My 30 Model A Sedan my first (Non-Hot Rod)

[D_Lazaris]

I have been over on the H.A.M.B for awhile and have been into hot rods, and dragsters. I love flatheads! I have a flathead front engine dragster, and a supercharged flathead Nash.

My modern daily driver was going to need A LOT of repairs that would have been pretty ridiculous finically, plus they were computer problems and smog.

So I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get a Model A. I've been wanting one for a very long time, and it would be great daily driver around town. Plus I would rather of put the money into building a model a then money into computer devices and smog related issues.

I finally found one that is perfect for me! 1930 Tudor It is an older restoration (70's) and it's in great shape! No rust on the entire car, very straight. The banger still runs like a champ, already converted to 12v. It has eyebrow fenders so its a pre-feb car.

So far what i have done was rebuilt the front end, steering, added a second tail light, seat belts, and a few other bolt on goodies.
This is going to be my first (pretty much) stock car. I am enjoying every minute of it (Even the parts where the car had a death wobble, and my U-joint broke last night or at least I hope thats what it is! )

I am still holding myself back from putting a 2x2 on it, and an aluminum head but no mater what this thing will be racing at the Antique Nationals in June at Fontana Ca.

Hope you guys like it, and I WILL be asking questions about it!

Dimitri

[700rpm]

Nice car. Take care of it. Congratulations and welcome!

[Modelakid31]

Welcome to the forums!

[Jack '29 Sport Coupe]

Your tudor is delightful! For a time my modern car was in the tank, and I had to rely on my "A" for a few months-------and I didn't miss the modern one iota! Enjoy your car. She is a beauty.

Jack

[Bob-A]

Dimitri,

Great car and good for you too! I like keeping the cars as stock as possible with the addition of safety devices a good idea. That and
maybe some "era correct" original accessories are cool too. My Clown
Car not with standing, but that is a different story.

"Once you go original, you'll never go back."

AMF/Bob-A

[D_Lazaris]

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Thanks everyone! I am really enjoying it! I haven't really enjoyed driving it around yet though. When I got the car it had a death wobble in the front. The shimmy was pretty bad around 25mph. So I rebuilt the front end and the steering and aligned it correctly and that was that. And then last night I took it around the block and suddenly I went to shift and it wouldn't. Upon further investigation, the tranny would shift but I would hear the drive shaft thud around. So My guess is the U-joint. I can't imagine anything happening to the rear end because when I pushed it home last night it was smooth and quiet.... we shall see!

[Tom Wesenberg]

U-Joint or maybe the rear axle key sheared.

[D_Lazaris]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

U-Joint or maybe the rear axle key sheared.

Ah I will be looking for that. Thanks

[1931 flamingo]

Yes, ck the axle keys first before you rip into dropping the rear end.
paul in CT

[D_Lazaris]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Yes, ck the axle keys first before you rip into dropping the rear end.
paul in CT

Okay sounds good. I didn't think I could pull the drive shaft without removing the rear end (or atleast that's what my book said) I already pulls the rear u joint housing on the tranny and it doesn't look look I would be able to slide it enough forward to slip it out the rear end? But I havent pulled the bolts off the rear end yet so does it need to be moved forward to drop or does it mesh up pretty flush?

[Mike V. Florida]

Welcome to "real" Model A's

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by D_Lazaris

Okay sounds good. I didn't think I could pull the drive shaft without removing the rear end (or atleast that's what my book said) I already pulls the rear u joint housing on the tranny and it doesn't look look I would be able to slide it enough forward to slip it out the rear end? But I havent pulled the bolts off the rear end yet so does it need to be moved forward to drop or does it mesh up pretty flush?

Check the axle keys first and if they are OK, then the rearend need ot come out. YOu'll need to disconnect some brake rods, speedometer cable, spring U bolts, then lower and slide bake the rear axle assembly. Once the U joint cover is removed it should slide back a few inches to let the driveshaft clear.
Also, if your car has shocks, you'll have to disconnect them.

[hardtimes]

Oooh, nice purchase! I love those colors. Where in socal are you located?
Lots of guys here who know what and how about Model As. There are model a clubs that have members with lots of knowledge..can not direct you to any without knowing what area you in.

[D_Lazaris]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Check the axle keys first and if they are OK, then the rearend need ot come out. YOu'll need to disconnect some brake rods, speedometer cable, spring U bolts, then lower and slide bake the rear axle assembly. Once the U joint cover is removed it should slide back a few inches to let the driveshaft clear.
Also, if your car has shocks, you'll have to disconnect them.

Ah! Thank you! I was not looking forward to pulling the rear end. But I disconnected everything else.

[D_Lazaris]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Oooh, nice purchase! I love those colors. Where in socal are you located?
Lots of guys here who know what and how about Model As. There are model a clubs that have members with lots of knowledge..can not direct you to any without knowing what area you in.

I am in Murrieta. I joined the Temecula chapter. Already had a few guys come over and help us out (information wise!) plus a member lives 2 blocks from me with a tudor and a coupe so it's great for comparing cars, seeing what has been done, and seeing how my car should drive.

[Purdy Swoft]

I doubt that the problem will be the universal joint. I had a similiar problem 24 years ago with our 31 coupe. I stopped at an intersection and when I got ready to take off, it was just like it was in neutral, no mater what gear that it was in. My first thought was that an axle key had stripped. It turned out to be that the rivets that held the center hub to the clutch disc had all stripped. I had installed a rebuilt clutch from NAPA a few years earlier. The lining on the disc still looked real good but the broken rivets rendered the clutch disc useless. You will be lucky if it turns out to be a broken axle key, that is a lot easier than having to pull the backend and transmission to get to the clutch. Good luck and your tudor looks good.

[D_Lazaris]

Oh that doesn't sound fun... I don't think that's it though (crossing my fingers) when I put it in gear I can feel the transmission go under load...

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by D_Lazaris

I am in Murrieta. I joined the Temecula chapter. Already had a few guys come over and help us out (information wise!) plus a member lives 2 blocks from me with a tudor and a coupe so it's great for comparing cars, seeing what has been done, and seeing how my car should drive.

TEMECULA! That's Jim Brierley country! If you get stumped and need 'expert' advice, IMO, give him a call!

[D_Lazaris]

Well I got the rear end re-built and all is working fine. Finally been able to enjoy it on the road!

I took a picture on the side of the road while waiting to fill my gas back up after running out


1930 Model A by Dimitri Lazaris, on Flickr

[BCCHOPIT]

Very nice car...