Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

As I mentioned in a couple of threads I posted recently here, I shortly am embarking on a long trip to drive my newly-purchased 1930 Standard Tudor from Oregon to the Atlanta area, a roughly 2,700 mile jaunt.

I have started a trip "blog" which I hope to be able to update on a daily basis at my hobby website, slotblog.net. Here's a link:

Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Ford

Comments and discussion will be welcomed in the related subforum, but not in the trip narrative itself. The discussion subforum has been permissioned so anyone can start topics or post replies there; registration is not required. Here's a link to the open subforum:

Oregon to Georgia trip discussion

I look forward to meeting other Model A enthusiasts during the journey, but we're still refining our exact route and the intinerary will largely be freelanced day by day. Our progress can be followed at the first link given above.

Some of you reading this may question my sanity, but a trip of this nature has been on my "bucket list" for a long time and at age 60, it's time to check something off. My older son (age 34) will be following me in a "chase car" containing spares, tools, and our gear. Please check out the initial posts in the trip blog for more info.

We plan to head north in our modern car before dawn this Sunday, i.e. in two days, and hope to start south with the Tudor the following Friday.

Greg Wells
Norcross, GA

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Congratulations Greg, ....safe travels for you & company!!

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Hope you have very safe travels, watch the other guy and the weather, take along a current MARC and MAFCA Membership Roster just incase.

Be safe.

Pluck

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Steve,

I rejoined both MARC and MAFCA almost two weeks ago but have yet to receive the member packets from either. If they don't arrive today or tomorrow, oh well...

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Sounds neat...We have a '30 Coupe and are thinking of traveling to my sons (wife and grand children's) in Wellington, Florida, with our "A", around Christmas time. It's about 700 miles (one way). We have done it on our Harley's a few times and we may still do the bikes again. Haven't decided yet.

I'll watch your trip....when you get in Norcross, give me an email and maybe we can make a trip down your way. Good luck
Dave

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Alright, let it begin! Excited to follow your trip and live vicariously through you guys for now! Drive safe and watch out for idiots on the road. I should hopefully be back up around Tennessee or Arkansas by the end of the month so keep in touch if you're going through on your way back.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Good luck on your trip. I don't read blogs, so let us know when you get home. Rod

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Rod,

The links where my trip commentary will be posted isn't really a blog at all, but is a community forum just like FordBarn. Just click on a link and take a look.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Trying to leave Atlanta for Oregon before dawn tomorrow morning and still have so much to do! It's going to be a busy day...

Tonight I will hear the younger son play tuba with the Emory University Symphony Orchestra. It seems somehow appropriate that the final piece will be Dvořák's New World Symphony.

Hope to be able to head south with the Tudor on Friday.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

A cross country trip gives you a great first hand education about WEATHER!!!
Bill W.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Have a fun and safe trip!!

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Bill W,

That's a concern, of course.

I've been watching the ten-day forecasts for Boise, Salt Lake City, and Denver and so far, it looks like we may dodge the weather bullet big time. I'm hoping so. Expect a good bit of rain, but I have my bottle of Rain-X and I'm not afraid to use it! LOL!

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

god speed i will also be following your progress

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Go for it Slotblog!!! Just take it easy.
My son just returned from a 5,441 mile round trip Austin to Kennebunkport, Maine in his '54 C***y. No trouble. Used a pint of oil. Original 235 engine. Rebuilt ofcourse.
He's got a couple of Model A's that would have made the trip but more room in the '54.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Greg,

Have fun on your trip. Hope you spend a little time in Oregon. There is a lot to see in this state but I can also understand you wanting to get back to GA ASAP. But if you want to get a few tips on places or routes through Oregon, send me a PM and I can give you some ideas. At least visit some of the wineries, if you enjoy this type of thing, in the area where you pick up your car. They produce some of the best wines in the world! We live in Banks Oregon which is just a few miles north of where you will be picking up your car.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Fred,

Well, we're going to do the McMinnville Air Museum for sure and might kick around a little. Because of the time of the year, I'm a little hesitant to delay heading south for too long. This TN/GA boy doesn't know how to deal with ice and snow and I don't really want to learn! LOL!

Unfortunately, while I like wine I cannot drink it because of its acidity, unless I drink it with some sort of antacid. Can't even drink orange juice unless it's the reduced acid stuff.

I will shoot you a PM, but it'll probably be over the next day or so while we're on our trip to get to Oregon.

Thanks for being willing to advise.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Whatever you do it sounds like a fun trip. Have fun!

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

That's the prime directive, as they said on Star Trek!

Will be in touch, Fred.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

I too agree with Rod in that I don't read those, especially in a forum setting. For me, it is a simple thing where I don't have the time (--nor desire :o) to read every other person's well-wishing thoughts for your trip. I like reading after the fact telling of your adventures.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

I too agree with Rod in that I don't read those, especially in a forum setting. For me, it is a simple thing where I don't have the time (--nor desire :o) to read every other person's well-wishing thoughts for your trip. I like reading after the fact telling of your adventures.

Just as in Sean's forum telling of his unfortunate situation in Austin, he is now at 5 pages of folks offering their sympathy (-which is great for him) but not a lot of substance on what is happening directly.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

i dont like the blog deal either but will try and stay in touch with your trip. i have been enjoying Runnerbun's advetures and updates here on the barn.
good luck and be safe

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Guys,

Perhaps I wasn't clear...

One of the links I gave goes to a thread that will contain only posts I make, with no well-wishing or discussion permitted.

The other link goes to a thread where people can post comments.

So, Brent, what you desire is already in place.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Got to OR and picked up car. Drove it about 26 miles to where we're staying today in winds gusting to 50+ MPH and combined with the excessive play in the steering, it was a pretty exhausting and frightening experience.

Going to check the steering to see where the play is happening and expect to adjust the two-sector box. Any tips for me?

I really need to reduce or eliminate (hah!) the excessive play in the steering before we head back east.

It would also be nice if the storm and high winds pummeling the Pacifc Northwest would abate, too...

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Just wondering did you go over the entire car mechanically?
Looking forward to any updates you post here good luck
The adj procedures are in the service bulletins and les book I believe

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Another thing you might try to do is see if you can or should snug up the drag link and tie rod ends a turn or two, also make sure the pitman arm bolt is tight and there is no play between your steering shaft and pitman arm. I'd recommend going through everything but since you are on the road and that is not possible my suggestions above are a good start. In the end the best course of action would be to rebuild all your steering arm and pitman arm balls back to round, new tie rod and drag link inserts and springs, and then go through the steering box.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

LOL... I suspect there's some unposted thoughts referencing insanity that could have accompanied this question!

Going over the car is what we're doing now, before setting off for Georgia.

I greased the car completely, though as usual, a few of the fitting were frozen and wouldn't take grease, but most did. We changed the oil, using the ND 30 Mike's offers, and I added 600W to the steering box (it was pretty low). Will be topping up the trans and diff today. Replaced the dist cam as it was worn and added some Water Wetter to the coolant.

Car cranks strongly and starts easily, motor pulls well, clutch releases a little high but grabs smoothly and doesn't judder at all. No shimmy from the steering.

Even in the high winds yesterday, it cruised nicely at 35-40 and will I believe easily do 45 without strain if I don't have to contend with such gusty conditions.

They are and we'll be starting that procedure as soon as the coffee hits bottom.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Yes, the plan is as you have suggested. Going to look at all the places where play could develop in the steering system today. If I can reduce the slop in the steering by half or better, it will certainly be roadable.

And as mentioned above, we're not actually on the road yet, but hope to start back east later today.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Five years ago I drove a friend's Model A from the seller's home to his. It steered like a paper airplane in a tornado. 20 miles later we got to his house and I tightened one front wheel bearing 2 1/2 turns and the left side 1 1/2 turns, and that's all it took to make it steer nicely.

Pitman arm bolt and steering box to frame bolts are often not tight enough.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Aha! I hadn't considered the wheel bearings and we'll certainly take a look at those. Thank you for this suggestion.

And yes, the plan is to confirm the tightness of all of the bolts you mentioned.

Tapping into the vast experience with these cars represented by the members of this forum is my main purpose for posting here. Tom, your very positive reputation and knowledge seems well known and I am grateful for your experienced input. Thanks again.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Problem solved!

LF wheel bearing was quite loose and that seemed to be perhaps a bit more than half the problem. Repacked and adjusted the bearing on that side.

One of the steering box to frame bolts tightened up a little and the three sector cover to box bolts were a bit loose. I did adjust the sector maybe a flat or so and now the play in the steering is essentially gone.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice. We'll be heading out for Georgia within the hour.

If anyone along our route sees a Model A Tudor with "Georgia or Bust!" vinyl lettering on the rear side windows, that's us...

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

have a great drive

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

lol,, lol glad your spending an hour or so to go over the car before the cross country trip:eek:
not trying to be a smart ass i just find it amusing
i do wish you much success on your trip, be safe thats the most important thing mechanical things can be fixed..
looking forward to updates on your adventures

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Actually, I've spent about a day and a half... LOL!

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Greg,

Sorry I did not check my PM soon enough and it sounds like you may be on the road already.

If your friend suggested you go from Salem, through Bend, through Burns and then on the Ontario that is probably the best off interstate highways. Going up over the Cascade mountains between Salem and Bend is going to be your greatest climb. But the road where you are climbing has passing lanes that you can run in most of the way up the mountain. You will also find on the road between Bend and Burns sections of the road where you won't need to turn your steering wheel at all. Straight highways for miles. This should help your steering situation if you still have problem.

Good luck on your trip and keep us posted. Sorry I did not get to chat on the phone prior to your departure.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Fred as correct, we were already on the road, but I rang him back anyway once we got to our hotel and we had a very nice extended conversation.

Just for a quick update, we left Salem about 11 AM and made it over the mountain (three inches of snow on the ground at the summit!) to Bend, OR, where we are staying tonight. The car runs better and better with every mile and the steering adjustment has worked out quite well. The winds are still blowing and push the car around a little, but with 3/4" of play in the steering wheel, I can deal with them, as well as the moderate tramlining behavior on poor pavement. I suspect this is alignment but it's not so bad that I can't deal with it on the trip back.

On arriving in Bend, we noticed a little coolant waterfall and it is a problem I anticipated, a pretty good leak out of the water pump packing. I brought along one of the gland nut wrenches so if tightening it up doesn't do the trick, I'm thinking the local hardware store or plumbing supply will have some graphited packing material that will suffice. Any advice from you experienced A'ers in this regard?

Car runs well and happily at 50 MPH, though I am going to try to keep it closer to 45 MPH. FWIW I only had to grab second once to get over the ridge. Top gear sufficed for all other climbs.

So tomorrow it's eastward ho! Hope to make Ontario by nightfall.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

If yo need waterpump packing let me know.

Wm J. Bend Oregon

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Thank you, sir!

I'll know fairly early in the morning if tightening the gland nut does the trick.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Don't use graphite string for the packing. That is for slow turning shafts, like the water faucet. You want the lead packing rings with a coat of grease on them. For the trip home you can just unscrew the packing nut and push some grease in there and resnug the nut. This should keep the pump from leaking for the trip home.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

I've just returned from a 9,000 mile trip around the country towing a camper trailer in my '29 Phaeton. If your car is prepared well, you will have no trouble (other idiots on the road excluded).
Enjoy the drive and the sound of the vintage machinery underneath you.

Re: Oregon to Georgia in a 1930 Standard Tudor
 

Tom,

Need to give you some feedback on your kind suggestion. Since I had not heard back from "Wm J" this morning, I tried the grease trick and it simply didn't work. I think I know why: the packing in the car had crumbled into bits when I finally removed it.

I had PM'd "Wm J", who offered a seal to me earlier in this thread, through Ford Barn but he must not have seen it, as by about 10 AM I had not heard from him so we could connect. I called Ted Duke, a MAFCA member who had messaged me here to say he would keep his roster at hand for a month(!) and provided his cell number so I could contact him for local member info wherever I might be broken down. Ted found a number of MAFCA members in Bend and gave me four names and phone numbers. The first one was Bill Barlow and as luck would have it, he was "Wm J"!

My A ended up in a bank parking lot and it was great that Bill's home was just two miles away. We GPS'd over to his address and knew immediately we were in the right place when we spotted the double stacked pallet of Model A engine blocks next to a storage shed at the end of his driveway. The garage holding his Model A collection has a further 23 blocks lined up along a wall.

Turns out Bill was a MAFCA Technical Director in 2002-03 and is a machinist who re-babbits Model A (and T, I think) rods and main caps. He had 160 sets of Model A rods on the shelf awaiting orders! I saw examples of his work and it is pure jewelry.

Bill had several new packages of water pump packings as well as a small drawer of loose new packings. He gave me two new packages and refused to let me pay him or replace them, as he said he now uses the modern seal pumps on his six Models As so he didn't use the lead packings any more.

As an aside, Bill and his lovely bride Annie (IIRC) drove one of their As from Bend, OR, to Nova Scotia and back a few years ago, without a chase car! He said the only problem they experienced was with the distributor and he had a spare unit to plug in.

Took me about 30 mins to get the new packings seated in the gland nut and to get the nut started on the threads and away went went towards Burns, OR. The water pump was leaking when we arrived at our hotel about an hour ago, but about 3/4 of a turn of the gland nut and she sealed up again. Of course, I'll be keeping an eye on it the rest of the trip.

Onward to Ontario, OR, tomorrow...

PS: If you need a set of rebabbited rods or a rebabitted main cap, do yourself a favor and give Bill a call at 541-389-2694. The man knows his stuff and can help you get your A engine down the road to a full rebuild. And a nicer Model A guy you will never meet!