Things Not To Do

[30ccpickup]

How many of us have learned things the hard way? Kevin in NJ answering a novice question, more or less posted, he never uses taps and dies on Model A parts. I too learned this the hard way. The tolerances are different. Do you have anything you have learned not to do, to pass on to others?

Paul

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 30ccpickup

How many of us have learned things the hard way? Kevin in NJ answering a novice question, more or less posted, he never uses taps and dies on Model A parts. I too learned this the hard way. The tolerances are different. Do you have anything you have learned not to do, to pass on to others?

Paul

Yes, after I read on the internet that Al Gore invented the internet, I learned to NOT believe most of what I read on the internet.

[Wallace]

Paul you are so right ...I didn't know there were thread chasers....just used taps and dies.....but I was young back then.... in my late 60's,

[Terry,NJ]

You can use adjustable dies! The one that have a little flex in themat wide open, they do a nice job of cleaning up the threads without removing stock. For nuts, I grind cutting edges into the front of an old ford bolt and screw the nut down on the bolt/stud. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
Terry

[Patrick L.]

I've learned to not put something back together the way it came apart. Look at a diagram, its surprising what people leave off/out. The crank flange dowel pin retainer comes to mind, as just one.

[darrylkmc]

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I never use Silicone Sealer, I still curse myself when I come across silicone that I used 30 years ago on a differential or whatever.

Darryl in Fairbanks

[30ccpickup]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I've learned to not put something back together the way it came apart. Look at a diagram, its surprising what people leave off/out. The crank flange dowel pin retainer comes to mind, as just one.

Agreed.

[Stretch Cab]

I learned not to let go of the handle of a ratchett type hoist while lowering a motor in place. Especially while standing on a ladder and having your chin in range of the ratchett handle. Not sure how many times it hit me but still have the scar the A and the memory.

[glenn in camino]

Originally Posted by darrylkmc

I never use Silicone Sealer, I still curse myself when I come across silicone that I used 30 years ago on a differential or whatever.

Darryl in Fairbanks

Sorry, I use clear silicone on gaskets all the time. I wipe off the excess asap. It seems to work good and makes for a clean install and disassembly when necessary.

[Rusty Homestead Fl]

Never take it apart without taking LOTS OF PICTURES!!!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Stretch Cab

I learned not to let go of the handle of a ratchett type hoist while lowering a motor in place. Especially while standing on a ladder and having your chin in range of the ratchett handle. Not sure how many times it hit me but still have the scar the A and the memory.

Sounds like a Road Runner cartoon.

I learned to wear leather gloves when trying to remove a tire from a rim by using a hammer and chisel.

[ursus]

A short cheater bar in one hand and a hammer in the other is better than a long cheater bar in both hands.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by darrylkmc

I never use Silicone Sealer, I still curse myself when I come across silicone that I used 30 years ago on a differential or whatever.

Darryl in Fairbanks

Ah but it never leaked a drop in 30 years.
That's worth something.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Pete

Ah but it never leaked a drop in 30 years.
That's worth something.

Yes, Pete, Most everything is a "trade off" of some sort. Saving $$$$ by NOT buying FLAVORED COFFEE CREAMER= REALLY crappy tastin' coffee!
Bill W.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Yes, Pete, Most everything is a "trade off" of some sort. Saving $$$$ by NOT buying FLAVORED COFFEE CREAMER= REALLY crappy tastin' coffee!
Bill W.

Try a shot of "shine".

[Bill in SoCal]

Originally Posted by Pete

Try a shot of "shine".

With a big shot shine - you won't care what the coffee tastes like. Bill

[Benson]

One of the first repairs that I did as a 16 year old newbie on the Coupe fifty years ago was to remove the instrument panel to repair a leaking gas gauge.

As I removed the panel I saw the insulation on the wires was all frayed with bare wires exposed but before I could remove the battery cable, the short and resulting fire started.

My friend said that I made three trips to the tool box in panic before I found the correct sized wrench for the battery cable connector!

The only reason that the car did not burn down to the ground was that I had removed the floor boards so there was plenty of room to unhook the cable and avoid the smoke at the same time.

After installing a new wire harness the very next thing I installed was a fuse box from a VW bug. There were no fuse accessories for the Model A available that I knew about in 1963.

Good idea to remove a battery cable when working on the dash panel or have a fuse installed on your A.

[slackcat]

Leave the trouble light in the engine bay.

[Growley bear]

I have a spare oil pan dipper tray that has four 3/32 holes drilled at the lowest point of each reservoir; this I don't understand.
Never just swedge the oil pan drain plug insert onto the oil pan. They will eventually slip when trying to remove the drain plug; just my experience.
Chet

[Dave in MN]

I have learned to be careful about making any major component changes (perceived improvements) just before leaving on a road trip. A failure of an untested component has caught up with me a couple times while on the road. I guess the following applies: Don't fix it if it ain't broke.....

Good Day!