Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"

[AL in NY]

Common sense and willingness to learn.

[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]

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[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

[Bob Bidonde]

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

[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.

[tinkirk]

Originally Posted by AL in NY

Common sense and willingness to learn.

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[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

[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,

[31Cabriolet68-C]

Hand cranking was and is an option, and it's just as risky as it always was, but Ford knew that the battery was a critical weak link, and so, I've read, the Zenith was designed specifically to facilitate hand cranking. There is a 'mysterious' little hole in that seemingly-useles extension/arm coming downward from the choke. Why would Ford even have that arm, much less bore the hole? Well that hole is for a piece of bailing wire to go through, so standing in front of the car, alone, you can pull the arm forward and thereby close (choke) off the air and enrich the mixture. [Probably more bailing wire in the homes of Henry's customers than jumper cables!]
So by providing a lug wrench that operates the crank shaft, and a carb that helps the owner start the car while standing in front of it, Henry's well-meaning design details could have probably created OSHA all by themselves... lol
Now, in order not to hijack this thread, I'll add:
"Knowing how to maintain a car battery is a major requirement." Or you may have to use the crank...

[1Cobra427]

finding OEM parts seems to be an issue for me (new owner), and always concerned with variations of parts that I see available on Ebay and online parts outlets and what is compatible to my car

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by 1Cobra427

finding OEM parts seems to be an issue for me (new owner), and always concerned with variations of parts that I see available on Ebay and online parts outlets and what is compatible to my car

Welcome to Fordbarn.

To begin with, may I suggest you find a knowledgeable parts dealer that you can purchase ALL of your parts from. Forget eBay unless you have first-hand knowledge of that seller to know whether their merchandise is correct and of good quality. Without knowing your location, it is hard to recommend a dealer. Also, generally the higher quality parts come with a a higher price. Always remember that if the price is cheaper than from other dealers, then there is a reason. It never hurts to find someone locally who is knowledgeable that can be your mentor. Good luck!

[1Cobra427]

I have a wonderful Model A club locally (Newnan GA, south of ATL) that has been huge help w/ advice and in person help, and have tried Mike's A-Fordable and Snyder's and hearing A LOT of talk about Renner's Corner in Calif.

[nkaminar]

It is a shame that the Ford dealers don't still service and repair these cars. It would be of benefit to Ford as advertisement value. As we all age it is getting harder to find people to help with repairs for those who don't have the skills to do that themselves. Ideally there should be a Model A shop in every corner of every country.

[Bob Bidonde]

A few years ago, there was a young man who inherited a Model "A." It wasn't long before the car suffered from neglect of routine servicing. It took some painful / embarrassing breakdowns before the young man came to the conclusion that a Model "A" is not a jump-in drive away car like his modern one. He learned by pain that the Model "A" needs constant nurturing to make sure the radiator was full, the oil level was adequate, that there was air in the tires, the ignition stuff in the distributor was clean, gapped right & timed, that the brakes need occasional adjustment and so forth. In short, he had to develop the skills to diagnose, adjust & fix stuff on the car.

[Canton_Model_A's]

Renner's Corner is located in Michigan. and welcome the the 'club' once you get hooked, there is no looking back. Like many have said, find a local club around you, they are a wealth of information and help. Also as you have pointed out, and have said, all depends on the pocketbook size.

Also a handy 5 pound hammer does wonders as well (giggle)

Snyder's is a great supplier, Mikes 'A' Fordable is, there are numerous ones. Just watch out for Flea-Bay.

Welcome to the 'Barn'

Dave