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How old is too old to work on Model A's??? 1 Attachment(s)
I'm 77 with an irreparable torn rotator cuff, a knee replacement, one heart stent, double glaucoma, a bulging lower spine disk and a hangnail. Yet this morning I had to move a rebuilt Model A short block from the lower level of our two-story carriage house to the upper level to install it in a friend's Model A. The carriage house sits on a steep hill. A VERY steep hill, one of the steepest hills in town. The only way I could move the engine was to tie it to a two-wheel dolly and pull it down one hill, across the block at the bottom of the hill, and then up the other one. Going down the back street wasn't a strain, but look at the steepness of the hill going UP to the garage where the Model A is being worked on! Do you think anyone driving up the hill stopped and offered to help an old f*rt like me or ask even ask what the heck I was doing pulling an engine up this steep hill? Not in THIS town!
Looking at the photo and my accomplishment without dropping dead, who says we're too old to work on Model A's when we reach this age??? As Groucho Marks quipped: "You're only as old as the woman you feel."... or something akin to that. :) :) :) Marshall |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? You sound about as dilapidated as I am at 86.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Chronological age is not the determining factor of when to stop working on cars, or other heavy work such as construction. It is your physical age. Some people age faster than others. You will know when it is time to quit. Get your grandkids to help.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I'm not a young man anymore, growing up on a farm and 32 1/2 years in the military have taken their toll. I've had a hip replaced, an ankle rebuilt twice, a total knee replacement and another knee that will be replaced this coming winter. But I still open and hold doors for my elders, help them any chance I get and I'll continue to do so until I'm gone from this world.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Randy Gross of cast iron brake drum and F-100 steering fame just called from California to tell me he would have stopped on the hill and helped me! I believe he actually would have. Well, that's one. The next Model A engine that I have to move from the lower carriage house level to the upper one, I'll give Randy a call so that he can fly back here to southeastern Iowa and help me pull the engine up the Bridge Avenue mountain side.
Thanks, Randy! Too bad your willingness to help someone struggling with an obviously over-matched burden isn't a characteristic embraced by the people in this town. Actually, I didn't really expect anyone here to do so, so no major letdown on my part. "Expect little and ye shall not be disappointed." :( Marshall |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? "You sound about as dilapidated as I am at 86."
I just got a headstart on you is all... M. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Dang.....
Marshall somehow I feel responsible for that:eek: Look at it this way. If this had been Bridge Ave. in Chicago, 2026, not only would they have stolen that motor but beat you to a pulp and left you laying there just for the heck of it...... And then sued you for them hurting their backs picking it up:mad: |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I guess I should be thankful for small blessings...like NOT living in Chicago. 180 miles from here is close enough.
M. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Why didn’t you get help from the friend that’s getting the motor?
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Story about a hill and a friend.Hot,hot day,and I took my motorcycle down to get a case of beer.I lived on the edge of New England Dragway,and during events we knew to stay home.Half mile from home,at the bottom of a steep hill,my bike died,out of gas.I usually ran it unto the main tank ran out,then switch to reserve and gas up.I had forgotten to switch the reserve the last time I did it.I start pushing it up the hill,and my friend cruises by in his Thunderbird.He waves a beer at me and laughed.I got to the top,pushed the bike down the slight grade to home,and parked it st the picnic table between the houses.My friend was sitting at the picnic table,actually waiting for me to show up with the beer.He laughed and said,have a nice push? I walked over and punched him in the face.He did a backflip off the picnic table.He was a little scrawny guy,just a little bigger than me.Two other friends sitting there were mildly amused,one said,we don't know what he did,but for you to punch him he must have deserved it.I could see him not stopping,with the dragway running there are a lot of cops around,but if he'd told the other guys they would have run right out with a can of gas or to help push.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Is to old the right term?
Maybe it should be when it’s time to ask for help. I think working on your car might be just setting next to it and enjoying your time. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I am reminded every day just getting out of bed or bending over to pick something up of my dumb youthful independence "I can do it myself attitude". You're never too young or too old to ask for help.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? 25 years ago this summer I decided to put a 2 post lift in my garage.I'm an equipment/tractor/truck mechanic,but wanted it just to do my own work.I was 45,but starting to feel things coming on back then.I've taken a lot of car work since just because I had the lift.Now the hardest part is placing the pads to pick things up.I can spend a half hour getting a Ford Ranger up in the air,safely enough to make me happy.You can jump up and down 30 times easily getting the pads placed.So,last Friday I bought a 4 post drive on lift.It's what I learned on anyway,so I know how to work with their drawbacks.It is a 14000 pound lift,and it has two 7000 pound rolling jacks.I never had anything that fancy when I broke in on a drive on lift in 1972.I'll be 70 in a few months,and in the last year I've developed a sciatic problem in my left leg and back,and a recurring problem from a chipped bone in my left elbow.So my falling apart is just beginning.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Marshall,
No one doubts your determination and mechanical skills but maybe polish those social skills so your not the 'ol coot' working on those old cars by your self. What, are you going to take all that experience with you ? Share leaving some behind for others. Jeesh, you are stubborn German !! (I recognize it !) jb |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? At a mere 75 with an extremely junk back I spend a lot of time figuring out the easiest way to move stuff around. I've also bought a lot of casters and built/bought carts to get the job done.
This is the best helper I've recently bought (it was $120 at Costco). It currently has my OHV B engine on it. https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1...uck-56409.html +1 on Randy. I took my drums for him to turn and get new shoes. I had each corner in a separate box and a cart. He came out and helped haul them to his shop and then helped me reload them when they were done. BTW: Our Coupe had his drums (from 2 owners ago and unk miles) but the rest of my system was in bad shape - bent rods, loose pins, etc. The "worst" drum took about 3 thousandths to clean up. New shoes and other parts and it's now 110%. This car also has his F100 steering box another improvement that all Model As could use. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I took on a project this past winter that I probably shouldn't have. It required multiple times getting down and under the car on jacks. I did accomplish the job albeit several months behind schedule. My garage ceiling height does not accomodate a lift, so a creeper on my back had to suffice. I'll be 85 in a couple of months and have had both knees replaced, and arthritis everywhere else.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Why didn’t you get help from the friend that’s getting the motor?
He lives an hour away and was just here the other day. Long way to drive for a 15-minute walk in the park up the hill. I was pretty sure I could do it by myself. Maybe I just wanted to prove to myself that I could? M. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I will be 87 on Saturday and found I had to get my son to fit my spare wheel on the back of my 28 phaeton . He fixed the flat as I would not have been able to remove the tube but I think I could have stuck the patch on !!!
John Suffolk County England . |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? 1 Attachment(s)
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I guess I will continue until I can no longer hold a wrench. Wheel Buddys https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1780606649 |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Neat! I could sure use a couple of those as many times as I've had the wheels on and off this car, plus the two side mounts! Where did you get your little buddys?
M. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Just saw this thread - Marshall, I surely would have helped you if I'd been there, but I don't get to your neck of the woods too often. Let me know the next time you're going to do something like that, though.
I'm fortunate enough that when I know I have to do something strenuous like lift a body or install a drive train I can call upon a number of my equally youth-challenged club compatriots. I think that about five 70- and 80-year olds is equal to two 30-year olds. |
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Rats! Thanks anyway. Great idea...
M. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Some mornings I feel like I have early onset rigor mortis but it eases a bit during the day. I will know it's time when it becomes permanent.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I no longer have people to help me if needed.Most have died,some have moved to Florida,but most of the ones my age are crippled up in some form or other.Was never a big deal for me.Except for working at a gas station when I was 20,and working at the JD dealer here in town I have always worked by myself.At my last job for a small contractor,(I left there in 1989) he would call me on our Motorola 2-way.Get the big bucket out,we're dropping the excavator off for you to change it.Or,pull the blade off the dozer and put the root rake on it.We would change the two Macks from a road tractor to a dump truck like you would change your BVD's.Then back again the next day.Never said anything about it.I never whined,well I don't know it I can do it myself.There were a few jobs that I shouldn't have tackled,and I wasted a lot of time trying.The response from the boss was always the same,I really didn't think you could do that.Then one day he told me he had hired a helper for me.I will not be a boss,(although I like teaching a helper if they listen).In the morning I went out and fueled all the equipment on the jobsites,and got back to the shop at 7:AM.I walked into the shop,and there was a nice Hyster propane forklift sitting there.I was in heaven.Changing bulldozer tracks almost became a fun job.To this day,if my own forklift at home breaks,nothing gets done until it is fixed.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Maybe I’m as dumb as a post but I can’t figure out how the Wheel Buddies work.
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Quote:
Screws onto the lug. Install on the top two lugs on the hub. Lift the wheel and slide two of the lug holes over the Wheel Buddy. Push it up into the hub. Unscrew the Wheel Buddy from the lugs and remove. Wheel will drop into place and you can install the lug nuts. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Rather than trying to slide the heavy wheel with tire over short studs (if you can even find them), I assume that the buddys sticking out farther from the brake drum make it easier to slide the wheel over the extended studs. Y-Blockhead can correct me if I am wrong in my explanation how they ease a job that was a piece of cake 50 years ago, but now presents a bit of a physical challenge. Did Model A wheels and tires somehow get heavier over the years? :)
Marshall |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Alexiskai types faster than I do. EVERYBODY types faster than I do...
M. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Marshall is correct. Here are the instructions that came with my Buddys. If you tilt the top of the wheel towards you, you can see the bolt holes. Then just slide it on.
I carry them in my Town Sedan, sure makes it easier when out on the road. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1780622758 |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I don't have many strong young people close by to ask for help. So I have equipment to make things easier. Riding mower and golf cart can tow things,and pull small trailers. Tractor with loader and forks is used for lifting. A 4 post lifts makes work alot easier. Engine boom or chain fall help.
I added a winch to my lift to pull dead cars onto it. |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Well, I didn't wake up dead or any more sore all over than I usually am when I drag myself out of bed each morning. I guess I didn't damage anything critical in my body yesterday. Now all I gotta' do is figure out a way of getting the short block from the floor up on the engine stand. I think I'll temporarily put on the cylinder head and use the cherry picker to do that. 'Couldn't be any harder than pulling an engine up Mt. McKinley!
And thanks to all here who have volunteered to help me with further engine trips. I've got all your names and will contact you when I'm ready for my next adventure in stupidity. :) Marshall |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? My dad use to say “ Ted use your head “ well one day we had a sofa to delivery in an upstairs apartment, a midway landing and a big window. We always looked things over where we needed to go, the lady said it goes here after you take the hide a bed sofa out ! We started down with the sofa and it was getting a way from us , so I stood up tall and caught my head on the floor joist stopping our movement ( thinking about going through the window with a sofa on top of me ) dad asked me what was that ? I answered my head you always say use you head Ted ! We both had a good laugh !
PS I always walked backwards, the down hill side, or the compressor end ! I could actually run backwards as fast as I could going forward ?! |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? As a younger man I wondered why older folks always talked about their medical conditions and ailments, now at 74 I totally get it !
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Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? I normally start with a bare block with adapter attached, which I can still lift by myself and slide into the engine stand's receptable. Then I build up the engine from there. But this time it's a 160 pound short block. A bit heavy for me. So, I like your idea. I can't see what the chains are attached to in the small avatar photo: manifold studs through the chain links secured by nuts? Or grade 8 7/16" hex head bolts through the links? Either should do the job.
Marshall? |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Quote:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=34271 |
Re: How old is too old to work on Model A's??? Thanks, Bruce. I used your suggestion a few minutes ago and screwed in manifold studs with a couple thick flat washers and head stud nuts. 'Worked like a charm. 'Lifted up easily and slid into the engine stand receptacle like a hot knife through soft butter. I don't think I would suspend an engine with transmission and flywheel mounted by two studs in the deck area, though. But for a wimpy 160 pound short block, your method worked like a charm. I'm going to claim it as my own method from now on. Ha, ha, ha! Royalty checks will be sent to you quarterly (consisting of quarters!). :)
M. |
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