The Ford Barn

Bob Bidonde · 07-26-2018, 09:06 AM

What are the most unreliable parts of a Model "A"?

Anteek29 · 07-26-2018, 09:22 AM

The nut behind the wheel?

Benson · 07-26-2018, 09:29 AM

Any part inside of a "Rick Pack" !!

Charlie Stephens · 07-26-2018, 09:33 AM

The condenser due to the amount of heat its is exposed to. Then there are the current low quality ones that are out there, another story. I always have an extra under the seat.

Charlie Stephens

katy · 07-26-2018, 09:37 AM

Gasoline quantity.

Jeff/Illinois · 07-26-2018, 09:43 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Inner tubes, the bad ones NOT sold by Bratton's.

P.S. · 07-26-2018, 09:58 AM

Those rubber brake and clutch pedal pads that are designed to come off when you slightly brush against them.

Cape Codder · 07-26-2018, 10:20 AM

BOB - Can you P.M. or email me on another subject.
My e-mail is [email protected]

Flathead · 07-26-2018, 12:13 PM

Probably very few when the car was new. Most problems now involve repro parts, we are fortunate to have reproduced parts available but there are some clunkers. Then there are the parts designed to "improve" the A, often with mixed results. YMMV

Chris Haynes · 07-26-2018, 02:34 PM

Anything from Vintique.

dpson · 07-26-2018, 04:39 PM

The elcheepo repro brake light switches, both the early and late types.

For the later 30-31 type pay the extra to get the good one, you won't regret it.

Keith True · 07-26-2018, 05:16 PM

My grandfather sold them new,he said the first thing to go was the gas guage float.sometimes they were resting on the bottom when the cars came in.He said the shocks were next,or maybe the roof would leak.Those were kind of neck and neck for timing.A year and a half or so.He said the fenders would crack in a couple of years.The roads were not paved,and they would rack the cars terribly.Until about 1939 it was about 20 miles to a good road.With good float material now the floats won't sink,good seals and oils the shocks won't leak out,modern seam sealers and the edges of the roofs won't open up,and with smoother roads the fenders aren't so prone to cracking.

MikeK · 07-26-2018, 07:13 PM

If you are talking original parts and design, I would think the short list would be found within anything that did not move from the VE27's to continued 28 and later "A" production and those mechanical and body/frame parts that saw major change during the transition to the '32 "B" design and specs.

Some items: 1/2" shaft Abel starter drive, block, flywheel housing, and banjo castings without adequate reinforcement ribs, float hinge direction on A Zeniths, wood framed bodies, . . .

daren007 · 07-26-2018, 09:44 PM

Aftermarket Amp meter.

Y-Blockhead · 07-27-2018, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Haynes

Anything from Vintique.

Now wait a minute. Their Fordor door handle pads are pretty good...

dumb person · 07-27-2018, 02:28 AM

You all missed the obvious, the gas is ok, the batteries are all throw away after 6 months.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-27-2018, 07:51 AM

Them STUPID gas valves, that don't shut off, entirely & you dump a quarter tank of gas, on the FLOOR & your Sweet Wife makes you sell your stupid car, CHEAP!
Bill Ticked

gweilbaker · 07-27-2018, 07:55 AM

Tank mounted steering column support.

Bob Bidonde · 07-27-2018, 08:12 AM

Most unreliable OEM parts / designs in my opinion:
Fan;
Service brakes;

Water pump;
Babbitt bearings;
Starter Bendix;
Generator cutout;
Ignition condenser;
Non-adjustable valves;
Exhaust manifold;

Distributor lower plate wire;

Cooling system;
Engine mount system;

Single wire electrical system.

F.M. · 07-27-2018, 09:43 AM

Hand Operated windshield wiper !!..

07-26-2018, 09:06 AM	#1
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts What are the most unreliable parts of a Model "A"? __________________ Bob Bidonde

07-26-2018, 09:22 AM	#2
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts The nut behind the wheel? __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

07-26-2018, 09:29 AM	#3
Benson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,594	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Any part inside of a "Rick Pack" !!

07-26-2018, 09:33 AM	#4
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,030	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts The condenser due to the amount of heat its is exposed to. Then there are the current low quality ones that are out there, another story. I always have an extra under the seat. Charlie Stephens

07-26-2018, 09:37 AM	#5
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Gasoline quantity. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

07-26-2018, 09:43 AM	#6
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,789	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Inner tubes, the bad ones NOT sold by Bratton's.

07-26-2018, 09:58 AM	#7
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,687	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Those rubber brake and clutch pedal pads that are designed to come off when you slightly brush against them.

07-26-2018, 10:20 AM	#8
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,261	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts BOB - Can you P.M. or email me on another subject. My e-mail is [email protected]

07-26-2018, 12:13 PM	#9
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,497	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Probably very few when the car was new. Most problems now involve repro parts, we are fortunate to have reproduced parts available but there are some clunkers. Then there are the parts designed to "improve" the A, often with mixed results. YMMV

07-26-2018, 02:34 PM	#10
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Anything from Vintique. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

07-26-2018, 04:39 PM	#11
dpson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montpelier, VT Posts: 223	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts The elcheepo repro brake light switches, both the early and late types. For the later 30-31 type pay the extra to get the good one, you won't regret it.

07-26-2018, 05:16 PM	#12
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 2,983	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts My grandfather sold them new,he said the first thing to go was the gas guage float.sometimes they were resting on the bottom when the cars came in.He said the shocks were next,or maybe the roof would leak.Those were kind of neck and neck for timing.A year and a half or so.He said the fenders would crack in a couple of years.The roads were not paved,and they would rack the cars terribly.Until about 1939 it was about 20 miles to a good road.With good float material now the floats won't sink,good seals and oils the shocks won't leak out,modern seam sealers and the edges of the roofs won't open up,and with smoother roads the fenders aren't so prone to cracking.

07-26-2018, 07:13 PM	#13
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts If you are talking original parts and design, I would think the short list would be found within anything that did not move from the VE27's to continued 28 and later "A" production and those mechanical and body/frame parts that saw major change during the transition to the '32 "B" design and specs. Some items: 1/2" shaft Abel starter drive, block, flywheel housing, and banjo castings without adequate reinforcement ribs, float hinge direction on A Zeniths, wood framed bodies, . . . Last edited by MikeK; 07-26-2018 at 09:59 PM.

07-26-2018, 09:44 PM	#14
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Aftermarket Amp meter.

07-27-2018, 02:28 AM	#16
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts You all missed the obvious, the gas is ok, the batteries are all throw away after 6 months. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

07-27-2018, 07:51 AM	#17
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Them STUPID gas valves, that don't shut off, entirely & you dump a quarter tank of gas, on the FLOOR & your Sweet Wife makes you sell your stupid car, CHEAP! Bill Ticked __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-27-2018, 07:55 AM	#18
gweilbaker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 792	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Tank mounted steering column support.

07-27-2018, 08:12 AM	#19
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Most unreliable OEM parts / designs in my opinion: Fan; Service brakes; Water pump; Babbitt bearings; Starter Bendix; Generator cutout; Ignition condenser; Non-adjustable valves; Exhaust manifold; Distributor lower plate wire; Cooling system; Engine mount system; Single wire electrical system. __________________ Bob Bidonde

07-27-2018, 09:43 AM	#20
F.M. BANNED Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 385	Re: Most Unreliable Model "A" Parts Hand Operated windshield wiper !!..