People who publish Model A videos on YouTube with information you disagree with

[P.S.]

Today's video was scheduled for this morning so it would come out the day before opening ceremonies at the MAFCA convention in Ruidoso, NM. Obviously, the situation changed, but thought this one should get published today regardless.

So, let's hear it- Is this good advice? Or do you disagree with it? How would you do it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pW45QyoYaE

Now is your chance to go all Jeff Ross on me and I will actually read it.

[SDJason]

I like it; only thing I can think of is that if a passenger isn't that familiar with Model As, turning off the ignition (instead of pulling on the choke) might be more intuitive to them as a means to stop the engine, as that is likely what they would do in a modern car (presumably the muscle memory for that is already there; just thinking that in an emergency, they wouldn't have time to remember something they might not be familiar with, but turning off a key to stop a car engine is likely built-in to their daily habits already).

[Planojc]

Good advise.

[The Geezer]

This is good advice!
Can't see why anyone would disagree with this video... unless you're a mortician or have nothing better to do than be disagreeable!
The Geezer

[mcgarrett]

Good video covering a subject seldom considered. I agree that passengers not familiar with Model A's would intuitively reach for the ignition key to shut off the engine just like they would do in their modern vehicle.

[stickshift]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm sure this is a good idea for driving Model A's, or any car. Always be prepared for surprises. I once knew a man that flew a private plane. He taught his wife the basics in case of a medical emergency, such as using the controls, radio, etc. A little more tricky than dealing with a Model A...but better than doing nothing

[Brentwood Bob]

Passed on to my club. Thanks Paul.
The parking brake is not the emergency brake. Appy it only when the vehicle is at a complete stop!

[Dino's A]

Good video Paul. Something no one wants to talk about. But we must.
Thank You,
Dino Falabrino

[Gene F]

I am teaching my Son how to drive a car for his operators license. One of the first things I told him is if you are driving a car with a key, remember you can always pint the thing in a direction, and turn the key off.

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by P.S.

Today's video was scheduled for this morning so it would come out the day before opening ceremonies at the MAFCA convention in Ruidoso, NM. Obviously, the situation changed, but thought this one should get published today regardless.

So, let's hear it- Is this good advice? Or do you disagree with it? How would you do it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pW45QyoYaE

Now is your chance to go all Jeff Ross on me and I will actually read it.

All good info but I am a little confused. What does the video have to do with the title " People who publish Model A videos on YouTube with information you disagree with"?

[Fhane]

I think turning the key/ignition of in a modern car is the last thing you should do in most emergencies. Shutting of the key will make the car extremely hard to steer and make the car almost impossible to stop. I would think putting the car in neutral might be first, then you can somewhat control the car. I agree with Ruth on the title of this thread.

[denis4x4]

I have installed pull to start, push to stop ignition switches in a number of my old cars, including A's. Too, my cars have electric fuel pumps, so a quick push stops the engine as well as the gas flow. Finally, this set up eliminates the keys!

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Ruth

All good info but I am a little confused. What does the video have to do with the title " People who publish Model A videos on YouTube with information you disagree with"?

Some people on web forums HATE the fact that YouTube is the new most effective way of bringing new people into this hobby. It was a subtle invitation to poop all over this video and point out every fault so they feel better.

[stickshift]

Originally Posted by P.S.

YouTube is the new most effective way of bringing new people into this hobby.

This is true, at least in my case. When I was interested in getting a Model A and my Model T, I referred to You Tube to research and get more information to help me in making a decision of what direction I wanted to go. This aided me in deciding that I wanted a 30/31 AA because I wasn't a fan of the worm drive rear axel (my preference). Also, I decided I liked the brass era Model T because of the "horseless carriage" looks. I also definitely wanted the Rocky Mountain rear brakes and the Ruckstel rear axel. I did not know what these additions were for until I watched a few You Tube videos . You Tube was the resource that aided me in making informed decisions so I would not regret it later. So far, no regrets and I'm a happy Model "A" and "T" (and Ford Barn) fan.

[spdway1]

Thank you, PS and Model T, for this video. I also shared it on our club page! Thanks again!

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by spdway1

Thank you, PS and Model T, for this video. I also shared it on our club page! Thanks again!

You're welcome, brother!! You are the kind of person that inspires us to do this.

[rich40701]

Someone on YouTube posted to always pull the spark lever all the way down before starting an A. Wrong!

[larrys40]

Paul
As always your videos have helped and exposed many to working on and driving their cars not including getting acquainted with this great Model A world we have.
Thanks for all your hard work out there ! I can fix them but am not a good videographer ! Mucho kudos to ya! Much respect!
Larry Shepard

[Benson]

Originally Posted by rich40701

Someone on YouTube posted to always pull the spark lever all the way down before starting an A. Wrong!

Two more items for new guys to watch out for:

1. ONE VIDEO shows pumping the gas pedal on a Zenith to start engine. There is no accelerator pump.

2. Several over the years show pulling the choke AND releasing it when the engine is NOT turning. CHOKE DOES NOT WORK if engine is not turning.

Just saying...

Thanks Paul for all of your work and attention to details on your videos.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Benson

Two more items for new guys to watch out for:

1. ONE VIDEO shows pumping the gas pedal on a Zenith to start engine. There is no accelerator pump.

2. Several over the years show pulling the choke AND releasing it when the engine is NOT turning. CHOKE DOES NOT WORK if engine is not turning.

Just saying...

Thanks Paul for all of your work and attention to details on your videos.

Thank you, Brother! Let's be clear- Those were not my videos! (I hope not anyway).

Years ago, I made a joke in a video when doing a transmission swap during a club seminar. The car was suspended by cables and chains from the rafters (designed for doing just that). I jokingly grabbed a couple cinder blocks and put them under the car saying "There, now I feel safe!". The "negativity squad" on the web forums ripped me to shreds saying how stupid I am, etc. Never once getting it was a joke. I ended up taking the video down because it was ridiculous (and just plain mean) that the old grumps didn't get the joke.

So, maybe, just maybe... When someone pulls and releases the choke, could it have been a joke?? I like to give benefit of the doubt just in case.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by larrys40

Paul
As always your videos have helped and exposed many to working on and driving their cars not including getting acquainted with this great Model A world we have.
Thanks for all your hard work out there ! I can fix them but am not a good videographer ! Mucho kudos to ya! Much respect!
Larry Shepard

I respect what you do, Larry!

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by P.S.

Some people on web forums HATE the fact that YouTube is the new most effective way of bringing new people into this hobby. It was a subtle invitation to poop all over this video and point out every fault so they feel better.

Paul, that opening comment is very misleading!! Participants on Fordbarn don't HATE YouTube at all. Folks here however, do tend to 'hate' the content providers who upload incorrect or misleading Model-A content. Then, apparently some 'barners' really do stand their ground when that content provider goes onto social media platforms or maybe to forums trying to sway opinions on folks who generally know better.

FWIW, I feel your title to this thread really appears to have some 'poison' written in it. Do you really feel that way, ...or is it clickbait to get us going??


And, ...since you are asking for opinions anyway, I tend to disagree with your opinion that "YouTube is the most effective way of bringing in new people". Could your (-biased??) opinion comes because you are a YouTube content provider. From my vantage point which basically comes from listening to people who call/write my shop asking for (free) Technical Advise, I tend to think Social Media's Model-A pages as a whole likely beats YouTube simply because the algorithms in social media tend to push Facebook-ers & Instagram-ers towards content. IMO based on talking with these individuals, it is only after someone has purchased a Model-A and realize they are over their capability(-ies) do they start looking on YouTube for info on how to fix their car. So maybe the real draw to the Model-A hobby is from social media and attending car shows where they can interact with the Model-A owner which might just give them the desire to own a Model-A?

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by P.S.

So, maybe, just maybe... When someone pulls and releases the choke, could it have been a joke?? I like to give benefit of the doubt just in case.

I think this sort of thing actually used to be a lot more common before YouTube because the hobby passed from person to person and you might rarely encounter a car that wasn't the one car you owned. Consequently a lot of procedures got handed down because they just worked on that particular car. Many people don't feel the need to understand exactly why something works, they just know it works.

I vaguely remember the video that showed fully advancing the spark before starting, and as I recall he said that was just the procedure that worked for his car. The state some of these cars got into over the years, I can believe it.

[ratmother]

Paul and Model T - thanks for sharing this video! I have driven cars with manual chokes for 55 years - since I got my license at 15 years old - and never thought to choke the car to stall in an emergency.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ratmother

Paul and Model T - thanks for sharing this video! I have driven cars with manual chokes for 55 years - since I got my license at 15 years old - and never thought to choke the car to stall in an emergency.

The theory of this sound goods but I found that pulling a choke won't necessarily totally stop the engine like stopping the ignition. If a carburetor has a worn throttle shaft, or a poorly fitting choke plate, it can still suck air around to stay partially running. I just tried this about an hour ago. Also, I guess all the guys that have Weber carburetors add a 'monkey wrench' into this also. One other problem is I have seen many hobbyists that pulled the Choke Rod too hard just during normal cranking and pull the GAV Choke Driver right past the Choke Arm. Now what during a stressful situation by a passenger who did the same thing??

And, since a large number of 'restored' Model-As have aftermarket ignition switches, how does the panic-ed passenger know whether to turn the key -or push it in stop the engine??? A hand operated Brake Handle is looking better all the time!!

[Brentwood Bob]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Or relocate the main kill switch.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

The theory of this sound goods but I found that pulling a choke won't necessarily totally stop the engine like stopping the ignition. If a carburetor has a worn throttle shaft, or a poorly fitting choke plate, it can still suck air around to stay partially running. I just tried this about an hour ago. Also, I guess all the guys that have Weber carburetors add a 'monkey wrench' into this also. One other problem is I have seen many hobbyists that pulled the Choke Rod too hard just during normal cranking and pull the GAV Choke Driver right past the Choke Arm. Now what during a stressful situation by a passenger who did the same thing??

And, since a large number of 'restored' Model-As have aftermarket ignition switches, how does the panic-ed passenger know whether to turn the key -or push it in stop the engine??? A hand operated Brake Handle is looking better all the time!!

I knew I could depend on you to poop all over my video. Hahaaa!! Well, I asked for it, and I'm glad it was a friend who came through. You get the prize!

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

One other problem is I have seen many hobbyists that pulled the Choke Rod too hard just during normal cranking and pull the GAV Choke Driver right past the Choke Arm.

That happened to me once, not because I pulled it too hard but the driver came off the choke arm. Car started but ran crappy because the choke flopped closed. But it did not stop. I finally had to open the hood to figure out what was going on.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by P.S.

I knew I could depend on you to poop all over my video. Hahaaa!! Well, I asked for it, and I'm glad it was a friend who came through. You get the prize!

Well, you did throw out the challenge!!

[nkaminar]

How to stop a car in an emergency:

1. Throw out the anchor.
2. Drag your foot.
3. Run into a tree.
4. Slam it into reverse.
5. Pop a rear wheel off.
6. Run up against a curb. (My dad did this in a Model T.)
7. Throw a rod.
8. Go through a drive in with 4 foot clearance.
9. Blow out all tires with a shot gun.
10. Head for the brier patch.

[Dino's A]

We had a husband & wife burn up in a Model A that veered off the road and right into a tree. Maybe if the wife knew how to do anything to slow it, or stop it, they might of
had a chance to survive. The gas tank caused the fire that killed them.

So Paul, thank you for the video. At least you tried to do something. More I can say
for some.

[nkaminar]

Dino, Very sorry to hear that. Makes my joke seem stupid.

[rackops]

Originally Posted by P.S.

Some people on web forums HATE the fact that YouTube is the new most effective way of bringing new people into this hobby. It was a subtle invitation to poop all over this video and point out every fault so they feel better.

I will say that YouTube and social media in general tend to be a better way than the old standby of "find a local club!" to get advice.

(I'm not anti-club. I just haven't seen much worthwhile from my local clubs.)

[Dino's A]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Dino, Very sorry to hear that. Makes my joke seem stupid.

No worries man. I didn't think anything of it.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Dino's A

We had a husband & wife burn up in a Model A that veered off the road and right into a tree. Maybe if the wife knew how to do anything to slow it, or stop it, they might of
had a chance to survive. The gas tank caused the fire that killed them.

So Paul, thank you for the video. At least you tried to do something. More I can say
for some.

HOLLLLEY SMOKES... that is terrible.

Yes Paul's video might have saved those folks,,,,

[Tom F OHIO]

I don't think my wife would remember to pull the choke in an emergency. She would
probably reach over and turn off the key. Ours isn't the pop out style.

Thanks for the great video Paul. I sent it on to all our club members. Got alot of
thank you's back for sending it.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Dino's A

We had a husband & wife burn up in a Model A that veered off the road and right into a tree. Maybe if the wife knew how to do anything to slow it, or stop it, they might of
had a chance to survive. The gas tank caused the fire that killed them.

So Paul, thank you for the video. At least you tried to do something. More I can say
for some.

Dino,

I remember reading about that accident, and again I am so sorry that wonderful couple is no longer with us.

From what I remember, it was not a high speed crash, it was basically in their neighborhood. The driver suffered a medical emergency while behind the wheel. If the lovely lady in the passenger seat had known how to slow or stop the car from the passenger seat, they might have avoided that horrible ending.

It was this exact accident and tragic loss of two great Model A people that triggered adding the idea to make this video to the white board of video ideas. I regret it took so long to get around to this one.

[Keith True]

A few years ago we had a guy at our fire/police dept host a talk/discussion about medical episodes while driving.He pointed outdifferent ways to deal with them,and how to recognize impending problems.He did stress on us however,that in the vast majority of incidents involving medical emergencies the first indication of a problem to the passengers is the crash.Unless the driver lets them know,the passenger looking out the window will have no idea what is going on until they are plugged into the tree.