The Ford Barn

Smokedtires · 07-06-2022, 09:30 AM

I've read that it is not good to "lug" the engine. So when cruising at 30mph, what gear are you usually in?

Will N · 07-06-2022, 09:43 AM

Cruising at 30 mph I'm in high gear. The engine would be screaming at 30 mph in 2nd.

katy · 07-06-2022, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will N

Cruising at 30 mph I'm in high gear. The engine would be screaming at 30 mph in 2nd.

Ditto

alexiskai · 07-06-2022, 10:08 AM

The owner's manual recommended shifting to 3rd at 15mph under normal conditions, i.e., you're not at WOT trying to gain speed. Lugging in a Model A is not solely a function of speed. You have to be applying high torque as well. You can shift to 3rd as early as 12mph if you have a light touch on the throttle.

Dennisfly · 07-06-2022, 10:09 AM

The way I look at it is, there is a correlation to the amount of throttle and the strain on the engine. If you are in third gear going uphill at 20 MPH with a significant amount of throttle you are lugging, not so good! If you are in third gear going down hill at 20 MPH with little or no throttle you are loafing, no problem!

Smokedtires · 07-06-2022, 10:13 AM

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3rd gear it is then. Thanks all. Only driven about 20 miles so far. Hopefully many more once the new radiator is installed. The throttle position makes sense, thanks for the explanations.

nkaminar · 07-06-2022, 10:43 AM

3rd direct or 2nd overdrive depending on road conditions, like going up or down a steep grade.

That's my car. Right now I am in low gear as my knee hurts. Old age.

jack backer · 07-06-2022, 11:31 AM

Depends on how many hooves you got.. pull 9% at 45 mph 3rd low..feather throttle and shift into high at 15 mph if You want too.. don’t lug, and don’t over rev

Y-Blockhead · 07-06-2022, 02:36 PM

A lot depends on if you are driving a fenderless Hot Rod or basically stock Town Sedan.

Smokedtires · 07-06-2022, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

A lot depends on if you are driving a fenderless Hot Rod or basically stock Town Sedan.

1930 Roadster with all fenders.

jack backer · 07-06-2022, 07:03 PM

Awww, it’s all model A, just hopped up a little.. makes it fun

Smokedtires · 07-06-2022, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack backer

Awww, it’s all model A, just hopped up a little.. makes it fun

Haha. All 160 houves (40hp). As far as I'm aware the engine rebuild was to stock specs.

jack backer · 07-07-2022, 06:52 AM

Enjoy it.. drive it like there’s an egg between your foot and the accelerator.

Bob Bidonde · 07-07-2022, 09:37 AM

Fear of the Model A's engine is a correlation between the noise it makes and its RPM at various road speeds. In fact, The Model A's engine is of the low speed high torque variety, and all out for a stock one is a tad below 3000 RPM.

TerryH · 07-07-2022, 11:45 AM

There’s a big gap between 2nd and 3rd gearing, so driving here in traffic, in S. California, I shift into 3rd around 20 mph, with better acceleration to keep up with traffic.

jack backer · 07-07-2022, 01:32 PM

Terry, do drive a stock model a in Southern California traffic without the protection of a convoy?

The Master Cylinder · 07-07-2022, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Fear of the Model A's engine is a correlation between the noise it makes and its RPM at various road speeds. In fact, The Model A's engine is of the low speed high torque variety, and all out for a stock one is a tad below 3000 RPM.

3000 rpm? No wonder you threw a rod out the side of your block.

TerryH · 07-07-2022, 11:42 PM

Not sure what you mean by 3,000 rpm, or throwing a rod…..must be an inside joke.

TerryH · 07-07-2022, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack backer

Terry, do drive a stock model a in Southern California traffic without the protection of a convoy?

Yes I do regularly drive my Model A solo here near Huntington Beach, on all the major surface streets. I do have a Mitchell OD, so I also venture out on the freeways at times, and also drive at night locally.

jack backer · 07-08-2022, 08:08 AM

I drove mine solo in Sacramento.. but only after doubling the power of the engine and running a Mitchell.. even then I was bulldozed off of lights and tailgated, can’t imagine running a stock engine.

Cast iron drums, woven shoes,teds floaters,16” wheels with modern radials helped the stop and go..

07-06-2022, 09:30 AM	#1
Smokedtires Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Baldwinsville NY Posts: 174	What gear are you in? I've read that it is not good to "lug" the engine. So when cruising at 30mph, what gear are you usually in?

07-06-2022, 09:43 AM	#2
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,100	Re: What gear are you in? Cruising at 30 mph I'm in high gear. The engine would be screaming at 30 mph in 2nd.

07-06-2022, 10:08 AM	#4
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,355	Re: What gear are you in? The owner's manual recommended shifting to 3rd at 15mph under normal conditions, i.e., you're not at WOT trying to gain speed. Lugging in a Model A is not solely a function of speed. You have to be applying high torque as well. You can shift to 3rd as early as 12mph if you have a light touch on the throttle.

07-06-2022, 10:09 AM	#5
Dennisfly Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Virginia Posts: 140	Re: What gear are you in? The way I look at it is, there is a correlation to the amount of throttle and the strain on the engine. If you are in third gear going uphill at 20 MPH with a significant amount of throttle you are lugging, not so good! If you are in third gear going down hill at 20 MPH with little or no throttle you are loafing, no problem! __________________ 1929 Town Sedan (Briggs) 155B, Mitchell Overdrive 1935 Model 48 Tudor

07-06-2022, 10:13 AM	#6
Smokedtires Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Baldwinsville NY Posts: 174	Re: What gear are you in? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 3rd gear it is then. Thanks all. Only driven about 20 miles so far. Hopefully many more once the new radiator is installed. The throttle position makes sense, thanks for the explanations.

07-06-2022, 10:43 AM	#7
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: What gear are you in? 3rd direct or 2nd overdrive depending on road conditions, like going up or down a steep grade. That's my car. Right now I am in low gear as my knee hurts. Old age. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-06-2022, 02:36 PM	#9
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: What gear are you in? A lot depends on if you are driving a fenderless Hot Rod or basically stock Town Sedan.

07-06-2022, 07:03 PM	#11
jack backer BANNED Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Chenango Bridge NY Posts: 433	Re: What gear are you in? Awww, it’s all model A, just hopped up a little.. makes it fun

07-07-2022, 06:52 AM	#13
jack backer BANNED Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Chenango Bridge NY Posts: 433	Re: What gear are you in? Enjoy it.. drive it like there’s an egg between your foot and the accelerator.

07-07-2022, 11:45 AM	#15
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: What gear are you in? There’s a big gap between 2nd and 3rd gearing, so driving here in traffic, in S. California, I shift into 3rd around 20 mph, with better acceleration to keep up with traffic.

07-07-2022, 01:32 PM	#16
jack backer BANNED Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Chenango Bridge NY Posts: 433	Re: What gear are you in? Terry, do drive a stock model a in Southern California traffic without the protection of a convoy?

07-07-2022, 11:42 PM	#18
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: What gear are you in? Not sure what you mean by 3,000 rpm, or throwing a rod…..must be an inside joke.

07-08-2022, 08:08 AM	#20
jack backer BANNED Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Chenango Bridge NY Posts: 433	Re: What gear are you in? I drove mine solo in Sacramento.. but only after doubling the power of the engine and running a Mitchell.. even then I was bulldozed off of lights and tailgated, can’t imagine running a stock engine. Cast iron drums, woven shoes,teds floaters,16” wheels with modern radials helped the stop and go.. Last edited by jack backer; 07-08-2022 at 08:15 AM.