Quote:
Originally Posted by 28 Special Coupe
I agree that a tool like this is a waste of money for some folks. But I didn't start this thread for the benefit of experienced mechanics. I asked about this tool for the benefit of those, like myself, who are less knowledgeable or less mechanically inclined.
I'm trying to learn all I can. That's why I'm participating on this forum. But if there are easier ways of performing some tasks, then I'm interested in learning those ways as well. Just because Henry didn't do something a certain way doesn't make it wrong.
If I were to mow my lawn using the "original" method, I'd be using a push reel mower and it would probably take me 6 hours to do it all. Instead, I choose to use a riding mower. I save time and end up with a pretty good job, maybe not as good as with a push reel mower, but good enough. Likewise, if I can quickly and accurately set my timing with a slick tool and end up with a pretty good job, why is that bad? It's not bad, it's just different.
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I think this thread has gone past the usefulness of being educational ...and now folks are seemingly trying to make it personal against others because their opinions differ. Just like an alternator conversion spawns dissention here, in my view I think this tool is much the same. You admitted it seems too good to be true. Some folks here posted their opinions but was there a real baseline to know how experienced the evaluater is in this area? Since you mention mowing grass, if I told you that a Snapper was the best riding lawnmower on the market, ---however in reality it was the
ONLY riding mower I had ever used, is that a fair evaluation? Now if a lawn care professional were to make that same statement, his opinion would/should carry much more credience than mine because of his experience in all conditions. If I was a "newbie" in the Model A world and this tool was the only way I knew how to set the timing, if I was successful in using it then I would tout that it is great. As I scan thru all 54 posts, no one that I saw stated it wouldn't work, --they simply were saying it was unnecessary. I realize you, like many others here, sometimes feel overwhelmed at some of the others here that seemingly more versed or more mechanically minded however please realize that these vehicles are NOT that complicated. They were designed and utilized in a much less technological age where basic mechanics was all anyone knew how to do. People who were WAY less mechanical than you back then were able to perform maintenance on these vehicles, ...which is why they have retained their popularity and survived all these years.
While I do not know you, I truly believe that if you (--or anyone else) were to apply the money you would spend on this tool towards the purchase of a set of Factory Service Bulletins and use them as "pleasure reading", I honestly believe you will find that with a small box of tools, a willing spirit, and the knowledge you have garnered from that book you can capably tackle any task necessary to have a good running Model A. Again, these vehicles were used successfully in a time before torque wrenches, dial indicators, and ignition analyzers were invented. It is only our misguided mindset that tells us these items are necessary in today's environment.
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