Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"

[Herb Concord Ca]

When I bought my fist Model A at age 49, I couldn't spell Model A. But I had a strong mechanical and electrical background and skills. In fact, my car was found by a long time "old car guy" friend who knew what I wanted more than I did! The first and best thing I did was to join the local Model A's chapter.

[ModelA29]

If you are 6-1 265 with size 13 feet the first skills are dieting and shoe selection - Model As are pretty small inside. I wanted a simple around town car but now I want to drive it further. Living a mile from what was Route 66 only increases my desire to venture further. Easy, dare I say fun, maintenance was also a factor. My other toys are a 32V SVT Mustang that I have just finished an engine rebuild and a 170+ mph Mustang GT1 tube frame race car. Like this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VhMQ9bLn3k


My Model A skills have been honed over the past year of ownership by watching Paul Shinn YouTube videos.

[History]

You guys are waaaaayyyyy overthinking this,,,. All one needs is the ability to use a pair of pliers and to be able cut baling wire with the pliers!!!!!



I also have a buddy who can linebore and fix things I mess up!!!! ��

[Oldbluoval]

At times have a vocabulary of “golf words”!!!!

[oldspert]

I bought my first Model A when I was 16 years old. Was raised on a farm so I had some experience with tractors. The Ford had already been converted to hydraulic brakes but needed an engine overhaul. This was in 1959 and the engine had already been bored to .080 oversize. Was an easy job with my dad helping me. Have been a car guy ever since.

[31Cabriolet68-C]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

How to drive stick shift.......
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

[AL in NY]

Common sense and willingness to learn.

[tinkirk]

Originally Posted by AL in NY

Common sense and willingness to learn.

[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji106][emoji3059][emoji3059]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mcgarrett]

Originally Posted by 31Cabriolet68-C

How to drive stick shift.......
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Beyond that skill, one must understand and master the art of "double-clutching".

[nkaminar]

How to charge your credit card.

[Bob Bidonde]

Newbies have to understand that unlike a modern car, the Model "A" is not a"hop in and drive it" car. It needs inspection and likely some maintenance almost every time it is driven.

In my opinion, a new Model "A" driver needs to know / learn how to perform routine maintenance and driving techniques such as:
> Drive defensively in modern traffic;

> Checking & replenishing the coolant level in the radiator;
> Tightening & repacking the water pump;

> Replenishing & changing the motor oil;
> Adjusting the generator's charging rate;
> Greasing the suspension & steering;

> Replenishing & changing the transmission & differential oils;
> Adjusting the ignition points & oiling the distributor;
> Checking / tightening the fan belt;
> Starting the engine with the hand-crank;
> Using the spark advance lever and GAV;
> Checking tire air pressure, changing a flat & patching an inner tube.

[al's28/33]

I need to learn how to start my "A" with the crank, that has always been in the back of my head and it would really OOH and AHH folks at car shows.

[spdway1]

You change to the car, don't change the car to you!

[marty in Ohio]

To al's28/31,
In the 30 years I've owned my Model A, I've only hand cranked it once. I drove it on a nice warm day and put it in the garage. Everything was nice and warm and "juicy" and I gave at a try. Quarter turn and it was running. I've never tried to crank it cold. Henry put a starter on it for a reason. There's no future in cranking IMHO.
Marty

[Gene F]

Originally Posted by marty in Ohio

To al's28/31,
In the 30 years I've owned my Model A, I've only hand cranked it once. I drove it on a nice warm day and put it in the garage. Everything was nice and warm and "juicy" and I gave at a try. Quarter turn and it was running. I've never tried to crank it cold. Henry put a starter on it for a reason. There's no future in cranking IMHO.
Marty

My experience you can push the thing and then jump in and dump the clutch easier some times. Just a slight downgrade and once you get it rolling... Oh, and don't forget to turn the key on first! LOL Don't ask me how I know. LOL

[Bob Bidonde]

Keep these slides in mind when hand crank start your Model "A":

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

Keep these slides in mind when hand crank start your Model "A":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EWDRHC2dzg

[Big hammer]

When my A was a daily driver 50 years ago, dad said if I hand crank it and it didn’t break my arm he would!!! Well I pushed it to start it too much before working over the electrical. Once after school it wouldn’t start, asked a couple of guys to push it in the flat parking lot. When they extended their arms it was running, they laughed and thought they would be pushing it a long distance. Later in life I did hand crank start it one time, today with a 6.0 compression head no way will I try it, I would jump the battery with a jump box ! a smarter way to start your A .

[David in San Antonio]

Somebody said to only crank using your left hand. If it kicks back the crank will not have the potential to bend your fingers back. It may be hard to picture this without the crank in your hand.

[Bill G]

Well, I certainly had no Model A experience or any knowledge of it's more unusual aspects as compared to a more recent car 6 years ago. 50 years ago, when I was a young man, I gained my car knowledge with the beaters we used to drive. However, as the years went on, I went in a different direction and worked all my career in an office and my only car experience was limited to the occasional fix-it or oil changes.


Like Colin and Paul, I read extensively and couldn't absorb enough. Books and Internet. I find Facebook to be a hodge-podge of good and bad information. Paul and Colin have done great things with Youtube videos. However, it is one thing to read about them, and another to actually get your hands greasy. I survived and so did my Model A. I also studied extensively how others in the club went about working on the cars. I think I was a quick study, but I had the desire.



So, in short, no knowledge or experience is necessary providing one is excited to learn and roll up their sleeves and get their hands greasy. Don't be afraid of making mistakes - I have made many! It also helps to have club members to adopt as mentors.


Cheers,