How hard do you drive your A?

[MrTube]

Originally Posted by flatheadz-forever

its a 40hp car or truck you shouldnt be driving it hard. Its about the ride not like how fast the ride is in a model a ....

Its a 40HP car that redlines lower than most diesels. You drive it hard just to drive slow.

Of course this is only my opinion but I feel a stock properly running model A is practically bullet proof.

As long as you control the timing properly and double clutch I don't think there is anything to worry about.

The model A, its loud, rough running, slow and drafty but there is one thing its not and thats fragile.

[TomW]

I don't downshift from third until I'm below 15mph. The motor seems to pull just fine in third at that speed or higher. Compared to today's engines, the A is a very slow revving motor - what would be considered lugging a modern engine is quite normal for an A.

[Peter J]

As mentioned the rear end ratio seems to have a lot to do with it. I can pull a slight hill in 3rd and accelerate (slowly) but find downshifting into 2nd way too low and have to slow down to keep the revs down.

[Purdy Swoft]

With original 3.78 gears and a 5.9 compression head, I have NO problem with hills or cornering. I never lug the engine. We usually don't need to down shift unless the speed is 10 mph or less or if it is at low speed and in a strain like turning into a real steep uphill driveway.

[Peter J]

Just like prunes, is 3rd enough, is 2nd too many?

[Jim Brierley]

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With only 40 horses it is hard to hurt the engine. I don't abuse mine but with an overdrive I run 62-64 on the freeway, the engine thinks I am going about 45. Pete was being easy on his engine at Bonneville, I drove mine 165, and a 2-way average of 162.

[Bruce]

3,500 miles so far in 2011 in the Roadster and 850 in the Open Truck. I know that's no record, but my excuse is that I do take the commuter train to work in the city.
Simple math proves the point I'd like to make. If all the owners of Emma drove her 3,500 miles each year, over the last 82 years her odometer would have turned over twice already and be well on the way to 000000 again! If you think some of those previous lucky owners drove her more than me, we're talking a REALLY SERIOUS ROAD TRIP!
Don't let your imagination get in the way of the truth (and my point): Driving a Model A Ford never has been "hard."

[brum1]

Enjoying the ride in the Model A at 35 mph, I drive hard enough during my daily commute

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Peter J

Just like prunes, is 3rd enough, is 2nd too many?

Check your math, I think you meant, Is 2 enough,or is 3 too many.

[gweilbaker]

Like my wife says," hard enough to put it away wet!" Something about being raised around horses.

GW

[columbiA]

With the Columbia O-D with 4.11 & 2,94 ratios,I use the low ratio up to 40 mph.2nd gear starts are easy on the level as are rt angle turns in high gear.

[Maclab58]

Depends on the car. My 28 sport coupe with a Antique Engine Rebuildings inserted touring engines its a horse! I push it pretty hard, up to 60 mph. My original 31 slant window, I baby it. Never over 45 mph and I don't push it.

[Hotrodfil]

Quite hard...

[cheepsk8]

I keep it 50 mph or so and only if I am on the 4 lane. Back roads and neighborhood driving, a comfortable speed of around 40-45 seems to do just fine. As with many, she lugs really well and only downshift when I need to STOP!!!

[BCCHOPIT]

Drive your car the way you want.
I drive mine hard but I don't think any harder then the teenager that drove it to high school from 1955 to 57 before it was parked.

I will not be happy until I get in the 100mph club.
28mph more to go