Starting Restoration

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by BamaFord

The hood on this side is the worst panel on the A. I'm not sure what to do about paint for it. Everything else on the vehicle is in great shape.


Also, check the shared album on the first post of the thread for high quality photos. I am doing this from my iPhone and can't upload high quality pictures here.

That area of hood adds 'character' to a very beautiful vehicle...as is !
I agree with others here, who have advised to just coat it for now and drive it , till you fully make up mind to change. As you will find it hard to change it BACK to what it is now, if second thoughts later !

Guys nowadays, pay big $ to have a 'clear coat' put over old vehicles with great 'patina'..as it's called. Your A , so just answering, eh !

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by BamaFord

Got the Model A all cleaned up! My next step is to clear the fuel system. I see the tank is built in right behind the instrument panel. It will need to be flushed out thoroughly. Any advice on how you guys clean out your old fuel tanks? I may either just flush it with gas/chemicals or if need be I may be able to pull it out. Also I want to get a new carburetor. Which modern version gives the best performance?

There is no need for a "modern version". Get the one on the car rebuilt buy someone that really knows about the carbs. I vote for Bert's in Denver.

If for some reason your heart is set on a modern version you are going to have to decide if you want up draft carb and the original manifold or a down draft and purchase a new manifold.

[1929]

beautiful piece of history, keep it in the family

[Pilotdave]

Since your grandfather belonged to the Central Alabama club, perhaps you can learn a fair amount about your car by talking with the members there.

Also, you asked about a modern replacement carburetor - suggest that you talk with some other Model A owners before deciding to switch out the carb. If you have a well-tuned original type carb on the car it should run just fine.

And welcome to the Barn!

[HoarseWhisperer]

There's probably many of us that had the urge to "tinker" with our first Model A and couldn't resist trying to improve the aesthetics. So we did, and took our shiny vehicles to shows only to become envious of the originals that drew the admiring crowds.

Mechanicals first, then maybe the rest.....maybe.

[Big hammer]

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Welcome! My vote is leave like grandpa left it! Just repair what is needed to get it running. You will get big grins and thumbs up when your driving grandpas car! Heck i'am giving you two thumbs up now :-)

[1930artdeco]

I agree, when I had my Mustang I was working on it just like you. I went to cars show in primer and parked next to some really gorgeous cars-and got all of the attention. People would tell their kids 'this is how cars start out-not done like X'. Don't get me wrong, those other cars were drop dead gorgeous but your car will show people what our cars were meant for-to be driven.

If they get in your face about it then ask them for $30k in cash to restore the car. That will shut them up and you don't need to be friends with them anyhow. Your car is great as is. Just get her up to snuff mechanically and drive her round and show her off. FWIW, keep the original parts and rebuild them, they are better 90% of the time than new parts.

Mike

[jboggess]

I didn't mean they had to be perfect shape, its just nice to see a decent car. My friend did a Model A restore a few years back and his goal was to do it on the cheap, so he painted it with a spray can from Walmart, and yes its not perfect but it looks just fine to go to a cruise night show, and just because theres paint on the car doesnt mean it cant be a driver... These cars didnt come out of the factory unpainted, and besides it helps with future rust.

[Goldhardt]

Loved your pictures! Also loved hearing that it belonged to your Grandpa. My Grandpa sold his Model T back in 1968 when I was 10 years old. No one in the family had any idea what ever happened to it. Last summer I just happened to be at an estate auction and came across his old car with the original paperwork. It had been completely restored and was beautiful. Unfortunately, it went for big bucks. Moral of the story, keep this car in the family! You may someday have a grandson who would love to be able to drive his great, great, Grandpa's car!

[BamaFord]

I am back home and ready to dive into the restoration. Here is the carburetor that is on the vehicle now. I am tempted to just order a rebuilt one and send this one in as a core. Any advice? I am not sure what condition it was in when the car was running 10+ years ago.

[larrys40]

I would keep the tillotson on it, clean and check for flatness on the bowl and top and regasket and re-assemble. It should do fine. I would recommend getting it driveable and safe, brakes, steering, etc and enjoy it for a while... and then decide it you want to tear it down for a restoration or just enjoy as is for a while longer.
I also dropped you a PM with Purdy's info so you can contact him down your way. He's a book of knowledge on them.
Tell him Larry Shepard says hello.
Larry

[Charles Coe]

That looks like a Tillotson carburetor. If you are not concerned about authenticity, then it probably only needs to be cleaned. They are good running carbs.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Average/unrestored cars attract a LOT of attention/conversation. People are amazed that an eighty something year old car runs SO SWEET & can keep up with ordinary city traffic! Helps us meet some most interesting people, that we otherwise would have missed. They're fascinated by the FUNNY LOOKIN' DISTRIBUTOR CAP, "Is that the carb"??--"Where's the VALVE COVER"? The crowd grows, when someone asks you to START IT UP!!
After all, conversation with ordinary, decent, interesting folks, IS one of GOD'S greatest gifts to us. Love all you folks !
Bill W.

[Fullraceflathead]

I have the same carburetor on mine, yes it's a Tillotson not a Zenith.
It is a very good carburetor to use, many believe it is a little better than the Zenith. Less issues of it stalling when braking hard, this assumes your have your Brakes "Dialed in"!

[Brentwood Bob]

Hope you can flesh out the history on the woody after you get to meet the guys in the local model a club.
there are good threads on cleaning/flushing the gas tank 'in vitro', just go to the first page of this discussion section and do a search.
If you were lucky the gas tank was empty when the vehicle was stored.
If not, I have used lacquer thinner, just watch the paint.
The rust on the hood is called patina.
Bob

[Terry, NJ]

I see that you had a Correct Craft plywood speed boat! I had a 1957 and I loved it. Mine had a 4 cyl flathead Graymarine (Continental) I don't recall what the HP was, but it was more when I sold it than when I bought it. I was getting too many RPMs so I reblocked the prop wheel to 12X13". This light little hull seemed very fast for what it was. I had a lot of fun with the boat for two summers. Correct Crafts are not too well known, I seldom see them mentioned.
Terry

[mngrant]

Welcome to Ford Barn.
Great find and have fun with whatever direction you decide. Get a copy of Les Andrews "Model a Ford Mechanics Handbook" and join a local Model A club. Both are inexpensive easily affordable on a student budget.

[Redbird]

I just rebuilt my Tillotson a few weeks ago. It was so easy. Take carb apart, soak all in carb cleaner, used a tooth brush or parts cleaning brush, unscrewed all removable valves, soaked all and blew out in both directions with compressed air, new needle/seat installed, air mixture screw in until seats & backed out 3/4 turn. Starts and runs like a top. Before and after pics.

[daveymc29]

You'll only get one shot to drive it as a survivor, then if you do much restoration it will have lost that patina forever and just her another old car that we throw money into. But it is yours, make yourself happy and enjoy it. You'll never please us out here watching you, just please yourself and enjoy the car. Welcome to the site. We are here to learn and share what we know.

[1927reocpe]

Very cool! make it safe and give guide tours with it... $$$$$$ Could pay for another project.