What gear are you in?

The owner's manual recommended shifting to 3rd at 15mph under normal conditions, i.e., you're not at WOT trying to gain speed. Lugging in a Model A is not solely a function of speed. You have to be applying high torque as well. You can shift to 3rd as early as 12mph if you have a light touch on the throttle.
 
The way I look at it is, there is a correlation to the amount of throttle and the strain on the engine. If you are in third gear going uphill at 20 MPH with a significant amount of throttle you are lugging, not so good! If you are in third gear going down hill at 20 MPH with little or no throttle you are loafing, no problem!
 
3rd gear it is then. Thanks all. Only driven about 20 miles so far. Hopefully many more once the new radiator is installed. The throttle position makes sense, thanks for the explanations.
 
3rd direct or 2nd overdrive depending on road conditions, like going up or down a steep grade.

That's my car. Right now I am in low gear as my knee hurts. Old age.
 
Depends on how many hooves you got.. pull 9% at 45 mph 3rd low..feather throttle and shift into high at 15 mph if You want too.. don’t lug, and don’t over rev
 

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Fear of the Model A's engine is a correlation between the noise it makes and its RPM at various road speeds. In fact, The Model A's engine is of the low speed high torque variety, and all out for a stock one is a tad below 3000 RPM.

 

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There’s a big gap between 2nd and 3rd gearing, so driving here in traffic, in S. California, I shift into 3rd around 20 mph, with better acceleration to keep up with traffic.
 
Bob Bidonde said:
Fear of the Model A's engine is a correlation between the noise it makes and its RPM at various road speeds. In fact, The Model A's engine is of the low speed high torque variety, and all out for a stock one is a tad below 3000 RPM.
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3000 rpm? No wonder you threw a rod out the side of your block.
 
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jack backer said:
Terry, do drive a stock model a in Southern California traffic without the protection of a convoy?
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Yes I do regularly drive my Model A solo here near Huntington Beach, on all the major surface streets. I do have a Mitchell OD, so I also venture out on the freeways at times, and also drive at night locally.
 
I drove mine solo in Sacramento.. but only after doubling the power of the engine and running a Mitchell.. even then I was bulldozed off of lights and tailgated, can’t imagine running a stock engine.

Cast iron drums, woven shoes,teds floaters,16” wheels with modern radials helped the stop and go..
 
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