The Ford Barn

hammerhead · 05-13-2026, 08:52 AM

It's a '28 pickup. None of the early stuff, variations I've been reading about.

It has not run much in the last few years as he was in bad health.

I know some things about the car, just enough to get me in trouble lol.

Looking for advice on what service to look into to get it ready to drive this summer.

Thanks in advance

Bob

gdmn852 · 05-13-2026, 08:59 AM

Hello, check all fluids levels, change engine oil, tune up engine, make sure the brakes work and carefully look at the tires,for cracks and dry rot . I am sure you will get more posts , good luck.

Canton_Model_A's · 05-13-2026, 09:23 AM

Welcome to the "Barn" Hammerhead. Congrads on your new member of the family. Like gdmn852 has said, check all the fluids, Brakes, tires. Does the engine turn over? is it 6v Positive Ground or was it converted over to 12v.

Do not be afraid of asking any questions, we are all here to help. if you want a good start on Model A repairs and what-not, check out this link:

https://www.youtube.com/@ModelA

Paul knows his stuff and has actually done some work on Les Andrew's Model A.

Dave

Joe K · 05-13-2026, 09:25 AM

When you said "trick" I thought you might mean "pulling up on the gearshift lever" and "swinging it around."

Dad said that helped a lot with dating...

I tried it - it helps with the elbow room - but it never got me even a first date.

Joe K

Marshall V. Daut · 05-13-2026, 09:39 AM

It's a good idea if first-time posters place their location other than a generic "USA" in their profiles and identification panels so that readers nearby can come help if need be.
Marshall

Fullraceflathead · 05-13-2026, 09:52 AM

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If the gas in the tank is more than 4 or 5 months old I would recommend draining all of the gas out of the tank. Don't make the mistake of adding fresh gas to gas that's like a year-old or older as it will just cause more problems in the long run.
What is your location? I’m in northwest Missouri. If you’re close I would be willing to help you. I also have a ‘28 open cab pickup.

Joe K · 05-13-2026, 10:10 AM

Multiple disk clutch? E-brake handle on the left?

Nice article in this month's RESTORER magazine about the advantages and disadvantages of this early clutch variant.

They're good drivers - until the dust builds up in the flywheel grooves and one by one you lose clutch friction disk layers.

Joe K

nkaminar · 05-13-2026, 10:55 AM

Safety first. Make sure all the lights and horn works. The brakes should lock up the wheels. Steering should have very little slack and the car should not wonder over the road. Have inside and outside rear view windows. Check to make sure the tires have good thread and no cracks. Turn indicators are a good safety addition. Others may add to this list.

JayJay · 05-13-2026, 11:39 AM

I have a vague recollection of a video about steps to go through to methodically start a “barn find”. I can’t seem to find it.

P.S., was it one of yours, or am I having another senior moment?

1930artdeco · 05-13-2026, 02:18 PM

If it has the original 2 blade fan, pull it out and hang it on the wall, they are deadly. Not only to your radiator and hood but you the driver.

Mike

nkaminar · 05-13-2026, 05:19 PM

A magnet will stick to the original 2-blade fan.

05-13-2026, 08:52 AM	#1
hammerhead Junior Member Join Date: May 2026 Location: Indiana Posts: 1	Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick It's a '28 pickup. None of the early stuff, variations I've been reading about. It has not run much in the last few years as he was in bad health. I know some things about the car, just enough to get me in trouble lol. Looking for advice on what service to look into to get it ready to drive this summer. Thanks in advance Bob Last edited by hammerhead; 05-13-2026 at 09:00 AM.

05-13-2026, 08:59 AM	#2
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 1,114	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick Hello, check all fluids levels, change engine oil, tune up engine, make sure the brakes work and carefully look at the tires,for cracks and dry rot . I am sure you will get more posts , good luck.

05-13-2026, 09:23 AM	#3
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 388	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick Welcome to the "Barn" Hammerhead. Congrads on your new member of the family. Like gdmn852 has said, check all the fluids, Brakes, tires. Does the engine turn over? is it 6v Positive Ground or was it converted over to 12v. Do not be afraid of asking any questions, we are all here to help. if you want a good start on Model A repairs and what-not, check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/@ModelA Paul knows his stuff and has actually done some work on Les Andrew's Model A. Dave __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor - "Darla" '29 Model A: Old enough to start with a crank, young enough to steal the show! "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

05-13-2026, 09:25 AM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 5,013	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick When you said "trick" I thought you might mean "pulling up on the gearshift lever" and "swinging it around." Dad said that helped a lot with dating... I tried it - it helps with the elbow room - but it never got me even a first date. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

05-13-2026, 09:39 AM	#5
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,896	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick It's a good idea if first-time posters place their location other than a generic "USA" in their profiles and identification panels so that readers nearby can come help if need be. Marshall

05-13-2026, 09:52 AM	#6
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,851	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the gas in the tank is more than 4 or 5 months old I would recommend draining all of the gas out of the tank. Don't make the mistake of adding fresh gas to gas that's like a year-old or older as it will just cause more problems in the long run. What is your location? I’m in northwest Missouri. If you’re close I would be willing to help you. I also have a ‘28 open cab pickup. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

05-13-2026, 10:10 AM	#7
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 5,013	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick Multiple disk clutch? E-brake handle on the left? Nice article in this month's RESTORER magazine about the advantages and disadvantages of this early clutch variant. They're good drivers - until the dust builds up in the flywheel grooves and one by one you lose clutch friction disk layers. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

05-13-2026, 10:55 AM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,852	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick Safety first. Make sure all the lights and horn works. The brakes should lock up the wheels. Steering should have very little slack and the car should not wonder over the road. Have inside and outside rear view windows. Check to make sure the tires have good thread and no cracks. Turn indicators are a good safety addition. Others may add to this list. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

05-13-2026, 11:39 AM	#9
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,673	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick I have a vague recollection of a video about steps to go through to methodically start a “barn find”. I can’t seem to find it. P.S., was it one of yours, or am I having another senior moment? __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan (under reconstruction) 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan It isn't a defect, it's a feature!

05-13-2026, 02:18 PM	#10
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,941	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick If it has the original 2 blade fan, pull it out and hang it on the wall, they are deadly. Not only to your radiator and hood but you the driver. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

05-13-2026, 05:19 PM	#11
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,852	Re: Just inherited my uncle's Model A trick A magnet will stick to the original 2-blade fan. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.