|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
12-08-2020, 11:11 AM | #21 |
BANNED
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
|
12-08-2020, 11:18 AM | #22 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: now Kuna, Idaho
Posts: 3,779
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Quote:
Hmm, If we maintained an A as we do our modern cars, it would quickly become useless yard art! My VW Diesel (what a sweet little engine!) gets an oil change every 10,000 miles. There is nothing to grease, never have to adjust the brakes, etc. Most, if not all, gas cars have 100,000 mile spark plugs. No points to adjust and replace. No carburetors to adjust and rebuild. No need to repack wheel bearings. And the list goes on. |
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
12-08-2020, 12:20 PM | #23 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,823
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Quote:
Whether a 2020 Ford Escape or a 1929 Model A Ford coupe, if you maintain the car correctly, as per the recommended service intervals, any car will last longer. Our Volvo’s last for years and are past down to other family members. 200,000 miles is easy. 20 years old, not a problem. |
|
12-08-2020, 12:57 PM | #24 | |
BANNED
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Quote:
|
|
12-08-2020, 01:11 PM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,115
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
My Pickup will now pass the test of the 3 S's. That wasn't always the case, I've had some help along the way:
Start: Ron Kelley Touring engine Stop: Randy Gross Brakes Steer: F100 steering box by Dave Delmue
__________________
Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club |
12-08-2020, 01:19 PM | #26 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Washington
Posts: 175
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
12-08-2020, 01:22 PM | #27 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,466
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Ernie, I already have a shortened Pittman Arm.
__________________
Bob Bidonde |
12-08-2020, 01:24 PM | #28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Fairport, NY
Posts: 133
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Brent - Thank You for posting a most enjoyable video for us. I am sure that we all could use some uplifting, positive moments in our lives.
Take Care, Stay Safe Joel |
12-08-2020, 02:00 PM | #29 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,513
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Quote:
Quote:
In reality, my first-hand experiences counter this. The intention of the word "reliably" does not imply that it can do it randomly. Reliably should infer that between tune-ups or maintenance ops it should be able to immediately start and drive every time, -and on every day for the whole time between those maintenance operations. For example, it was easy enough for a Model-A to reliably go 5,000 miles between services (tune-up, brake adjustment, et/al). If the car were driven 25 miles each day for 200 consecutive day, that is roughly 5,000 miles, -or a little over 6 months. A new Model-A could easily do that. A well maintained Model-A back then could do that! So how many 'restored' Model-As can be driven 25 miles each day for 200 consecutive days without the carburetor being removed & cleaned out, the ignition points files or fiddled with, the brakes adjusted, or the clutch adjusted, -or fluid levels (coolant, engine oil, transmission/rear end lube) replenished because of leaks? Most hobbyists if they are honest will tell you they often spend an hour or so with their 'restored' car just to get ready to drive it on a tour. This never happened back in the day. Now some will bark and say it is because we don't drive them every day. Maybe so, but my lawnmower only gets run once a week however I don't have to spend time before I use it each week either. Same thing applies with boats or motorhomes that are occasionally driven. Paul's point (-and I agree) is that we all have seen (-time & time again) a car that is called 'restored' yet when purchased and driven some, it does not meet the criteria of a "Restored vehicle" (-returned to a condition equal or greater than when it was manufactured). Many/most of us here are the crème of the crop when it relates to maintaining our own Model-As, so this typically does not apply to our cars but then again, our numbers here are small in comparison to the number of hobbyists in the Model-A world. Therefore this is not really pointing the finger as us who are responding. Insurance companies are the ones that are setting the value of our vehicles based on the 'non-restored' cars on the market. Again, it is my position that if someone cannot drive their Model-A for at least several thousand miles without the need to repair something (anything!!) that is related to it being operated just as Henry designed it to be, then somewhere in there will be something related to those three S's. Paul prepped his Model-A to be a reliable car that he could jump in and go anywhere at a moments notice without any work needing to be done beforehand. . |
||
12-08-2020, 02:28 PM | #30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southwestern Connecticut
Posts: 931
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Brent,
Your reputation for quality is well known here, and I love Paul's videos (although I haven't watched this one yet). I consider myself a fair hobbyist mechanic. I think I have done a pretty good job going through my car mechanically. I don't pretend that it is perfect, but she does everything she is suppose to do, and I feel safe running in modern traffic. With that in mind, can you clarify the difference between "repaired" and "restored" in this context? I genuinely respect your opinion. Ken
__________________
Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets. |
12-08-2020, 02:31 PM | #31 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southwestern Connecticut
Posts: 931
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Sorry... that is what I get for being called away in the middle of typing....
You actually answered my question in your last post, but I didn't see it. Ken
__________________
Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets. |
12-08-2020, 02:38 PM | #32 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,354
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
I think Brent's arguing that to restore a given component or subsystem should mean to bring it reasonably close to the factory specs, while to repair that subsystem can mean that you simply "got it working," where the standard for that subsystem's performance and reliability can be quite subjective.
|
12-08-2020, 03:15 PM | #33 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,159
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
At this point I consider my car 80%, I think nothing of jumping in and putting 100 miles on it, probably wouldn't even open the hood before going, it's 50 years since restoration and it's due again in many aspects, I have never won any show trophies , do have a blue ribbon at a show I drove over 1500 miles to.
In my local area I got to drive a couple of cars that won many best of show trophies, they were scary to drive at 35, always arrive at show on trailer. What always made me wonder is the phrase "it's just a driver", usually used in conjunction with a comment "I don't need show car parts " when told they need new parts like working shocks or steering parts.--- my thoughts are that a "driver" needs the best mechanical parts |
12-08-2020, 03:31 PM | #34 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Hartford area, CT
Posts: 374
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
You must not drive in the snow much. We do, and our cars literally dissolve in 12-16 years. The last pickup rotted out the bed, spring shackles, and cab mounts. The last Subaru rotted out front suspension parts and the engine X cradle, along with serious body rot. The Toyota pickup before that rotted out most of the frame, so much so one wheel slipped aft and almost decoupled the drive shaft.
|
12-08-2020, 04:06 PM | #35 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Corning NY
Posts: 244
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
My 1930 Tudor can stop and steer without an issue. It starts easily, except when the condenser goes bad. I know many have problems with the condenser. I have gone through 4 of them in 6 months. I plan on mounting mine external of the distributor next year and using a more modern condenser. My A runs good too.....40 MPH...no issues.
|
12-08-2020, 04:47 PM | #36 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,823
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Quote:
Talk about snow! We lived in central New York for 25 years. Drove to Syracuse every work day. Our 1976 Volvo DL245 had some rust on it in 1986 when we traded it in, but from than until now, no rust problems on any of our cars. Our 2009 XC70 is now with our daughter in Saratoga Springs, New York. No rust yet. Nine Volvo’s, only one showed any rust. You don’t know what winter snow is until you live in Up-State New York. 126 inches of snow last year in Syracuse. 67 days of measurable snow. Enjoy. |
|
12-08-2020, 04:55 PM | #37 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Hartford area, CT
Posts: 374
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
200-250 inches, Killington VT. There is no place to wash the car. You go for weeks on end driving through salt laden slush or snirt multiple times a day. I'll be driving in it tomorrow. We've seen 6" of snow in late May, and 3rd week in October. Pretty sure I know what winter is.
And speaking of which, I've been studying car wash underspray. I have yet to find a decent one. Many are wimpy single directional, single spray bar maybe 2/3 the width of the vehicle, if that. The robototron ones that circle the vehicle seem to have no underspray, even though it's an option. Last edited by Mister Moose; 12-08-2020 at 05:01 PM. |
12-08-2020, 05:13 PM | #38 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,823
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Quote:
Town of Killington’s average natural yearly snowfall is listed as 93 inches. Syracuse is listed as one of the three snowiest cities in the US. Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. Tug Hill, just north of Syracuse, is one of the snowiest places in North America. 400 plus inches of snow. Have a safe trip to Killington. If your skiing, be safe. Enjoy. |
|
12-08-2020, 05:59 PM | #39 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Hartford area, CT
Posts: 374
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
Quote:
I've heard of Tug Hill. And I have been to Syracuse many times. Too bad there's no mountains there. I notice the Syracuse Ski Club is in Granville VT... not Tug Hill. |
|
12-08-2020, 07:21 PM | #40 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
|
Re: So, ...how many Model-As can actually do the 'Three S's reliably?
[QUOTE=BRENT in 10-uh-C;1960799]In reality, my first-hand experiences counter this. The intention of the word "reliably" does not imply that it can do it randomly.
Reliably should infer that between tune-ups or maintenance ops it should be able to immediately start and drive every time, -and on every day for the whole time between those maintenance operations. For example, it was easy enough for a Model-A to reliably go 5,000 miles between services (tune-up, brake adjustment, et/al). If the car were driven 25 miles each day for 200 consecutive day, that is roughly 5,000 miles, -or a little over 6 months. A new Model-A could easily do that. A well maintained Model-A back then could do that! So how many 'restored' Model-As can be driven 25 miles each day for 200 consecutive days without the carburetor being removed & cleaned out, the ignition points files or fiddled with, the brakes adjusted, or the clutch adjusted, -or fluid levels (coolant, engine oil, transmission/rear end lube) replenished because of leaks? Most hobbyists if they are honest will tell you they often spend an hour or so with their 'restored' car just to get ready to drive it on a tour. This never happened back in the day. Now some will bark and say it is because we don't drive them every day. Maybe so, but my lawnmower only gets run once a week however I don't have to spend time before I use it each week either. Same thing applies with boats or motorhomes that are occasionally driven. I don't follow what all of that has to do with the 3 S's. A car can leal like a sieve from every seal, windows won't roll down, and be full of bondo but still " start, stop and steer" perfectly if that was the owners priority. While it's true that VERY few would ignore all these issues and put the 3 S's in top condition but the pint is that they are not really related. Quote:
Quote:
|
||
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|