New guy! Many questions

[davidGR]

Morning everyone.


I finally made the dive, drove up to Lansing and picked up a 1930 Model A Fordor. Older Restoration from a gentleman in Fruitport MI. It ran and I got to drive it. Apologies but I am going to have many questions. Some which may have been answered before so forgive me for that, but on the bright side I have noticed in all your posts that you guys love pictures so I took some in garage for your viewing pleasure, if anyone has any specific places I should snap pictures of let me know. I have Les Andrews books coming in the mail.


First: I think I have a dead battery, I think I left the head light switch on (they're broken so I didn't notice them being on) What the best way to charge this battery, I only have a 12v charger/ maintainer, do I need a 6v one? I'm going to get a new battery on the way home tonight from AutoZone, Are they the same size etc? Also did not come with a cranks so that was out. I like keeping my wrist intact.



Second: I have no shocks, I think the original owner may have took them off for another project, does anyone know if I need them? I will probably get them in the near future? I not a 100% original guy and have looked at the newer bolt on after market shocks, Thoughts


Third: No Headlights or parking lights, I opened the lenses and found the passenger side was smoked up on the inside and the drive was fine? I assume these things aren't run in series, so I would if its up in the switch, how does one get access to that?


Fourth: What are some immediate things I should check mechanically? Brakes stop it pretty well.


Fifth: I've always have had bad luck with clutches, how long does the Model A Clutch typically last, how can I check the status of the clutch etc?


And last, the question of price. I ended up paying 11,200.00 for this guy, good price? Going rate? did I get taken? your thoughts. I know typical answer is you paid for it so enjoy it but I just curious what you guys think.


If anyone's in Grand Rapids MI feel free to stop on by!


Thanks Guys

[rfitzpatrick]

I think you have a bargain !! Tho I will be watching for the information about the repairs you receive from this web-site.
I've a '31 Pickup, the enjoyment I like is making Hand-Signals when I drive --

[henry's 31]

Very Nice Car. Welcome to the Model A Hobby!

[ryanheacox]

First: Yes, I would get a 6v charger/maintainer. Does your car have a fuse holder mounted on the starter switch? For the time being, you can pull the fuse to keep the battery from draining. I believe the battery size is Group 1 but I doubt AutoZone will have more than one 6v size.

Second: Are shocks completely necessary? No. Also, if your car is like many, the leaves in the springs probably don't slide against each other very well and will give a similar damping effect as shocks.

Third: What do you mean by smoked up? The light switch is at the base of the steering column. Release the wire bail that holds it in place and then it can be taken apart and inspected.

Fourth: Check all the fluids, do a grease job and make sure nothing sounds funny is all I can suggest. You can check out the points but if it's running well I'd leave well enough alone.

Fifth: I'd say the clutch should last quite a while given the type of driving most of us do.

From the pictures I'd say you got a good deal! Welcome to the FordBarn!

[davidGR]

Originally Posted by ryanheacox

First: Yes, I would get a 6v charger/maintainer. Does your car have a fuse holder mounted on the starter switch? For the time being, you can pull the fuse to keep the battery from draining. I believe the battery size is Group 1 but I doubt AutoZone will have more than one 6v size.

Second: Are shocks completely necessary? No. Also, if your car is like many, the leaves in the springs probably don't slide against each other very well and will give a similar damping effect as shocks.

Third: What do you mean by smoked up? The light switch is at the base of the steering column. Release the wire bail that holds it in place and then it can be taken apart and inspected.

Fourth: Check all the fluids, do a grease job and make sure nothing sounds funny is all I can suggest. You can check out the points but if it's running well I'd leave well enough alone.

Fifth: I'd say the clutch should last quite a while given the type of driving most of us do.

From the pictures I'd say you got a good deal! Welcome to the FordBarn!

By smoked I mean that the inside of the bulb was all blue and smokey.

[ryanheacox]

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Originally Posted by davidGR

By smoked I mean that the inside of the bulb was all blue and smokey.

Hmm, hopefully it's just as simple as needing new bulbs although many people have trouble with the headlight sockets. If you have no lights at all though I'd suspect bad grounds.

The headlight socket needs to ground to the headlight bucket then to the bar then to the fender/fender bracket then to the frame and finally back to the battery... that's a lot of joints to get corroded or painted over.

[wmws]

Congratulations. It looks like you got a nice looking car. The mechanicals are hard to tell from a distance.
To help with your questions it apears you have a 6 volt battery. So you need either a new 6 volt or a 6 volt charger. I would suggest getting a 6 volt smart trickle charger like a Battery Tender. They are not expensive and you may be able to save your old battery.
You can drive your car with no shocks but it will ride and handle better with them. Modern tube shocks work fine if you don’t mind the look and they are cheaper.
For your lights I would get a test light or multimeter and see if you have juice to the lights. The switch is at the bottom end of the steering column.
There are many things to check. The Les Andrews book will help you there.
If the clutch is working well it is probably fine. They will last a long time if not abused and kept in adjustment.
Join a local club. Other members will be a wealth of information and can advise on any problems that may come up.
Have fun and be safe.

[Charlie Stephens]

You pictures sure got you off on the right foot, thanks for taking the time to post them and welcome. If you end up buying a new battery (maybe your old one can be charged) be sure to not let the salesman sell you new cables that are designed for 12 volt cars. The 6 volt cables are a larger diameter. Get them from a place that knows what they are doing, like Bratton's. The clutch life should be the same as a modern car.

Charlie Stephens

[Chuck Dempsey]

Your new ride looks REALLY nice! Welcome to the Barn....

[Kahuna]

I think you got a great deal

[Brentwood Bob]

Great car!
There should be a local model a club. Maybe a member can chime in and invite you to their next meeting. No substitute for learning about your car.
You may even avoid some expensive mistakes.
Google model a restorers club, or model a Ford restorers club to get the websites.

[Jacksonlll]

There is a wonderful Club in GR. Join them and all of your questions will be answered.
Grand A's 616-490-2739

[Y-Blockhead]

Love those 1930 Briggs Three Window Fordors (see Avatar). Looks like you may have a Town Sedan to boot (cowl lights, rear seat fold down center arm rest, etc.) Nice car.

Your car will ride and handle much better with good springs and proper shocks. And yes please install the fuse that mounts on the starter as someone mentioned.

Looks like you have a front bumper on the rear??

[davidGR]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Love those 1930 Briggs Three Window Fordors (see Avatar). Looks like you may have a Town Sedan to boot (cowl lights, rear seat fold down center arm rest, etc.) Nice car.

Your car will ride and handle much better with good springs and proper shocks. And yes please install the fuse that mounts on the starter as someone mentioned.

Looks like you have a front bumper on the rear??

Is it a rear bumper? I'm new to the world and honestly couldn't tell the difference, it also came with a luggage trunk too! I just need to find the hardware.


As for the fuse it has one there and its not blown.


Also my emergency brake is a little wobbly, it stops the car good, but should it be like that, can I tighten some nuts to make that less wobbly?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by davidGR

Is it a rear bumper? I'm new to the world and honestly couldn't tell the difference, it also came with a luggage trunk too! I just need to find the hardware.

The rear just has "bumperettes". The don't go all the way across. I guess Ford thought you wouldn't get rear ended back then. Not that a full bumper would do any good. haha

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by davidGR

Is it a rear bumper? I'm new to the world and honestly couldn't tell the difference, it also came with a luggage trunk too! I just need to find the hardware.


As for the fuse it has one there and its not blown.


Also my emergency brake is a little wobbly, it stops the car good, but should it be like that, can I tighten some nuts to make that less wobbly?

The front bumper is full-width but it will fit the rear brackets. Most passenger cars had a rear-mounted spare tire with bumperettes on either side. AFAIK, only the 1930 Deluxe Roadster (and maybe Deluxe Phaeton - not sure about it) had standard factory-installed full-width rear bumper. It also had a left fender spare and a luggage rack that replaced the rear spare (although some racks can be installed behind the rear spare like Y-Blockhead's). Those became optional in 1931. They could be dealer-installed, and maybe special factory-ordered, on any car. Whether a customer would have paid for a full width bumper when a rack was installed is another question. BTW, the support irons for factory-installed fender spares were riveted to the frame - dealer-installed were bolted.


As to battery chargers, I have an old Sears that does both 6v and 12v as well as trickle and jump start settings. Pretty slick - I assume they still make them.


Yes, pix are always good! Can't really tell a lot about a car's overall condition from them, but yours looks pretty nice. If it runs, drives and stops well, I'd say you got a good deal.

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Love those 1930 Briggs Three Window Fordors (see Avatar). Looks like you may have a Town Sedan to boot (cowl lights, rear seat fold down center arm rest, etc.) Nice car.

Your car will ride and handle much better with good springs and proper shocks. And yes please install the fuse that mounts on the starter as someone mentioned.

Looks like you have a front bumper on the rear??

Off-topic, but it's interesting that Three Window Fordor counts only the windows on one side while Three Window Coupe counts both side windows and the rear window.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by CHuDWah

Off-topic, but it's interesting that Three Window Fordor counts only the windows on one side while Three Window Coupe counts both side windows and the rear window.

Haha, good observation. I think in the case of the Fordors it is used to differentiate between the sedan styles for example a Town Sedan has three windows and a Deluxe has two windows (everything else being the same).

[CHuDWah]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Haha, good observation. I think in the case of the Fordors it is used to differentiate between the sedan styles for example a Town Sedan has three windows and a Deluxe has two windows (everything else being the same).

Yeah, I guess Seven Window Fordor or One Window Coupe just wouldn't have the same ring to it.

[Y-Blockhead]

As mentioned, you need a Group 1 6v battery. Ensure you connect is correctly, positive to ground (unlike Moderns).

In picture #5, what is that hanging from the brake peddle? Some kind of return spring?