What to have on board on a long tour
 

I am curious as to what people carry in their A's as spares for long trips.

Points
Condenser
....
......

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Cellphone and Hagerty and AAA card.

Towing strap

Wrenches, socket set, channel lock and needle nose vise grip pliers. Bottle Jack. Block of 2X4 for wheel block and alternator leverage to tighten either of the 2 extra fan belts. Have snapped two on 1 trip!

Extra Tilly or Marvel Carb
Extra Distributor
Extra Coil
3 feet of 12 gauge wire
Extra inner tube
Quart of oil, 600 Wt, bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil, bottle of STP for tranny.


Duck Tape, lots of Duck Tape.

First Aid kit. Quart of distilled water.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

check the archives. there is a long thread on this subject

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

if i had to carry all that , id stay home . not enuff room ........... steve

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

What do you consider a "long" trip???

I just have what fits under the seat on my coupe---
factory tool kit and jack
points,cond,cap plugs
most of a gasket set
my grease gun for the a
a coathanger
a waterpump with original nos fan
some cotterpins,brake clevis pins
a coil
1 rod
a brake adjusting wrench
light bulbs
starter drive with new spring,bolts and locks

I don't know what else is in there--some of it came with the car,latelyI have only used the grease gun, havn't needed to dig deeper, it is a40 year collection of things I thought I would need, about the only things I have used are condensers, since I got the A&L burnoutproof one I havn't used another one.

As has been mentioned above--if you have an alternator 2 spare belts --you will probably use them-if you use a generator I don't think you need a spare, in 40 years I am still using the same one.

If your car is in good shape before the trip you don't need as much as using the trip to find what breaks(using the trip to restore the car)

For a 100miledrive I might open the hood and check fluids if the car has sat a while

It never hurts to have a friend along that has AAA+

Whatever you have modified from stock --for those things a spare, or original parts to replace what has been modified

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Our long distance tour car is a deluxe delivery so I take one of everything that's ever been a problem, plus all of the tools I might need. And there's still room for lots of luggage. So far I've driven it 44,000 miles on tours and I've almost always driven it home.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Hey Hey Hey Thats why when we are on a long trip with my A. I have my wife drives our truck and pull the trailer...She can carry tons of spare parts for more than just one A....

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Screwdriver, pliers, cooler, and cell phone.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Wow, where does the list begin. In my coupe alone I carry an extra set of manifold machined together, a carb, head gasket, intake/exhaust gasket, distributors for other people, points for other people, electronic ignition coil for me, stock coil for other people, electronic ignition spare module, condensors, alternator, a box full of crap like a tube, rags, gas filters, grease gun, and extra bulbs. Then I usually Carry tools, oil, and water in the trunk. And then we usually put the same thing in my brothers fordoor. We pack for us, and people we travel with, cuz we've Been several hundreds of miles away from home and cars have broken down, and it's cheaper to pull out the seat or whatever and find the part than to have it towed. You don't NEED to carry all this, but I like to be better safe than sorry.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

As a subscriber to "If you carry it, you won't need it" club, I carry everything.

I'd carry a spare engine if there was room. :D

Fortunately, I've never had a serious breakdown.

But some of the "A's I've toured with, appreciated using what I carry.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

For that bit that you forgot or when she just quits, nothing beats a cell phone and a MasterCard.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

money or a credit card with a large limit!

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

The only two things I carry is a cell phone, and a 18 pkg. of cold BUD. ;)

"But"...I do have a tow bar in the rumble seat floor, And will use the cell phone to call the ole lady to bring the truck.
I am not going to end up as road-kill on the side of the road while working on the "A".

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Extra fuses ( if you car has them)

Extra bulbs

Extra condensors and a spare set of points

Usable spare tire, jack, and lug-wrench (plus tire-irons, pump and patch kit )

Tools

Length of #16 or #14 wire and some e-tape

Cel phone & AAA card

MARC or MAFCA directory if you're touring far from home and need A-support

Extra fluids (coolant, engine oil, 600 weight oil)

Spare fan belt

Hand cleaner , rags, paper towels

Drinking water

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Wooden cheese box
Clothes pins
Distributor wrench
Door hinge pin
Fuses-30/20 Amp
Goop/duct and elect. tape
Ignition Switch bypass
Misc. wrenches/Feeler gauge/screw drivers
Muffler seal
Point file
Short Phillips screwdriver for timing
Spark plug wires
Tire weights
Tube repair kit
Wire
Brake switches
Bendix spring
Carburetor
Clutch release arm
Coils-2 + wires
Compression gauge
Cut out Switch-2
Distributor drive gear and spring
Exhaust Clamp and gasket
Fan Belt
Fuel line & filter
Float adjustment tool
Funnel
Gallon of H2O (on running board)
Gas cap
Gasket seal
Grease gun
Glue
Ignition harness cork and nail (replaces bad switch)
Instant Beer
JB weld
Leather belt (Bearing replacement)
Oil
Misc nuts, bolts and washers
Multimeter
Polish
Rags
Rod bearing cap
Rubber gloves
Safety wire
Springs
Spritzer
Starter switch
Timing Gear (socket and tool in tool bag)
Timing Pin
Vacuum hoses
Voltmeter
Water pump and gasket
Water pump grease
Wheel bearings-1 sets
Wheel bearing Grease
Batteries
Business cards
Bratton’s catalogue
Flashlight
Fire Extinguisher (on running board)
First aid kit
Good luck charms
Hand wipes
Light bulb box
Model A club Roster (in door pocket)
Repair manual
Snacks
Walkie talkies

UNDER SEAT

Plastic Parts Box
Accelerator return spring
Ammeter-2
Axle key and shims
Axle nut remover
Carb gasket set plus needle valves
Condensers and Points
Gas filter screen and glass gasket
Generator brushes
Distributor cam and cap and top/bottom plates
Engine bearing shims
Exhaust gasket
Hose Clamps
Light Bulbs
Plug wires
Rotor
Spark plugs
Speedo gear
Starter bendix bolts
Water pump packing
Wheel nut washers
Wire ties
Valve and guide
Cotter pins
Crank
Distributor body
Fan belt
Gas gauge repair kit and tools
Jack
Lug wrench
8x10 Glossy of Sandy
Stethoscope
Tire tube
Tow rope

American flags
Blanket
Bungees
Calico chicken
Chocks
Distrilbutor
Flares
Folding chairs (sometimes)
Headgasket
Hose set
Paper towels
Pancho
Torque wrench
Tool bag

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

If I'm going over 200 miles I carry: MAFCA members roster; tow strap; cell phone; condenser; basic tools; duct tape; baling wire; 14 & 16 ga. electrical wire; electrical tape; spare bulbs; fan belt; oil and water; rags; rope. Less than 200 miles I figure I can get back home without too much effort. Also this all depends on what kind of country I'm heading into.

But after seeing Clem's list, I think in the future I'll just take him along. ;)

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Hey Clem, You can light`n the load a little, You got some on twice !!..

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

A few years back we did a trip in three modelA,s and an old Chev across Australia and back,between the four cars we did 65000klms,sum total of the problems were ,Camshaft nut came loose on one A,,another had a pinion bearing fail,this was self infliccted as he put a new ring and pinion in and used the old bearings before he left,
Last year four of us all in A,s did 30000klms between us,all towing campers ,only problem,a broken starter spring (12v)
Lawrie

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

To be safe, tow an extra Model A.:p

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Fred,
Thanks. Beer should be there more than oncet. I have been the parts guy on several trips. Also when someone breaks something, I usually be sure to carry that part on the next trip. Also you all should carry your parts source's email /Phone #. We use our Clubber Walt Bratton. He ships by 4 pm business days and that gets you overnite what you need. We did a radiator that way and then hid the rad from the distraught member.(:>) In that event, the fan ate a few rad tubes. Amongst us all, do you think we had a pair of 90 degree neddle nose pliers??? NOPE. Had we a pair, we could have pinched off those cut tubes and solved the problem.

If I was going on a long trip solo, I would thin out some of the parts. ALso when my group travels, Ms. Sandy drives the Tahoe at the rear of the group as safety officer with flashers on and carries stuff as well.

You want a fun arguement amoung friends: Ask if a spare starter should be carried. (Beer should be involved in the thought process)

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

"You want a fun arguement amoung friends: Ask if a spare starter should be carried. (Beer should be involved in the thought process) "

I thought we all carried a spare starter.......it's called the lug wrench. :D

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

I think that if you feel you have to carry a lot of spare parts on along trip,then either you dont know how reliable a good A can be or the car wasnt restored properly.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

My wifes favorite Model A tools are her cell phone and a good book.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Wow some of you guys are way over prepared....you might as well just tow antother A behind you for spare parts..

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

I figure carry as many parts as can fit. You'll be thankful you did instead of paying $300 for a tow home when the $3 part you needed was sitting on your tool bench. For people who just drive short distances or trailer their cars to events, it's not that necessary. But I drive my car to all events/tours/conventions. So I would rather be prepared than underprepared. And when you're driving in a group, you're also packing parts for extra insurance for the people you're traveling with--not knowing the condition of their cars.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Clem said blanket but I carried a piece of cardboard in my 49. Put it on the rear seat to protect the upholstry from a suitcase. When someone had to crawl under the car to connect a tow rope for another members car it worked out good. You do not want to lay on the asphalt on a 95 degree day in VA.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

I capture large sheets of cardboard where ever I can find them. New Refrig cartons, etc. I cut them into big sheets. When we go on tour, I store a few under the back mat of Momma's Tahoe. At the Williamsburg National we used about 10 of them. We were getting about 6 jobs done before we had to change out the cardboard. The carboard is slippery enough for your back side to slide on while under the car and easy to clean. It will last on wet bround for 3 jobs usually.

As for all the stuff I carry, every piece has been used and replaced at one time or another. I give the tour master my list as does others, so we know who has what. If we can, one generator per tour group is enough.
Clem

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

On tour in the past I carried a large uuugly cooler on the trunk rack. Filled with ice/water/soda and beer. As for all the parts, it gives me great pride to be able to help a fellow tourer in need. If aI know I willhave a lot of little shoes in the rumble seat I have a 1/2 board coverted with velvet for the seat protection. For local touring a big stuffed eagle rides with me. He has an Uncle Sam hat on and eats Talaban for breakfast.( he sez they taste like chicken)
Happy New Year

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

"The carboard is slippery enough for your back side to slide on while under the car and easy to clean."
Not to mention a little more clearance than a creeper for last year's beer.

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Hey Can someone Tour on over to my house and fix me up with a spare radiaitor??

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

I have found that most spare parts are are in the other persons car while on tour! I seems that when someone has a problem while on tour..from then on the carry that part as a security blanket. You can usally find a carb.,starter spring, head gasket etc... As for the world trip in 1982( long enough tour?)We had a very long list of parts divided among four cars. We only had one MAJOR break down...my broken rear axle (had one straped to the frame) but NO JACK STANDS...Took us 6hours at night with flashlights in the Syrian desert.
Bruce Davis [email protected]

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

I find it amusing when someone criticizes others for carrying spare parts or being "over-prepared" on long tours.

Frequently, they are the ones that only put on a few hundred miles a year, then join a long tour unprepared.

Then comes the inevitable breakdown, slowing the whole tour down, while they are begging for help, or spare dissy, carb, or tappet wrenches to adjust their "adjustable" valves.

Of course, they don't know how to use the tools or install the part, so someone else will have to stay behind to get them running while the tour proceeds.

If all else fails, they will holler at the nearby NAPA store clerk, "What do mean you don't have parts in stock for an 80 year old car???"

Hopefully, they can borrow someone's one's cell phone (no coverage, left behind, or dead battery), call AAA/CAA, before realizing that they forgot to renew their membership.

Well, there's always the credit card to get towed home. Oops, that's expired, too?

And you left cash at home with your spare parts? Ouch!

Sounds like the start of a real bad day! :rolleyes:

Know anyone like this?

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Over the years...I've had experiences of a few persons that are never prepared for a tour,..long or short ! They ALWAYS rely on the knowledge and skill of others. However..in the spirit of good will or just moving the tour along...they recieve the help/parts needed. Many times in the days preceeding the tour, different members will call that person and ASK WHAT HE HAS DONE TO PREPARE HIS CAR. Folks would rather help/teach ahead of time.
Bruce Davis [email protected]

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

One surprise was a generator pully that seperated into two halves. Night time in the rain with full tummies

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

I was honored to be the chief of the repair tent for 2 Williamsburg Nationals. Great fun. The first time we were next to the gas station on site. Great location. We had power, air, trash cans and drains. The next time the tent was next to the hotel's heat exchanger. Phew it was hot and with no fans. At one point a member went and got Ms. Sandy to remove me from duty for a rest as I was bright red and puffing (thanks fellows ModelAers.) [It was this kind of situation that convinced Woody Williams to set up the first National tour, where those who put on the tour could have some fun as well. For both Williamsburgs Woody and I saw only the repair tent and not much else of the meet.]

Anyway we hadd some interesting situations. In guy brought a terrible A that he had driven down. We determined it needed a new head gasket. By golly he said he had no idea how to do the job, but would like to learn. He bought a kit from the flea market and did the job with only minor instruction from us. We were so proud of him and he showed the pride he gained by learning and fixing his own car. Another fellow rolled a pile off a trailer and left it in a repair spot and said he had a meeting and would pick the car up later. We rolled it out in the woods. I'm proud to report that we fixed everything we had except a sheared axle. The late Bob Williams had just sold his last rear end the week before or we would have done that as well.

In sum it was a wonderfull experience for us fixers. During quiet times I held classes for further learning and fellowship. In one class we had who senior gents who between them had 75 years of Model A expertise. We hung on every word they said!!

Re: What to have on board on a long tour
 

Craig Lewis' comment made me laugh... last summer my brother towed me home. Him in his Model A and me in my Model T. These country roads haven't seen anything like that in a bunch of decades I'd bet!