The Ford Barn

holdover · 04-14-2019, 02:13 PM

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.

04-14-2019, 02:13 PM	#1
holdover Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: SW Virginia near the Blue ridge Parkway Posts: 674	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.