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06-28-2010, 11:40 AM | #41 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
[QUOTE=MrTube;35764]Here in NJ you'll see 55-65 in right lane, 75+ in center lane and 85+ in left lane on most major highways such as the garden state parkway and 287.
Honestly I don't mind the speeds people drive, what I do mind is they feel its necessary and safe to drive 1 car length away from the person in front of them doing these speeds. I've constantly seen 5+ car accidents because everyone was following 5 or 10 feet from the car in front of them going 75+ and the front person had to stop fast. The even more amazing thing is people will drive past an accident like this, and then resume doing the same exact thing!!!! I'll admit, i'm 29 and have a lot to learn in life. But I had enough near death accidents on ATV's long before I was old enough to drive a car to realize how fast things happen when your doing in excess of 65mph. Things happen literally in a blink of an eye. I think modern cars make people feel to safe when they really are not. People need to realize just how fast 1 mile a minute truly is.[/QUOTE] You mean, people should think about what they are doing, consider the consequences, and take responsibility for their actions ???? Modern society is becoming increasingly detached from the activities of everday life ( everything is passive, done for us at the touch of a button, click of a mouse..)... we don't have to THINK about what we are doing; and therefore, we don't. More and more, we ( the nice polite, "sane", thoughtful people) have to watch-out for "the other guy" who is oblivious to everything and everyone around him / her. The other aspect of driving a Model A ( or other vehicle from that era) in modern traffic and/ or at high speeds is that our cars offer very little in the way of crash-protection... if we are driving along at the posted speed limit ( say 55 mph ) and some distracted driver in a late-model Volvo ( or other highly safety-rated vehicle of your choice ) plows into us, "everyone loses", but chances are, the occupants of the newer car walk away, or go to the hospital to be treated for relatively minor injuries. The occupants of the vintage car are much more likely to suffer mortal injuries. It's kind of like being in a jousting match without any armor, having a stick for a lance, and a stick-horse instead of a beefy charger... the other guy is going to destroy you ! ( Sorry - don't know where the heck that analogy came from... too much Monty Python, I guess ) I'm not about to stop driving my antiques, nor do I wish to "take all the fun out of it" for anyone else... but when we talk about running the A wide-open, there's a little more to it than just "not blowing-up the engine"... Modern cars are technological wonders; modern drivers ( for the most part ) stink. Be careful out there... |
06-28-2010, 11:42 AM | #42 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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Mr. Franklin, that's exactly right. On the interstate, whether it is congested or not ..... the right lane is for the slower drivers and people are supposed to respect it!! ... slow being a little over 50 to about 65 in Texas. Moreover, even on the so called milk-route you run the risk of some baggy-pant moron with his hat on sideways, high on dope or half drunk, running into the back of your A. These idiots are everywhere! .... even on the interstate and many are not kids either. Competing with modern traffic speeds is one of the reasons why the A is so appealing to so many. If your A is not up to par then fix it or upgrade it so it will be. OR, stay on the milk-route with your eye glued to the rearview mirror instead of watching for the possible cows, dogs, cats, deer, skunks, armadillos (TX), 'possums, people, etc. that are often in or run across these roads. Of course since you're driving so slow maybe you can stop..... as long as there are no morons following too close behind you. Just my opinion. Larry B. |
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06-28-2010, 11:53 AM | #43 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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You forgot to mention they typically drive reclined in the seat so they can barely see over the wheel and sit leaned over towards the middle of the car, don't really know whats going on and they like it that way. |
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06-28-2010, 12:10 PM | #44 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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It is only appealing to other morons and low-lifes with like mind. Larry B. Last edited by Larry Brumfield; 06-28-2010 at 12:16 PM. |
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06-28-2010, 06:45 PM | #45 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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07-07-2010, 06:19 AM | #46 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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07-07-2010, 08:08 AM | #47 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
I would not run it that way. Bill
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07-07-2010, 12:48 PM | #48 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
If you ran a new car for long periods of time wide open it would not last.
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07-07-2010, 08:39 PM | #49 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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07-07-2010, 08:52 PM | #50 | ||
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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07-07-2010, 09:14 PM | #51 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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07-07-2010, 09:27 PM | #52 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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A new car is not a low compression 4:1 40HP 200cubic inch cast iron engine that runs around 2200-2800rpm wide open. A modern engine producing 100+HP per liter running 11:1 compression with boost and redlining at 6500K is an entirely different beast Not really comparing oranges to oranges. The closest thing I would compare a model A engine to (please forgive me Ford Barn) Is a lawn mower engine, which run fine at 3000rpm 24\7 without pressurized oil systems and without special bearings. |
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07-07-2010, 10:38 PM | #53 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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07-08-2010, 01:47 AM | #54 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
Another question Larry, did you get your vast knowledge of thick babbitt failing from remanufacturing babbitt bearings in your rebabbitting business, 6 to 7 days a week, for the last 42 years, or are you just repeating some old timers opinions, that you heard at swap meets saying that thick babbitt won't ever work. I will guarantee if thick babbitt fails, it isn't from any thickness. If babbitt is compressing under load, you have a bearing that has way to much clearance, has nothing to do with thickness. The same to much clearance that would compress a thick wall bearing, will also compress a thin wall bearing at the same rate, and that is a fact Jack, or I mean Larry. Ok, lets hear it, thanks Herm.
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07-08-2010, 01:59 AM | #55 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
I have heard that one weakness of thick babbit is the fact that it keeps heat from dissipating through the steel of the rod which is a better conductor of heat. Fact or fiction? I don't know.
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07-08-2010, 08:03 AM | #56 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
Re: Can you run an A wide open?
Quote: Originally Posted by George Miller If you ran a new car for long periods of time wide open it would not last. A new car is not a low compression 4:1 40HP 200cubic inch cast iron engine that runs around 2200-2800rpm wide open. A modern engine producing 100+HP per liter running 11:1 compression with boost and redlining at 6500K is an entirely different beast Not really comparing oranges to oranges. The closest thing I would compare a model A engine to (please forgive me Ford Barn) Is a lawn mower engine, which run fine at 3000rpm 24\7 without pressurized oil systems and without special bearings. Of course I know all that. My point is you can not run any engine wide open for long periods of time. With new cars you could not run wide open in drive you would be going to fast for the roads. I got some experience also about 60 years of working on cars. No I do not pour babbitt, But I do inserts. I for one would not want thick babbitt. |
07-08-2010, 08:21 AM | #57 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
I'm still waiting for someone to offer some suggestions as to WHERE there was enough good highway in 1928-31 to run ANY car at 60 MPH for more than a sprint of a mile or two ? ( The nevada salt flats ? )
I don't think the average new A-buyer had enough good road to "call" Old Henry's bet that the Ford would run 60-65 mph, unless they put it on a race track... I think Old Henry made a safe, calculated marketing bet. And I'll bet he wouldn't have made the claim unless he felt confident that his product had the Moxie; but I don't think he was thinking about his New Ford running 60 MPH for hours on end. I have a book published by the Ford Technical School around 1940 on shop tehnique, and from that and what else I've read about Old Henry, I have no doubt that Ford's manufacturing tolerances / engineering were probably second to none... a properly run-in, factory-fresh Model A probably stood the best chances for surviving sustained high-speed running, no disrespect intended towards the rebuilders who gather here. My caution would be more aimed at folks who try to push an old jalopy that hard... Regards, SC Frank |
07-08-2010, 09:05 AM | #58 |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
Yep, from everything I've been able to find out, the '60 mph deal' was used as a sales gimmick to show customers that the car would go 60 mph as the higher priced cars would.. Where in 1931 could one drive that fast? I enjoyed looking at the recent articles that Skip posted ;; 60 mph = 3000 rpm.. Most engines of this era were under-square which means low rpm and high piston speeds.. Personally, I'll keep to a reasonable 'Model A' speed and see if I can't get many more years out of the 1961 engine rebuild .. I won't even mention the vehicles safety issues and stopping distances..
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07-08-2010, 09:10 AM | #59 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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I'm afraid you made an inoperative statment, Mr. Miller. Fearless |
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07-08-2010, 09:21 AM | #60 | |
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Re: Can you run an A wide open?
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