The Ford Barn

H. L. Chauvin · 02-22-2016, 04:34 PM

Many times we see recommended Forum lists as to which spare parts to carry in our Model A's while out on the road, & as always, our perfect Model A Forum Owners with perfect Model A's always report that they carry nothing and recommend carrying nothing. (LOL)

Well, I think after recently installing all new wiring in my "perfectly" wired 1930 Town Sedan, (LOL), and deciding to take a late night spin last night, a one (1) in a million failure I never experienced before happened last night.

Opened gas line, turned rebuilt original pop-out switch "ON"; however, as usual, the needle on the ammeter did not budge when switched "ON" like it always did before; but lights worked.

Without even hitting starter, opened hood to look ..... goodness ..... in plain view the wire from the junction box to the driver's side of the coil was disconnected, broken, and separated about 1-1/2" from the coil.

Wire appeared broken immediately adjacent to the factory soldered wire terminal flag connected to the bottom of the coil.

Got out my 10X magnifying visor only to see that the fine wires at the soldered connection were mashed and cut at the end of the insulation.

Appears when the wire was soldered to the metal flag terminal, someone unknowingly firmly held the wire with the cutting edges of electrical wire strippers and cut most of these fine wires.

Anyway, removed the former new soldered flag connector from the coil, stripped edge of wire, applied Kop-R-Cote, installed new flag connector and connected to coil and engine started right up.

Started thinking what would have happened if the wire would have broken while out on the road at night.

Got a small medicine bottle and placed every type of wire connectors in same to add to my small collection of spare parts.

Finally, went out for a late night spin anyway with no problems .... what the heck.

I'm sure there are many similar stories where not having a fifty (50) cents item could cause one to spend the night on an abandoned country road.

Just one (1) lucky, unexpected experience in a Model A garage prior to takin a late night spin.

02-22-2016, 04:34 PM	#1
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Inexpensive Unpredictable Model A Failures Many times we see recommended Forum lists as to which spare parts to carry in our Model A's while out on the road, & as always, our perfect Model A Forum Owners with perfect Model A's always report that they carry nothing and recommend carrying nothing. (LOL) Well, I think after recently installing all new wiring in my "perfectly" wired 1930 Town Sedan, (LOL), and deciding to take a late night spin last night, a one (1) in a million failure I never experienced before happened last night. Opened gas line, turned rebuilt original pop-out switch "ON"; however, as usual, the needle on the ammeter did not budge when switched "ON" like it always did before; but lights worked. Without even hitting starter, opened hood to look ..... goodness ..... in plain view the wire from the junction box to the driver's side of the coil was disconnected, broken, and separated about 1-1/2" from the coil. Wire appeared broken immediately adjacent to the factory soldered wire terminal flag connected to the bottom of the coil. Got out my 10X magnifying visor only to see that the fine wires at the soldered connection were mashed and cut at the end of the insulation. Appears when the wire was soldered to the metal flag terminal, someone unknowingly firmly held the wire with the cutting edges of electrical wire strippers and cut most of these fine wires. Anyway, removed the former new soldered flag connector from the coil, stripped edge of wire, applied Kop-R-Cote, installed new flag connector and connected to coil and engine started right up. Started thinking what would have happened if the wire would have broken while out on the road at night. Got a small medicine bottle and placed every type of wire connectors in same to add to my small collection of spare parts. Finally, went out for a late night spin anyway with no problems .... what the heck. I'm sure there are many similar stories where not having a fifty (50) cents item could cause one to spend the night on an abandoned country road. Just one (1) lucky, unexpected experience in a Model A garage prior to takin a late night spin.