What Model "A" Book Do You Read the Most?

[ericr]

To us old-timers that still collect books:

I am just curious as to what resource book you guys find yourself looking at the most, be it historical, mechanical maintenance and repair, parts catalogs, etc.

I most often look through the DeAngelis book, also, the Branch Service Letters. The latter because I find such local-level type communications fascinating.

[Purdy Swoft]

Brattons model A parts catalog !

[Sunnybrook Farm]

I find the service bulletins to be where I look, there are many finger prints on the book and pages as it stays out with the cars.

[Bill Cilker]

Restoration guidelines and Brattons

[shew01]

Ford Barn (obviously not a book, but has similar content) and Les Andrews


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[redmodelt]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Snyder's and Les's books. Very little time spent reading the service bulletins or JS's.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

Snyder's and Les's books. Very little time spent reading the service bulletins or JS's.

I bought the Service Bulletins and read through them. It was a very interesting read, but I don’t use them very much either. I enjoyed reading about the Ford fixes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bavArian]

Without a doubt Les' red book of wisdom.

I also have the complete service bulletins but I too don't use them that often.

[McMimmcs]

Mostly vendors books with parts and diagrams.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ericr

To us old-timers that still collect books:

I am just curious as to what resource book you guys find yourself looking at the most, be it historical, mechanical maintenance and repair, parts catalogs, etc.

I most often look through the DeAngelis book, also, the Branch Service Letters. The latter because I find such local-level type communications fascinating.

I think the basic answer to your question comes first with how much experience someone has with a Model-A.

For someone who is a 'novice' around a Model-A, Les' book is probably a good book to have. As one progresses upward with their familiarity, then the RG&JS book is probably the best resource. At that point, I feel Fordbarn should be the next source. I do not feel Fordbarn should be the first resource simply because someone needs to read something over and over until they comprehend. Make notes in their book if they need to.

For those who are actually 'restoring' instead of replacing, the Service Bulletins is a great resource. Anymore, I personally am finding myself referring to original prints of each component(s) as this makes so much more information available which then allows me to replicate something either mechanically and/or aesthetically. I make notes in my own words so that if I need to do the task again, my own notes in my own language makes a quick refresher.



I realize that not everyone has the skillset, nor the desire to 'restore' however what I have learned over the years is 'restoring' is a great way to learn skills to problem solve and think creatively. In other words, the ability to figure out a way to make a repair with the tools that you presently have. Tom Wesenberg is the master at this where he figures out a way to make the tool(s) to make the repair. Will Croncrite was another one that was very creative in making tools, fixtures, and widgets with what he had laying around to make a task easier to perform.

[Bob Bidonde]

It's a tie between Bratton's Catalog, reprint of the Model "A" Ford section of Dyke's and service bulletins.

[Jack Shaft]

Some of the earlier books are interesting.Murray Fahnestock wrote and complied books in the 60's and 70's,his unauthorized accessories compilation is a good light reading .The 'Matchless Model A' wrote in '29 and reprinted in '61 gives production and Rouge facts,short and interesting.Hands down in my opinion the best is on line,the Benson Ford research center oral histories has hours and hours of oral histories,the recollections of the people who were there..

https://cdm15889.contentdm.oclc.org/...89coll2/search

[ryanheacox]

I tend to use an old copy of The Model A Service Manual and Owners Handbook (blue cover with a deluxe phaeton on it) along with the service bulletins.

[MrBruce]

ericr
I just ran across a book done by Les Pearson that's the best book I've seen being into the Model A for over 40 years. It's "The Complete Model A Ford Restoration Manual" and it is so detailed and about 500 pages. It's not cheap, Les sent me a copy directly and I think he is in the UK? Do a search with the name of the book and it will come up, best book by far for the Model A

[Gary Karr]

(1) Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards
(2) Service Bulletins
(3) Original parts books

[JCHarvey]

I inherited a Model A from my Dad and about a year ago started the learning process. I have most of the books mentioned and have used them all. For me, depending on whether it's mechanical work or body work or interior work you need several resources to refer to. One book not mentioned is the Model A Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards. I've had my copy for a couple of months (it's not inexpensive) and for certain certain things have found it to be a great resource.

[JCHarvey]

not mentioned until Gary Karr posted 3 min. before my post...and he listed it as #1.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by MrBruce

ericr
I just ran across a book done by Les Pearson that's the best book I've seen being into the Model A for over 40 years. It's "The Complete Model A Ford Restoration Manual" and it is so detailed and about 500 pages. It's not cheap, Les sent me a copy directly and I think he is in the UK? Do a search with the name of the book and it will come up, best book by far for the Model A

I've always preferred Person's book to Andrews'. The only down side is the (what I consider) poor index. An added bonus for us is that it deals with RHD cars as well. Andrews seems to be unaware there is such a thing, making some of his instructions wrong.

[Jim Brierley]

If interested in performance, get my [I]4-bangers and me[I] book.

[Bill G]

I entered this hobby a little over three years ago, and during that time I have completely gone through my car. I hesitate to call it a complete restoration, but I literally did do everything. Call it a 5-footer.

Part of that was studying. I really believe I have read and studied just about everything that is commonly out there. Service Bulletins, Restoration Guide and judging Standards, all three Les' books, all of the "How to Restore your Model A" series. Jim Schild's book, and many others. Not to mention searching this forum and the ford vintage. I really think I have turned into a book-worm. I know I have spent a fortune on the car, and yet a smaller fortune on books.

I also have the benefit of being in a club with some very knowledgeable guys who have the experience I lack.

[Kevin in NJ]

It is not about a single material. The following comments are for building the car for driving everyday and able to run the 60 MPH like they could from the factory. Show car correct is a different ball game that involves all of this below plus a lot more.

Every book out there have errors. Understanding how to find the problems and merge the information is the real problem.

Some of the books highlighting the history likely the most important start point. You need to know what the car was when it was new. The Legendary Model A Ford will give you a picture of how the cars were driven when they were just an everyday car. Hint, they ran them fast and hard everyday on crappy roads. Fordlandia is about the rubber plantation and an interesting read. In the middle of the book they talk about Ford setting up the Model A Factory and the delays while they perfected super precision manufacturing. This comes back to the point building the A engine is like building a race car engine, it is needs to built to high degree of precision.

Andrews book is a great reference. The is lacking in size reference so you can determine if a part is beyond use and has some errors. Plus he pushes using the V8 points and such which is really a mistake. His drawings and details are important to have and if they put in data from prints it could be the book to have. There is another mechanics book which has more the specs but it s tougher read.

A lot of the early books are full of interesting comments that have long been corrected in various places.

Finally, Blueprints, collect what you can. Some are just parts of prints people post and some are just out there. From the prints you know what Ford's machining precision was and materials.

The best resource is to always ask questions on a forum before you do a major project.

Finally, it must be remembered that in restoration doing it right is often not quick, easy or cheap.

[bettlesr]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

If interested in performance, get my [I]4-bangers and me[I] book.

I have the latest copy and that is my favorite Model A book!

[GPierce]

Jim Brierley’s “4 Banger an Me”. Read it multiple times.

[john charlton]

Rick Freemans " Model "A" Ford Shop Manual " 1974 First Edition the rare "blue cover" version .

John in hot humid ( 92 F ) Suffolk County England .

[Jeff/Illinois]

The 'How To Restore Your Model A' series put out by the Model A Ford Club of America is good reading as is the Model A Restorer's Club 'Technically Speaking' Series.

I need to buy Tiny Snell's 'Tiny Tips' book that is one I don't have.

Having a full library of the Model A books gives you a good feel for a cross reference type of reading application. There are more Model A Ford 'How-To' books out there than about any other marquee of collector car.

Check out this link to MARC's web page on this question, it is answered quite well! Other than they left out the 'How To' series from MAFCA......

https://model-a-ford.org/resources/w...erences/books/

[Waksk8n]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Les’ book has been a huge help

[Jack Shaft]

This book details how Ford mechanics did it in 1928..tough to read but very interesting, the old techniques.

[Ernie Vitucci]

Good Morning...Jack is on the money....I use this book as well and it tells me how the mechanics of the time thought about the Model A...really interesting to read...and really helpful...especially when you find yourself thinking 'Why the hell did they do it that way'? Ernie in Arizona

[katy]

I hardly ever look at the Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards book.

[McMimmcs]

The Les Pearson is my choice for a basic novice Model A person. I also like Macs parts book to increase my knowledge. Although I have several Model A’s I still depend on my experienced mechanic to look after my cars.

[henry's 31]

The Model A books I read the most are the 3 manuals by Les Andrews and the Judging Standards.

[Mister Moose]

Originally Posted by john charlton

Rick Freemans " Model "A" Ford Shop Manual " 1974 First Edition the rare "blue cover" version .

John in hot humid ( 92 F ) Suffolk County England .

I have that book also! Didn't realize it was rare. Does that make it valuable? It has more photographs, but the explanations are brief compared to other books. But it does have nuggets not found in other books. I also have the Clymer book, Les Andrews, Judging Standards.

Sent from cold windy (24F) Vermont.

[jb-ob]

Don't over look 1932-34 Service Bulletins when the Model A was a used car needing service.

[Jack Shaft]

I've had the pleasure of meeting Les Andrews, he was a member of the Capitol A's.. a quiet gentleman, very polite and quick with a smile. In fact I just got a couple of engines off his bone pile..

[updraught]

1930's/40's or so Chev books are the best at explaining how things work.

The videos from back then on Youtube are tops too.
Heck, who would have thought a kid could restore a Model A with a Chev book ...

[700rpm]

Ford Service Bulletins.