New to Model A`s, hand throttle/mixture question

[jckbckhm]

ok i accidentally posted this in the "to the editors" section...one more try...
so call me ignorant to Model A fords, but i have a question (and i apolagize if this has been asked earlier, couldnt find anything on it...) as to what the purpose(if any) the hand throttle is, other than cruise control. doese it just adjust the idle of the engine or.....? How far off am I? Thanks for any light shed on this. been lookin to buy one but id like to learn as much as possible so i dont look like a total ametuer at the shows haha. Frank Mcdaniels (thank you sir) had replied saying he only used his when starting his car...so when the car is running do you push the lever back up or should it be left down??? and how doese one know when the fuel is too rich or lean? again any light on this is greatly appreciated.

 

[29ModelA]

Under normal driving it is fully up unless using it as a cruise control. It is also used to raise the idle for starting or warm up. It does not control air/fuel mixture. It is equivalent to pressing or releasing the accelerator pedal.

The knob/choke on the passenger side controls the mixture. (turning) and choke (pushing/pulling)

 

[columbiA]

If the fuel is too rich,the engine will lope at idle & will have a black smoky exhaust.Turning the GAV-choke knob -CW will lean the mixture &make engine run smoother.Too lean a mixture will cause a loss of power& popping in the carb.For cold start 3/4 turn ccw from closed on GAV is average for starting & as engine warms up,turn cw to 1/4 turn open.This may vary slighty from car to car.When starting cold,just hold choke out for a couple revs & release choke or it will be easily flooded.When the idle speed adj screw on carb is set for a good idle speed,then you can push hand throttle back up when it starts.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

so call me ignorant to Model A fords, but i have a question (and i apolagize if this has been asked earlier, couldnt find anything on it...) as to what the purpose(if any) the hand throttle is, other than cruise control.

NEVER!!!!

We all started knowing nothing about the cars.

I would like to suggest you purchase an owners manual from any vendor near you.

While there are differences in the years, the major operations like starting, shifting, and driving, are all pretty much the same.