|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
02-07-2024, 11:58 AM | #41 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,410
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
I wonder when the last US car with points ignition was? I see that a '74 Galaxie had electronic ignition.
|
02-07-2024, 04:36 PM | #42 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,973
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Quote:
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
02-07-2024, 04:58 PM | #43 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"?
Insanity helps.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. |
02-07-2024, 06:08 PM | #44 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 84
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Summer 1956. I had 15 bicycles 13 of which had been built from parts. Along came a 1930 roadster body. No wheels, seats, windshield, fenders or a free engine. After reading and asking many questions the First order came from J.C. Whitney. Again reading and asking many questions.IT Ran. Not very well. MY dad said "we will get you a motor". James Dean was on the back roads in Eastern Ky. We found a 11/28 tudoor sedan.
|
02-08-2024, 04:34 PM | #45 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SoCal Desert
Posts: 826
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
There is only one thing a new model A'er should have in their toolbox, is the "no fear to try anything new no matter how complex and scary" attitude. Oh, and good hearing.
Everything needed will naturally fall into place including making crappy parts fit. Regards Bill |
02-09-2024, 08:10 AM | #46 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Stoneboro PA
Posts: 120
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
It still amazes me of the amount of people that buy an A and have no idea how to do the simple tasks, asking how isn't bad. But what always gets me is the one that state no garage in their are will work on their A. I bought the red book and read it to learn what I was getting into before I bought my A's I still had questions though, and still do. |
02-09-2024, 10:08 AM | #47 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,410
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
You do have to put yourself in the mindset that maintenance is required and it is not like cars made in the last 40 years that are very low maintenance.
|
02-09-2024, 12:22 PM | #48 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: SoCal
Posts: 591
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
The ability to read and follow directions.
|
02-09-2024, 04:55 PM | #49 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 36
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
I think the Model A is a fantastic car to learn the basics of mechanicking on. Everything is pretty easy, but not too easy. If you have a good attitude and a willingness to dive in, the car will teach you most everything you need to know about it... a knowledgeable friend can walk you through the rest.
|
02-09-2024, 06:43 PM | #50 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2024
Posts: 14
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
I helped a new model A owner on the side of the road and later in the year at a gas station. He was having carb problems. I would say owning a model A requires an above average knowledge and skill base. This owner had neither but was excited to be in the hobby and seemed willing to learn.
|
02-09-2024, 10:25 PM | #51 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Middletown, NY
Posts: 165
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Patience, a lot of Model A friends to make up for my deficiencies as a mechanic, and the ability to enjoy and appreciate the simple. Amen!
|
02-12-2024, 11:22 AM | #52 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: The Great Dismal Swamp
Posts: 181
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
I'm one of the younger guys on this forum (e.g. "I have grandkids your age!" is a common comment from club members) so I come from the generation of not having had to do anything mechanical to cars.
When I bought my first Model A, I wasn't that good at driving a stickshift, so that was the first thing to learn. Other things: -Changing oil (never did that before) -Navigating around a toolbox (never had to before) -Using a torque wrench -Polishing metal -Electroplating -Stripping paint (chemical and bead blasting) -Painting -Restoring bakelite -Rewiring every wire on the car -Woodworking -Using an ammeter -Polishing paint -Changing tires -Changing head gaskets (and every other gasket) -Rebuilding carburetors -Rebuilding speedometers -Modifying key switches -Restoring gas gauges -Restoring spark plugs -Using a gauge to measure and adjust gaps (points, plugs, etc.) -Using taps and dies to cut new thread and chase old threads -Arranging and restoring bolts by color (cadmium, raven, etc.) I've also spent many, many hours in the Judging Standards to figure out what my cars should look like and then, for my E28 RHD Model A, going through the Ford archives and pulling original factory drawings, engineering change orders, etc., and THEN bugging other collectors for photos of their cars and associated parts to confirm factory specifications. It's been a fun journey so far. Shortly, I'm going to start taking apart my Phaeton and completely restore it. I'm certain I will be able to add more skills to the list. Dave
__________________
Member, MAFCA and MARC Current owner, 1928 RHD Australian-built Phaeton CA4752 "Felicity" and a 1931 Victoria "Katie" Former owner, 1929 Phaeton, 1929 Fordor |
02-15-2024, 12:16 AM | #53 |
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Paso Robles, California
Posts: 67
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
GoJoMoJo
That is all that is needed, then just keep on keepen on. Of course, rely on The red Manual # 1. Last edited by GMCPASO; 02-17-2024 at 12:27 PM. |
02-15-2024, 08:59 PM | #54 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
#1 rule: (And I can not stress this enough) - An understanding Wife.
__________________
Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B |
02-16-2024, 12:34 AM | #55 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,971
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
|
02-16-2024, 06:43 AM | #56 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 1,410
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
A friend with an electric Mustang was talking about recent self-driving car accidents and I told that I am still back at manual spark advance.
|
02-16-2024, 07:37 AM | #57 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Western North Carolina
Posts: 3,900
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Once one get used to it, the Model A is much easier to work on than a modern car. It took me a day to change the thermostats (two) in my 2016 truck and another day to change the fuel filter (Diesel engine). So I would argue that the skill set is much greater for working on a modern car. How many out there in Model A land wrench on their modern car?
__________________
A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. |
02-16-2024, 08:35 AM | #58 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Germany: Cologne and Witten
Posts: 305
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
righty tighty, lefty loosey? not much more really... if...
...you are prepared to talk to others, find your way to the Ford Barn. Really that's all you need. And i don't think it's an expensive hobby if you keep in mind that it's a pre-war car. What other car from that era can be kept afloat cheaper? |
02-17-2024, 11:03 AM | #59 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 146
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Quote:
Working on the Model A is a joy compared to that lol |
|
02-17-2024, 11:53 AM | #60 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2023
Posts: 9
|
Re: Skills Necessary To Own & Operate A Model "A"
Quote:
Love your story, so great that you share it! |
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|