Most helpful or amazing thing you've learned

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I learned that screwing the mixture screw in, is not lean, but is RICH!
I learned that external oil line to timing gears is not necessary, as oil is flooded to the gears through the cut away in the front wall of the oil reservoir.
Yes, I've been quiet for awhile as I'm waiting for the inevitable with Pat and humor is in short supply. ---Bill W.

[Roadster62]

Removing hood hinge rods with an electric drill and BP Blaster is one.

[roccaas]

Rear brakes are vital. I've been stopping using only the front brakes for a few years, now Benny Bohanon has rebuilt the rears, I installed them very carefully, and balanced the system. WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

Oh, and buy a REAL hub puller, not an "economy" model. It'll cost you more in shoulder cortisone shots!

[30ccpickup]

I like how the original 3X sparkplugs come apart for cleaning. The modern mechanics usually do not believe me when I tell them and are amazed when I show them.

[Benson]

Re: Damaged Rear Axle Theads
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Have you ever seen axle shafts with the first 3/8 to 1/2 inch of threads all stripped?

I wondered why it is always the first 1/2 inch that is damaged.

One cause besides crossthreading is when someone removes the brake hub/drum assemblies.

1. Using a puller is the best way to remove the hub/drum.

2. The common method does the most damage. People loosen the castle nut a couple of turns and hammer on the nut with a BFH to loosen the hub ... wrong wrong wrong!

When they beat on the "castle" nut the internal threads on the end of the nut are deformed by the hammer blows. Then when they try to install the brake drums the threads on the axle shafts are damaged and sheared off as they screw the nut back on ... as you have seen.

Most damage is in the first 3/8 inch or so as they force the stripped/damaged threads back on and they wonder why the nut goes back on so hard.

If one insists on using this method at least remove the nut first, reverse it and beat on the flat end instead of the "castle" end. This does less damage BUT still deforms the threads on the shaft and nut somewhat.

If you screw a nut on and it goes easily for about 3/8 to 1/2 inch then gets hard to turn ... It would be a good idea to find an undamaged nut!

I wonder how many times someone has dropped an axle nut and it rolled under the bench ... "Oh I have more of those in the can over there" ... they pick out a nut the has the castles all bent and proceed to strip the threads on their axleshaft.

Image if they had just spent $1500 (new axles are about $400 each) to replace both axles and rebuild the rear end?

Also removing a camshaft timing gear by the same hammering method damages the threads on the cam and nut also, even though there is no castle nut the threads still get damaged by the hammering.
__________________

[IrishHills]

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I've learned it's not worth what you have in it.

but it's fun.

[sidevalve]

Most helpful thing I've learned is joining the Ford Barn.

[Clem Clement]

I've learned to depend on the barn for quality help. Clem

[28RPU]

I have learned that every time I pick a hobby to enjoy then all the rich kids in town start doing it too and pay more than what stuff is worth. Then I either have to go broke enjoying it or change my hobby. This is kinda said tongue in cheek, but its also true.

[Bob-A]

28RPU,

How true! How true!

AMF/Bob-A

[Kevin in NJ]

The biggest thing for metal work is to understand that every weld is a shrink point, period. You can not stop the shrink, you can only limit the size of the heat affected zone.
When learning about how to work metal I found the video about shrinking metal opened my eyes the most. It was after that I understood enough to make what I thought was impossible possible.

[RcT]

...that simple, well-designed and inexpensive can still be a thing of beauty an endure a very long time.

[Crazydaddyo]

Don't eat stuff of the sidewalk. ;]

.

[Jason in TX]

Most helpful to me is Marco's timing procedure. Always sharing that with people who don't know why their car has no power and backfires a lot.

[JBill]

I'm constantly amazed by how helpful, how generous, and how patient the people on this board are in sharing their absolutely vast knowledge of Model As.

[John Duden]

Originally Posted by irishhills

i've learned it's not worth what you have in it.

But it's fun.

amen!

[1931 flamingo]

The FordBarn, the information available here (and pictures), along with the wonderful people who contribute freely. There are no "dumb" questions.
Paul in CT

[Joop]

I am learning every day more and more about the Model A.
Mostly on this board.
And know that the Model A hobby will go on forever.
Thank "A" lot for teaching me!

[roccaas]

Originally Posted by Crazydaddyo

Don't eat stuff of the sidewalk. ;]

.

or yellow snow

[Modelakid31]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Removing hood hinge rods with an electric drill and BP Blaster is one.

YES but be VERY VERY careful an use the drill at a really low speed... O it will end up like my hood.... Thanks to dad for using it too fast...I told him not too LOL more work for me to fix what was a mint hood.

[Modelakid31]

A lot of stuff over the course of my Tudor restoration! And still learning. No one person will every know EVERYTHING about these beauties.

[jkeesey]

Best hint I've been given is when screwing into interior wood soap the treads and the screws go in easier, I've never been a good carpenter. And my favorite, on an old car if there's a possibilty it could be screwed up or done wrong somebodies probably done it.

[Russ/40]

I've learned I always do it better the second time, so I just do everything twice.

[Bruce in southern OH]

Don't Drive Faster Than Your Angle Can Fly!!!!

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by jkeesey

Best hint I've been given is when screwing into interior wood soap the treads and the screws go in easier, I've never been a good carpenter. And my favorite, on an old car if there's a possibilty it could be screwed up or done wrong somebodies probably done it.

I learned that beeswax is better than soap; soap will attract and hold moisture, and eventually rust the screw.

I also learned that incorrect timing can adversely affect your main bearings; get the timing right!

[Jake]

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If at first you don't succeed you dindn't do it right...

[HoarseWhisperer]

I've learned that the Model A engine has magnetic properties.

Opening the hood will attract Model A "mechanics" from a 100 mile radius, scratching your fenders in the process.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Removing hood hinge rods with an electric drill and BP Blaster is one.

Yup, this is one of many !
I liked the idea of a guy who used hardwood 'dowel' pins as replacement rods...soaked the dowels first. Inovative !
BTW-
I used an alternative to the 'wooden' rod version: I bought solid aluminum rod same diam as original rods, at hardware store (Lowes). Cut to length. No need to lube/paint at all , as it is bright. I found that this method....light weight, no rust or appreciable wear and works great !

[1crosscut]

Put your tools away every time so you can find them every time. Still working on that one.

[KGBnut]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I learned that screwing the mixture screw in, is not lean, but is RICH!

Wait a second.... Are you talking about the Choke/GAV control? Turning that in makes the mixture more lean.

Suddenly I'm feeling like I'm not in on the gag.

[Purdy Swoft]

I would think that he is talking about the idle air adjust screw on top of the carb. When the idle adjust screw is turned in it decreases the air to the idle circuit and richens the idle mix.

[Milton]

Don't hand crank the motor with the spark advanced and your tongue hanging out.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Don't clean the screen on the front of the Zenith carb on THE CAR!! Crud can dislodge & plug up the top of the needle & seat. Mine plugged by a little black BEETLE.
Clean this screen ONLY with the carb off the car, and/or apart!! Bill W.

[Reds34]

Don't pee into the wind. I've also heard of putting wax on the bottom of drawer slides so they slide easier.

Red

[modeleh]

If you have a starter bendix stuck in the ring gear, put trans in high gear and yank the vehicle ahead with a strap. Install modern bendix.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by modeleh

If you have a starter bendix stuck in the ring gear, put trans in high gear and yank the vehicle ahead with a strap. Install modern bendix.

NO, NO,
High gear, and BACKWARDS!!

[modeleh]

yeah, I think you're right. First time I did it, now that I think about it, it was backwards, per advice that I got by asking a question on the old fordbarn. Then it happened again when I was at a gas station, I happened to be at the front of the line, so I got yanked ahead, and it freed up the starter. It started right up after that, then several times again until I got tired of rolling the dice. After that the modern bendix went in. A pretty helpless feeling when you step on the starter button only to have it lock up the engine when you're miles from home.

[JoeWay]

Originally Posted by modeleh

yeah, I think you're right....

No. Modeleh, you were right the first time.

The starter pinion is "coming from behind" so to speak, trying to push the ring gear in the forward direction. If it sticks, it is on the back side of the ring gear teeth. The ring gear should be pulled forward, off of the pinion teeth.

If the pinion had made it to the forward side of the ring gear teeth, it wouldn't be stuck.

Joe

[Ross/Kzoo]

Do we need an opinon poll on this?

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by Jason in TX

Most helpful to me is Marco's timing procedure. Always sharing that with people who don't know why their car has no power and backfires a lot.

This in only one thing I have learned and is very helpful. Thanks Marco.

Any one who has not used this method should at least try it. Simple and great to use "on the road" if needed.

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by Reds34

Don't pee into the wind. I've also heard of putting wax on the bottom of drawer slides so they slide easier.

Red

Also stay away from electric fences when the need arises.

[85930tudor]

Never ASSUME that the pretty little red fox that you accidentally hit with your tudor is dead, and being a responsible person put it in the pass. floorboard to bury it when you get home....Dave

[ryan1929]

I have learned the more I spend on my A The more the wife hates it...
I told her its an investment...She said it's not cause I will never sell it..
She's right I will never sell it... Happy Wife Happy Life... If the wifes not happy at least your A will never let you down...

[HoarseWhisperer]

I've learned that I must be blessed.

A happy wife and a happy "A".

Neither, have let me down, with just a little maintenance on my part.