My New 1930 Sedan

[JunkOSC]

She's a beauty. It's my 1st stock model A, so it's going to be a learning experience. I plan on driving the car often, so I want to make sure I have a handle on maintenance and any does or don'ts... I guess that's why I am here.

I read the attached link. Great info.
http://www.jmodela.com/wherestart.html

I find the search engine in this forum very helpful as well. Please forgive me; I'm sure I'll be asking some very rookie questions in the future.

Thanks in advance!
Tim

[V4F]

nice car ! if you need help or info beyound this forum , please ask me ........... steve

[TerryH]

Tim--
Welcome aboard and looks like you got a nice Model A!! We are all here to help, and this board is a great resource, so please don't be afraid to ask questions. If you haven't, you should consider joining a local Model A club if one is in your area.......the clubs always have folks nearby that love to help with other cars, and also have special tools, etc.
Mainly, enjoy your wonderful car and drive it as often as you can...they are just lots of fun!

Terry

[JunkOSC]

Thanks Steve and Terry. The gentleman that sold me the car belongs to a local club and mentioned I should join as well. Sounds like a great group of people!!!

Thanks again,
Tim

[MAG]

Welcome to the hobby Tim. Joining a local Model a club is good advice. I would also suggest buying some books to get familiar with operating and maintaining the car. Owners Manual and some of the Repair Manuals are excellent.

[JunkOSC]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by MAG

Welcome to the hobby Tim. Joining a local Model a club is good advice. I would also suggest buying some books to get familiar with operating and maintaining the car. Owners Manual and some of the Repair Manuals are excellent.

Thank you. I understand the is a load of literature out there, can you or anyone recommend a so called Bible that is a must for Model A maintenance and repair?
Tim

[Michael in Sedona]

Welcome, Tim. In the link that was in your note, it mentions the Mechanics Handbook. The book is the Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, by Les Andrews, Volume 1, and I can't recommend it strongly enough.

Like you, I bought my first Model A without knowing a whole lot about them, and that book and the help I received from FordBarn and Ahooga has been invaluable. So far, after 6 years of Model A'ing, I've been able to keep mine running well. Not sure I could have done that without the book.

Good luck, and enjoy your car!

[Mitch//pa]

hey tim good luck and enjoy that nice car. get ready for a great ride and meeting great people

[JunkOSC]

Michael, I just order Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, by Les Andrews, Volume 1... thanks. It mentions in that link, I should get the Service Bulletins, any thoughts on that?

Thanks,
Tim

[JunkOSC]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

hey tim good luck and enjoy that nice car. get ready for a great ride and meeting great people

Thanks Mitch.

Take care,
Tim

[Michael in Sedona]

Tim,

I have the Service Bulletins, and they make for good reading, but honestly I've never referred to them when dealing with a problem. I probably should think about that some time. Might just be another good resource.

[John LaVoy]

Tim,
Welcome to the Model A hobby. It sounds like you did your homework and picked a good car. A sedan makes an excellent touring car with room for all the luggage and people you want to bring along.

[Jim Baskin III Pa.]

Tim,you do realize you have the perfect model A,a 30 tudor sedan.The 29 and 30 tudor are the backbone of the model A's.There were more of then produced than any other model A.Yes I am somewhat prejudice as I own a 30 tudor.Welcome to the best hobby this side of heaven.

[JunkOSC]

John and Jim, Thanks for the kind words.

[JunkOSC]

Ok boys... here are some pictures of the motor and underside. Please let me know if you see anything crazy or unsafe...please. The Auto-lite heater is not connected at the firewall, the hole in the firewall has been welded closed, and it's much lower than the outlet from the heater as well. Looks as if a different heater was used original. Can I just unbolt that heater? It appears to be serving no purpose? There was a gas leak at the glass filter, I'm replacing the cork o-ring now.

Thanks for all the support...
Tim

[John Butts in CT]

Everyone's recommendations about literature have merit. I'd also recommend owning and reading the owner's manual and the service manuals.

[kelley's restoration]

the heater is part of the exhaust manifold so you would need to replace the whole thing to get rid of the heater part.
tk

[1931 flamingo]

Ditto on the vol I by Les Andrews, the service bulletins make good reading and of course the "Barn" is best by far. JMO
Paul in CT

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I noticed a few things in your pics, not all problems, but FYI:

Copper fuel line...a problem, replace it with correct steel

Tillotson carburetor

non original distributor body

by pass type oil filter... don't count on it too much. change oil every 500 miles

4 blade fan, not original, check hub and blades for cracks, its not common, but it happens, the 4 blades are old

brake adjusting screw is pretty far in, might need brakes soon

all tie rod ends, drag link ends, spring shackles look dry. They need grease . Service Bulletins recommend every 500 miles. I would bet the entire chassis needs a good lube job

poor breathing repro muffler

kluged wiring... should be neatly clipped to the frame and with good connections

spiders...yecch. Looks like the frame was cleaned and painted once...it should clean up nicely

have fun, it looks like it has great potential.

[JunkOSC]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

I noticed a few things in your pics, not all problems, but FYI:

Copper fuel line...a problem, replace it with correct steel

Tillotson carburetor

non original distributor body

by pass type oil filter... don't count on it too much. change oil every 500 miles

4 blade fan, not original, check hub and blades for cracks, its not common, but it happens, the 4 blades are old

brake adjusting screw is pretty far in, might need brakes soon

all tie rod ends, drag link ends, spring shackles look dry. They need grease . Service Bulletins recommend every 500 miles. I would bet the entire chassis needs a good lube job

poor breathing repro muffler

kluged wiring... should be neatly clipped to the frame and with good connections

spiders...yecch. Looks like the frame was cleaned and painted once...it should clean up nicely

have fun, it looks like it has great potential.

Pat, Thank you! That's the type of information I was looking for. Your input/advise is greatly appreciated!!

Best regards,
Tim