My New 1930 Sedan

[JunkOSC]

She's a beauty. It's my 1st stock model A, so it's going to be a learning experience. I plan on driving the car often, so I want to make sure I have a handle on maintenance and any does or don'ts... I guess that's why I am here.

I read the attached link. Great info.
http://www.jmodela.com/wherestart.html

I find the search engine in this forum very helpful as well. Please forgive me; I'm sure I'll be asking some very rookie questions in the future.

Thanks in advance!
Tim

[V4F]

nice car ! if you need help or info beyound this forum , please ask me ........... steve

[TerryH]

Tim--
Welcome aboard and looks like you got a nice Model A!! We are all here to help, and this board is a great resource, so please don't be afraid to ask questions. If you haven't, you should consider joining a local Model A club if one is in your area.......the clubs always have folks nearby that love to help with other cars, and also have special tools, etc.
Mainly, enjoy your wonderful car and drive it as often as you can...they are just lots of fun!

Terry

[JunkOSC]

Thanks Steve and Terry. The gentleman that sold me the car belongs to a local club and mentioned I should join as well. Sounds like a great group of people!!!

Thanks again,
Tim

[MAG]

Welcome to the hobby Tim. Joining a local Model a club is good advice. I would also suggest buying some books to get familiar with operating and maintaining the car. Owners Manual and some of the Repair Manuals are excellent.

[JunkOSC]

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Originally Posted by MAG

Welcome to the hobby Tim. Joining a local Model a club is good advice. I would also suggest buying some books to get familiar with operating and maintaining the car. Owners Manual and some of the Repair Manuals are excellent.

Thank you. I understand the is a load of literature out there, can you or anyone recommend a so called Bible that is a must for Model A maintenance and repair?
Tim

[Michael in Sedona]

Welcome, Tim. In the link that was in your note, it mentions the Mechanics Handbook. The book is the Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, by Les Andrews, Volume 1, and I can't recommend it strongly enough.

Like you, I bought my first Model A without knowing a whole lot about them, and that book and the help I received from FordBarn and Ahooga has been invaluable. So far, after 6 years of Model A'ing, I've been able to keep mine running well. Not sure I could have done that without the book.

Good luck, and enjoy your car!

[Mitch//pa]

hey tim good luck and enjoy that nice car. get ready for a great ride and meeting great people

[JunkOSC]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

hey tim good luck and enjoy that nice car. get ready for a great ride and meeting great people

Thanks Mitch.

Take care,
Tim

[Michael in Sedona]

Tim,

I have the Service Bulletins, and they make for good reading, but honestly I've never referred to them when dealing with a problem. I probably should think about that some time. Might just be another good resource.

[JunkOSC]

Michael, I just order Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, by Les Andrews, Volume 1... thanks. It mentions in that link, I should get the Service Bulletins, any thoughts on that?

Thanks,
Tim

[John LaVoy]

Tim,
Welcome to the Model A hobby. It sounds like you did your homework and picked a good car. A sedan makes an excellent touring car with room for all the luggage and people you want to bring along.

[Jim Baskin III Pa.]

Tim,you do realize you have the perfect model A,a 30 tudor sedan.The 29 and 30 tudor are the backbone of the model A's.There were more of then produced than any other model A.Yes I am somewhat prejudice as I own a 30 tudor.Welcome to the best hobby this side of heaven.

[JunkOSC]

John and Jim, Thanks for the kind words.

[JunkOSC]

Ok boys... here are some pictures of the motor and underside. Please let me know if you see anything crazy or unsafe...please. The Auto-lite heater is not connected at the firewall, the hole in the firewall has been welded closed, and it's much lower than the outlet from the heater as well. Looks as if a different heater was used original. Can I just unbolt that heater? It appears to be serving no purpose? There was a gas leak at the glass filter, I'm replacing the cork o-ring now.

Thanks for all the support...
Tim

[Domino]

Tim:

For safety reasons I would replace the rubber fuel line as soon as possible with an all metal one.

[JunkOSC]

Originally Posted by Barry B./ Ma.

Good looking tudor Tim. Something you can drive and work on as you go. The Autolite heater can be unbolted and stored for now. You may consider cutting a new hole in line and mounting a heater door for cold weather. That heater works pretty good, I have one on my coupe.

Thank Barry, I'm not out to build a points car, just to learn, drive, and have fun.

Originally Posted by Bob/AZ

Congratulations Tim, Fordbarn will be an invaluable resource. First place I go when I'm stumped.

Thanks Bob...

Originally Posted by Domino

Tim:

For safety reasons I would replace the rubber fuel line as soon as possible with an all metal one.

Domino,
Yes, that is on my list. I see some poeple are running copper fuel lines. Is that a no-no?

I need to get fluids for the car this week. I understand I will need some 600W lube/oil, motor oil with zinc and a top quality grease. I see that people are using Bratton's 600W and Shell Rotella motor oil, are these quality products? Any suggestions on grease?

Thanks for all the support!!
Tim

[pat in Santa Cruz]

Quote
" Yes, that is on my list. I see some poeple are running copper fuel lines. Is that a no-no?"

Copper will work harden from the vibrations and eventually crack. Decent repro steel lines are available from most vendors.

Looks like a late '30 to me, but some States in those days dated the title on a car by the date of sale. If it were made in Nov or Dec 30 and sold in Jan/Feb 31,, it could be titled as a 31.

[John Butts in CT]

Everyone's recommendations about literature have merit. I'd also recommend owning and reading the owner's manual and the service manuals.

[kelley's restoration]

the heater is part of the exhaust manifold so you would need to replace the whole thing to get rid of the heater part.
tk