[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW would like to share this recent information just in case anyone is interested in results of only one (1) actual Model A experiment with a partially modified Model A with a partially Modified Model A engine.

1. But first, would like to mention the very kind assistance, technical advice, & cautious tips, from Mr. Marco & Mr. Ron Cloat, (Rainmaker Ron), for providing very technical information on how to select a 1930 Model A Town Sedan with a very sound & solid wood frame that would not need repair or restoration -- after owning a 1930 Coupe for over 55 years with sheet metal frame, had never seen a Model A with a wood frame.

2. Anyway, had the original Model A crankshaft counter-weighted & balanced with an accompanying reduced weighted flywheel by Mr. Ron Kelley; & provided a new I.B. 30 --.330 camshaft from Mr. Bill Stipe, both of which were accompanied with an original Model A "Police Head" marked B which came with the car. Installed an aluminum timing gear from Mr. Dan McEachern which proved to be noiseless because a new McEachern crankshaft gear was installed by Mr. Ron Kelley. Totally rewired entire car. Provided porting to smooth out sharp intake & exhaust corners in Model A engine block & Model A intake manifold -- did not bore out Model A intake manifold -- yet.

3. Installed an original 1932 Model B carburetor with all original jets, with a Hi-Boy 6" tall K&N air filter, with "no" tube connecting the fuel bowl to the carburetor air intake, & an original Model B centrifugal advanced distributor with original Model B points accompanied by an original pop-out switch restored by Mr. Crabtree -- made a special Model A ignition switch connection to be able to install the Model A distributor in about 2 minutes -- spare, rebuilt original Model A distributor & spare, rebuilt original Model A Zenith carburetor kept in rear metal trunk for converting to more original parts if so desired or if needed. Spark plugs are new 3-X's with original spark plug connectors. With a new E-bay Model A timing device mounted on the Model A timing cover, with timing marks over the crankshaft pulley, with timing pin inserted, verified no. 1 piston TDC & made recessed mark on crankshaft pulley. With Model B distributor installed, set timing with timing mark corresponding to timing device's 9-1/2 degrees BTDC -- verified with timing light -- right on -- 9.5 x 2 = 19 degrees BTDC recommended by Ford for Model B distributors. Cleaned gas tank by continuously pumping POR 15 Marine Clean through it with a filter on one end; then installed cylindrical screen at fuel shut off inside tank, & installed Napa round pleated paper fuel filter inside fuel sediment bowl.

4. Provided partially restored original Model A engine with new stainless steel valves, new valve guides, new pistons with new rings after only honing cylinders with kerosene & honing stones mounted on a hand-crank drill -- before this, engine used no oil, no smoking, & plugs were not fouled; however, former owners had used non-detergent oil which created nothing but an internal sludge mess mostly in the valve chamber & oil pan & dirty sticking piston ring grooves. Prepared & painted entire undercarriage, chassis, engine, transmission, differential, axles, springs, underside of fenders, firewall, underside of floor pans, with POR products per recommended instructions.

5. Re-adjusted all Babbitt bearings, one at a time, with the old time method prior to the invention of Plastigage; i.e., remove excess oil from journal & Babbitt & add or remove shims until absolutely "no" up & down movement felt; however, movement side to side must be achieved with very little force when moved by hand -- later checked all bearings with Plastigage just to experiment with Plastigage & found all bearings to be right on.

6. Restored transmission, drive shaft, & differential with all new Timken bearings, & installed a new 3:27 ring & pinion gear per Mr. Tom Endy's instructions. A 3:27 in this Town Sedan works fine even in third gear while climbing hills because it is actually "not" that much heavier than my 1930 Coupe maybe about 200 pounds or so; rebuilt water pump, starter, generator, etc. etc. Provided all new mechanical brake parts with new cast iron hubs from Mr. Mel Gros. All new & used Model A parts came from the often mentioned Bert's, Bratton, Mac's, & Snyder's with absolutely no problems. Original speedometer came back to life by "Papanick" in New York.

7. After about 113 miles of short trips during restoration, wife & I traveled about 168 mile last Sunday on back roads in stop & go traffic & minor hills, but some steep. Came back at night in rain, with original headlights with silver reflectors & original bulbs & did not have to use the aftermarket electric windshield wiper because we had one coat of Rain-X on exterior of windshield, & Rain-X non=fog on interior.

8. With original radiator cleaned with POR 15 Marine Clean, flushed & back-flushed, engine temperature never exceeded 170 degrees even at 50 mph. Air filter remained clean, no smoke, no fouled plugs, used no oil -- 5W40 oil.

9. On this stop & go trip, partial hills, with about 42 degrees outside temperature with rain & 18 mph wind, we traveled an average of 45 mph & achieved 21.2 miles per gallon, (2 people in car), on a partially restored engine which now has only about 281 miles on it & is still getting broken in.

Just hope this may help someone to hear what may or may not work on a particular Model A mechanical & electrical restoration.