Tips For Model A's

[Bob Bidonde]

The purpose of this post is to collect tips for Model "A's." Post your tips to keep this thread going.

o Gear Shift Rust Protection: Slip a piece of clear PVC tubing over the gear shift to keep it from corroding where it comes into contact with the driver's leg.

o Loose Hub Cap: Wrap waxed string between the cap and the wheel to snug a loose hub cap so both ends of the string protrude. Secure the string by tieing a square not, and clip the protruding ends.

o Pull the back window shade down to prevent reflections on the windshield while driving at night.

o Dome Light Ground: Dome lights mounted in wood are poorly grounded. Add a ground wire from the metal light body to a body bolt to assure the light will work.

[Brentwood Bob]

When you park the car shut the gas off and run the car dry. This avoids gas loss, and keeps the float valve from sticking on startup.

[Gooseloony]

Install a "pencil filter" in the fuel tank.

[Mitch//pa]

don't just become a parts replacer.. learn how to diagnose, and determine the cause of your problem..

[Mikeinnj]

If it ain't broken, don't fix it !

[tbirdtbird]

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"When you park the car shut the gas off and run the car dry. This avoids gas loss, and keeps the float valve from sticking on startup."

Bob, if you never put any gas in the tank it can never leak out!

Merry Christmas!

[Big hammer]

Ask here before doing work if your not sure And then post a reply when fixed
It helps us all :-)

[Brentwood Bob]

Confusion rules me these days,
So I need to have a good shutdown procedure.
gas was up to $4/gal and stayed along time, so I hate it when the float valve decides to stick. usually I notice an empty tank.

[Marshall57]

Read, read, and read.
It’s cheap and easy, and also gives you a great insight into what others have done or tried, no use reinventing the wheel.
I have lots of Model A books, some gifts and some I purchased and when I have some time I go through them. Some like “Tiny Tips” and “Model A Miseries and cures” are full of nuggets of knowledge.
When you finally get to the work most practical knowledge can be gleaned here, folks here can sure fill in the blanks and help you out.
Best tip is when you change heads, engines, radiators, water pumps, hoses, or anything else to do with the cooling system, put a nylon stocking around the top radiator hose and let it filter the water coming from the head into the radiator.
The amount of stuff you get away from the radiator will be amazing and will diminish after a while. Change or clean the stocking every little while and when it no longer is catching gunk you can discard it altogether.
Small ideas can make a huge difference,

[Marshall57]

Next tip.
When changing out an oil Pan or an engine, you will put a quart down the distributor hole and then use the rest of the five quarts to fill it up.
The tip is measure the five quarts carefully (if using bulk oil) and after running the car for just a bit and letting it cool, check and note where the oil level is on your particular dip stick.
When changing the oil later this mark will be important, and with so many aftermarket dipsticks out there the full mark could be off.
Trying to keep a Model A over full is an everlasting headache.

[Not George]

Learn from other people's mistakes, learning from your own is expensive.

[Terry, NJ]

Some tips,
-List your location! You may have a member across town who'll be glad to help you.
-Many problems are not that solvable until everyone's on the same page, try to be clear about where the knock is from or whatever.
- Don't use "patchatini" repair methods for longer than it takes to get home. these "Farmer fix" methods went out with the fifties. Very few of us can't afford most repairs
today. Bubble gum, bailing wire and oatmeal in the radiator are thankfully gone for good.
-To many of us go the other way sometimes too! "My engine costs $12,000 from XYZ Power Plants! " "Yeah well, Mine costs $15,000 from Bazooka Mottor". Hell! you should have done it yourself for $2-3000!
"Get out of your comfort zone!" There are jobs that we'd never try on our own because we don't have any experience with that skill. Welding, Carpentry, engine mechanics, body work, upholestry and painting, etc. But think how much pride it will give you when you do take them on and they turn out pretty darn good. Some of them won't turn out good the first time and you may have have to scrap them and start again. Think it didn't happen at the Ford co. in 1930? Every one makes some scrap.
Terry

[1930artdeco]

Here is a tip for the first timer: When you buy your Model A, drop the pan and check the bearings. Then check the valves. This will keep your engine alive a lot longer than pouring in new oil and starting her up. Never take the previous owners word for it unless proven on paper.

Mike

[Brentwood Bob]

Make one change at a time, and save the old parts.

[MAG]

When parking for extended time or storing the Model A, pull the fuse out. If not equipped with a fuse, install one.

[pooch]

Do not park too close to Chevs, rust is contagious.

[Dan Partain]

For those who haven't seen this before - To chase dirty or rusty threads, grind bolts with the same thread and run them into the holes that need cleaning. The sharp leading edge of the threads will do a pretty good job, and not ruin a good tap from grease/dirt combo. Regular hardware bolts work good for this and are cheap to replace when the threads get worn. I try to not use good A bolts if I can help it.

[al's28/33]

Check all your wiring connections every few months or so and tighten up all those nuts and bolts along with oil and lube every 500 miles. Keep up with maintenance ALWAYS!

[Tim Armstrong]

Old gas is your enemy. Never cook bacon with out a shirt on.

[msmaron]

Learn to diagnose your problems and DONT DIVE BOMB....90% of the time it is NOT THE COIL!!!!