Cotters (nit picking)

[Charles Reese]

I have pretty thick skin ... although bruised and nicked around the knuckles! "Cotter" (not as in Welcome Back ____) came from the pages of Henry's Parts Price List 1-1-28.

While my family is not the original owner of this open pickup, I fondly remember (getting harder by the day) riding in the bed when i was much younger in the early 1950's in my small town in Okla (thank goodness, no sig. rust!). The gent would put hay in the bed and ride us kids around ... in winter tie a rope to the rear axle and pull us on sleds ... sudden stops would put us under the vehicle so I guess that may have started my interest in undercarriage details . Acquired it following his passing and have been slowly trying to bring it back to life. This is purely a 'home garage' restoration, with the exception of the major machine shop work which I can not do ... have learned a little about body work and painting which has been very satisfying and a lot about applying band-aides, which is not (ok, maybe a little). Found SFA52 stamped on cross member suggesting early San Fran production .... 5-digit engine # and many 'very early/early' parts are intriguing for me. I realize fully that these are 'just machines' and assembly line techniques were not precision (maybe worse on Mondays & Fridays) but I am enjoying the process ... particularly forums such as this and the MANY 'friends' (although i have not/may never meet) i have come to know through Mr. Gore's Internet. Thanks to all for sharing your info ... and encouragement.

[gpits68]

Charles,i enjoy the small detail questions and think it keeps us on our toes trying to make them like Henry built them.i look forward to the update photos of your open cab .id like to try to visit again this year to see your progress.

[JBR]

"This is purely a 'home garage' restoration"

Charles Reese

Although we have never met, Charles and I have exchanged emails since he replied to my request for roadster pickup wood patterns. I have learned a lot from Charles and the information and pictures he has shared with me about the restoration of his pickup.

While that restoration maybe a 'home garage restoration' in the sense that he is doing it himself in his 'residential garage', it is of professional quality. If my truck turns out half as nice as his I will be extremely pleased.

[ford1]

not to start a nasty post thread here, but most of you on here know how i feel about 400 points cars and the ones who build them, there the ones who go to bed and wake up taking malox, mylanto and tums to quite ther ulcers be cause they obsess over the color, location, and weight of a dust speck that was on a car as it came from the factory, ford never built a perfect car, there were defects some where on every one of them, left to them there would only be a few Model a's for the public to enjoy, and those would be hidden in there garages, towed to meets in inclosed trailers, and put behind yellow baracade tape at the meets, if it werent for the home restorer and builders this hobby would be completly controled by the few, the home builder is the back bone of this hobby, the ones who make it the great hobby it has grown to be, there are going to be a few in here that are going to take great umbrige to this post, but this is a free country and you are still allowed to have your opinion, and that is a great freedom

[hardtimes]

Charles,
Thanks for the contributions of your inquiries !
I would probably be considered...not a detailed restorer, by my product. However, I've learned a LOT by just doing on my own over the years. I have always asked the questions (to myself) that you've asked and many more. IMO anyone who has experienced these cars for any amount of time, cannot help but be curious about HOW was 'that' done originally and why. Personally, I admire those that have the wherewithall to restore meticulously with atn to detail/originally, THEMSELVES !
Keep on with your 'nit-picking' questions for those of us who enjoy and learn from them. Yes, cotter/split pins origins,etc , as used in the A are important. Hmm, next lets get some good info on fords use of lock washers....and HOLES !! Curious minds want to know.

[Fred]

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Originally Posted by ford1

not to start a nasty post thread here, but most of you on here know how i feel about 400 points cars and the ones who build them, there the ones who go to bed and wake up taking malox, mylanto and tums to quite ther ulcers be cause they obsess over the color, location, and weight of a dust speck that was on a car as it came from the factory, ford never built a perfect car, there were defects some where on every one of them, left to them there would only be a few Model a's for the public to enjoy, and those would be hidden in there garages, towed to meets in inclosed trailers, and put behind yellow baracade tape at the meets, if it werent for the home restorer and builders this hobby would be completly controled by the few, the home builder is the back bone of this hobby, the ones who make it the great hobby it has grown to be, there are going to be a few in here that are going to take great umbrige to this post, but this is a free country and you are still allowed to have your opinion, and that is a great freedom

Now that we all know how you feel about some of us & our Cars/Trucks, I would say I/we think of you as a FIRE HYDRANT !!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Craig Lewis,
Not yelling by using BOLD letters, they're just easier for me to read. Others use varied fonts and colors, so what's the big deal?
Someone said I didn't use the correct smiley face at the appropriate place.
I use "ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" as a tribute to our local 85 year old member, who is truly "THE GURU OF ALL MODEL A STUFF."
Y'all take a poll, I can stop posting on a moment's notice.----Bill W.

[Gary Karr]

I just have to respond to Ford1's comments. The reality is that most of the fine point cars that have won and will win awards are restored by owners in their our own residental garages. To think of a few, Marco, Dave Lopes, Gary Johnson, Mike Ross, Bob Burdick, Ron Avakian, Rob Mills, Doc Kalinka, Arlyn Bieber, Ward Sherwood, Ron Geer, Will Cronkrite, and the list goes on. I know I'm missing more than I'm mentioning. Enough of this. I'm off to the garage to get some work done on A3261. Cheers!

[ford1]

Lol, lol, Fred the ones you mentioned arent the one who hide there cars away, they mostly drive them to meets, let the public( oh horrows of horrows) actually get close to them, touch them and oh my god get to sit in them, there not hidden behind ten foot roped off special place with barrrier tape, and going by your last post you must be one of tape guys, this whole thing was started by Brent with his snotty remark to bill williamson, i really think he owes bill an apology, i wont ask for one from you, LOL LOL, and bill, dont let the few Richard Craniums in here make you stop posting, your posts are a heck of a lot more interesting than some of the others

[HoarseWhisperer]

Odd; I took this photo of Fred's car at the Membership meet in St Augustine.

I don't see any tape.

[Cob]

Fella's,

Suggest you be respectful to each other or would rather you not post.
If it's a tech question - how about sharing a tech answer and not question why someone is asking the question.

Seems a few of you are not fond of each other and end up commenting on each other and that seems to steer things away from the subject.

Be respectful Fella's or don't post.

If this continues with guys going after each other - I'll close the post and the orginal poster can repost and I'll watch real close if guys are disrespectful to each other and handle accordingly.

Thanks,

Cob
Moderator

[Mikeinnj]

Originally Posted by ford1

not to start a nasty post thread here, but most of you on here know how i feel about 400 points cars and the ones who build them, there the ones who go to bed and wake up taking malox, mylanto and tums to quite ther ulcers be cause they obsess over the color, location, and weight of a dust speck that was on a car as it came from the factory, ford never built a perfect car, there were defects some where on every one of them, left to them there would only be a few Model a's for the public to enjoy, and those would be hidden in there garages, towed to meets in inclosed trailers, and put behind yellow baracade tape at the meets, if it werent for the home restorer and builders this hobby would be completly controled by the few, the home builder is the back bone of this hobby, the ones who make it the great hobby it has grown to be, there are going to be a few in here that are going to take great umbrige to this post, but this is a free country and you are still allowed to have your opinion, and that is a great freedom

I could not have said it better myself. Hurrah for Freedom!

We all know an obsessor or two in this hobby (for some) business (for others).

I personally know a man who spent $65,000.00 having an 30' Roadster "A" restored at a "professional restoration shop" and now trailers it as he is afraid to drive it to shows and meets. He screams at men, women and little children when they are viewing his car if they get too close for his comfort, and regrets spending so much money on the car, and knows he will not re-coop his "investment".

Me, I just enjoy driving my "A" , keeping it running well and enabling people I meet along the way to also enjoy the car.

[ford1]

Mikeinnj, you are the heart of this hobby, one of the ones who keep it alive and enjoyable for others, i would like to meet you and yours one day and chat bill

[Roadster62]

I think we can all agree that there are different levels of restoration and enjoyment in the hobby, some people even own NON Model A Fords. Would it help matters if the "Fine Point" only questions get some Gold Star marking so only the proper researched replies get posted? The general public can't see them judged I was told, so maybe we shouldn't comment on the restoration. Knowing who's who from the start would be helpful. Personally I'm using buffed Stainless Steel cotter pins with the heads facing the radiator for best areo effect.

[ford1]

Roadster62, i love your quote, the exact way i feel

[Roadster62]

I added that after an "Expert" made me feel uncomfortable here. I've been having fun in the hobby since 1961, and plan to in the future. Bob

Originally Posted by ford1

Roadster62, i love your quote, the exact way i feel

[Jordan]

this forum would be a lot better place if everyone just respected everyone's cars and personal choices whether it be to do a fine point restoration, or a modified touring restoration. I have slowed down posting because I am tired of getting bullied over the internet by people sitting at their computers thousands of miles away just because I chose to do something to my car that wasn't original. CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Jordan

this forum would be a lot better place if everyone just respected everyone's cars and personal choices whether it be to do a fine point restoration, or a modified touring restoration. I have slowed down posting because I am tired of getting bullied over the internet by people sitting at their computers thousands of miles away just because I chose to do something to my car that wasn't original. CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

Jordan,
In your wildest dreams, we'll never all get along.
If we did, this would be the most boring hum--drum blog on the net. I've got more important things to do than play childish games. Goodby, Bill Williamson

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Jordan,
In your wildest dreams, we'll never all get along.
If we did, this would be the most boring hum--drum blog on the net. I've got more important things to do than play childish games. Goodby, Bill Williamson

maybe "getting along" wasn't a good choice of words. Maybe just have general respect for one another?

[Richard/Ca]

WOW! What ever happened to the cotter pin question?