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09-08-2018, 05:26 PM | #1 |
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Curious of your preference
I was wondering what everyone's preference is regarding using the foot pedal accelerator or the lever on the steering column. I tend to use the foot pedal from a stop to get up to speed then switch to using the lever on the steering column. What are some other preferences. Was Henry Ford reluctant to give up the steering column accelerator lever used on the Model Ts?
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09-08-2018, 05:35 PM | #2 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Pedal
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09-08-2018, 05:59 PM | #3 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Most of the A's I have worked on, the detentes are worn to the point of no use and if spring is good on the bracket and weak on the lever shaft, the lever works it way back up. Foot feed
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09-08-2018, 06:04 PM | #4 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Use the foot pedal for driving. Use the steering column lever for starting only.
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09-08-2018, 06:05 PM | #5 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
pedal / foot feed
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09-08-2018, 06:31 PM | #6 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
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Bob-A |
09-08-2018, 06:36 PM | #7 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Pedal!
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09-08-2018, 07:49 PM | #8 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Using the lever for driving looks like trouble to me!
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09-08-2018, 07:54 PM | #9 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
I use the hand throttle for cruising. Also use it to bring the RPM up a bit when its cold, then drop it again when I take off. Lower RPM makes for smoother shifting.
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09-08-2018, 07:54 PM | #10 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
I’m with Bob-A. A little cruise control on the flatlands is nice...give the ol’ right foot a rest.
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09-08-2018, 10:28 PM | #11 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
I agree with Marty in Ohio. In modern cars there is an automatic throttle cancelation if you touch the brakes. Not so in our 90 year old cars. Accidents happen quickly & unexpectedly. No time to be playing with a hand throttle.
I use only the pedal except for while the car may be sitting in one place. |
09-08-2018, 10:34 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Quote:
Could be, after years of using the column throttle it might have been easier for the T drivers.
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09-08-2018, 11:16 PM | #13 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
The throttle on the steering column of a Model A Ford is really there so that the engine can be used as a stationary power plant. AA trucks and all versions of A cars share the same engine and controls. A AA truck with a power takeoff arranged to run a saw, a cement mixer, a water pump, or a generator would be very difficult to control if the column lever was not there. Henry made them all the same for ease of production. I prefer the foot pedal unless I am on a long trip with low risk of cruising interruptions. Then I use the column throttle as a form of ancient “Cruise Control.” I also use the throttle lever during a cold start. It serves as a fast idle until it runs smoothly. I prefer to drive with the lever up for normal driving an use my foot.
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09-09-2018, 06:30 AM | #14 | |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Quote:
It's a personal choice. use what you are comfortable with.
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09-09-2018, 09:48 AM | #15 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Since I own several Model-Ts and brass-era vehicles that only have a hand throttle, I enjoy using the hand throttle on a Model-A once I am in high gear. I do it simply to break the boredom while I am driving. Ford originally incorporated this feature because of the familiarity of his customers with the throttle lever. I think it would be a fair statement to say that today, most Model-T drivers can safely & efficiently drive a Model-A however most Model-A drivers cannot safely drive a Model-T. It likely boils down to familiarity.
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09-09-2018, 10:20 AM | #16 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Usually not flat enough here to use as a cruise control.
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09-09-2018, 10:36 AM | #17 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
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09-09-2018, 02:04 PM | #18 | |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Quote:
Hmmm, I don't think so. More is needed. There is too much variation in RPM between loaded and unloaded conditions. For example, running as saw. It takes very little throttle to run the saw at operating RPM without a load. Start sawing into an oak log and you may need full throttle to avoid killing the engine. Finish the cut at wide open throttle, and the engine will overspeed and soon kick out a rod. A load-sensing governor is needed to control RPM. I don't think Ford would put a hand throttle on millions of A's just for a relatively few industrial/farm uses. |
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09-09-2018, 03:03 PM | #19 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
On rough roads with sprung seats (especially RHD) the driver bounces goes up and off the pedal, and comes down onto the pedal, making rough roads much worse. Some say kangaroo juice.
The hand throttle keeps the speed constant. Good for driving down creek beds. Don't ask how I know. |
09-10-2018, 12:29 PM | #20 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Pedal
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09-10-2018, 03:48 PM | #21 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
For hill starts, particularly at traffic jams, roundabouts etc where I do not wish to constantly lean forward to release the handbrake as my left foot releases the clutch, I keep my right foot on the footbrake and use the hand throttle to take off. When underway clear of the hold-up, I transfer my foot to the throttle pedal (which is between clutch and brake pedals on RHD cars) and return the hand throttle to the top position.
On really steep hills like my driveway in to my garage, where I have to back-up and turn using the mirrors in very close quarters, bending forward and losing sight of the rear mirror to reach the handbrake is dangerous. Using footbrake and hand throttle while turning backwards into the garage using the mirror is easy and safe. I wish my other vintage cars had a hand throttle like our Model A's SAJ in NZ |
09-10-2018, 05:54 PM | #22 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
Mostly use the pedal as that is what feels natural. I use the hand throttle when starting the engine and when starting from a stop on a hill. I will also use it briefly on those long stretches so that I can give my foot a rest. Tried using it as a cruise control but find that the speed does not stay steady enough due to variations in the road. Never realized how many constant small adjustments I made with my foot when driving until I tried using the hand throttle.
When my dad drives he uses a combination of both depending on which gear he is in. He cannot get his leg passed the shifter in certain gears so he hand throttles it through those gears. |
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09-10-2018, 07:15 PM | #23 | |
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Re: Curious of your preference
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09-11-2018, 02:15 PM | #24 |
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Re: Curious of your preference
I typically use the hand throttle lever for fast idles, and to momentarily reposition my foot on the "foot feed". Oh, and as someone has already mentioned, starting off from a dead stop going up hill, a task otherwise requiring 3 feet.
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