Why it is important to check thing out
 

A good friend of mine is also into model As. He is near the final stage of a complete 1929 TUDOR restoration. He came across a 30 Coupe that was owned by a fellow that passed away and the family was selling it. The price was fair and being that most of the work seemed to have been done he purchased it so he could drive now. The engine was not running, but turned ove easily with the crank. The car had the interior done, tires, brakes all seemed OK. He is not new to automotive work or restoration of vintage vehicles. He lives about 200 miles from me and we speak on a regular basis. He kept me informed of his progress and was excited to tell me that engine starting time was close. I asked him if he pulled the pan and checked out the babbit etc. He had been told that the engine had been worked over and looking at the detailing it seemed that it was done. But as is often the case you can not judge a book by its cover. I told him for no more effort that it would take, to pull the pan and have a look. Well the pan had about 2" of sludge in it, the oil pump screen was clogged, the babbit was cracked. That prompted him to pull the nicely painted head where he discovered that who ever worked on the engine ground the valves well past what they should have been ground. They all had knife edges and set well down into the seat. So now the engine is out and at the re builder, which will be an extra expense and time before it is driving down the road.


most of you who are on this forum are old hands at mechanical work, but many are new to vehicle work and don't know what can happen to the rotating parts if things are not correct. The Model A can be a robust engine, but it is better to check and be safe, than to destroy something. My suggestion is if you don't know how to check things find someone in a local Model A club that knows the procedure, or take it to a garage/shop that knows what to do, a pan and head gasket are cheap insurance for many happy motoring miles. Buying any vehicle that you don't know the care and history of is a gamble, protect your investment. The old bodyman saying of paint and bondo can hide many sins, also relates to engines and running gear.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

I was always told on the acquisition of a car be suspect of everything. If you acquire a car that was parked there is usually a reason it was parked. Just as your friend's experience trying to start an engine you know nothing about and ASSUMING what you have been told is a dangerous precedent. Always better to do some dis-assembly and find out for yourself. An endoscope camera (today about $35.00) is a relatively cheap viewing tool for in a cylinder thru spark plug hole, other things like a compression check are also helpful. Your friend I am sure will be most confident and feeling good he now knows his engine issues have been done and done correctly.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

I have found that some folks think they have done a complete restoration when all they do is the body and interior work. I recently bought a '30 coupe that the owner represented as having been completely restored. The car is spectacular as far as fit and finish, but the engine sounds like a thrashing machine! And there were no shocks of any kind. Or shock parts. Or horn. In this case I factored in the cost of a Schwalm's overhaul and was able to buy the car for a fair and practical price. When I'm done I will be a very happy camper, but I do have to pull the engine! Do people really have old cars that don't need something done to them?.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

I call cars like that Ice Cream restorations! Outside look really nice, but underneath, crap. Not meant to cheat but was done to drive to local Ice Cream Parlor, maybe a local car show/parade once a year or short trips around the block Grand kids.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

Some people call them "Painted Ladies"

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

I like the term “Ice Cream Restoration”. Doesn’t have to be a Model A could be any collector car.

Car history is important. If it has been owned by the same person for many years and runs well, has all the right hard to find expensive parts, rebuilt brakes and front end. You have a chance everything will work out.

If not running, missing expensive parts, but the price seems good. It could be to good to be true.

Someone that cares for and is proud of their car will take good care of it. You also have to be able to afford a hobby car.

With today’s drivers out there, not all of us want to be out on the highway. A trip with the grand kids around town, or out for ice cream once a week, might be all we need.

It’s not how many miles you drive or where you go. It’s the enjoyment you get from what you are doing. The smiles, waves, and the look on our grandson’s face when the judge hands him the trophy at our local car show. This is why I still enjoy Model A’s.

Buy a car from someone like me. You might not get a point restoration, but you will get an honest, well maintained, safe to drive car. There are a lot of us out there. Enjoy.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

We call it a Rattle Can Restoration.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

"A little putty, a little paint, will make it look like what it ain't"!

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

I like this;
""A little putty, a little paint, will make it look like what it ain't"!

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

When I buy vehicles if I cannot hear it run or see something work then I say it doesn't. Buyer Beware.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

Fix it right and go get ice cream,avoid the indigestion from worrying if your going to make it home. The local club has a 'hard luck' trophy,they gather around for a photoshoot of a car that breaks down during a tour,its accepted as 'part of owning a model a'...I say bullshit..its an embarrassment to all of us if you don't maintain your car.All can see the beauty on the outside,but the true beauty of a model a is on the inside.

Re: Why it is important to check thing out
 

Model As are not inherently unreliable. Quite the contrary. In the 60s I drove a '30 Tudor as my everyday work car. Even on long trips it never let me down. Sure, there's a lot of maintenance to do, but that's the nature of old cars. Maintenance doesn't mean unreliable. Not doing required maintenance might, though!!