Riding my Ford Model A across USA

[caboose]

You might consider a southern route, through Virginia, along the east coast; then, across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, into California. Much to see, few mountains to climb, lots of friendly people along the way. Plus, several Model A Clubs to offer assistance and shelter. Unfortunately, my Danish colleague, Mogens, retired shortly after I did. As Doug Vieyra mentioned, Danish is the second language here in Texas; however, I was never able to pick it up.

[jojofilo88]

I think you have the coolest idea! Best of luck to you! Please find a way to update us on your trip! I'd love to see pictures, and hear if you have any troubles along the way. It'll help all of us plan longer trips of our own.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Unless you are needing slow speed for parades, or doing a lot of off road driving over rocks, I sure wouldn't want a heavy AA tranny in my car or pickup. You also might have to change the u joint setup on the AA tranny to make it work in a car. The floorboard will also need to be changed.

[burner31]

Just one word comes to mind...
SHOTGUN!!!!!

(American slang) meaning " calling preference for passenger seat, as in: riding shotgun for the stagecoach driver

Would love to ride shotgun across Oklahoma with you, I'll buy the gas.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

... You also might have to change the u joint setup on the AA tranny to make it work in a car...

This set-up is a documented option from the factory and/or dealer install. See post #37 for the list of parts that will make it work, one of which is the U-Joint.

One of the guys in our club has a '31 pickup with an AA 4-Speed tranny. (It also has a Mitchell behind that).

[PC/SR]

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Now you have gotten me into it. If you do the Transamerica Trail or other off-highway route, you might seriously consider putting tow hooks on the front frame horns, and maybe the rear bumper brackets or bottom of the rear frame rails just in case. You do not want to use the axles as tow points. Don't mean to be discouraging, just thinking of the worst case. Love the idea.

[40 Deluxe]

Tom, those AA four speeds don't look that big. Just how much more do they weigh?

[radiation]

Bikemaniac,
My only suggestion would be to get a SpotTracker like we use on our motorcycle trips and post the link to a password protected site so that only people you want to see it may access it.
Bon Voyage!
Radiation

[Terry, NJ]

I agree with Tom W. I wouldn't put an AA Trans in the car. I once owned one of them and the only things I remember about it was 4 spd, no synchros, and it was heavy! There's no overdrive aspect with the 4 spd so there's no gains as far as gas mileage. It seems to me to be a a lot of effort for no gain.
Terry

[31Abone]

I have a 30 coupe with truck 4 speed..heavy,sloppy shifting,no advantage except for climbing very steep hills..or plowing field .etc

[bikemaniac]

I made some pictures and 1 video of the car today. The sound in the video is a bit sharp ... does not correspond to reality. During winter I rebuilt the carb, made jet tests and replaced the head gasket.

http://s1353.photobucket.com/user/lu...rd%20Model%20A

I filled in some fuel and she fired up after 3 attempts. I am very pleased.

Now I can:

1. Start the engine without gas spilling on the floor during choking.
2. Start the warm engine without choke ... that was impossible before.

Soon I will remove all white and green paint to make a rough, rusty look.

Lucas

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by 31Abone

I have a 30 coupe with truck 4 speed..heavy,sloppy shifting,no advantage except for climbing very steep hills..or plowing field .etc

That is usually do to a worn pin and the slot that it fits
in at the top of the shift tower. See Fullraceflathead's video.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...E4m50cDoDpBOJh

Bob

[2935ford]

Nothing wrong with a little adventure in your life!

This guy did and I bet no cell phone or GPS!

[Steve Plucker]

Take a few spair tires.

And have a great time! I am envious!

You can get the most current MARC and MAFCA Rosters from the National Offices.

I do not think they are in PDF files...either one of them.

CLUBS
Local Clubs
1. www.mafca.com Model A Ford Club of America (National Club) (MAFCA)
See MAFCA website for a complete list of chapters in your area including those with personal websites!
2. www.modelaford.org Model A Restorers Club (National Club) (MARC)
See MARC website for a complete list of chapters in your area including those with personal websites!


Pluck



Pluck

[burner31]

America's "Mother Road" Route 66. what's the point of driving America without cruisin Route 66?
You know Oklahoma has the longest unbroken stretch of the original Route 66 in the Nation.
And my offer still stands. I'll drive with you border to border thru Oklahoma...and I'll buy the gas.

[Ken Ehrenhofer]

When you are going thru Illinois please stop at our place and if you need any repairs we would more than happy to help....
Ken Ehrenhofer
13012 rte 176
Woodstock, Il
630-697-3906
We drove the Northern route in a 30 roadster in 1965 and had a great time and the southern route back to Chicago....Back roads will eat up your time so be careful

[daveymc29]

If you end up in the San Francisco area, I will give free meals and lodging and can provide access to some knowledgeable Model A folks to handle any problems you may face. We can also probably sell your car for you, I'm not a dealer. Mark and mafca rosters would be a must have for me. I have three Model A's and know some things, but am no expert, but I know people that I trust with most things Model A, so come on by. I speak fair English, some Spanish and German. Know a few Gaelic swear words and "yes" in French. [email protected] is my email. Grandmother was from Copenhagen.

[Slotblog]

Originally Posted by Ken Ehrenhofer

We drove the Northern route in a 30 roadster in 1965 and had a great time and the southern route back to Chicago....Back roads will eat up your time so be careful

So true, which is one reason we didn't completely avoid the interstates on our 2,700 Oregon to Georgia trip last fall.

And out west, depending on the route, there were places we essentially have no choice, as only interstates would take us where we were headed.

[bikemaniac]

plind from this forum had a look at the 4 speed gear box I discussed in an earlier posting. It is a nice gear box and the asking price is the equivalent of 80 USD. But there are some required modifications. Coupled with the depressing information from CarlG (the 3 necessary parts virtually unavailable in the US but MAYBE more plentiful in Europe) I decided to skip that installation. I simple don't have time for another project only hunting down special parts all over Europe. Thus, I will go with the normal 3 speed gear box.

Lucas

[Bruce,Upstate NY]

I would not consider an AA 4 speed. Too much weight on car frame. Their weak enough as is. And for what purpose? I'd use 3.78 rear with Mitchell OD. You'll go anywhere you need to be.