A new member

[CB919ER]

Hey guys!

I've recently become the owner of a 1929 Model A. While I'm in my mid 30's this car has been a part of my life in I was around 2. I have pictures where I'm just a chubby checked little toddler helping my grandpa restore the car.

The car hasn't been on the road since the mid-90s and I'm excited to get it rolling again and relive the memories of my grandpa and the old ford.

Be prepared for me to pick your brains as I get into the re-rebuild.

Here's a picture of the car as it sits now...

[james hitchcock]

Very nice. Model A's are great time machines . They bring back memories that you didn't even know you had and they are lots of fun. You'll find help here on just about any question you have. The A is the one car that I myself can figure out and do most work. Have fun and I look forward to updates on getting yours out on the road. James.

[burner31]

Very, very nice, be prepared to have the time of your life driving it.
Video your attempts to start her, trust me, the first time she fires up for you, you'll want to see that moment again and again...and it only happens once.
I watch mine every now and then...just to keep the juices flowing.

And welcome to the "Barn"

[Barber31]

Welcome. Great looking car.

[C26Pinelake]

Welcome to the barn! Why restore it ? Make it safe and driveable and enjoy it as your grandpa left it to you. Wayne

[CB919ER]

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Thanks for the warm welcome. Of all the antiques my grandpa had this is the only one I never got to drive, and it was always my favorite. I'm going to photo/video document as much of the repair as I can to have those memories along with the old photos of me as a kid.

So far I know the gas tank is in terrible shape as it was parked with gas still in it. But, once I can get that off and repaired/replaced I'm hoping the rest is easy. Excited doesn't begin to describe how I feel about working on and driving this car.

[Nabco]

She looks great, good luck getting her running.....

[Tom Wesenberg]

Welcome. You mentioned rebuild, but as nice as that car looks, I think you just meant "restart".
Grease and oil all the moving parts, and this means everything from spring leafs to door hinges, flush the gas tank, install new fuel and a good battery, and you might be on the road. Removing the gas tank is a fair size job. Are you sure you can't drain and flush it as is? I've done a few that way.

[1930artdeco]

Welcome CB, glad you are keeping the car in the family. If you absolutely have have to remove the tank-and I mean absolutely have to 'Vic in 10 a see' (I probably misspelled his screen name) can repair it for you correctly. I recommend what Tom said and just flush the heck out of it. Change all fluids and grease her up. Then let the fun begin.

Mike

[SwansEarlyFord]

Welcome.

[CB919ER]

you guys are correct, restart more than rebuild. The car is still solid. The tank has a nice layer of rust on the bottom of it. I haven't taken a bore scope to it yet to really see the extent of the damage, but I know it will need to be cleaned. I've had some old hotrodders talk about using everything from gravel to bbs and cleaning it out...

I've reached out to a couple places about repairing the tank as that's about the only part I feel is outside my realm of knowledge for repair. I'm hoping to be able to clean and seal the tank so I don't have to try and color match the paint for a respray...

[Big hammer]

Wecome to the Barn! Please think about what Tom said in post #7 ! Have fun getting it started and running! If you have been reading here at the barn, most agree you need to ask before you jump into a job.

[CB919ER]

I've lurked around some, and I'm already friends with the search button. There is a lot of great information here that I fully intend to utilize.

[james hitchcock]

Would be great if you can drain and seal the tank. Of all the tasks I've done working on Ol Walter, removing and re installing the tank was my least favorite.

[callcoy]

CB919ER;
Maybe I read faster then my brain could process, but I don't believe I read that you have joined your local Model A Club, The Smoky Mountain MAFCA club. You may find right in your backyard, help and guidance that you need right now and most likely later. Members of my Calif. club, Sonoma A's, the Mitchell's, Sue has told me that the Smoky Mountain club may hold the record for Mitchell O/D installations, at less than 2 hours. With their skill level I am sure that they can assist you with your tank cleaning project. If you join, you will have many new friends! When in the Nashville area, contact me, I talk Model A, will be back in Tenn. Sept. 8th.
Steve

[31 Model A]

Welcome to the Barn.............

[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW: Thanks for posting your very interesting project; and just one humble bit of advice for Model A First Timers:

As you encounter Model A problems, after inquiring about same on a Model A Forum, and furthering your investigation under Forum "Search", you may find, for example, hundreds of ways to time a Model A engine, adjust fan belts, align front ends, install head gaskets, which oil to use, which coolant to use, types of electrical systems, fuses or circuit breakers, etc., etc.

Best advice is, regardless of who advises what, just pick the one you think that will work best for "You", "Your" situation, and best for "Your" Model A.

If you ever attempt to try each and every recommended Model A method of adjustment and Model A repair procedure explained herein thus far, you may get bogged down and may be receiving your 35th Social Security check before you are able to drive around the block for the first time.

Good luck with everything!

[CB919ER]

Originally Posted by callcoy

CB919ER;
Maybe I read faster then my brain could process, but I don't believe I read that you have joined your local Model A Club, The Smoky Mountain MAFCA club. You may find right in your backyard, help and guidance that you need right now and most likely later. Members of my Calif. club, Sonoma A's, the Mitchell's, Sue has told me that the Smoky Mountain club may hold the record for Mitchell O/D installations, at less than 2 hours. With their skill level I am sure that they can assist you with your tank cleaning project. If you join, you will have many new friends! When in the Nashville area, contact me, I talk Model A, will be back in Tenn. Sept. 8th.
Steve

I fully intent to find a local club, I know there is one in Knoxville, I'm a fan of finding the right club and joining as I know the information I've been able to get from my jeep has proved priceless, as well as making some truly great friends!

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Best advice is, regardless of who advises what, just pick the one you think that will work best for "You", "Your" situation, and best for "Your" Model A.

Good luck with everything!

Thanks for the heads up. I have a tendency to read multiple advice threads and see what I can find that will work with my skill level and knowledge. I try not to go off on a project half-cocked.

[Steve Plucker]

Welcome to the Barn.

It would be nice to know just what assembly plant your car was assembled at.

Review this for the area of the codes:

http://www.plucks329s.org/pdf/studie...ND%20CODES.pdf

Pluck

[CB919ER]

The car is still in a garage in Chattanooga. Once I can get it to Knoxville or get the VIN I'll be sure to check it. I'm guessing there is a difference between the assembly plants?

[Mitch//pa]

It can be fatal or disfiguring to use a vacuum for cleaning out a fuel tank... There are / can be fumes present even with an empty tank. Fumes explode... Be careful and choose the advice given on this forum very very carefully as your life or a family members life can depend on it..

Update::
The shop vac post has been deleted by the poster........

[KGBnut]

My two cent on rusty gas tanks... Pulling the tank is not that hard... Reinstalling it is the real headache. Take the time and see what you can do with it in place first.

With my '30 Coupe, we dropped a length of chain in and shook it like crazy. Then drained, filtered, and refilled... three or four times. That got 90% of it out. I still see rust in the glass bowl, and once or twice a year I have to blow a speck out of a carburetor jet but that is the extent of the rust hassles. It really has been very little trouble.

For my daily driver, I don't think I would pull the tank unless it was leaking.

Good luck and have fun.

Ken

[H. L. Chauvin]

FWIW: One Method for "Safe" Rust Particle and Debris Extraction:

The older model vacuum cleaners had exposed internal electrical sparks that could dangerously ignite fuel fumes extracted from a fuel tank.

"If" one already has an air compressor, one can get a syphon blast gun for about $30.00 at Northern Tool to "safely" extract rust particles out of one's Model A gas tank.

The air compressor blows air across a plastic tube to create a venture effect which creates a vacuum in a second tube whereby the fuel fumes are only exposed to harmless air.

Doesn't matter if one has hand grenades and DET Chord in the tank ..... harmless procedure.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

FWIW: One Method for "Safe" Rust Particle and Debris Extraction:

The older model vacuum cleaners had exposed internal electrical sparks that could dangerously ignite fuel fumes extracted from a fuel tank.

"If" one already has an air compressor, one can get a syphon blast gun for about $30.00 at Northern Tool to "safely" extract rust particles out of one's Model A gas tank.

The air compressor blows air across a plastic tube to create a venture effect which creates a vacuum in a second tube whereby the fuel fumes are only exposed to harmless air.

Doesn't matter if one has hand grenades and DET Chord in the tank ..... harmless procedure.

I have one of these air powered vacuums that I use all the time. Didn't get it at HF, but probably the same kind anyway. First learned about that unique device when I was working in an Aircraft Repair Facility. Works really great.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Be careful using a shop vac to clean out a fuel tank... There are / can be fumes present even with an empty tank. Fumes explode... Be careful and choose the advice given on this forum very very carefully as your life or a family members life can depend on it..

Not a truer bit of advice is given. It seems more & more people here give erroneous advice that unless you know better seems very plausible. I personally have just about quit trying to correct the myths and non-factual advice.

Another one is reading how folks claim they put rocks, gravel, screws, BBs, chains, etc. inside of a Model-A tank and with a little shaking they were able to clean their tank. I probably restore more Model-A gas tanks than anyone, and my experiences with what I have seen totally counters their claims. When you understand just how the baffles are installed inside of the tank, and can visually see the baffles installed, you quickly realize how most of the free 'how-to-do-it' advice just is not doable. I wish you the best in however you do it, and encourage you to act prudently & safely in all you do.

[tom2588]

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Originally Posted by 31 Model A

Welcome to the Barn.............

Another senior member it's all good

[mshmodela]

Welcome, your car looks great as is!

[Charlie Stephens]

The car looks great. First get it running and then work one area at a time. Finish that area before you start the next if possible. If too much is taken apart at one time the task will overwhelm you and you will loose interest.

Charlie Stephens

[CB919ER]

Originally Posted by mshmodela

Welcome, your car looks great as is!

Thanks! all the body needs is a little attention in a couple place to prevent a couple spots from rusting under the paint, and a good bath

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

The car looks great. First get it running and then work one area at a time. Finish that area before you start the next if possible. If too much is taken apart at one time the task will overwhelm you and you will loose interest.

Charlie Stephens

That's the plan. first step is fuel tank, then carb, then brakes, then cooling, and then attempt first start up... I'm not going to start on a new section until the previous is complete. I want to make sure everything is good before I try and start it because I know once it is running, I'll want to go for a drive.

[Missouri A]

I cleaned my tank in the car with "WHITE VINEGAR". almost down to the shinny metal.

Welcome to the site

Stan

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Missouri A

I cleaned my tank in the car with "WHITE VINEGAR". almost down to the shinny metal.

Welcome to the site

Stan

Stan, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know you cleaned all of the tank to shiny metal??.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Per Mr. Brent's sincere advice in reply #25, many Model A Forum myths are read, believed, repeated over & over and never tested, and have become similar to Model A Religious Cannon Law.

I posted caution not long ago where a friend of mine loss a shed, a rental house,
expensive tractors etc.; plus body burns all over his body after he followed "trusted" advice to use a "vintage" vacuum cleaner to remove fuel from a fuel tank.

To make a long story short, his Religious Cannon Law's innocent vintage vacuum cleaner "violently" exploded after being transformed into a 155mm Howitzer type of "Canon" as opposed to following the rules of Cannon Law.

Naturally, no pun intended.

And, in addition to losing his expensive rental house with contents and expensive farm equipment, he also suffered the lost of his vintage vacuum cleaner .... in fact I think he never found it ..... talked to him last night.

[iverson]

c.b. I didint see anyone else mention the pencil screen that goes into the valve under tank yet, before I was told about that I could only go a mile or two before it pluged up completly no problem since. it looks like a nice car you got there! good advice is to always push your car outside when working with gas or first starts I know 2 people that lost there garages

[Mike V. Florida]

Welcome to the hobby and best of luck with your car. We are here ready to be "picked".

The tank does not have to be "factory" clean in order to hold gas and deliver it to the carb, but if it is not, then you will have to make allowances for the rust flakes by way of filters and plumbing changes.