New Model A owners

[fashion frank]

Hey Florida Mike thanks for the info pal and I will research the pages but right now I need to gas it up and dump the oil , is there a certain weight that you use ( I know heavier in summer lighter in winter is the general rule ) in regards to oil and do you burn regular or high test gas.

I know in my Harleys I run only high test or they will ping and knock.
Again thanks Mike for your time and perhaps other will weight in as well .
All the best ,Fashion frank

[fashion frank]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

Thats a fine looking car!

Thanks again Mike I live in Rhode Island and had to go to PA. to get it , in fact Saturday I drove to Coopersburg and back to look at the car and then the very next day I got up again at 4:30 am. and drove back out there with a friend who had a truck and trailer and paid 9 grand for it and trailered it back .
it purrs like a kitchen and the motor was just rebuilt.
Again Thanks mike for your time and well wishes.
All the best , Frank

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by fashion frank

Hey Florida Mike thanks for the info pal and I will research the pages but right now I need to gas it up and dump the oil , is there a certain weight that you use ( I know heavier in summer lighter in winter is the general rule ) in regards to oil and do you burn regular or high test gas.

I know in my Harleys I run only high test or they will ping and knock.
Again thanks Mike for your time and perhaps other will weight in as well .
All the best ,Fashion frank

The model A is a low compression engine the lowest octane you can find (cheapest) will work great. If you research octane you will find it actually slows the burn. You also don't need lead additive in the fuel as lead in gasoline was not popular until the mid 30's if I remember right. You can use a multi weight oil just like your modern car. 10-30 would be good, but as I said before there are others that use different ones even straight weight.

[dlfrisch]

I'm 73 - have owned a lot of vehicles over the years. Many years ago bought and sold a few "A's" for a little of nothing in dollars. I had a '29 Model A pick-up this past year. Just sold it and bought a '30 Coupe. My wife and I both ride full dress Harley's and we have met real nice people with the motorcycle people and with the Model A Ford folks.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've never owned a car that required high test gasoline, but yesterday I did fill my 1950 Studebaker with Shell high test 91 octane, because that was the only gas that had no ethanol crap in it.

I also use Shell rotella 15-40 oil, but would also use some other oils if they were on sale, as long as they are detergent oil and I usually use multigrade.

[neds29]

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I bought my A at Goodguys here in Phoenix last year after looking for years. Had an '28 A CCPU found where Route 495 was being built around Lawrence, MA and kept in my Dad's backyard back in the 60's until he said it was time for it to go. When I returned from Vietnam in 1970 started searching again and found a '29 roadster in a barn in Hooksett, New Hampster (ha, ha) which I "restored" after a fashion, and kept until 1991, dragging it around the country when the Army moved me. Sold it when my ex and I split up. Remarried in '96 to a great gal who also loves old cars (she owned a very nice and original '32 4-door which she sold in the early '90's. Darn!). Love my new-to-me '29 CCPU as it's rust free, rebuilt motor, nice tin, etc. I'll have it at the next Goodguys show this fall after I get the brakes to work.
Ned

[Skibb]

Originally Posted by ken ehrenhofer

if you are new model a'er i would always suggest you join the model a restorers club and find a local region near you. That way you can find friends nearby who can help and a club who will give advice and tours which are really great.....www.modelarestorers.org

great people and great way to learn about the model a ford!

+++++++++ 1

[beechboy]

Hello, I am Chris from Ohio. I'm 57. I got my 28 A Tudor about a month ago. Sold a homebuilt airplane I spent 8 yrs building to buy my A. The wife didn't like flying, but she does love taking the A out on the country roads. The dogs love it too. We put about 200 or so miles on her. Started to hear a knocking noise. So with reading the info on the Barn, I decided to pull the pan. The engine was clean inside, the cam looks new, adjustable lifters, not sure about the valves yet. Did find babbit in the oil pockets of the pan. I found #3 rod pretty loose. As in no need to measure. So I pulled the engine. Removed the head, the piston walls look pretty good. The odd thing is #3 is .020 and that piston is different than the rest (.060 the other pistons) and the #3 piston was cracked all the way down the skirt. Not sure what's going on with that. Well The cranks appears good, babbit was cranked on rear main. Anyway I contacted Joe Bell in Tiffin Ohio. He is going to babbit the mains and rods, and I will have him check the rest of the parts out. hoping the block isn't crack. I am not disappointed with what I found, just had a good reason to tear it down. The car is in pretty much orignal condition, and in pretty good shape. It will be a driver for now. and Thanks to all your good info on The Barn. It really made eng. removal easy. I will post some pics as soon as I figure out how to get them off Photobucket. Sorry about the long post.

[Thomas Olson]

I'm a new member. I bought my first Model A in 1963. I paid $80 for a 1931 Tudor.
My second Model A is a 1931 Victoria. I bought it in 2013, after I retired, for slightly more money. I guess I've always had the Model A "bug".

[armchair67]

As of this Saturday, I will be the owner of a 1931 Tudor. I sold my Cadillac CTS-V to buy it. This is a very nice, well restored car, that will become my daily driver. Year round, Chicago winters and all. Don't worry, I run a plumbing service shop and three of our seven vans are restored Volkswagen Buses from the 1970s, so I am familiar with keeping them clean in the winter. I

I will be going from 400bhp to 40 yet I am still pretty stoked about it. I plan on updating the lighting and maybe adding a voltage converter so I can run my phone charger, and maybe radial tires, but very few mods will be made-seat belts of course, as I have kids. I am 40.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by armchair67

... and maybe radial tires...

I was not aware they made radial tires to fit the Model A. What brand are they? All I've seen is bias ply.

[wgmatt]

I'm a new member. I'm 64. My first Model A was when I was 13 years old. A 29 AA barn find on my paper route for $100. Took me 4 years (and a driver's license) to get it running. It was stolen and never recovered. I sure miss that truck! I've rebuilt a Model T Roadster but wanted to get mack to the venerable Model A. I acquired a 1930 Briggs Fordor and am uo to my elbows in problems and fun!

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I was not aware they made radial tires to fit the Model A. What brand are they? All I've seen is bias ply.

Coker Tire:
http://www.cokertire.com/500r19-exce...rt-radial.html

[armchair67]

My understanding is that Coker tire makes a direct replacement for Model As but in radial form. I've driven swing axle beetles with both bias ply and radials and never had a real issue with bias ply tires, but there was a big difference. Since I'll be driving this car I think the radials are the way to go

[armchair67]

Oops Carl beat me to it!

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by CarlG

Coker Tire:
http://www.cokertire.com/500r19-exce...rt-radial.html

Originally Posted by armchair67

Oops Carl beat me to it!

Thanks guys, I'll check them out.

[Js31coupe]

I am 29 years old and bought my first 1931 Model A Coupe at a auction by mistake. I just wanted to get the bidding started so they would move on. Then my wife out bid the high bidder because she thought I wanted it. We love our car and do not regret it. It was a learning experience trying to start and drive it. Guys here at the Barn have helped me figure some things out. Thanks everyone for posting.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Js31coupe

... Then my wife out bid the high bidder because she thought I wanted it...

You got a nice Wifey...

[jpeconsult]

I am almost 37 years old and recently acquired my dad's 1929 Tudor (55A) after his death over a year ago. I know the history of this particular car, and it sat up most of the last 8 years. It is running, but needs some TLC so I am comfortable with its reliability in driving it further than the 6 mile loop I am currently making. I have a lot to learn and eager to put the knowledge to work. This is a different animal than the personal watercraft modifying I am used to. It seems I overthink the simplicity of the car. --Jeremy

[pgerhardt]

This is a great meet & greet thread. I am 64, a retired teacher, and getting back into the hobby after a long hiatus to raise two kids. I just bought a 1929 tudor (I picked a tudor because I am 6' 1", and it is the easiest to increase leg room for the driver seat.) I bought it from the dealer Classic Autos Of Ellington (CT). They are really nice people who helped me find the car. It will be delivered (hopefully next week) to my house with plates; registered to me; and ready to go. OK I getting lazy in my retirement!