New Doodlebug Owner
 

Hi guys! I'm a proud new owner of what I believe is Model AA based doodlebug. When growing up in the late 60's, my dad found and we rebuilt a 1929 Model A based doodlebug, we rebuilt the engine, had many new or rebuilt pieces and painted it black with red trim. The 29 grille shell was trashed so dad found a shiny 31 shell and then built a small hood. It had the Model A 3 spd backed by what I think was a Chevy truck 4 spd and it must of had an AA rear end because it had dual bud rear wheels. It also had 37 Ford style front wheels and caps on a spring-less swing axle. This is the vehicle I learned to drive on. Alas, not one photo found so far.

As an adult I've often thought about this little tractor and looked at many photos on the net and hoped to one day find it. An ad recently caught my eye on CL because this doodlebug had the same style front hub caps and was the first time I'd seen a doodlebug with these wheels and caps since I started looking. Could this be the one? Two days later we drug it home from about 300 miles North and it is now residing in its owns safe and dry corner of my shop carport;

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...B3dpN&lb=1&s=A

One question I have, is regarding the PTO and pump setup that wa son it. I pulled it off as I do not think I have a use for it, but not even sure what it is or what its for. The PTO is a 6 bolt and the PTO Driven Water Pump has the words The Deming Co. Salem Ohio cast into it along with these casting numbers; AA2880 Mount, AA2966 Pump Body and BB2871 Pump End Cap.

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...Z75C5&lb=1&s=A

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...Ndj5z&lb=1&s=A

http://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com/...Kk5mj&lb=1&s=A

I hope the picture links worked, if not I can get educated on a better method of posting pictures here. I'm hoping that some of you will have knowledge of this pump and what it may have been used for.

Thanks!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Best of luck of with it.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Looks like you have a mouse house in the last picture. I hope the resident has moved on. Sorry I can't help with your questions. I'm still in the AA-101 class. It may take me years to graduate.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Kroil, it's a miracle! As the first big step to getting this rust pile up and running again, I've been trying to get the transmission shift tower off. Slowly wedging in putty knives, soaking with PB Blaster, then gradually driving in thicker implements until I could spray penetrant directly onto the shift forks and gears, but not any major progress until switching to Kroil.

https://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com...IMG_1588-M.jpg

After about a week of squirting Kroil into the transmission, I finally felt the tower start to move.

https://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com...IMG_1587-M.jpg

Anyway, pretty happy to make a little progress.

PS, can anyone tell me how to properly post pictures here?

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

If the pictures are sized properly you should just be able to

go advanced

scroll down to and click on manage attachments

Click on "choose file" in the new window, find your picture files and open them

Then click "upload"

They should post along with your comments....

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

I too am in AA-101, it's pretty interesting! I can't help but think someone out there knows what these pumps were used for? It seems by all the AA and BB markings on the pumps and bracketry that this was a Ford approved accessory. Thanks for responding!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Looks like they still make Deming pumps. http://cranepumps.com/products/produ...ID&browseID=37

Bob

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Attempting to add pictures properly, here goes;

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Check out the AA Forums and the AA Ford truck page. If it has the letters AA in it they will be able to answer your questions.

Mike

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Thanks to all of you!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

I am curious, what did you have to pay for it ? Wayne

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Gathering parts;

Recently did some work on a Honda quad as barter for a much better cowl than the one on the doodlebug, I thought it was 30-31 but then had an encounter with an older gentleman selling parts on CL who said it was actually a late 29 cowl. He said you could tell it was a late '29 because it still had the screw on style gas cap and because it uses the older style dash gauge panel. This fellow also sold me several other pieces to go along with the cowl and a radiator I got off of Ebay. As of now, parts include the cowl, radiator, grille shell, transmission and bellhousing, dashboard and gauges, and a motor that will be picked up in 2 weeks.

Planning to gather parts and pieces all winter and then next summer begin the tear down and rebuild of this old machine. Here are pics of Fred with his doodlebug as well as his very original '29, and my "new" parts & pieces;

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Your new cowl is off a 28/29 fordor sedan.
You can use it as is and replace your existing cowl
Or you can take the gas tank out of the fordor cowl and put it on top of your existing cowl.
If you want it to look the way it used to look, you'll probably want to do the later.

That's a neat story that you were able to find your old family doodlebug.
Neil

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

You have a 1929 to 1931 model AA 4 speed transmission behind the engine and a 28-29 dual high Ford auxiliary transmission behind it. You have an interesting project. Be careful, it will want a garage mate soon.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

in the icons above the text window click the mountains icon to insert an image and paste the image url in there or put [IMG]image url adress[/IMG]
https://lastchancegarage.smugmug.com...IMG_1588-M.jpg

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

The Dog:cool: wants to know, "IS IT THE SAME DOODLEBUG"?:confused::confused:
Bill W.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

My brother says yes, I say no. It has some striking similarities but a few tiny clues that tell me it is a different tractor. Coincidentally my brother says he's found another doodlebug near Spokane that is intriguingly familiar. Stay tuned for updates on the build and any new discoveries.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Headed back to see Fred this Saturday, will be picking up an engine and he agreed to sell a pair of AA bud wheels. Will post more pics after the weekend.

Bill W; we may never know for sure, the memories of a 14 year old and his brother are pretty vague, I clearly remember the front wheels and hub caps, my brother remembers the steering, rear brakes & linkage. The items that are significantly different, mainly transmissions, could have been changed in the last 45 years. Will we ever know? Maybe it doesn't matter. I'm loving the project and enjoying the process and so is my brother.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Went back to see Fred this weekend and bought an engine and two rear wheels.

He said all of his engines had been in something that ran when they were removed, so I took a gamble. I picked a random motor and gave him $300. My plan for the motor is to pull the head and clean & inspect and to pull the pan and plastigage the bearing clearances and check the cam condition. I may even go ahead and put in a set of rings, but that will be next summer and plenty of time to ponder that move.

The pieces are piling up, I'm hopeful that when I really tear into this project it will not take long to have a running tractor.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

From the photos, it looks like you have a dual-hi reduction transmission behind the 4 speed. That is the same setup I had in my doodlebug. It makes for a really low low. Mine had the rocker foot pedal cut off, and a lever welded to it.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

I've seen pictures of the dual pedal setup you mention, I'm also planning to build some kind of hand lever to shift it with. I've seen pictures of your doodlebug before, that's a pretty nice rig!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Sorry I did not answer this question sooner! I paid $150 for it, the cost to go get it was more than that, LOL!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

At long last enough other projects are caught up and I am a year or so into semi-retirement, no more excuses, the doodlebug has become the number 1 project.

Started working on the engine a couple weeks ago, first pulling the clutch and discovering that it must have been replaced just before they stopped driving it, the disc still clearly read "flywheel side", the pressure plate was very clean and the flywheel remarkably smooth. I had been thinking a new clutch but am just going to replace the disc and bearings.

Pulled the head and side valve cover and the cylinders were straight and smooth, the pistons are stamped ".020" and are snug in the bores, no ridge at all and the valves all looked really good, some looked fairly new. Rolling the engine over, I did discover a couple sticky valves, especially the number 3 intake valve. On the subject of valves, two of the intake valves are stamped "exh", which makes me wonder how an exhaust valve ended up in an intake hole?

Used a valve spring compressor, took all valves loose so could examine and then lap them in, the valve seats and faces looked excellent, hand lapped them and also took care of the valves that were hanging up with a good cleaning of the stem and working penetrant into the stem and guide.

As I lapped each pair of valves and then reset the spring and retainer, I took the opportunity to check clearances. All valves were between .015 to .019, except the #4 exhaust, which was a bit snug at .007. I could have pulled the valve by knocking out the guide, but then how was I going to cut it and keep it straight? Decided to leave the valve in place, cover the lifter and surrounding area with thick rags, laid a small fine metal file on top of the protected lifter and then used the lapping stick tot rotate the stem end on the file. It took a while but when the clearance was at .011 I decided that was "good enough" and also feeling the end of the stem sill felt nice and smooth. I was afraid to go to far, as not sure how deep the hard surface goes.

Also pulled the pan and other than a coat of congealed oil, everything looks really good and you can see the rods have been off, probably rebabitted at least once (if not twice) as the rods and caps have two sets of rebuilder marks identifying which cylinder they go to.

Camshaft looks good, timing gears look great, no wear, all teeth look perfect. Pulled oil pump apart and am giving it a thorough cleaning and also squirting penetrant down oil passages and using compressed air to push any old oil or goo out. Oil pump appears to be the latest version of the A style and gears and cover in good shape.

Other bits; bought a carb and distributor off ebay, a Tillotson and an old Mallory. Will kit the carb and so far the Mallory looks really good except the rotor which is cracked. We are planning to coat the rotor with liquid rubber just to hopefully hold together for an initial start and maybe later we can find a better rotor on ebay or?

At this point will start putting the motor back together as my brother is coming over from eastern Washington to help set the motor in the tractor next weekend.

Here are some pics;

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

a few more pics;

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Looks like you need to replace the oil return tube, looks to short.

Bob

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

It looks like they turned a Ford V8 axle upside down and mounted it direct like a tractor at the front end!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

I wondered about that, after your alert, did a quick read-up and have new drain pipe coming, thanks for the nudge!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Not sure what the axle is off of, it is quite a hodge-podge of parts. =)

Maybe you and some other sharp eyed individuals could take a look at the pic of my steering gear. It is definitely not Model A and is missing the top cover and backlash adjuster, we are going to make a cover with backlash but sure would like to know what this came off of. We are keeping this gear for now, because I like the cross steer setup. That could change of course when we actually try to drive it! =)

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

We've drug the doodlebug into the shop and the lack of front tires and locked up right rear made that a challenge. My little kubota wasn't quite strong enough to lift it from the front, so we drug it out of the carport and then hooked up from the rear so we could lift and push.

Once in the shop and up on jack stands, the first order of business was to make it easier to move, as we will have to reverse it and put it in the shop backwards when we go to pull the old engine and set in the "new" one.

Used lots of penetrant and a bottle jack and hammer to get the RH drum off, it was a battle but after reading some of the other stories here on how difficult they can be, feel lucky it came off at all. The drums do not seem to match the brakes, as it seems like this is a mix of narrow non emergency brake drums onto a emergency brake equipped backing plate set up, in turn this is on a worm drive rear which probably did not have e-brakes to begin with? Thinking the drums may match the axle, but someone used a later set of backing plates? The ebrakes are missing but the large lug for them is still there and would have prevented the drum from going all the way on, I'm not so sure the drum hub was seated on the taper? Considering removing the ebrake lug and assembling without that protrusion, then the drums may fully cover the brake shoes?

Went to remove the left side wheel and was having no luck, but was reading this morning that they used LH threads? Will take a closer look at the threads today and maybe try again.

When the brakes had me stumped, went ahead and got the old rotted cowl off, and just did some general cleanup and tinkering.

As soon as the rear main oil drain tube arrives will get back to assembling the motor. Also had a concern on the oil pump, the housing has a protrusion that has a hole covered internally by the lower bushing, but tested the pump in a can of oil using a drill and it seems to pump fine. Please have a look at the oil pump picks and see if this protrusion with covered hole is any concern? Was not able to find any pics on the interweb that looked exactly like this one. Also pulled one rod cap just to check condition and plastigage, looked beautiful and came in at .002. Have cleaned and thoroughty flushed with penetrant and air pressure all oil passages and when feeding penetrant through main passages get a decent flow. Will oil these up before firing the first time.

Some other "small" jobs to accomplish this week are; cleaning and rubber coating the old Mallory rotor and cleaning and prepping the distributor, soldering up the crusty old radiator I bought off ebay, trying to get the generator freed up, if nothing else to use as an idler for the fan belt, otherwise i'm thinking of maybe using a piece of inner tube as a temporary fan belt for the first fire up. Also found a pair of usable 7.50 16's for the fronts and will get those mounted up.

Still hoping to set the motor in next weekend when my brother is here and trying to fire it, wish us luck!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Crazy stuff!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Hi Chuck (OldTee)! Spent another day in the shop Sunday, made more progress, left rear wheel and drum removed and several small pieces of progress made. Will post more pictures later today.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

The axle housings and axles are different between the rear ends with the different braking systems. I also think the wheel bearings and hub may be different. Your probably going to need hubs and drums for the separate system.

Bob

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

i have a 1928 Model AA Doodle Bug real nice condition its made out of 1928 AA has 4 speed transmission with place for PTO. It had speed reducer that was made for using a model A three speed car transmission that they used on the first 1927 AA Truck i did remove the reducer because it didn't fit the 4 speed. The pictures also show how i modified the drive shaft.

http://greenstore.org/Doodlebug.html

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

The more I look at it, the more I agree. Even with the ebrake panel removed, it looks like the taper will hold the hub and rum outboard from where it needs to go.Hopefully someone will need my narrow drums for an early non emergency brake setup? Will start looking on The Swap Meet, CL, Ebay etcetera for the ebrake style hubs and drums. Thanks!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

That's a very nice doodlebug you've built, we've got a long long ways to go before we can hope to look that good! We have the same hi-low/dual driver/reducer on ours, it looks like it was reasonably well set up, but there are some various broken or worn pieces that will need addressed, its gonna be a challenge for sure.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Got the head cleaned and on today, was going at it slow and steady, almost finished when the water outlet cracked. It was an old one off the original tractor motor, had been broken or welded before and was hoping to get lucky but no go, have a new one on the way.

Also soldered on my very crusty cheap ebay radiator and while having some success with getting the upper bracket back in place, after cutting away some fins and soldering a couple of split tubes, filled it with water and found several more split. This radiator is junk (previous owner tried to make multiple repairs with epoxy/jb weld), just hoping to get through the initial start up with it and then will have to get another one or have it re-cored.

Still attempting to identify the steering box, cleaned on it some more today and realized the case is made of bronze or something similar, there is a casting number 16801, and also some kind of other identifying marks like 10 or @1 and a small arrow and then the same mark repeated, we also made a cover for it today, it's still pretty rough but coming along and should work ok when completed.

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Why don't you adapt a garden hose on it instead of using a radiator, unhook the water pump,

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Great idea, that has officially moved up to "Plan B"

Thanks!

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Hey Liberty,

Feel free to take a look at my doodle bug. I have a folder under my profile. If you have any questions about stuff, feel free to PM me.

Have fun with it,

Jon

Re: New Doodlebug Owner
 

Love the plow conversion! The combination of green, off white and reddish brown seat look good together, very nice!