Riding my Ford Model A across USA

[KR500]

If possible take an interested friend, and Good luck.

[Charlville]

Brilliant, great advice in the other posts, I'd also let the TV channels such as Discovery & Nat Geo know what you are doing, plus the local news stations along the way?

[pgerhardt]

You might want to contact the Travel Channel as they might underwrite the entire trip. However having a camera crew and producer come along would change the trip from fun to work - never mind!

[MrBruce]

Wow! Make sure you have some modern media to keep us posted on your trip. Get a MAFCA and MARC roster so you have people if you need help along the way.

[JohnLaVoy]

I will be watching for you as you approach the West coast. Since you are planning on the Lincoln highway you will be going right by where we are. I might suggest you invest in a GoPro or similar video camera so you can upload some of the trip. They are small and light weight. Also regarding tools you might want to look for a Barcalo combination wrench that was sold by Western Auto back when the Model A was new. It fits all the service points and adjusts the brakes so one tool covers most of what you need to check fluids etc.

[mhsprecher]

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I doubt you will have any trouble posting real time, but you might think about having the info delayed a day or two just to be sure. You might get a GoPro to capture parts of the trip.

[bikemaniac]

marc hildebrandt: I have all 3 Les Andrews books and used them a lot. I almost built the car up from scratch because it was a barn find. It is truly my goal to have no fixes at all - and I will prepare as much as possible - but you never know :-)

dougvieyra: Can the roster books be downloaded as a PDF file? I am not an ex-pat, but massively improved my skills writing 6 scientific papers during my PhD.

pc/sr: As much as I would like to, I dont think I will be able to find a 4 speed transmission.

Rich in Tucson: A lot of your info eases my mind :-).

Kenwood: The car will have a mandatory saftety check by the authorities in Denmark where brakes, lights etc are checked. In Denmark it is impossible to restore a car and just start driving.

KR500: Sadly I dont know of anyone who is interested in such endavors. But to be positive - traveling alone increases the chances of meeting locals tremendously.

pgerhardt: True, it should not be work, but fun :-).

Lucas

[40 Deluxe]

Sounds like fun! Some suggestions: Take the northern route. Anywhere below 5,000 ft. elevation in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California is brutally hot in the summer-110 deg. and up. The 4 speed idea is a good one if you are doing the dirt road bike trail. You can install a 4 speed trans using all Model A parts as this was either a dealer or factory option when A's were new and the parts are still available.
If you break down, one possible source of parts would be to find an older parts store and ask around. They will know all the repair shops in the area, they may have Model A owners as customers and may know of local clubs.
Dirt roads often have severe wash boards which will shake your car to pieces. Keep an eye out for loose bolts and body cracks. Modern suspensions with rubber bushings last a lot longer on these roads. M0odel A's with all metal bushings and kingpins quickly pound the grease out and go metal-to-metal, so grease the fittings every day when running washboard roads.
A rusty body is OK but get the mechanicals in top shape before you leave home! Why start out with worn out brushes and bushings in the starter or generator? Why develop a rod knock or lose a main bearing because you didn't check bearing clearances at home? What is the general condition of the engine? Is the cooling system clean? Is the wiring in good shape, no frayed insulation? You need good lights including turn signals and brake lights (two) to give the all squids on the road a chance to see and avoid you. Model A's are rugged and dependable but need regular care and maintenance.
Maybe someone in a club or on the fordbarn would be willing to be a sort of parts depot for you-someone maybe halfway on your journey where you could stash a couple tires and tubes, tune-up parts, a water pump, etc. and have them ship to you if you break down, thus saving the hassle locating simple items.
Finally, what shape is that old fan blade in??

[40 Deluxe]

Bikemaniac, I was still typing my reply when you posted, so much of what I said is now redundant, but I think you can find a Model A (or AA) 4 speed trans with a little searching. These fordbarn guys would be a big help!

[Slotblog]

Bikemaniac,

I made a somewhat similar trip last Oct/Nov, buying a 1930 Tudor in McMinnville, OR, then driving it back home to Atlanta, GA, a bit more than 2,700 miles. I did cheat a bit in having a chase car though.

Here's a link to the daily trip reports:

http://slotblog.net/forum/415-oregon...n-a-1930-ford/

If I can be of any assistance, all you have to do is ask.

[silversink]

Originally Posted by Slotblog

Bikemaniac,

I made a somewhat similar trip last Oct/Nov, buying a 1930 Tudor in McMinnville, OR, then driving it back home to Atlanta, GA, a bit more than 2,700 miles. I did cheat a bit in having a chase car though.

Here's a link to the daily trip reports:

http://slotblog.net/forum/415-oregon...n-a-1930-ford/

If I can be of any assistance, all you have to do is ask.

that's where my car went

[bikemaniac]

Hi slotblog,
That is a great story you just shared and I really like the pictures too.

From what I've read you had three problems:

1. Leaking water pump
2. Generator/Alternator failure
3. Ignition problems

Is that correct? Maybe you could add some comments to those problems and how to avoid them? :-). Will a set of new points be eroded after 2700 mi or can they last that long?

Lucas

[Slotblog]

1) Water pump. It was dumb of me not to have brought some water pump seals in my spares. I wrongly assumed that the ancient seals would just need to be tightened. Of course, after Joe Wylie at Bert's installed one of the leakless, greaseless water pumps when we stopped in Denver, we had no more problems with the water pump. Suggest you install one of these pumps as well.

2) Again, the generator problem was something I should have dealt with earlier, knowing that it was charging at too high a rate. If I had moved the third brush to reduce the charging rate at the speeds I was running, the generator might not have failed but that's just a guess. No way of knowing how well (or even if) the generator had been rebuilt 40+ years ago.

3) Again, I am mostly to blame for the distributor problems, having brought a set of points and condensor which I never installed in my spares. The car was running and starting very well and my tendency is to leave things alone if they're working. I've since installed a dist with the modern points and the "no wire" upgrade thus solving the dist problems for good (I hope!). I'd certainly recommend this on your car. FWIW, Ford recommended adjusting the original style points every 100 miles!

You wrote: "Sadly I don't know of anyone who is interested in such endeavors."

I did not find this to be true at all. Prior to my trip, there were a number of folks who expressed a desire to come along and/or to do such a trip themselves. One friend in the hobby came very close to joining us. And my brother-in-law wants to buy a car for himself and do a similar trip.

If possible, I'd ride with you, but only if you'd let me do some of the driving... LOL!

[40 Deluxe]

Bikemaniac, right now there are two Model AA four speed transmissions and matching bell housings on ebay. I'm not sure what else is needed for the conversion but these are the two big items.

[PC/SR]

We swapped a 4 speed into a pal's 31 pickup some years ago and as I recall it was an easy job. Took out the rear end. From pics seen online of the Transamerica Trail you would need it.
Further thought: If you go the back roads route, I would think seriously about getting 16" wheels and tires. Much easier to find replacements in the wilds, and more stable on gravel roads and washboards, more traction on rocks and climbing out of gullys.

[bikejunk]

I think you wold have to hire a bonded shipping agent in The USA or you can do it yourself but I don't think someone can just pick up the car for you I have imported motorcycles from Europe and the pick up procedures at Customs after 911 are really strict and exacting .

You will have to find out from US customs what the story is good luck

[HoarseWhisperer]

I have no advice except, ENJOY, bikemaniac! Look forward to hearing of the adventure.

[califfarmer]

Doug Vieyra last time I visited your home town I didn't hear any Spanish spoken. I've visited Solvang many times. Beautiful place to live.

[bikemaniac]

By extreme luck I have found a 4 speed Ford AA transmission only 100 mi from where I live. plind from this forum will check it out for me because he lives only 10 mi away. Does anyone have some detailed information on:

1. What to look for on the gearbox when inspecting it?
2. How many versions were built and will they all fit?
3. Detailed information on how to make the swap from the 3 speed to the 4 speed?
4. Is the conversion a true plug and play? No modifications using lathes, mills, drills etc?
5. What about the length of the propeller shaft? Does it need to be cut?
6. What are the gear ratios of the 4 speed box?

Lucas

[CarlG]

In addition to the AA Transmission, you will need these parts:

A-7085-E Rear Bearing Retainer
A-7090-C U-Joint Assembly
AA-7095 U-Joint knuckle retainer.

These are the parts that make it possible to install the AA 4-speed transmission into an A "passenger" vehicle.