Bringing home a 29

[GAR64]

Found this 29 Tudor and it seemed like a nice car. I have never owned a Model A so I am new to this but it seems like a nice car. Looking forward to see what you guys think. I think painting the wheels straw yellow will give it a better look. What should I expect to pay for powder coating?? I have seen leather trunks but this one is metal. Could that be original equipment?? I have a few more pics I can post.

[HoarseWhisperer]

I think your vehicle looks great. It's common for a lot of us to want to tinker and change things with our first Model A to make it unique. And, later on try to get it back the way it was. Perhaps work on the safety and mechanics, drive it for a season, then see how you feel about cosmetics. Personally, I like those black wheels!

[1929 Tudor]

One of my restoration manuals talks about paint schemes and colors. The 29 Town Car was all black with a gold stripe. Stock wheels were black, an upgrade would be wheels the same color as the stripe. According to this manual the Town Car was the only all black car in 29.

Your car looks great!

[GAR64]

Will probably keep as is for now.
Seems like a pretty honest car. Not sure about the engine but looks correct. I am sure I will have questions after I get it home!!

[modelAtony]

Originally Posted by GAR64

Found this 29 Tudor and it seemed like a nice car. I have never owned a Model A so I am new to this but it seems like a nice car. Looking forward to see what you guys think. I think painting the wheels straw yellow will give it a better look. What should I expect to pay for powder coating?? I have seen leather trunks but this one is metal. Could that be original equipment?? I have a few more pics I can post.

BEAUTIFUL CAR. Hope it runs as good as it looks. Don't change the way it looks at all, drive it a good while and I bet the all black will really grow on you. The all black car with nice paint and wheels just yells , ELEGANT AND FLASHY. This is really nice looking. Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

[henry's 31]

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Great looking Tudor. Trunks were an after market item. They are a great storage addition for a Model "A". Enjoy your beautiful car!

[Mike V. Florida]

"Ford emphasized
the selection of at least four different colors for
each body style This was a big change from the
pre 1926 Fords that were all black. Consequently,
Black was not a standard color in 1928 and 1929.
However, since a large number of Ford customers
were accustomed to the black finish, vehicles could
be ordered in all Black with French Gray pinstripe
until late 1929 when the stripe color was changed
to Cream. After early 1930, Black was offered as a
standard color"

Yours looks great. Start off with a oin stripe and see how it looks. Never saw a disconnect mounted that way.

Drive it often and long!!! Best of luck and we are here to hear about your exploits and god forbid, if anything happens, to help get it back on the road.

[GAR64]

I thought the battery disconnect was odd too. Why would you even need one?

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by GAR64

I thought the battery disconnect was odd too. Why would you even need one?

Some need the piece of mind.

[C26Pinelake]

Great looking first car. Follow the advice above. Leave it, drive it and enjoy it ! Congratulations! Wayne

[GAR64]

I also was wondering if it's correct that the drivers door hits the spare when opening. Seemed strange. I am guessing wheels are correct size which is 21 inch right?

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by GAR64

I also was wondering if it's correct that the drivers door hits the spare when opening. Seemed strange. I am guessing wheels are correct size which is 21 inch right?

Yup '21 for '28 and '29. Very common thing to happen with the spare on the fender.

[Sunnybrook Farm]

I like it and wouldn't mess with the wheels until I wear those tires out, you might put white walls on if you want some contrast at the wheels. I have a 29 tudor with out a battery cut off switch but I think I will put one on it when I get a chance but I will probably not mount it on the steering. Ford didn't have original equipment trunks as far as I know, that is why someone put the spare in the fender. You can put an adjustable strap on the door to keep from messing up your paint, you probably have the original length strap.

[GAR64]

Thanks for all the input. I am sure we will have more questions for you guys in the near future!

[mshmodela]

Originally Posted by gar64

found this 29 tudor and it seemed like a nice car. I have never owned a model a so i am new to this but it seems like a nice car. Looking forward to see what you guys think. I think painting the wheels straw yellow will give it a better look. What should i expect to pay for powder coating?? I have seen leather trunks but this one is metal. Could that be original equipment?? I have a few more pics i can post.

nice proper color!

[CWilson]

It's beautiful the way it is. I love the all black.

my 2 cents.

[1Tudoor]

She's a beauty , don't change the esthetics .
I put a batt cutout in my 31 on the floor in front of the drivers seat & added a circular pivoting alum cover for the hole when cut out key is removed .
When I bought my A last yr , the batt had been put in backwards blowing all of the lights ,& messing up just about everything else electrical so in diagnosing the wiring , the cutout was essential . At one point a wire in the tunnel from the dash to firewall started cooking & smoking scaring the sh--t out of me as I knew it could be against the tank & the cut out was quickly put to use . The wire upon removal had bare spots & was really deteriorated which I could not see until removed .

[sphanna]

As you said, you have a metal trunk. You may have a Karri Keen trunk made in Sioux City, Iowa. If so you have something that is quite rare. They fold out to reveal a nice box that can double the size. I could not see the trunk well enough to tell for sure.

[JBill]

Originally Posted by GAR64

I thought the battery disconnect was odd too. Why would you even need one?

If you have an electrical problem you can quickly shut off the current. Otherwise, the only way is to detach the battery cable under the floorboard. Model As originally had no fuse, but most of us add one, readily available from any parts house and very easy to install. The most common one goes on top of the starter.

[GAR64]

I didn't look too closely at the trunk and have not brought home the car yet. Pretty sure it doesn't fold out. Looks like they painted it when they painted the car. I am guessing that originally the spare would have been there and they moved it to the fender when adding the trunk. Another question... what type of front seat is original to the car? anyone have a pic? And I was wondering where the proper location is for the front license plate. Thanks again for the valuable info.

[700rpm]

Here is some standard advice:
Join a Model A club if you have one.
Buy the Restoration Guide and Judging Standards and read them thoroughly.
Buy Les Andrews's Handbook Vol. I and get familiar with it.
The car will tell you what it needs and wants if you listen carefully. Drive the car for at least a year before you change anything, Except for items concerning safe driving, like good brakes and seat belts.
Don't throw anything away that you may remove or change out from the car. I guarantee you will regret it later if you do.
Finally, your fan looks non-stock and like it is coming apart. If it is in fact coming apart, replace it with an original type repro before it goes through your hood. >>>> Edit note: Seaslugs pointed out the fan looks like a newer six-blade, and now I see it that way too. I'd still relace it, just for esthetics.

Post pix of your seats and we can tell you whether they're original or not.

Welcome, and congratulations. You've just found one of the most fun hobbies ever.

PS: until you feel confident about your Model A knowledge, take all advice advisedly, including this post, and get second or third opinions.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I hope you don't change the wheels from their proper black color. They look great.

Give Jim Brand in NYC a call to have him pinstripe your car. It looks great BTW.

Adjust the left headlight down, so you aren't spotting birds.

It has a 1930-1 lower water pipe, instead of the correct 1928-9 pipe. I'd fix that so it better lines up to the radiator outlet pipe.
Some people have mounted the cutoff switch in the rear motor mount hole, and this would look better than on the steering column.

There may be a few other small fixings for the car, but it looks like a very nice ride.

[pgerhardt]

Originally Posted by GAR64

I thought the battery disconnect was odd too. Why would you even need one?

Peace of mind. Having and using a master switch eliminates any chance of a nasty surprise (which can range from a dead battery to your model A on fire!) caused by a stuck cutout and/or electrical short while away from your car.

[pgerhardt]

Great looking car! If you ever find yourself traveling south (I am in Danbury CT) I have a set of yellow 21" wheels I took off my 29 tudor to return it to black wheels. I you come and pick them up you can have them for free.

[Synchro909]

[QUOTE=Mike V. Florida;1249516]"Ford emphasized
the selection of at least four different colors for
each body style This was a big change from the
pre 1926 Fords that were all black. Consequently,
Black was not a standard color in 1928 and 1929.
However, since a large number of Ford customers
were accustomed to the black finish, vehicles could
be ordered in all Black with French Gray pinstripe
until late 1929 when the stripe color was changed
to Cream. After early 1930, Black was offered as a
standard color"


When I'm out in my A, I'm constantly surprised by the number of people who express surprise it's not black. They seem to take as gospel the old line "You can have any colour you like so log as it's black" That applied ONLY to the Model T and even then, ONLY IN THE USA. Model T's here came in a range of 6 colours.

[Fred K-OR]

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Nice looking rig. I too would keep it the way it is.

Just wondering what that "loop" wire is on the generator? I am no expert on these things but non of my 29's have that wire. Maybe someone here on the Barn may have an answer. Maybe a ground??? or ??? I am sure it is nothing to be concerned about but I just had to ask.

Also just a question about the head. Why is it painted and the rest of the motor is not painted? Did the prior owner put on a hi-compression head for you?

If you do go for power coating the wheels, around here in Oregon you can get them done for under $50 a wheel.

[Tom Wesenberg]

That wire loop is the wire coming out of the generator through a rubber grommet. This is a post Model A production generator and they had 2 wires coming out, rather than a terminal post for the output.

This is easy to spot by the aluminum rear plate and the tapered edge on the front and rear plates.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Also just a question about the head. Why is it painted and the rest of the motor is not painted? Did the prior owner put on a hi-compression head for you?

probably a standard head as i see the spray copper gasket adhesive (great stuff) and probably had to replace the head gasket, why not paint it while it is off? i see a new 6 blade fan also.

[Dick M]

Congrats!! Your A is a beauty. Agree that you should just enjoy it and not change any cosmetics until you have had it for a while.

[sphanna]

Just another input about powder coat cost. About 10 years ago, I paid $50.00 per wheel on my coupe.

[GAR64]

Yes, I was told the head gasket was replaced in the last few years. You guys are right. For now we will just get it home and see how it feels on the road.

[1930artdeco]

Welcome and great looking car! Here are some tips you may want to consider: check out the brake system (especially the drums). You really need to stop on a proverbial dime with todays drivers that don't know how to drive. Check the top out as well just to make sure it does not leak. Then join a club and have fun touring around in your new addition.

Mike

[katy]

Is that conduit, with the generator wire in it, that runs up to the firewall stock? I don't remember ever seeing one of those before.

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by katy

Is that conduit, with the generator wire in it, that runs up to the firewall stock? I don't remember ever seeing one of those before.

I don't know if the conduit is stock or not, but I have it on both of my 29 rigs and it works great.

[CarlG]

My best guess is that it was stock on the 28-29s, but not on the 30-31s. None of my '31s have had it.

[GAR64]

Well, we went and picked up the car today. I had the prvios owner give me a little lesson on starting the car. He started it and put it on the trailer. I tried to start the car when I got home and had a little trouble. Ended up having to charge the battery and try again. I thought the spark advance lever was supposed to be near the top when starting but he said he leaves it down. I put the throttle down just enough to move the gas pedal. Seems like you need to pump the choke as you are hitting the starter. Once I got it to idle, it would sputter and backfire a little when I tried to increase the rpm. Finally it smoothed out and ran pretty good. Would appreciate any tips here... Also, I may have to look into modifying the seat because at 6'3" with long legs, I can barely and I mean barely get my foot on the brake!
I think its going to be fun to get it out on the road.

[Mitch//pa]

Good deal

I would go through the car mechanically, change all the fluids etc...start the car with the spark lever up

Read this owners manual for some good basic info

http://www.motormayhem.net/wp-upload...ion-Manual.pdf

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by GAR64

Well, we went and picked up the car today. I had the prvios owner give me a little lesson on starting the car. He started it and put it on the trailer. I tried to start the car when I got home and had a little trouble. Ended up having to charge the battery and try again. I thought the spark advance lever was supposed to be near the top when starting but he said he leaves it down. I put the throttle down just enough to move the gas pedal. Seems like you need to pump the choke as you are hitting the starter. Once I got it to idle, it would sputter and backfire a little when I tried to increase the rpm. Finally it smoothed out and ran pretty good. Would appreciate any tips here... Also, I may have to look into modifying the seat because at 6'3" with long legs, I can barely and I mean barely get my foot on the brake!
I think its going to be fun to get it out on the road.

Congratulations on getting it home. You may need a little experience in getting it started but sounds like you are on the way!

You may want to open the gas adjustment value, you choke knob, (just twist it open a bit-CCW) and it may not sputter as much when starting. But readjust after the start.

Be good to read the book Mitch posted above. Will give you some more ideas.

[GAR64]

Still having trouble getting the car running. It fires and I try to keep it going with the choke but it won't keep running. Seems like it ends up flooding and then the battery goes down. Somehow I am doing something wrong.

[1930artdeco]

Here are some things to check:
#1 Check for a GOOD ground! If you don't have one she will be a bear to start
#2 Check for proper timing in the distributor and gap with the points-No dwell just use the gap.
#3 Make sure you have good gas flow. these tanks are notorious for accumulating crap in them and clogging things up down stream.
#4 Check carb over as the float and or valve may be sticking closed or mis adjusted.

Mike

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by GAR64

Well, we went and picked up the car today. I had the prvios owner give me a little lesson on starting the car. He started it and put it on the trailer. I tried to start the car when I got home and had a little trouble. Ended up having to charge the battery and try again. I thought the spark advance lever was supposed to be near the top when starting but he said he leaves it down. I put the throttle down just enough to move the gas pedal. Seems like you need to pump the choke as you are hitting the starter. Once I got it to idle, it would sputter and backfire a little when I tried to increase the rpm. Finally it smoothed out and ran pretty good. Would appreciate any tips here... Also, I may have to look into modifying the seat because at 6'3" with long legs, I can barely and I mean barely get my foot on the brake!
I think its going to be fun to get it out on the road.

You are right and he is wrong. If the timing is set right it should
be all the way up when starting the engine. Read page 8 in the link
Mitch gave in post #37.

Bob

[jm29henry]

Congratulations ,I am sure you will love her ,give her a name ,they all have there own personality

[GAR64]

I think maybe I wasn't giving it enough throttle initially. Will give it another try tomorrow. I saw the previous owner s tart it several times and I know it runs.

[GAR64]

The car is now running well. Added some fresh gas and it fired right up. Took it out and it drives pretty good. The brakes actually work better than I expected. I forgot to shut off the gas valve when I returned and noticed the carb leaking later. Doesn't seem to leak with valve shut so it is apparently working ok. Should I be concerned or should I just make sure I close the valve?? Also a quick question... what is the chrome nob in the center of the gauge cluster??

[Steve Plucker]

[QUOTE=GAR64;1256813]The car is now running well. Added some fresh gas and it fired right up. Took it out and it drives pretty good. The brakes actually work better than I expected. I forgot to shut off the gas valve when I returned and noticed the carb leaking later. Doesn't seem to leak with valve shut so it is apparently working ok. Should I be concerned or should I just make sure I close the valve?? Also a quick question... what is the chrome nob in the center of the gauge cluster??[/QUOTE]

Your dash light...just a slight turn and it will hopefully come on.

Pluck

[1930artdeco]

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As a mater of habit I would make sure you shut the gas valve off at the end of a trip. Just your carb does not empty your tank onto the garage floor over the next few days.

Mike

[Tom Wesenberg]

When I first bought my 29 Tudor the carb leaked a tank of fuel over the winter. I lapped the carb valve with toothpaste, and it has been fine ever since.

[Fred K-OR]

All good advise above. You may want or need a new bulb for the "chrome nob" on your dash. If working, it does light up your rig, sort of.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by GAR64

Found this 29 Tudor and it seemed like a nice car. I have never owned a Model A so I am new to this but it seems like a nice car. Looking forward to see what you guys think. I think painting the wheels straw yellow will give it a better look. What should I expect to pay for powder coating?? I have seen leather trunks but this one is metal. Could that be original equipment?? I have a few more pics I can post.

It's a Very Beautiful Car!

[ford31]

only thing i would do is put on engine pans