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Old 12-23-2020, 10:19 AM   #1
Bob Bidonde
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Default Never Tried To Restore

What are Model "A" Ford parts that you have not tried to restore because you consider them too hard to do, or technically too challenging?
In my case, I have not attempted to disassemble and restore a Houdaille Shock Absorber because I consider it too hard to disassemble. Another task I have not attempted is babbitting bearings because it requires special tools and know how.
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Old 12-23-2020, 10:35 AM   #2
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

I learned a long time ago that i could screw it up 3 times for what i would pay someone else to screw it up the first time
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Old 12-23-2020, 11:06 AM   #3
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

I'm with you, Bob - rebabbeting bearings is way beyond my skill and tool set. And regrinding crank and cam journals is something I will leave to the pros. I'm willing to attempt most anything else. The way I see it, someone put it together originally, and I ought to be able to figure out how to take it apart and put it back together with enough time.

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Old 12-23-2020, 11:21 AM   #4
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

I tried YEARS AGO to pour the Babbitt in a block with NO KNOWLEDGE of what I was doing. My neighbor was my assistant! He had NO KNOWLEDGE of what he was doing. Long story short when I poured the Molting Babbitt it BLEW UP and splashed in my neighbor's EYE! AMAZILY after a week with medication and patch on his eye his eye sight was fine. Two things I learned was apparently you need to pre-heat the block, and NEVER, NEVER attempt to do it again.

As to the shocks, I have taken several apart by heating them in a charcoal grill then dumping them in cold water. This is another experience of the hot meeting the cold so gloves, long shirt and safety glasses would be a must.

Those are my experiences of trying to RESTORE some parts!
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Old 12-23-2020, 11:32 AM   #5
Terry, NJ
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

If one man could make it, another can fix it. It's just a matter of how much effort and thought he's willing to put into it. For most of us it's not very much. It's easier to call Snyders. I am play around with nickel plating but I've got a lot to learn. Like how to produce nickel acetate in enough quantity to plate headlights or a bumper. How much of the old plating has to be removed?
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Old 12-23-2020, 03:22 PM   #6
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

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Somebody on here has a great phrase

“Fix it till it’s broke”. Been there done that
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Old 12-23-2020, 08:44 PM   #7
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

Speedometer mine hasn't needed fixing, generator sent it to Tom Wesenberg so he could do his magic!
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Old 12-23-2020, 09:05 PM   #8
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

My rear axle pinion was loose when I bought it. Luckily found a complete unit with 3.54's. I'll tackle just about any job but the rear looked like it would get expensive very quick and I hate setting up gears.
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Old 12-23-2020, 09:48 PM   #9
Jack Shaft
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

I get the Houdailles apart.. but all I've found are junk.
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Old 12-23-2020, 10:34 PM   #10
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big hammer View Post
Speedometer mine hasn't needed fixing, generator sent it to Tom Wesenberg so he could do his magic!
Unfortunately we have not heard from Tom in a long time. A true gentleman and a master of the Model A.
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Old 12-24-2020, 06:34 AM   #11
Chris in WNC
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

Babbitt bearings & shock absorbers.
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Old 12-24-2020, 06:50 AM   #12
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Smile Re: Never Tried To Restore

A 7-tooth steering gear was the hardest assembly I have restored. Shocks, babbit, & rear-ends are to complicated for me. Plus, the lack of proper tools.


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Old 12-24-2020, 08:27 AM   #13
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Unfortunately we have not heard from Tom in a long time. A true gentleman and a master of the Model A.
Some where wondering how long his honey moon would last, enjoy your self Tom !
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Old 12-24-2020, 09:49 AM   #14
Mike Peters
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

Things I can't do: 1. babbit bearings 2. Shocks 3. rewind armatures 4. soldering is beyond me 4. sew interiors 5. plating of any kind 6. recore radiators 7. machining heads, valves, etc. That's the short list.
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Old 12-24-2020, 10:53 AM   #15
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

I once saw a sign that said: "We can fix anything except a broken heart or a wallet"
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Old 12-24-2020, 06:13 PM   #16
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

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Unfortunately we have not heard from Tom in a long time. A true gentleman and a master of the Model A.
he passed a while back in care.
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Old 12-24-2020, 07:10 PM   #17
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

Mr. 54 Vicky, your comment about Tom is false, I spoke to him in the beginning of Dec., we live in the same city. Before you make a comment like that be sure of what you say.
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Old 12-25-2020, 12:28 AM   #18
SteveB31
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

I have a friend who can rebuild and restore anything. He told me, anyone can do anything. You just have to have the desire, the patience, and be willing to get the tools needed to do the task. Any of you could do those things, you just have to really want to.
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Old 12-25-2020, 01:12 AM   #19
Terry, NJ
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranchero50 View Post
My rear axle pinion was loose when I bought it. Luckily found a complete unit with 3.54's. I'll tackle just about any job but the rear looked like it would get expensive very quick and I hate setting up gears.
New Bearings and the gearset runs about $ 700. But it's the proper setting it up that is a PITA. You need a 3/8 torque wrench to measure the resistance, Too tight and it runs hot and burns out. Too loose and it will howl and wear out. Get a temp gun (About $40) and take the car for a short ride, say a mile out and a mile back. Then read the temp. On a warm day, It shouldn't exceed 200 deg.
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Old 12-26-2020, 10:44 AM   #20
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Default Re: Never Tried To Restore

B carb that is cracked at the inlet where someone over tightened the fuel line trying to stop a leak,resold it for parts at Hershey.
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