The Ford Barn

jwilliams81 · 02-23-2017, 08:34 AM

I have had Helen for just 6 months. I'm 35 and have learned a lot about her already. I learned how to double clutch, although downshifting is still hard to figure out. I had to replace the head gasket and the exhaust manifold gasket. I learned how to rebuild the carburetor and adjust the brakes. Drained and refilled the transmission and rear differential. I feel like I am in shake down mode, trying to find anything else that needs adjusting or fixing. But on the way to the local club meeting last night the mileage clicked over and I have now driven her 501 miles since I got her! I have had her up to 54mph on a slight downhill. I just wanted to say thanks for all the advice, insight, and knowledge that everyone displays on this board. It's a blast to read about everything.

Thanks!
Jarrod

frank mcdaniels · 02-23-2017, 08:41 AM

Jarrod, congratulations on the first 500 miles. Thats a really sweet ride you've got there. I'll bet the smell of that original interior is just wonderfull. You are very fortunate and blessed to own her. Frank

JDupuis · 02-23-2017, 08:43 AM

Lovely car Jarrod. Jeff

Tom Wesenberg · 02-23-2017, 08:46 AM

That's a great looking car you have. Sure wish my 31 looked that good.

What's the dark square by the passenger door handle?

SeaSlugs · 02-23-2017, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

That's a great looking car you have. Sure wish my 31 looked that good.

What's the dark square by the passenger door handle?

My guess would be a patch from the material wearing out (notice the other door handles/cranks)

Looks great!

jwilliams81 · 02-23-2017, 08:59 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

My guess would be a patch from the material wearing out (notice the other door handles/cranks)

Looks great!

Yep, those are patches. The lower door panel isn't correct either.

marty in Ohio · 02-23-2017, 09:11 AM

Jarrod,
Your Helen is a fine looking gal. My Margaret would be jealous. Well, now that she hit 500 miles it's time to treat her to a drink of fresh oil.
Have a good time this summer!
Marty

Big hammer · 02-23-2017, 09:11 AM

Good deal! Great looking car! It's good to see younger people getting in the model A hobby!
500 mi is it time for an oil change? :-)

Cornishman · 02-23-2017, 10:25 AM

When I bought my Model A last year I thought that 500 miles would be a good yearly average mileage to aim for. Having got it running and out on the road I've realised that in fact I will be doing much more than that. Look after your car but it might be worth getting your oil checked, 500 miles might have been enough between oil changes back in the day but oil technology has changed a fair bit since then and you might find it's good to go a lot further these days.

Mitch//pa · 02-23-2017, 10:52 AM

Oil and fifteen minutes of your time is cheaper than a new engine...do it often

jwilliams81 · 02-23-2017, 11:05 AM

Yep, I plan on doing the oil this weekend. Oiling the distributor, and the 500 mile grease fittings as well.

Art Newland · 02-23-2017, 11:14 AM

Yea, once you start having fun driving your car, those 500 mile intervals seem to come closer and closer together

Chippy Minton · 02-23-2017, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Oil and fifteen minutes of your time is cheaper than a new engine...do it often

That is one argument but why change something that doesn't need changing? Waste, environment, cost all adds up.

SeaSlugs · 02-23-2017, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwilliams81

Yep, I plan on doing the oil this weekend. Oiling the distributor, and the 500 mile grease fittings as well.

dont forget to oil the throttle bracket

Tom Wesenberg · 02-23-2017, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chippy Minton

That is one argument but why change something that doesn't need changing? Waste, environment, cost all adds up.

Mitch has a waste oil heater, so he can recycle the oil and heat his shop.

If I had a good supply of used oil, I'd heat my house the same way.

Chuck Sea/Tac · 02-23-2017, 04:56 PM

If it's black, change it. As Mitch says, better to error on the side of caution. Plus the oil gets recycled and comes back on the market anyway.

jm29henry · 02-23-2017, 05:13 PM

Beautiful car ,enjoy

Mitch//pa · 02-23-2017, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Mitch has a waste oil heater, so he can recycle the oil and heat his shop.

If I had a good supply of used oil, I'd heat my house the same way.

So far i burned about 450 gallons of waste oil....

02-23-2017, 08:41 AM	#2
frank mcdaniels Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: moorhead minnesota Posts: 166	Re: My first 500 miles! Jarrod, congratulations on the first 500 miles. Thats a really sweet ride you've got there. I'll bet the smell of that original interior is just wonderfull. You are very fortunate and blessed to own her. Frank

02-23-2017, 08:43 AM	#3
JDupuis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maryhill Ont Canada Posts: 834	Re: My first 500 miles! Lovely car Jarrod. Jeff __________________ Let's let pylons, be pylons!

02-23-2017, 08:46 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: My first 500 miles! That's a great looking car you have. Sure wish my 31 looked that good. What's the dark square by the passenger door handle?

02-23-2017, 09:11 AM	#7
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 757	Re: My first 500 miles! Jarrod, Your Helen is a fine looking gal. My Margaret would be jealous. Well, now that she hit 500 miles it's time to treat her to a drink of fresh oil. Have a good time this summer! Marty

02-23-2017, 09:11 AM	#8
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: My first 500 miles! Good deal! Great looking car! It's good to see younger people getting in the model A hobby! 500 mi is it time for an oil change? :-)

02-23-2017, 10:25 AM	#9
Cornishman Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Le Ravary, France Posts: 241	Re: My first 500 miles! When I bought my Model A last year I thought that 500 miles would be a good yearly average mileage to aim for. Having got it running and out on the road I've realised that in fact I will be doing much more than that. Look after your car but it might be worth getting your oil checked, 500 miles might have been enough between oil changes back in the day but oil technology has changed a fair bit since then and you might find it's good to go a lot further these days.

02-23-2017, 10:52 AM	#10
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: My first 500 miles! Oil and fifteen minutes of your time is cheaper than a new engine...do it often

02-23-2017, 11:05 AM	#11
jwilliams81 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Cincinnati OH Posts: 418	Re: My first 500 miles! Yep, I plan on doing the oil this weekend. Oiling the distributor, and the 500 mile grease fittings as well. __________________ 1931 Murray Town Sedan. Black body with Apple Green pin stripe. 1923 Model T Touring with electric start. Low radiator Cincinnati, Ohio

02-23-2017, 11:14 AM	#12
Art Newland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 1,564	Re: My first 500 miles! Yea, once you start having fun driving your car, those 500 mile intervals seem to come closer and closer together

02-23-2017, 04:56 PM	#16
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: My first 500 miles! If it's black, change it. As Mitch says, better to error on the side of caution. Plus the oil gets recycled and comes back on the market anyway.

02-23-2017, 05:13 PM	#17
jm29henry Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: michigan Posts: 1,126	Re: My first 500 miles! Beautiful car ,enjoy