The source of the problems?

[JoeCB]

Just an observation.. no judgement or criticism intended. Reading through the postings here, and most are very informative.... for that I'm grateful to the responders. My observation of the topics is that the great preponderance have to do with problems associated with design alterations and/or non-standard parts. Makes one wonder what this forum would look like if all the issues were related to strictly stock Model A's … maybe Henry did have it right.

Joe B

[daren007]

Ditto

[CC-Mo]

If no judgement or criticism is in intended, I'm not sure I understand the point of this thread.

[PalAl]

Originally Posted by CC-Mo

If no judgement or criticism is in intended, I'm not sure I understand the point of this thread.

Perhaps Joe B. is deserving the "GOLDEN SPOON AWARD" for an attempt to stir the pot

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by PalAl

Perhaps Joe B. is deserving the "GOLDEN SPOON AWARD" for an attempt to stir the pot

I see merit in Joe B he says even though I don't own a Model A that is near original. After driving an original spec car for a while, I realised how much driving conditions must have changed since the Model A was a current car. It was either park the car or get it to the point where I wasn't a (slowly) moving road block. I chose the latter and have since driven my Phaeton places I would never even imagined going before I worked on he performance.
On this forum, there are those who are sticklers for originality (I once was too) and those who don't mind putting their stamp on the car. Henry had things pretty right for the day but there have been a lot of clever people making improvement since If Henry were still here, would he build a car like the Model A now? NO, he would incorporate what he and others have learned since. It's called progress.

[PalAl]

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Originally Posted by Synchro909

I see merit in Joe B he says even though I don't own a Model A that is near original. After driving an original spec car for a while, I realised how much driving conditions must have changed since the Model A was a current car. It was either park the car or get it to the point where I wasn't a (slowly) moving road block. I chose the latter and have since driven my Phaeton places I would never even imagined going before I worked on he performance.
On this forum, there are those who are sticklers for originality (I once was too) and those who don't mind putting their stamp on the car. Henry had things pretty right for the day but there have been a lot of clever people making improvement since If Henry were still here, would he build a car like the Model A now? NO, he would incorporate what he and others have learned since. It's called progress.

Yep, it's your car do with it as you choose to get safely down the road. Some like a car on a trailer, some like to sit at a car show, others enjoy driving the back roads and touring this great country with friends who enjoy the same. There is no wrong, we are all enjoying our cars as we wish. That's why it's our car. Lets all try to do it in the safest way possible.
Ya gotta love this hobby!

[shew01]

After 90 years, a strictly stock Model A would be hard to come by. I would venture to say that only the high points show cars come even close to being strictly stock.


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[pbishop]

The issue would seem to be whether YOU wanted to drive a car as originally intended (stock), or one that could and would be a 'more dependable' and capable of 'long distance' usages on modern roadways?



I have always desired a 'stock Model A', but I have come to the conclusion that as I wanted to drive my Model A on today's highway, then I had to make the adjustments to allow for greater performance. Therefore, I went to a Weber carb and intake and the exhaust manifold necessary to increase that horsepower.


I now run along with the rest of traffic without feeling that I am holding up traffic. Still, I realize I am driving an older car and try and time my arrivals at Stop lights so I can still be moving along before I have to come to a complete stop before the light changes. I ALWAYS keep my eyes open and slow as I come toward standing traffic.



The Weber carb allows me to get up to speed quicker and maintain the speed of the other cars on the road. I first take a county road, then onto a state road, and then on a short part of an interstate access whereby my Model A is doing 65 mph for about 5 miles. I 'love' making this drive every time I go to work in my Model A.



Paul B.

[updraught]

>>My observation of the topics is that the great preponderance have to do with problems associated with design alterations and/or non-standard parts.

A Weber carb is reliable, overdrives seem to work good, synchro gearboxes seem fine, high comp heads seem trouble free, new cranks seem OK, good camshafts available, radial tyres work good, V8 wheels seem to last, electronic ignition hmmm, alternators are OK, water pumps with water were always dodgy anyway, high speed diffs are OK, new radiators of all sorts seem to work.

What's left?

[PalAl]

Originally Posted by updraught

>>My observation of the topics is that the great preponderance have to do with problems associated with design alterations and/or non-standard parts.

A Weber carb is reliable, overdrives seem to work good, synchro gearboxes seem fine, high comp heads seem trouble free, new cranks seem OK, good camshafts available, radial tyres work good, V8 wheels seem to last, electronic ignition hmmm, alternators are OK, water pumps with water were always dodgy anyway, high speed diffs are OK, new radiators of all sorts seem to work.

What's left?

LED lights and AC..... LOL

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Most enhancements are not necessarily. A few are highly recommended. Exs: fuse, one piece aluminum fan blade, for those who do not want/need original design - leakless water pump, water pump bolts (stud/nut combo). Most all are debatable, part of the hobby, depends on what you want in your car/truck.

[Gufshoz]

I know absolutely where my A's problem is: ME. I keep tinkering, thinking that I can tweek her just a little bit more and bang! She's worse than before and I have to start over.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by Gufshoz

I know absolutely where my A's problem is: ME. I keep tinkering, thinking that I can tweek her just a little bit more and bang! She's worse than before and I have to start over.

Ah .... the fix it till it’s broke syndrome !! I love the lighthearted response. The forum is here to help folks with advice when those have questions or issues. I think it pretty well does that. Some have more experience than others but that’s a great thing as contributions from all can and are valuable.
Let’s keep it informational and helpful with a flare of fun and a laugh or two now and then. Great A memories and experiences are good too.
All the best to you guys on this Memorial Day weekend and bless those who died in service to our country so we can enjoy our freedom. I do A work full time and feel blessed to be able to do what I love. A folks are the best!

Happy Memorial Day weekend !
Larry shepard

[daren007]

I have watched people spend copious amounts of money on their airplanes only to screw up a perfectly good airplane. How much can you spend on a classic car only to have a car that’s no longer fun to drive. When is a model A no longer a model A. I do not see the lure of proving I can keep up in freeway traffic. Give me country roads where I can enjoy my A. At my age driving my A is relaxing. Time to slow down and enjoy life.

[PalAl]

Originally Posted by daren007

I have watched people spend copious amounts of money on their airplanes only to screw up a perfectly good airplane. How much can you spend on a classic car only to have a car that’s no longer fun to drive. When is a model A no longer a model A. I do not see the lure of proving I can keep up in freeway traffic. Give me country roads where I can enjoy my A. At my age driving my A is relaxing. Time to slow down and enjoy life.

I totally agree backroads at a slow speed are the way to go, just do it as safe and comfortable as possible.

[Mad Mac]

Originally Posted by daren007

I have watched people spend copious amounts of money on their airplanes only to screw up a perfectly good airplane. How much can you spend on a classic car only to have a car that’s no longer fun to drive. When is a model A no longer a model A. I do not see the lure of proving I can keep up in freeway traffic. Give me country roads where I can enjoy my A. At my age driving my A is relaxing. Time to slow down and enjoy life.

Yeah. What he says.

[Jack Shaft]

Lets see..starting from the engine..

1.Winfield red head.7.5 to 1
2. B distributor
3.Ansen intake with a single Holley 94
4. Late B high lift cam
5.Red's 4 into 2 header
6. 2 1/2" exhaust with resonator
7. Horn harmonic balancer
8. full front and rear modern engine mounts.
9.high speed babbit with stock A crankshaft,lube line to center main.
10. full oil filtration
11. hardened valve seats
12. B flywheel balanced with PP
13. 12v alternator electrical system using relays and modern blade fuses
14. modern bendix starter drive
15.Mitchell OD
16. cast iron brake drums
17. teflon tie rod and drag link cups
18.F100 steering box
19.16" wire wheels with modern radials.

Looks like Ill be working on it forever given the subject of the thread..I like the solitude and satisfaction of the shop almost as much as I like driving the car.I can leave it in low range and drive it just like a stock A, or shift it into high range and drive it in modern traffic conditions.

[PalAl]

Originally Posted by Jack Shaft

Lets see..starting from the engine..

1.Winfield red head.7.5 to 1
2. B distributor
3.Ansen intake with a single Holley 94
4. Late B high lift cam
5.Red's 4 into 2 header
6. 2 1/2" exhaust with resonator
7. Horn harmonic balancer
8. full front and rear modern engine mounts.
9.high speed babbit with stock A crankshaft,lube line to center main.
10. full oil filtration
11. hardened valve seats
12. B flywheel balanced with PP
13. 12v alternator electrical system using relays and modern blade fuses
14. modern bendix starter drive
15.Mitchell OD
16. cast iron brake drums
17. teflon tie rod and drag link cups
18.F100 steering box
19.16" wire wheels with modern radials.

Looks like Ill be working on it forever given the subject of the thread..I like the solitude and satisfaction of the shop almost as much as I like driving the car.I can leave it in low range and drive it just like a stock A, or shift it into high range and drive it in modern traffic conditions.

Jack how about some pictures of that bad boy and it's toys.

[Jack Shaft]

Originally Posted by PalAl

Jack how about some pictures of that bad boy and it's toys.

It aint nothing special,Mr Brierley has the "bad boys"...one thing I do have in common with Jim is we both spent a career as mechanics..but other than that Im a ham and egger,he wrote the book ( its actually true,he did write a book on 'bangers )

[PalAl]

Originally Posted by Jack Shaft

It aint nothing special,Mr Brierley has the "bad boys"...one thing I do have in common with Jim is we both spent a career as mechanics..but other than that Im a ham and egger,he wrote the book ( its actually true,he did write a book on 'bangers )

Yes sir, I have that book... a wealth of knowledge.