Your biggest Model-A mistake of the year?

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Bruce of MN

I was using the special box wrench to rotate the crank while setting the timing and forgot to remove it. When I started the car, the wrench spun around and unscrewed the nut, but very luckily, didn't damage anything. I was thinking of painting it pink after that to make it more of a challenge to forget, but haven't yet.

You're not alone on that one, brother. I have forgotten to take the wrench off a couple of times. Thankfully both times it just unscrewed the ratchet nut... I remove the wrench after I turn the engine now, I figure my luck has about run out on that one.

[Oldgearz]

Assuming that when I ordered a Mitchell overdrive I would get one.

[Ray in La Mesa]

My Model A was new to me in high school & didn't know anything about it's condition. Drove over to see a girlfriend. Backed out of her driveway & down the street, down a steepish hill. The A gained momentum and the brakes couldn't slow it down. I ended up backing into a 3' diameter pine tree at 30 MPH! Front seat broke loose & I ended up in the back seat, not hurt but the A was a mess, the rear spare wrapped itself around the tree & when I collected my wits I pulled forward, left the hubcap embeded in the bark. It was my introduction Model A restoration. Just starting college & no funds I drove it like that through the winter. Did find another body & drove it for a couple more years as my only transportation then sold it to buy the cabriolet I'm now restoring 50 years later.

[ronn]

biggest mistake was not buying the A400 listed on BAT


that was red with a tan top. Just liked the whole car in the state it was in. that was around August. Wash state is a long ways from NJ. that was my holdback

[Bob Bidonde]

I call most of my mistakes idiot dues, and I have some for 2021:
>Two Model "B" breather caps were lost this year and they are difficult to come by. Now I attach the caps with lanyards;
>I accidentally got confused at a gas pump and put 4.5 gallons of diesel into my Coupe's gas tank. On my last run, all mosquitos in my path were killed;
>This biggest disaster this year is the loss of the Model "B" engine in my Victoria. The #4 connecting rod went through the side of the block by the started motor. I am not sure if the broken engine is a case of idiot dues or a unforeseen mechanical failure. I have been accused of driving too fast!

[WHN]

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Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

I call most of my mistakes idiot dues, and I have some for 2021:
>Two Model "B" breather caps were lost this year and they are difficult to come by. Now I attach the caps with lanyards;
>I accidentally got confused at a gas pump and put 4.5 gallons of diesel into my Coupe's gas tank. On my last run, all mosquitos in my path were killed;
>This biggest disaster this year is the loss of the Model "B" engine in my Victoria. The #4 connecting rod went through the side of the block by the started motor. I am not sure if the broken engine is a case of idiot dues or a unforeseen mechanical failure. I have been accused of driving too fast!

Driving to fast! That’s why older folks use walkers. Keeps you from getting your self in trouble. At 90 plus years old, I think most of our cars could be considered older.

😉

[ronn]

>I accidentally got confused at a gas pump and put 4.5 gallons of diesel into my Coupe's gas tank. On my last run, all mosquitos in my path were killed;




and here I thought you were trying to improve your mileage per gallon- due to the rise in gas prices........
then I read your last line.............




DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[badge614]

Just looking at a pile of parts and doing nothing.

[David R.]

Not starting my project when I was younger, (pretty much basket case AA), not finding a more complete project, and in hind sight:
I wish I had cleaned out sludge, tightened bearings, lapped valves, maybe new rings, JB weld freeze crack and I would be driving now while I was building another engine. As it is I have been over 2 years trying to get a rebuildable block with no idea when/if it may happen. I just hope I am still able to drive by time I get an engine done.

[Gene F]

Dave, I can relate. I had to get a new engine, and I got it Octoberish 2020. Took me just a few weekends to put it in. Getting an engine done now days is a big PIA. I took mine to the guy around Cincinatti.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Oldgearz

Assuming that when I ordered a Mitchell overdrive I would get one.

How long has it been? I know the Mitchell's are behind because of Covid. It took ~10 weeks to get mine. Well worth the wait. And a friend just got notice that his synchro trans will be ready by the first of the year after waiting about the same amount time.



My biggest mistake was ordering a Mitchell O/D during Covid and there was no one to help me install it!!

It is heavy!!

[ronn]

Just looking at a pile of parts and doing nothing.



do you have any idea of how many times Ive done that?
locked up the garage, went inside and watched TV...................

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

What the heck is the "muffler bearing"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdqlpxRA4I

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by CarlG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdqlpxRA4I

Too good, Carl. I just replace my muffler bearing on my Town Sedan. Aries has very high quality Unobtanium muffler bearings.

[slatgrille]

Sad thing is....there are those who will believe that video...!

[katy]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Nice paint job!

[Jemelton#]

My biggest mistake this year or perhaps the stupidest, was, while backing out of the garage, with the driver-side door slightly open The door handle caught the molding around the garage door, peeling a section off the garage door and then bending the cars door handle.


The garage door molding was a relatively easy fix, however the cars door handle is still bent as I cannot for the life of me get the bent handle out if the door! Oh well I have all winter to play with it, perhaps by spring I can get the cotton picken door handle off!

[katy]

Use a padded pipe wrench on the horizontal part to unbend it.

[Jemelton#]

Originally Posted by katy

Use a padded pipe wrench on the horizontal part to unbend it.

Thanks, I will try that approach.

[katy]

A monkey wrench which doesn't have the serrated jaws would be preferable, but one doesn't see many of them around any more.