAFCA.com there are chapters all over and joining one will give you contact to local folks who can give you advise and assistance with your project.

swo4rd · 09-08-2016, 10:56 AM

Ditto..and why don't you snag that A400 in the post just before this one...you'll get the attention of the club you join very quickly.

noho · 09-08-2016, 11:58 PM

Thank you all , this is great advice!

hardtimes · 09-09-2016, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noho

Thank you all , this is great advice!

Where are you located ? NoHo is North Hollywood where I live (los Angeles).
I ask, because I have a number of books that you may be interested in reading/having.

noho · 09-09-2016, 04:27 PM

Yes I'm in North Hollywood and that would be great!

Tiny · 09-09-2016, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Where are you located ? NoHo is North Hollywood where I live (los Angeles).
I ask, because I have a number of books that you may be interested in reading/having.

Welcome to the Model A community.

Good on you Hardtimes for welcoming him properly
This is what it's about fella's

hardtimes · 09-10-2016, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noho

Yes I'm in North Hollywood and that would be great!

I'm in Winnetka. PM sent.

noho · 09-10-2016, 10:42 AM

How do I contact you outside the forum?

09-06-2016, 04:57 PM	#1
noho Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 5	Newbie here. I plan on owning a Model A at some point and using it as a daily driver, even though I have some or little mechanical background. To improve this, what would be a good book to read or study, for the engine of a model A?

09-06-2016, 05:32 PM	#2
Juggler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix AZ/Bath UK Posts: 483	Re: Newbie here. Welcome noho The Les Andrews Model A Ford mechanics handbooks Vols 1 and 2 are a good place to start. Not without issues, but a good place to start. Used copies show up in the swap meet here. Avoid Amazon prices if possible

09-06-2016, 05:36 PM	#3
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: Newbie here. Consider going to the Model A Restorer's Club website or Model A Ford Club of America's web site, finding a region / chapter near you and dropping in on a meeting, talking with owners, and perhaps you can see / ride in a Model A and see the engine.

09-06-2016, 05:45 PM	#4
30ccpickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wakarusa, IN Posts: 932	Re: Newbie here. Above info plus fordbarn is spot on. I find that buying one is the best way to learn. It is tough to speculate on what you need to know. __________________ http://MODELABASICS.com/ How Things Work on a Model "A" Ford Fordbarners, Feel free to use the pictures on my site to answer questions and create tutorials/tech articles.

09-06-2016, 06:24 PM	#5
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 971	Re: Newbie here. Keep reading the Barn, eventually you will get the the gamut and then can look up in the Less Andrews book some further clarity. Also, use the advanced search here on the Barn to find other threads that might answer some questions that remain. A reprint of the owners manual is another vital part of the library. You can't beat having your own sources to fall back on..Eventually you will need a body parts book and the guidelines.

09-06-2016, 07:04 PM	#6
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Newbie here. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Welcome to the family. If I were you I would rethink the daily driver bit. This 85 year old was not meant for today's freeway speeds, sudden stops and traffic tie ups. A couple on here are forever experiencing problens. A daily driver Model A will not save you money. You also have to ensure that your insurance company is aware of your intent to drive back and forth to work. Wayne. Last edited by C26Pinelake; 09-06-2016 at 09:41 PM.

09-07-2016, 01:17 PM	#8
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Newbie here. Don't forget the Model A instruction manual that came with the car. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-07-2016, 11:55 PM	#9
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,931	Re: Newbie here. All very good advice. Also, I would try to find a Model A Club in your area. You will find a lot of help there. Chris W.

09-08-2016, 01:12 AM	#10
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,479	Re: Newbie here. Be sure to read your bank book first. Seriously tho, I find my Model A costs less to restore, drive, maintain then my '57 Chevy. Welcome to the World of Model A's __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

09-08-2016, 06:29 AM	#11
Safewiz Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: South Florida Posts: 147	Re: Newbie here. Welcome to the Barn. I bought my first Model A the end of last year, and although I have been wrenching for 40+ years, it became very clear I would need help with it. I also made my A my daily and have put 4500 miles on it since. As stated above, do your research and try to find a local Model A club for guidance. They are wonderful cars, and I get as much enjoyment out of maintaining it as I do driving it. Good luck with your quest, and should you decide to buy a Model A, some of the best information is found on this sight, along with people who want to help. __________________ Coral Springs Florida

09-08-2016, 08:35 AM	#12
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: Newbie here. Check out MAFCA.com there are chapters all over and joining one will give you contact to local folks who can give you advise and assistance with your project.

09-08-2016, 10:56 AM	#13
swo4rd Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Posts: 365	Re: Newbie here. Ditto..and why don't you snag that A400 in the post just before this one...you'll get the attention of the club you join very quickly.

09-08-2016, 11:58 PM	#14
noho Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 5	Re: Newbie here. Thank you all , this is great advice!

09-09-2016, 04:27 PM	#16
noho Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 5	Re: Newbie here. Yes I'm in North Hollywood and that would be great!

09-10-2016, 10:42 AM	#19
noho Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 5	Re: Newbie here. How do I contact you outside the forum?