07-17-2023, 03:37 PM | #21 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lynden, Wa
Posts: 3,552
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Re: New to A's...
I have found these three electrical things will kill/or make it really hard to start/run:
-bad ground -dead/dying condenser -point not adjusted correctly. This is all assuming the fuel system is clean runs freely. If it sat, clean the tank and install a pencil filter. For safety, make sure you replace the original steel 2 blade fan-they have a bad habit of taking off your head, radiator, hood without warning. Enjoy the car and please post some pictures. Mike
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1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan |
07-17-2023, 07:31 PM | #22 |
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Hattieville, Arkansas
Posts: 9
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Re: New to A's...
I don't think the forum will let me post pics yet.Let me try..
This morning, using the directions given she fired off and had no issues. I drove it about 4 miles, to the local 1890s General store and down a dirt road to a local lake. The more I drive it the more the old girl seems to like it...being set up in a barn or shed must've been like jail. Told my wife, as today was my day off, I had to take my vitamins, vitamin "A" in particular, before I could do any honey do's today. This car might be the death of me yet 😂 |
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07-17-2023, 09:22 PM | #23 | |
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Re: New to A's...
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07-17-2023, 10:07 PM | #24 |
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Location: SF Bay Area
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Re: New to A's...
five-oh: I've owned three Model As in the last five years, and every one of them sat for extended periods of time (years) before I acquired them. All three are now smoothly running, but it was a challenge. Here's a synopsis of what I did to all of them to get them that way:
1. Drain all the old fuel out (take the fuel line loose at the carburetor, attach a 1/4" plastic hose, then drain into a gas can parked between the front bumper brackets). Put a couple of gallons of fresh fuel in. Pour old fuel in another car with a large gas tank to dilute it. 2. Drain the coolant. Flush the engine and radiator with hose water if the coolant comes out in chunks. In one case I had to pull the radiator and have it rodded out. Replace the radiator hoses and clamps with new. 3. Drain the oil, tranny fluid and differential fluid. Replace. 4. Pull the distributor, check for proper continuities, file and if needed replace the points. Reset the gap to 0.020". 5. Pull the plugs, clean them and replace if necessary. Gap to 0.035". Verify that you get spark at the points when the engine rotates (you may need to diddle around with condenser, coil and battery at this point - be sure the battery is charged up and all connections are good.) 6. Buff up the contact points on the rotor and distributor body. Verify 0.025" gap between the rotor and the body, adjust if necessary. 7. Reset the timing. Verify that you get spark at the distributor body, you may need to get a clear distributor cap to see the spark. 8. Drop the bottom bowl on the carburetor and check for excessive crud in the bowl. If everything looks dirty, pull the carburetor, clean everything and reset float bowl shutoff. If you rebuild, use the existing jets if possible as there is quite a bit of question about the repop jets currently available, and you can likely assume that your car ran with the existing jets before. 9. Check the vacuum line to be sure it isn't leaking. You can temporarily install a plug in the manifold if needed. 10. Fill the tires with air. 11. Start it up, drive it and verify it doesn't overheat, then drive it some more. 12. Drive it more. 13. Keep driving it. 14. Change the oil again at about 100 miles, then 500 miles. It will get smoother as you drive it. Keep checking fluid levels to be sure you aren't losing any, and if you are, that will open up other avenues to explore. 15+ HAVE FUN!
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JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan |
07-17-2023, 10:54 PM | #25 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,554
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Re: New to A's...
Like most things Model A, this has been for me, the most meaningful site I have come across. That and joining the Local Model A Ford Club of America, and/or the Model A Restorers Club will get you another group of friends and two magazines with a wealth of information in them. I belong to both National Clubs and Mafca local (Livermore, CA ie. Henry's A's. I use this site almost every time I find a shudder or sputter and these guys keep me running smoothly.
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07-18-2023, 12:11 AM | #26 | |
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Location: Grass Valley, Ca
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Re: New to A's...
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Stickshift 1915 Model T touring 1931 Ford Model AA Flatbed |
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07-18-2023, 01:35 PM | #27 |
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Re: New to A's...
You do not say where you are located. To find a Model A Club Chapter nearest to you, go to MAFCA.COM, on the menu bar click on site index, click on your State, and you will find the nearest chapter.
You will find folks who can help you. |
07-18-2023, 11:34 PM | #28 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Grass Valley, Ca
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Re: New to A's...
Quote:
I was thinking today of you finding the radiator hoses under the seat. Just beware that the thermostat on A's (if yours has a thermostat), is usually in the upper radiator hose. Some people throw away their hose not realizing that there's a thermostat in there. It's up to you whether you run one or not, another multi-page debate you can search on this forum. By the way, my Dad had a '50 Chevy pickup with a 216 six. I miss that truck. They still used an enclosed propeller shaft like the A has, thought they would have got rid of that by 1950.
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Stickshift 1915 Model T touring 1931 Ford Model AA Flatbed |
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07-19-2023, 10:52 AM | #29 | |
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Location: Hattieville, Arkansas
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Re: New to A's...
Quote:
It sure was difficult to head to work this morning in my work car, with the A sitting there all but begging for a drive. But it will be over 100 degrees today, and I don't wanna get too carried away until the maintenance is done. LOL |
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07-20-2023, 04:11 PM | #30 |
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Location: Southern California
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Re: New to A's...
If I wanted a slightly wider tire I would go with wire wheels from 1935 (second photo) or the aftermarket Kelsey bent spokes (first photo). These will both go onto the stock mechanical brake drums without adapters. Solid rims require adapters if used on the stock mechanical brake drums. In either case I would use the reproduction 1932 4 cylinder hubcaps (third photo) on the wire wheels. Note if you have a side mounted spare you will probably need to let some air out and carry a tire pump.
Charlie Stephens |
07-20-2023, 10:40 PM | #31 | |
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Location: Hattieville, Arkansas
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Re: New to A's...
Quote:
I'm afraid if I start with solid rims, I'll find myself wanting to build a period hotrod out of it. As much as I would love that, I think it'd take away alot of the charm for me. There's just something about driving a nearly 100 year old car exactly as it was designed that captivates me. I can't see me wanting to throw that away. My wife would like me to put in the a/c kit that's been mentioned at somepoint. I might concede to that, just so she will ride with me. It's more fun to share a hobby wiith your best friend and biggest supporter. |
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07-21-2023, 10:13 AM | #32 | |
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Re: New to A's...
Quote:
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Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B |
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07-21-2023, 10:29 AM | #33 |
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Re: New to A's...
They have the same bolt pattern, don't remember if they would be 15" or 16" wheels.
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07-21-2023, 11:28 PM | #34 | |
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Re: New to A's...
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Just as well- if I had it I mighta been tempted. |
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07-21-2023, 11:31 PM | #35 |
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Location: Hattieville, Arkansas
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Re: New to A's...
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07-22-2023, 08:45 AM | #36 | |
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Re: New to A's...
Quote:
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07-22-2023, 09:45 AM | #37 | |
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Location: Roanoke, VA USA
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Re: New to A's...
Quote:
Very well said. When we first got our car, I had a habit of overchoking it and flooding the carburetor. Now I crank for about a second, pull the choke, release the choke in about a second, and the car catches almost immediately. That was not intuitive to me at all. (It’s embarrassing not to be able to start your toy in front of people. [emoji13]) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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07-22-2023, 12:50 PM | #38 |
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Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Grass Valley, Ca
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Re: New to A's...
I am also new to Model A's (since last Dec.). I have found that once the right combination is learned on starting the model A, it will start incredibly easy and right away. Which is something people notice about such an old vehicle starting so quickly, and they always comment. "Wow, that starts fast".
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Stickshift 1915 Model T touring 1931 Ford Model AA Flatbed |
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