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Old 08-09-2010, 08:05 PM   #1
cars56
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Default Best Tip?

Can you share the best Model A tip you have ever received?

Mine was to loosen the collar on the steering column and make sure the spark advance touches from side to side.
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Old 08-09-2010, 08:48 PM   #2
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Default Re: Best Tip?

When I bought my Phaeton, it had been stored for about 15 years. The clutch was rusted to the flywheel.

From the MAFCA Website Technical Tips... I got the following Fix for a stuck clutch -


"I put the rear of the car on jackstands and left the rear wheels free to rotate. I then started the car in 1st gear and ran it a minute or two. I accelerated the car to about 20 mph on the jackstands. Then I depressed the clutch and hit the brake fast and hard. It broke loose! I engaged the clutch a few more times on the stands. When I put the car on the ground, the more I drove it the better the clutch worked. I sold the car to a friend of mine who put several thousand miles on the car with no problems.
-- Chip Evans "

It worked wonderfully. A few thousand miles later, I have never had any trouble out of that clutch.
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Old 08-09-2010, 08:52 PM   #3
Ken Ehrenhofer
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Default Re: Best Tip?

After painting a set of wheels make sure you use an exacto knife to shave out the paint from the wheel lug nut chamfers. This will prevent cracking the paint when tightening the lugnuts. Do not forget the spare only neds 3 chamfers shaved out!
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Old 08-09-2010, 09:10 PM   #4
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Buy an old 9/16" open end wrench to heat with torch, bend 60 degrees, and use it to hold the top nut under the bottom of the radiator. Don't mess up your new wrench trying these tool gymnastics.

Disconnect the battery when the car won't be run for a few days.

Always drain the carb bowl after running the car (fuel shutoff). OK that one came from years of yard word with 2 cycle engines.

Carry a cell phone and AAA card.
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Old 08-09-2010, 09:17 PM   #5
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Default Re: Best Tip?

coil polarity
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Old 08-09-2010, 10:45 PM   #6
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Default Re: Best Tip?

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Does "Sell that pile of parts and go buy one that already runs" count as a tip? That's what my Dad told me about 5 years ago and I'm beginning to understand why he said it now...


Deron
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Old 08-09-2010, 11:41 PM   #7
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Default Re: Best Tip?

A good friend told me to loosen the lug nuts on the back wheel and drive around the block to get the rear brake drums to break loose if you do not have a puller and it does work.
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Old 08-10-2010, 12:30 AM   #8
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Ehrenhofer View Post
After painting a set of wheels make sure you use an exacto knife to shave out the paint from the wheel lug nut chamfers. This will prevent cracking the paint when tightening the lugnuts. Do not forget the spare only neds 3 chamfers shaved out!
Ken
Also don't forget to carry an exacto knife in the car, to fix up the other two holes if you get a flat and have to use that spare tire.

Doug
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Old 08-10-2010, 12:36 AM   #9
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Default Re: Best Tip?

An unrestored car is worth more in parts than a whole car.
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Old 08-10-2010, 12:49 AM   #10
'29wagon
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Default Re: Best Tip?

plan on committing yourself entirely !
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Old 08-10-2010, 01:15 AM   #11
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Default Re: Best Tip?

My favorite GENERAL tip: Rusty bolts won't break free?...apply heat with a small torch and cool with a wet rag. Most come right off afterwords!
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Old 08-10-2010, 07:22 AM   #12
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Perhaps not the best, but the latest tip from "The Restorer", July/August, 2010.

I did have one of these incorrect springs in my parts inventory.

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Old 08-10-2010, 07:43 AM   #13
Doug in NJ
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 29RPU View Post
My favorite GENERAL tip: Rusty bolts won't break free?...apply heat with a small torch and cool with a wet rag. Most come right off afterwords!
That's my favorite tip, too. My mini acetylene torch has un-stuck bolts and screws when all else failed. I haven't ever welded anything with it, but I've still managed to use it many times.

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Old 08-10-2010, 09:01 AM   #14
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Welding a flat washer and nut to a broken stud for easy extraction of the broken stud/screw. This trick even worked on a broken screw that holds the Oil pump screen cover on the Model A oil pump..

And I learned of this tip years ago right here on the Fordbarn …
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Old 08-10-2010, 09:46 AM   #15
Ray in La Mesa
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Don't throw away the Bendix spring on the right in the photo above, give it to one of your Model T friends, he'll appreciate it.
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Old 08-10-2010, 09:54 AM   #16
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray in La Mesa View Post
Don't throw away the Bendix spring on the right in the photo above, give it to one of your Model T friends, he'll appreciate it.
Didn't know that. Thanks for the tip.
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Old 08-10-2010, 10:02 AM   #17
Freddie (Memphis)
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Easy..."join a local Model A Club"....and start using Ford Barn.
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Old 08-10-2010, 10:14 AM   #18
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Marco's timing procedure. When I first got my car it was the first thing I had to learn.
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Old 08-10-2010, 10:20 AM   #19
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Dont mess with boiling out an old radiator,get it recored.
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Old 08-10-2010, 10:26 AM   #20
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Default Re: Best Tip?

Couple tips:
The removal of stuck head and manifold studs using heat and wax.
See the thread: Head / Stud Removal

Look to your Model A friends for help when you need it!
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