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Old 12-24-2021, 03:38 PM   #1
1934ford
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Default Tools/supplies needed while traveling

What wrenches/tools and replacement parts should you carry with you on a long Model A trip?
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Old 12-24-2021, 04:23 PM   #2
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

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What wrenches/tools and replacement parts should you carry with you on a long Model A trip?
Assuming you have had your A for a long time, I would review the tools you needed (sizes) to perform the following tasks:
. setting timing and timing check
. changing points and adjusting
. lubricating and greasing - including wheel bearings
. changing fluids - oils and coolant
. fan belt tension and replacement
. voltmeter

I would carry all of the tools you used to perform the above tasks

As far as replacement parts, I would carry"
. complete set of ignition parts (plugs, points, rotor, cap)
. quart of oil
. small oil can of oil
. fan belt
. hoses
. gallon of coolant
. 1 set of replacement bulbs
. some zip ties
. coil
. hand crank
. Always a spare tire - mounted on the rim
. I would also carry the MAFCA directory in case you need some local help.
. Extra gallon of gas -outside your vehicle please.

I am sure there are additional items I have forgotten - but this gets you started. I know other people carry starters, water pump, distributor. But if you are travelling in a larger group and one person has these, that would be sufficient.
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Old 12-24-2021, 05:17 PM   #3
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

Don't forget your AAA (or equivalent) card!!
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Old 12-24-2021, 05:21 PM   #4
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

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What wrenches/tools and replacement parts should you carry with you on a long Model A trip?
What are you calling a "long" Model A trip?
I know a fellow who undertook a 8,000 miles trip across the continent through country that rarely sees a person. At times, he was days from help, even if he had communication, which he didn't. He took no spares or tools other than a list of members of Model A clubs anywhere near where he was going. His only problem was a rotor button leaking spark to earth. It took quite a while to find the problem but no time to fix - even with no spare.
IMO, the best thing you can take is an ability to find a problem and go around it. No matter how much you take, you can bet Murphy will have other ideas. Believe me, I know about that after so many looong trips myself.
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Old 12-24-2021, 06:41 PM   #5
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

Every time I have had a problem I put a spare under the seat, then I never need it again.
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Old 12-24-2021, 06:44 PM   #6
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Old 12-28-2021, 06:46 PM   #7
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

It will vary with the car and recent experience. Oil and water/antifreeze, plus some basic tools, a couple feet of baling wire, zip ties, a gasket set, and torque wrench. …a rag or two, fuses, disposable gloves, a few cottar pins.

Mostly I need nothing on a 500 mile drive, but I over prepare. The key in my mind is to always be sure everything is in good condition well before any trip. I take short trips before a longer one to try and find out any weaknesses. I am not a club member so my trips are by myself for my personal enjoyment with my car.
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Old 12-28-2021, 08:25 PM   #8
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

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The key in my mind is to always be sure everything is in good condition well before any trip. I take short trips before a longer one to try and find out any weaknesses. I am not a club member so my trips are by myself for my personal enjoyment with my car.
More Model A Pilots should heed this advice. We have people in our club that don't even look at their Model A for a month or more then expect it to start, run and drive without a problem the morning of a tour.

I always check and drive my car during the week(s) leading up to a tour date and hopefully spot any problem before we get on the road.

Not much fun working on a car you are unfamiliar with on the side of the road without the proper tools and parts.
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Old 12-29-2021, 11:24 AM   #9
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

When our Model T club goes on tours; if you break down, the club goes on and the trouble trailer picks you up. Most of the roads in my tour area don't have room for the whole club to stop, so is safer for everyone just to keep going.

There are those people that don't have a clue about the condition of their car and expect if there is an issue, someone will fix it for them (on the road restoration and repair service). But these are around 100 year old cars and even the best can have problems, Ts or As. Then there are those V8!
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Old 12-29-2021, 11:38 AM   #10
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

SYNCHRO909- I would think my 400+ mile one way trip is a run around the corner for you living in Australia!
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Old 12-29-2021, 10:10 PM   #11
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

Cell phone……to call a rollback!
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Old 12-30-2021, 04:50 PM   #12
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

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SYNCHRO909- I would think my 400+ mile one way trip is a run around the corner for you living in Australia!
Not wanting to sound cocky but many are the times we have done 400+ miles in a day, then the same next day. Our best is 700 miles in a day followed by a good sleep.
You guys in the lower 48 have just as much room as we do so I see no reason for you to not do similar. Only the place names need change.
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Old 12-30-2021, 05:06 PM   #13
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

"What wrenches/tools and replacement parts should you carry with you on a long Model A trip?
There have been some good suggestions made.
The best suggestion I can make is to start at the front bumper and go to the rear one and check every area to be as near perfect as possible. Just completed a road trip just under 4K miles. Needed no parts, adjustments, oil, coolant, etc. But I will tell you that I did my homework before I left.
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Old 01-01-2022, 09:31 PM   #14
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

Be nimble and creative. I once changed out a shifter fork pin in my '29 coupe using only a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and the nail I pried from a utility pole. Did it over lunch in a bad part of town. I'm pretty sure that nail is still holding the left fork in place to this day, wherever the coupe ended up. Shifter tower bolts were tight and determined, but not as much as I was.
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Old 01-02-2022, 09:46 AM   #15
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

I list the events that can befall me on a tour far from home, and I carry enough tools, spare parts & materials to cope with the events.
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Old 01-02-2022, 10:15 AM   #16
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

MAFCA Model A Ford Club of America has a great list of what to carry on both short and long tours.

Under the drop down box on the home page "Index" look under B "Be Prepared"

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Old 01-02-2022, 02:36 PM   #17
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

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MAFCA Model A Ford Club of America has a great list of what to carry on both short and long tours.

Under the drop down box on the home page "Index" look under B "Be Prepared"

Keith

That’s a good resource.

https://www.mafca.com/tqa_m_be_prepared.html


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Old 01-02-2022, 02:59 PM   #18
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

Parts I bring along "just in case" on a tour. I haven't had to use any yet. I strap my rollaway on top.
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Old 01-04-2022, 02:56 PM   #19
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

I believe it was Paul Shinn who said he carries a spare carburetor with him, and If I could add something to the list, it would be a jack.

eog
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Old 01-04-2022, 03:57 PM   #20
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

I only carry a screwdriver and a crescent wrench, it's my motivation...if I can't drive 100 miles and back...I don't leave the garage.
I'm kinda funny that way
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Old 01-04-2022, 04:32 PM   #21
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

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I believe it was Paul Shinn who said he carries a spare carburetor with him, and If I could add something to the list, it would be a jack.

eog
There's no reason to carry a complete spare carb. Nothing in them will fail, or wear out on a trip. They might leak on occasion, or plug with something, but that's it.

You'll end up with more wear and tear on your carb carrying it under the seat than you will on the engine.
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Old 01-09-2022, 03:01 AM   #22
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

I carry these goodies. I send this list to all on the tour. It gives members confidence parts are at hand. Especially the clutch release arm and the accelerator return spring

MODEL A TOOL KIT
FRONT TOOL BOX


Wooden cheese box
Clothes pins
Distributor wrench
Door hinge pin
Fuses-30 Amp
Goop/duct and elect. tape
Ignition Switch bypass
Misc. wrenches/Feeler gauge/screw drivers
Muffler seal
Point file
Short Phillips screwdriver for timing
Spark plug wires
Tire weights
Tube repair kit
Wire
Bendix spring
Carburetor
Clutch release arm
Coils-2 + wires
Compression gauge
Cut out Switch-2
Distributor drive gear and spring
Exhaust Clamp and gasket
Fan Belt
Float adjustment tool
Funnel
Gallon of H2O (on running board)
Gas cap
Gasket seal
Grease gun
Glue
Ignition harness cork and nail (replaces bad switch)
Instant Beer
JB weld
Leather belt (Bearing replacement)
Oil
Misc. nuts, bolts and washers
Multimeter
Polish
Rags
Rod bearing cap
Rubber gloves
Spritzer
Starter switch
Timing Gear (socket and tool in tool bag)
Voltmeter
Water pump and gasket
Water pump grease
Wheel bearings-2 sets
Wheel bearing Grease


PACKAGE TRAY

Batteries

Business cards
Bratton’s catalogue
Flashlight
Fire Extinguisher (on running board)
First aid kit
Good luck charms
Hand wipes
Light bulb box
Model A club Roster (in door pocket)
Repair manual
Snacks
Walkie talkies
Work gloves


UNDER SEAT


Plastic Parts Box
Accelerator return spring
Ammeter-2
Axle key and shims
Axle nut remover
Carb gasket set plus needle valves
Condenser and Points
Gas filter screen and glass gasket
Generator brushes
Distributor cam and cap and bottom plate
Engine bearing shims
Light Bulbs
Plug wires
Rotor
Spark plugs
Speedo gear
Starter Bendix bolts
Water pump packing
Wire ties
Valve and guide
Cotter pins
Crank
Distributor body
Fan belt
Gas gauge repair kit and tools
Small hyd. Jack with base
Lug wrench
8x10 Glossy of Sandy
Stethoscope
Tire tube
Tow rope



RUMBLE AREA


American flags
Blanket
Bungees
Calico chicken
Chock
Flares
Folding chairs (sometimes)
Generator (No)
Head gasket
Paper towels
Poncho
Torque wrench
Tool bag
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Old 01-10-2022, 08:44 PM   #23
Eccentric Old Guy
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

Now, THAT is being prepared ^^^^^



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Old 01-10-2022, 10:07 PM   #24
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

Clem, I like your list a lot but I can't fathom the purpose of a short phillips screwdriver for timing. Is that for some newfangled ignition system?
And is the Gallon of H2O (on running board) to ensure the "Instant Beer" gets reconstituted properly?
A speedometer gear isn't a bad idea but given that I have had 2 speedo cables give out and I'm still driving the A without a speedometer 3 years later, I don't know that I would bother carrying that particular part.
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Old 01-14-2022, 05:41 AM   #25
Clem Clement
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Default Re: Tools/supplies needed while traveling

The short Phillips screw driver with the regular size grip and short shaft goes in the timing pin hole perfectly. Try it. It is much easier to find the dimple in the timing gear than use to original timing pin. (don't forget to replace the pin after use!)

All this gives other tour members confidence that we can fix everything. Instant beer, when applied properly, is most helpful.

Don't forget a rubber chicken, mechanical rat, and spring snake to liven things up. I also have a huge heavy machine wrench, when dropped will bring members a-running to see...

I was maintenance tent chair for 2 national meets in the Norfolk, VA area. We learned a lot and had so much fun fixing stuff. Anyone else there??
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Old 01-25-2022, 07:31 AM   #26
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Start at 8:45:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-L6F4PHlOs
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