Boat Anchor

If your engine is healthy, rev it out a little more in second. Even though shifting 2->3 is an acquired talent at higher rpm, just a couple hundred more rpm can help get over that ratio hump. I try to time the clutch/throttle so the car is just still pulling before i push it to do the shift to let the momentum help carry the car while the shift is happening.

Also you are in Florida so people drive like mad down there anyway.
 
I decided to pull my distrubtor. The lower shaft came out too, because it was rusted together, there at the lower end of distrubtor Could this be a factor in slow acceleration too?

Thanks
 
OK, I replace the distrubtor but installed the FSI Electronic Plate (electronic points/condensor) and used the rest of the equipment, keeping an original look. Then used the Nu-Rex Wrench to assist securing the cam in place while using/having the timing-pin in place. The wrench held the cam in place while I secured the screw there -- I've apparently lost some grip in my hands at my age (79). Afterwards -- what a difference it made -- I can easily move away from the red-lites now. As someone posted here: "The Model A Wants To Run"
 
Great news. Thanks for the feedback. You probably did not have it timed correctly, but do now. Or there could have been something wrong with the stock distributor (points, condensor).
 
Mister Moose said:
Henry built the Model A as a 4 speed, and then to reduce costs he left 3rd gear out. When you think of it as 1st, 2nd and 4th, you'll be in the right frame of mind. If the car pulls strong in 1st and 2nd, you likely have normal performance. There's a reason so many folks put in overdrive, as it not only gives you a higher gear for highway, but a higher 2nd gear for hills and acceleration.
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That's an interesting comment about the Model A being designed as a 4 speed. I've never heard that before. Do you have a source for this information? I'd like to research this. Thanks!
 
What I read is its a scaled down Lincoln transmission, during chassis development it was the easiest component to approve. The way I understand it Ford wanted you in high gear as quickly as possible to utilize the engines low end torque, different than what most drivers of today are used too.

Although I extensively modified my car I wont 'upgrade' the transmission.To me the model A's character is in that spur gear box.
 
40 Deluxe said:
That's an interesting comment about the Model A being designed as a 4 speed. I've never heard that before. Do you have a source for this information? I'd like to research this. Thanks!
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That was a tongue in cheek comment to describe the feeling in shifting from 2nd to 3rd. It feels more like 2nd to 4th. However, to the best of my extremely limited knowledge, there was never a 4 speed designed for the Model A.
 
Model A has 4 speeds forward, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and neutral (coast).
 
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I have pulled lots of heavy loads (5 large round bales of hay) with 69 chevy 1/2 ton truck with a 250 6cyl and a 3 speed. The key, according to my dad who hauled oil field equipment with an AA, is to wind her up tight in 2nd gear before going to 3rd. When I'm merging with traffic on the highway, which I try not to, I tend to wind her up more than on a county road.

We had pics of dad with his grandpa hauling HUGE loads with the AA's, its totally nuts how big a load they moved BITD. After WWII they bought several surplus semi tractors and sold off the AA's.


Now I'm the new guy on here and don't recommend it on a regular basis, but to get out of a jam I'd try it.
 
I used my AA to haul a full size station wagon to the dump. I cannot remember how I got it on the bed, or off. This was back when an AA was just an old truck.
 
I've been told that I can be an..."agressive" Model A driver, so take that for what it is. Lol. I learned that these cars are tough and can handle a little aggressive driving. It's a Model A, they're not fast, but if you push them a little, they can handle most modern traffic. I run them up to 25 in second...sometimes more when I need to jump into traffic. If you don't abuse it and do that all the time, it'll be fine. Getting the revs up in 2nd will help bridge the big gap between 2nd and 3rd.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
kippmw said:
I've been told that I can be an..."agressive" Model A driver, so take that for what it is. Lol. I learned that these cars are tough and can handle a little aggressive driving. It's a Model A, they're not fast, but if you push them a little, they can handle most modern traffic. I run them up to 25 in second...sometimes more when I need to jump into traffic. If you don't abuse it and do that all the time, it'll be fine. Getting the revs up in 2nd will help bridge the big gap between 2nd and 3rd.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
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There are gears available that will move 1st and 2nd up 15%, thus closing the gap to 3rd. The Model A has plenty of torque to handle the higher gears and getting the car up to speed is much easier.
 
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