New to Ford Barn & Ive Got A Couple Questions

[joshhirst13]

Hey guys. Sorry for the late response. I've been busy with my the family. I'll try to answer as many questions as I can remember.
I live in Chino, CA
I bought it in Taft, CA about 2.5 hours north of me.
Yes. It is a Briggs with the center armrest & rear dome light
I believe it has the original top & im probably going to be trying to install a new top myself very soon. I called an upholstery shop & they want $1000 to install a new top. WTF????
I looked up the "dirty leg" & looks like a good idea. I drove it all over town today with no problems. I will be getting the valve filter as well.
I've got a couple other question
-if I do install the top myself what is the best material to use & where to get it from?
-How do you remove the metal frame around the top that holds the top down or covers the seams???
-It also seems to be struggling in 2nd & 3rd gear. Could I be low on tranny fluid? I haven't checked that, but will be before I drive it again.
I also noticed today that it has a glass pack but the rear tail pipe is just sitting inside the glass pack almost to the point of falling out. The tail pipe diameter is about 1/2" too small for the glass pack. I'll have to get this taken care of too. Could this be causing the sluggishness in 2nd & 3rd because there's no back psi. I don't know anything about this stuff.
Once again. Thanks for all of your knowledge & help.
Thanks
Josh

[joshhirst13]

Here's some pucs of the interior with the armrest, dome light, & roof showing the brackets U don't know how to remove. Plus a couple more pics of my car. Who doesn't like pictures.
Thanks
Josh

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by joshhirst13

I've got a couple other question
-if I do install the top myself what is the best material to use & where to get it from?

Just about any of the Model A parts vendors will have the top kit for your town sedan.

-How do you remove the metal frame around the top that holds the top down or covers the seams???

They are nailed in and the top bent over to cover the nails. Different body styles have different moldings. The vendor's catalogs have the different types along with the Restoration Guidline book I suggested earlier.

-It also seems to be struggling in 2nd & 3rd gear. Could I be low on tranny fluid? I haven't checked that, but will be before I drive it again.

I'm going to guess your timing is off. How are you using the spark lever on the left side of the steering column?

I also noticed today that it has a glass pack but the rear tail pipe is just sitting inside the glass pack almost to the point of falling out. The tail pipe diameter is about 1/2" too small for the glass pack. I'll have to get this taken care of too. Could this be causing the sluggishness in 2nd & 3rd because there's no back psi. I don't know anything about this stuff.

Look up Aries Mufflers and get one from them.

This is from the Restoration Guidelines book;

[1930artdeco]

Josh be careful with the top moldings.They are aluminum and flimsy but make sure you keep them. Also the interior has been redone at some point-no big deal. BUT, keep those shades after you replace them. Those are original and you are luck to have them. I think once you replace the muffler, retime and lube and clean the fuel system you should have a great running car.

Mike

[jfreddie]

The pencil screen and a good sediment bowl work very well to keep the fuel clean.

I don't use aftermarket inline filters because it's hard to tell when they're full.

When you do your top try to save the guttering and reuse on the new top. Fits better than any of the aftermarket, especially the rear piece.

Otherwise, the top is only as good as the underlayment. Make sure there's nothing sticking up from underneath...especially the roof seam over the door posts. It all shows in the end.

Cheers

[Mitch//pa]

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I wouldnt recommend driving your car around without at least checking all the major fluid levels, and servicing them would be best...

We had more than one newbie incident of a dry rear or trans..

[Brentwood Bob]

See entry #15. You could hook up with them and get some help. Sweet car. Someone took great care of it.
Bob

[Pmsqrd]

What a sweet 31 Fordor. Remember they are only original once and this on sure looks great just the way it sits. I saw it on CL a couple weeks ago and hoped someone would save it as it is. Hope you do. Hard to beat the look of a black Model A with black wheels and black walls. Especially an original one. Great find. Good luck.

[Bob C]

Have you contacted the Pomona Valley Model A Club?

Pomona Valley
P.O. Box 1457
Upland CA 91785-1457. meetings 1st Monday, 7:00 PM,
Round Table Pizza, Ontario. Ed Tolman 909-597-1503



They had a website but it seems to be down.

Bob

[SteveB31]

Here is a great link on how to install the top.

http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/roofinstall-1.htm

Steve Becker
Bert's Model A Center

[joshhirst13]

I'll have to contact the Pomona Valley Model A club. Their meetings are only 2 exits down the freeway from me.


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[joshhirst13]

I looked at the link you sent for directions on installing a new top. I'm a little confused because that top goes all the way to the drip rails. Mine is just a round cut out in the roof. Do the moldings on mine function the same way as the ones in the article. The don't really explain the moldings. Do they snap on and off? I'm confused?


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[joshhirst13]

I don't want to ruin the original moldings.


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[1930artdeco]

If I remember right the base drip rail is screwed and nailed down then the other half snaps on. Sounds like a Tudor top you looked at. They should all go on roughly the same way.

Mike