The Ford Barn - View Single Post

Tom Wesenberg · 05-10-2010, 09:29 AM

I see by that big spot on the floor that your Model A isn't house broke yet! It's time to take it out and make it go on the streets like all the other Model A's.

First fix the front bumper clamps so the bumper doesn't drop off. I always drop the oil pan and side cover and remove the old sludge before starting the engine. You can drop the oil pan upside down onto the grass to knock out the dipper tray to get at the sludge in the bottom. Sometimes it takes a few drops on the grass, or a forceful drop. Hard to tell, but it looks like you don't have the original popout switch, so it should be easy to hot wire by just connecting the two wires together on the switch. Remember the system is 6 volt POSITIVE ground, unless someone changed it. After the battery is in and just before starting it would be good to polarize the generator by jumping a wire between the 2 cutout terminals for 1 second.

As mentioned, if there's a Model A guy close by, like Marco or Dave Lopes it would be a real asset and you could be on the road in no time. I would make sure the brakes are good and properly adjusted, pack the wheel bearings, lube all the linkages, grease the car, check all the fluids, and drive it as is. Then you can get to know the car and make a list of what it needs and piece by piece replace what needs to be replaced or is misssing. Pick up what you want and store it for future use if you plan a full restoration sometime in the future. You may find it's just great the way is is and might also want to just drive it as is. That's what I'm doing with my 28 Phaeton, even though I'm planning to restore it sometime in the future. With good brakes and steering, they are fun to drive in any condition. Just yesterday I noticed that at every stop light people roll down their windows just to hear the Model A engine.

05-10-2010, 09:29 AM	#44
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Hello all, new to the forum! I see by that big spot on the floor that your Model A isn't house broke yet! It's time to take it out and make it go on the streets like all the other Model A's. First fix the front bumper clamps so the bumper doesn't drop off. I always drop the oil pan and side cover and remove the old sludge before starting the engine. You can drop the oil pan upside down onto the grass to knock out the dipper tray to get at the sludge in the bottom. Sometimes it takes a few drops on the grass, or a forceful drop. Hard to tell, but it looks like you don't have the original popout switch, so it should be easy to hot wire by just connecting the two wires together on the switch. Remember the system is 6 volt POSITIVE ground, unless someone changed it. After the battery is in and just before starting it would be good to polarize the generator by jumping a wire between the 2 cutout terminals for 1 second. As mentioned, if there's a Model A guy close by, like Marco or Dave Lopes it would be a real asset and you could be on the road in no time. I would make sure the brakes are good and properly adjusted, pack the wheel bearings, lube all the linkages, grease the car, check all the fluids, and drive it as is. Then you can get to know the car and make a list of what it needs and piece by piece replace what needs to be replaced or is misssing. Pick up what you want and store it for future use if you plan a full restoration sometime in the future. You may find it's just great the way is is and might also want to just drive it as is. That's what I'm doing with my 28 Phaeton, even though I'm planning to restore it sometime in the future. With good brakes and steering, they are fun to drive in any condition. Just yesterday I noticed that at every stop light people roll down their windows just to hear the Model A engine.