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02-16-2013, 02:23 PM | #1 |
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Long Trip Preparations
Is there a published list of items that you would consider taking along if you were intending to make a trip in excess of 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
What kind of modifications would you make to your Model A?
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02-16-2013, 02:40 PM | #2 | |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Quote:
'MODIFICATIONS' ...not going there...HERE,eh!! However, very good question for good trip. Along the lines of 'list', wish you could be here to look at box of stuff that I got from an old timer years ago that directly relates to your inquiry. This box (or two?) contains all the stuff that a guy...going long distance in a Model A would need..short of heavy chassis/sheet metal. All new stuff, back when he made the collection. I've never used it, and likely never will... but remember that it was condensed down to meet the needs of this guy who drove thousands of miles each trip he made. I'll start off your list by say that a spare WATER PUMP and COMPLETE ENGINE GASKET SET is included. I guess that I could lay it all out an take pics if you need..just let me know BTW...ooops, to answer your question , I know that in the past here informal 'lists' were made due similar question..but know of no formal list.sorry! MAFCA mabe has one? Last edited by hardtimes; 02-16-2013 at 02:43 PM. Reason: ,...... |
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02-16-2013, 02:57 PM | #3 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
In addition to basic tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, etc., & a few suggested parts, just one (1) additional bare minimum, easy to carry lightweight item:
Your favorite Model A parts vendor's catalog, with your credit card number already posted in his file for unexpected emergencies -- vintage parts needed & not found at Autozone & the like could be obtained with a simple phone call & overnight delivery at your hotel or the address where you are staying. |
02-16-2013, 03:00 PM | #4 | |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Quote:
There are none necessary.
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02-16-2013, 03:04 PM | #5 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Well, maybe to answer your question with sincereity, and using your panel truck as an example, I would remove the original fan belt (due to rarity & expense) and take off on your trip. I am of the opinion there is no need for any spare water pumps, extra gasket sets, carburetors, or "crutches". All these items do is weigh down the vehicle! It boils down to you completely 'restored' every part your panel truck to original specifications. Therefore your truck is no different than it was when it was brand new. Back then when a car was new, no one carried spare parts like that, ...so there is not a need now unless someone feels there is a faulty part about to fail. Even so, like mentioned above having a few phone numbers of friends in your pocket will take care of everything else like finding someone to bring you items to make repairs.
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02-16-2013, 03:09 PM | #6 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
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02-16-2013, 03:28 PM | #7 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
between AAA. 300 miles free and ford barn help cant be to far away
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02-16-2013, 05:13 PM | #8 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Portable computer or phone with web access any way you can connect to the Ford Bard Forum
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02-16-2013, 05:40 PM | #9 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Things that are not an easy find when on the road-
Spare 6V bulbs. Patch kit and a spare new tube. Following up on what BRENT said, you may also want to remove easy-grab items like original rad and gas caps, collector YOM plates, etc. |
02-16-2013, 05:51 PM | #10 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
When I was a bit younger than I am now I made my first trip of over 2500 miles and my tool kit was a screw driver and my spare part was a condenser. Carried both in the pocket of the drivers door. Did not need either. Modifications? zero, none.
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02-16-2013, 06:03 PM | #11 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Preparations for the 1982 Around the World Tour can be found in the RESTORER magazine Vol 27 Iss 5, Jan-Feb 1983 page 24.
Please understand at the time we were not able to take along our CB's we had no Cell phones,no computers and alas NO FORD BARN !! There were no Model A parts dealers along the way...OH YES we had modifications, ( I hope not to be drummed out of the FORD BARN. ) In looking back in time I guess we were the trailblazers to the long distance tours that travel the world today. We managed 300 to 400 miles on some days, and had to deal with travel and car problems as they happened. Three years in the planning and just over four monthes of the tour...we never regretted the effort of a great journey!!! Bruce Davis . Tourmaster [email protected] |
02-16-2013, 06:23 PM | #12 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
I use to carry 1 of everything, trouble is you never seem to find it when you need it. another idea is carry your national club rosterlike Fred said, they have address or phone # and would be glad to help another Model A'r, plan to see friends on your way. gives you a stop so things can be check over or fixed if need be. Don't forget towing on your insurance. It's not only for acidents but mechanical breakdown. The rest was covered. creditcard, basic parts that you should carry anyway ie. condenser, points, fan belt gaskets, wp packing, tools. the rest of the stuff gets too heavy and too much to unpack if you need them, If anything else breaks, fix it like they use to on the road. Good Luck
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02-16-2013, 07:45 PM | #13 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
I carry way too much. We were caught one time with a friend's car thru the fan blade and none of us mechanics had a pair of 90deg. needle nose plyers. I have an old military cloth tool bag that rides with me and doesn't rattle. From experience I carry parts that we had had trouble with on other trips: points, condensers in a ziploc bag, carb, gen, fuses, bulbs, bailing wire, misc.nuts and bolts, instant beeer, tow rope, wet jack, chock(s), good luck charms, throttle return spring, clutch arm, goop and grease.
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02-16-2013, 08:18 PM | #14 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
I and a mate did a trip around Australia in 1963 with a 1930 Model A phaeton. We travelled for three months and covered 10,000 miles through the outback ,Sydney to Townsville, to Alice Springs, to Adelaide, to Perth and back to Sydney via Melbourne. Carried spare distributor as the points had to be reset every 500 mi. Small set of tools, pliers and No. 9 wire and one spare tire. The car was given to me by a little old lady down the street where I lived in Sydney. We had the Motor redone and did the rest ourselves. We made all the papers in the main cities. We only had to buy two tires and rebuild the front spring in Perth. Drank beer in the Black Swan Brewery and never had to buy in a Pub.Greatest time of our lives as single guys. Grant
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02-16-2013, 11:09 PM | #15 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
No need to bring heavy parts. I'd carry an extra spare tire because mine are so old.
Basic wrenches and screwdrivers, a spare condenser, coil, a couple 6' clip leads, a quart of oil, and a spare girlfriend. BTW, I just watched a 2 hour special on Johnny Carson and at the end he was "Carnac" Shish......Boom.......Bah What noise does a sheep make as it explodes? |
02-17-2013, 01:02 AM | #16 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Even if a car is 100% restored to how Henry had it and had a modern fan belt on it I wouldn't necessarily say to just take off driving across the country with basic tools. Just remember everything mechanical/electrical is prone to failure. BECAUSE shit happens sometimes whether we want to admit it or not.
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02-17-2013, 01:47 AM | #17 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
The people who run the great race have a support trailer for a reason!
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02-17-2013, 09:15 AM | #18 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Basic wrenches, condenser, jumper wire.
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02-17-2013, 10:08 AM | #19 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
On my trips I carry a spare fan belt, points, condenser, set of spark plugs, tire tube, tire patches, electrical tape, about 20' of 14 ga wire, a small coil of solid wire (never know what you need to "hay wire" together or up!) a few crimp on wire connectors, fuses, spare coil, 2 clip leads, small digital volt meter, MMO, 1 qt oil, jack, tire wrenches, basic hand tools, small socket set, hammer. If it is warm 1 gal of water. Most / all of this fits under the back seat of my Tudor. The oil, MMO, Water goes n the trunk on the back.
I have used the plugs, points, fan belt, and water all in the last year, I put on 2-4000 miles a year.
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02-17-2013, 10:37 AM | #20 |
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Re: Long Trip Preparations
Speaking as someone who ran the GreatRace numerous times, I can tell you that not everyone has/had a large support trailer, and the ones that did were usually out at night trying to repair their modifications or poor craftsmanship!! I saw it WAY too often.
I do believe from personal experiences that if a car is truly restored with good quality parts, then it should be trouble-free for 3,000 miles. And, if something did break, help and/or a replacement part is only hours away. For some of the new folks that have not seen this, Ron Cloat proved something that many might dream of, -but only a few are bold enough to try. Go read THIS and see why I say you don't need all the extra parts to carry with you. . . |
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