After 40+ years it's ALIVE!

29ModelA

29ModelA

Well-known member
Our 1929 Model A (After 40+ years it's ALIVE!)

http://youtu.be/jXcKC04xLdA

When the engine was opened up and everything was measured, combined with the lack of any ridge in the cylinders this thing was recently rebuilt we believe before it was stored. Sadly it was stored with no carb or distributor on the engine.

I paid to have a full valve job done and the guy said it runs as good as any rebuilt A he has had in his shop. :D

Now to get all the wiring, cooling and fenders put back on. Then maybe an interior when the funds come.

I'll keep updating this thread!
 
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Wahoo! Neat video - I'm familiar with the classic arm jerk demo'd by the cranker when he got too close to a spark plug!
 
Gary/IA said:
Pushing the crank down=:eek::eek::eek:
Pulling the crank up= :):):)
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Gary,
Did you ever crank a "T"? Gregg, my son, saw a man several times, spinning the crank rapidly to start a "T.":eek: That's suicide on an "A." I know diddeldy squat about "T's" I wonder if that was the usual way or how dangerous it was?:eek: I could never crank my '30 as I had built the engine zippo, And it would run 80 with 3:78's & no overdrive. My Avatar '29 is bone stock, maybe I can crank it?:D Bill W.
 
The starting crank is in a bushing on a T and the feel is totally different than a removable crank in an A. I've spun my '12 T to start it a few times without any ill effects, every crank started car has a different feel to it. Bob
 
Mitch said:
At least they opened the garage door before the died.
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I was there, that minute is all the car was allowed to run and that barn is HUGE. We were in no danger at any time... that and if you watch closely there was an exhaust hose on the tail pipe that went outside anyway. You can see my reflection (in the blue car behind my car's door) pick it up looking for any smoke :D
 
Well, had a couple buddies over and we did some wrenching. If I could just get it to run right my wife may be able to take it around the yard on her birthday. Got a rebuilt stock carb coming, I cannot get this Tilly to work for me at all, not even close to what I had in that video.

Progress today is all from the previous pictures. Only one issue with the terminal box, and it doesn't have room for both nuts under it plus the wires... weird.

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A little more rust then I thought, I will eventually repair it.

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Looking at pics of the f/wall. You don't have a terminal box, all you have is the t/box cover!!. Ck one of the catalogs or look at another car.
By the way, nice looking coupe and a good start. Is that an orig pop-out??

Paul in CT
 
I can see both halves of the terminal box, just the lid is really chalked up and makes it look like it is the only part there. Very cool car, sounds like you and I are in the same boat as far as motor issues. Never noticed the 30-31 wheels. How is that new carb you got?
 
columbiA said:
Pretty straight looking car,but the fan doesnt look to healthy!That should be an easy resto.
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I have only really found 1 $.50 sized ding in the drivers fender. Had the fenders been stored in the same part of the barn as the rest of the car, they would still have most of their paint too. This car won't be getting restored on my watch. It will only get mechanical restoration and maintenance, an interior put in, and roof put on.

1931 flamingo said:
Looking at pics of the f/wall. You don't have a terminal box, all you have is the t/box cover!!. Ck one of the catalogs or look at another car.
By the way, nice looking coupe and a good start. Is that an orig pop-out??

Paul in CT
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The whole box is there, but the cover is not deep enough is what it seems like? Are there supposed to be 4 nuts under there plus the wires?

The switch is not a pop out, it is the simple on/off switch. It is the replica style cable from Snyders.

Vanspeed said:
I can see both halves of the terminal box, just the lid is really chalked up and makes it look like it is the only part there. Very cool car, sounds like you and I are in the same boat as far as motor issues. Never noticed the 30-31 wheels. How is that new carb you got?
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Exactly right with the terminal box.

My fenders need some tweaking, they have been off the car so long it is going to take some work to get them and the splash aprons to line up. I have most of the bolts in, just not all yet.

The car ran and idled great when I picked it up with the Tilly, but it wouldn't rev. I rebuilt it, and now it fires and runs for 2-3 seconds and dies. There is plenty of fuel getting to the carb. I replaced the shutoff valve, added a strainer, and it has a new fuel line and sediment bowl. The flow is real nice. The new/rebuilt Zenith has not arrived yet. It will arrive this week while I am out of town :( I hope the wife does not open the box, or the surprise may get blown. :D

We also popped off brake drums and there is plenty of lining left on the brakes. I really think the guy tore this thing apart 40 years ago only to paint it, and then instead lost interest.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
I think I'm seeing the terminal box cover upside down. Turn it 180* and try the fit.
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That was the only way we could get it to fit at all. I think I am going to look at it again though, and see if something got missed. I had my buddy do that for me, and he is usually REALLY good with that stuff. He wired my jeeps for me.
 
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