What did you do today, that was Model A related ?

[Trapdoor2]

Went for my longest drive yet. ~10mi

Of course, I had to fix a fuel leak first. I have been fighting a leak in the fuel line between the shutoff valve and the fuel sediment bowl. I installed a new shutoff valve a few weeks ago and noticed the sediment bowl's sealing surface was chewed up a bit. I ordered a new fuel line and a new sediment bowl assembly...and installed them. The new one leaked like a sieve...no matter what I did. It would seemingly stop...but after a test drive, the firewall (inside) would be wet.

I worked on it last night and it seemed dry. A tour around the block...nope, still leaking. Dammit! I pulled her into the garage and stripped everything out. Fuel line and sediment bowl. I took both to the workbench and discovered...I'd cross-threaded the sediment bowl threads horribly. Total mess, completely ruined. I could hear my Dad laughing (RIP since 1982).

I was so mad at myself that it took me another hour to find the original. Of course, it was in the very first box I looked...but it was hiding in plain sight (in the box the new one came in). I tore the garage apart...before it chose to reveal itself.

I cleaned up the sealing surface with a little 600g sandpaper, installed it correctly, listening to my Dad admonish me to "fingers only, no wrench until the seal is made. If you can't do it with your fingers there's something wrong..." Yes, Dad. You're right, Dad.

Leak be gone! Let's go for a ride!

I'm running on the Zenith at the moment. It runs well...but I think I've got the idle set a tad on the low side, so I tweak the idle screw a bit. I made a loop around the neighborhood, checked the fuel fittings with my flashlight (no leaks) and took her out onto the highway. She appears to like 45-50mph quite well (still a rattler). Traffic is light and I somehow beat most of the red lights on my way to the softball fields, about 5mi away.

The Softball complex is part of a large local park complex. It has miles of walking trails, a dog park, water-ski loop, swim park (guaranteed alligator free!) and dozens of softball fields. Lots of new, smooth pavement and 15mph speed limit. I wandered around in 2nd gear the whole time. Everybody waves at the Model A and everybody smiles at the Ahoogah!

I headed for the exit and made the return trip with no trouble at all. I did have two red lights...and one with traffic. I made sure I was on the binders early...but I must have had them warmed up as they were, um, mostly ineffective coming from 50 down to 35. These are not cast iron rims...downshifting is much better than braking. Yah, I'm still on the steep end of the learning curve.

Yes, I've sent email to Randy Gross. I'll order a full set of cast iron stoppers. New everything from the spindle out on all four. No doubt I'll find other issues. That is the way of the Model A.

So, back home in the garage. Check the engine temps...perfect. Check oil, no big leaks. Check Zenith...its dripping. A check with a mirror reveals that it is leaking out of the drain plug. 1/2" wrench does not stop the leak. I think the gasket is toast. Thankfully, I ordered a full Zenith kit last week from Mike's. I pulled it off the car and yup, the gasket is split.

So, I installed the rebuilt Tillotson X that came with the car when I bought it. I rebuilt it a month ago. All new guts, everything blown out clean, float adjusted exactly, etc.

It won't idle smoothly. It "lopes". I suspect it probably is losing vacuum somewhere. Just another thing to tinker with! The Zenith gasket set should be here in a couple of days.

Having fun!