How smooth does your Model A ride?

[Banditorama]

I just got my new (to me) Model A roadworthy today and took her on her maiden voyage. This is my first foray into antique cars and I'm not quite sure how much NVH is to be expected with a car this old

Either way, that thing put a giant smile on my face. I've never worked on or driven any vehicle that's almost 100 years old. Any other suggestions or tips would be appreciated too

[Bill G]

NVH???



They rattle and vibrate noticeably more than a modern car, but they were probably smoother when new. I am always complaining about squeaks and vibrations because I rebuilt the car. My wife tells me to shut up and drive and says it's part of the experience.


So, sit back and enjoy!

[Banditorama]

NVH stands for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness

In 3rd gear going 30-40 mph, you can see the fenders shake a little bit. The windshield vibrates and makes noise when it's pushed open. But when it's closed it's pretty well silent. I know it's not gonna drive like a modern car, but I'm not sure how much is too much.

[TerryO]

Sounds normal to me...


TOB

[Gary WA]

Originally Posted by Banditorama

I just got my new (to me) Model A roadworthy today and took her on her maiden voyage. This is my first foray into antique cars and I'm not quite sure how much NVH is to be expected with a car this old

Either way, that thing put a giant smile on my face. I've never worked on or driven any vehicle that's almost 100 years old. Any other suggestions or tips would be appreciated too

Do you have shocks? Makes a big difference. even tho their old autos!!

[Banditorama]

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It has the original suspension. The car seems to have been halfway restored, then put away for a while. I don't know any of the car's history, I won it at an auction. Whoever had it before me had it painted and the interior done, but mechanically it was kind of a mess. The radiator was blown out, the timing was way out, the carb was full of junk, and the brakes were so out of whack it wouldn't stop with them floored.

[Rob Doe]

Bandit, a new Model A rode quite well. The suspension on our coupe is not new or recently rebuilt to high standards, yet the car rides and drives good. We recently added new radial tires and balance beads to the tubes. The car takes the buckles quieter than our 2014 Silverado.

[jack backer]

An easy thing to do is spray your springs with a penetrant like kroil. I use a reverse eye 5 leave front spring and a 7 leave rear with tube shocks. The best thing you can do to improve ride is remove and disassemble springs, polish and fit each leave, I used forklift mast lube on each leave during reassembly. Spring action is vital to a nice ride

[JayJay]

Sometimes on older (or no) restoration cars the shocks freeze up and if they’re still connected it will not be apparent. That will lead to a harsh ride. I’ve had it happen to me. Way to tell is to remove the link then try to move the shock arm. It should have resistance but be smooth.

Given your description of the undercarriage, this would be a good thing to evaluate.

[nkaminar]

I seem to be getting a lot of wind noise at 60 mph. My car is a Fordor. Have other members experienced this?

[RHD]

3 of us were having a beer and discussing our Model 'A's. I happened to say my shocks were riding hard and I should adjust for winter conditions. The second person said his shocks were so hard he could feel the while lines on the road, and tha last guy (with a smurk on his face) said his shocks were so hard he could feel the shadows on the road. Now thats hard suspension.

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by Banditorama

NVH stands for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness

Model As are rated by SRR
Shake, Rattle & Roll......
Mine has 16" radials so it rides a little nicer (smoother?).

[jack backer]

I hit a hole so deep I snapped a spring perch and blew out the wishbone.

[Pete]

On my 30 2 door, I have both springs adjusted for 100 lb. per inch rate.
The front shocks are 60/40, the rear shocks are 70/30.
This was done many years ago for outlaw rally racing and I never changed it for the street.
Actually it has a very adequate street ride for the type of suspension.

[al's28/33]

Banditorama ..... what body style do you have ? My phaeton has lots of creaks and groans in between the cowl and windshield stanchions but she purrrrrs like a kitten till I hit about 50 then you can feel the engine being pushed and the vibration gets slightly uncomfortable. watch out for the front-end death wobble, I have only had that happen one time but then I realized it was uneven pavement from bad roads.

[Ed in Maine]

A lot of little things can be done with the Model A to make it quieter. Sometimes you can put a piece of thin rubber between parts to keep them from squeaking. Make sure things are put together tightly. Put some soft material around the floor boards to make them quiet and keep out fumes. Wrap something soft around the door stops that are inside the kick panels. The ends of these straps can be hitting the inside of the cowl. Check out the doors, there are a lot of loose parts inside the doors. Use a product called Door Ease which is a heavy wax to stop squeaks when the door is closed. Also use this product on the striker plates to make the door easier to close. I've had a rattle from the small cover over the hole for the hand crank if the rivet is not tight. If you can get your Model A noise down to just engine, transmission and tire noise, it can be a real pleasure to drive. Ed

[Patrick L.]

But, does it have shocks or not ? If so, what type ? Are they full if lever type and adjusted correctly.

[Gene F]

I recommend that you join your local Model-A club. Don't know where you live, but the other club members can be a huge help.

[whirnot]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

I seem to be getting a lot of wind noise at 60 mph. My car is a Fordor. Have other members experienced this?

Because they are about as aerodynamic as an outhouse, it is to be expected.
However I get more wind noise from my pickup than I do the sedan.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

I seem to be getting a lot of wind noise at 60 mph. My car is a Fordor. Have other members experienced this?

Yes, sedans have a bit more wind noise than other body styles. (they are all bad)
I put wind wings on mine and it is far better up to about 90 now.