It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

This was the way the rear spring on my 29 Tudor was when I pulled it out of the barn.
I have been thinking of pulling the nails out and replacing them with the proper cotter pins, but for nostalgia sake, maybe leave them alone? :cool:

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Stronger than a cotter key !!

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Unless you are showing the car, then why mess with the "barn find" aspect of it! Do check to make sure it doesn't look like one is going to work itself loose. You don't want to contribute to a punctured tire.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

If it ain't broke.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

You could remove those nails and put them on eBay as "Model A Nails". Seems to work for a lot of sellers on that site. $6.95 each sounds about right...'cuz they're rare :rolleyes:

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

There is nothing to fix.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Looks fine to me, what seems to be the problem?

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

That's how it all starts..............first it's just 4 cotter pins, then the rest of the car doesn't match the new cotter pins, so it all comes apart for a full blown restoration.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Yup leave it. Nails are stronger and part of its history. Ive used nails for years in place of cotter pins.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

I love the old farmer's fixes. It's functionally safe so there is no good reason to change it back. Every time you are working under the car and see it you will think of the person who installed them all those years ago.

Ken

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Nails are easier to get out than cotter pins if you have to remove them. Stick with the nails.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

I think the original owner really nailed the problem.:D:D:D I think shiny new cotter pins would not look right.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

At least you know the castle nuts have been taken up; Ford instructed the dealerships to service the rear spring the first time the owner had his "A" serviced.

Suggest you leave it like it is if you are not having a problem.

Ron

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Thanks for the suggestions! I really like the idea of selling the Model A Nails on E-Bay:D. I have already put over 10K in the restoration and I didn't want to spend the rest of my 401K on the pins:)

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Yep, leave it for nostalgia sake. Let it go for the next 40 years.


As Tom mentioned, you pull those then you have to change the interior, you change the interior, well that old paint then has to go, but wait all that shinny paint well the chrome.........

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Just an example of "making do" with what you have.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Leave them.
You will never see it done again,
and probably nobody else has ever seen it!

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Farmer fixes, a thing of beauty.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

You wouldn't get much for them. Look like 6 penny nails!:)

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

LOL that's funny

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

Fix it !
Put some new nails in and you will be good for a few decades.

Re: It has lasted 40+years, Should I fix it?
 

I left all my farmer fixes in place. Fifty years from now, somebody might enjoy them.