Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-13-2018, 02:31 PM   #1
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default New to Model A

Hello. I was advised to get on this forum and introduce myself.
I am retired and just bought an old Model A Ford or Sedan.
Problem.....engine is frozen. I have been soaking pistons with mystery oil and ATF. No luck.
The car is otherwise nice.
Ideas?
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 02:54 PM   #2
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: New to Model A

A friend of mine was given a flathead that was seized. he soaked the cylinders with penetrating oil for over a week with no luck. He then put vinegar in the cylinders and the motor turned over by hand (with resistance) the next day.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-13-2018, 03:08 PM   #3
JOHN CT
Senior Member
 
JOHN CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: In my garage
Posts: 465
Default Re: New to Model A

How long have you been soaking the cylinders? Are you trying the crank or starter to spin it over? ATF is a good solution but i never mixed it with Marvel mystery oil. Trying mixing the ATF with acetone and get a socket and a breaker bar on the crank pulley nut. That helps to get better movement.
I’ve freed stuck motors that way. Just have patients.
__________________
31 Tudor
66 Bonneville
57 Chevy pickup 27 T roadster pick up
JOHN CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:26 PM   #4
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Yes, been soaking a week. Been jumping on hand crank, and pull/dragged her today. No luck.
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:36 PM   #5
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Thanks friend. Going to try your path next. I do have time....I think. Lol
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 03:15 PM   #6
copgib
Member
 
copgib's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Williston, Florida
Posts: 82
Default Re: New to Model A

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
it sounds like it is now a waiting game. Let the chemicals do there job. It will free up! Hugh
copgib is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 03:29 PM   #7
1930artdeco
Senior Member
 
1930artdeco's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lynden, Wa
Posts: 3,548
Default Re: New to Model A

Welcome to the Barn! How about some Pics?


Mike
__________________
1930 TownSedan (Briggs)
1957 Country Sedan
1930artdeco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 03:55 PM   #8
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Thank you for all the interest to help!
I will continue to pour ATF into the one cylinder that it takes over night to drain out of. The other three seem to drain down in 15 mins or so.
I will try conifer next week...lol
Thanks guys

I pulled the car today...third gear...left skid marks both rear wheels.
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:32 PM   #9
Charlie Stephens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,012
Default Re: New to Model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chiefguy View Post
Thank you for all the interest to help!
I will continue to pour ATF into the one cylinder that it takes over night to drain out of. The other three seem to drain down in 15 mins or so.
I will try conifer next week...lol
Thanks guys

I pulled the car today...third gear...left skid marks both rear wheels.
I would be worried about bending rods and breaking gears if I pulled it to get it turn over. Take it apart and fix it right.

Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:47 PM   #10
WHN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,815
Default Re: New to Model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens View Post
I would be worried about bending rods and breaking gears if I pulled it to get it turn over. Take it apart and fix it right.

Charlie Stephens
Charlie’s right. Don’t take a chance on breaking other things that aren’t now broken.

As I mention, get some (a lot) penetrating oil on your valves and lifters, cam and bearings. Valve cover should come off now.

Is there rust on cylinder walls?

Does car roll freely when in neutral.

How long has it been since the engine was last started?

Picture of engine would help.
WHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:59 PM   #11
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by WHN View Post
Charlie’s right. Don’t take a chance on breaking other things that aren’t now broken.

As I mention, get some (a lot) penetrating oil on your valves and lifters, cam and bearings. Valve cover should come off now.

Is there rust on cylinder walls?

Does car roll freely when in neutral.

How long has it been since the engine was last started?

Picture of engine would help.
The car does roll freely. I:ll try to get pics soon. Car is 45 miles away, so don't get there everyday.
I was told engine ran 3 years ago.
There is black crud on pistons, but couldn't tell if rust.
When I pulled plugs, looked like she had run last couple days.
Having trouble finding how to post car pics
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 10:41 AM   #12
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Here are pictures of engine. I am removing the starter. When it comes out, what do I expect with starter rod? Does it just come out of starter?
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:52 PM   #13
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

I had a spinal cord trama five years ago. Big jobs are out of my capabilities these days

But thank you for my friend
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 05:16 PM   #14
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Like your sedan Mike
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 12:56 PM   #15
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1930artdeco View Post
Welcome to the Barn! How about some Pics?


Mike
For the life of me I can't figure how to upload and send pictures here!
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:12 PM   #16
WHN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,815
Default Re: New to Model A

Give it some time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Also check other things that could be holding things. Is your Starter stuck, also take off valve cover and check if valves and lifters are free to move. Another place to use MMO.

Keep us informed. Enjoy.
WHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 04:38 PM   #17
Steve Plucker
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA
Posts: 6,066
Default Re: New to Model A

Is the clutch froze up on the flywheel?

Pluck
Steve Plucker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 05:18 PM   #18
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Clutch and trans feel good
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-13-2018, 05:22 PM   #19
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

Going to sign off for now. Back later...or tomorrow.
Thanks guys
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 03:31 PM   #20
Chiefguy
Member
 
Chiefguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: West Middlesex, PA
Posts: 46
Default Re: New to Model A

I finally have Pictures of my Sedan 1930 Briggs Model A
This right ? LOL

OK, many have asked for pics that they might be able to help me with this stuck engine.
I am still digging into this machine, and I find she is very much original...wood?
Bad seat cover over originals. Look for the wood behind the rear seat. and around window. You guys know better than I, so let me know if what I am seeing is true.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg thumbnail (1).jpg (38.6 KB, 125 views)
File Type: jpg right side engine.jpg (49.4 KB, 124 views)
File Type: jpg port side rear quarter.jpg (44.4 KB, 112 views)
File Type: jpg original back seat wood.jpg (35.7 KB, 119 views)
File Type: jpg The A.jpg (36.6 KB, 112 views)
File Type: jpg under dash.jpg (38.1 KB, 117 views)
Chiefguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:22 AM.