Modifications worth doing??

Well we enjoy modern shocks, air cond, seat belts, down draft carb,f100 steering, O.D. trans, hyd brakes, alternator, halogen lights, modern tie rod ends and more. all bolt on stuff.
 
Modern Points, Not really needed
4-blade Fan...why
Alternator-Yes
Seatbelts-Yes
Turn Signals-Yes

SAFETY!!!First
 
I dunno Mark, sure sounded like a street rod to me. Air conditioning, modern steering, hydraulic brakes, synchromesh transmission, Weber 24/36 carburetor, yada-yada.... it definitely fits within what NSRA defines as a street rod.

I do agree that turn signals can be a nice safety item, as is seat belts if they are adequately installed (--which most aren't based on what I have seen) but at some point I ask what is the use of calling it a restoration? No harm or shame in calling it what it is in my view!!
 
Whatever else you do, please make sure you have GOOD TAIL LIGHTS. When I used to have just a single stock tail light I was hit from behind one night and suffered severe damage to my "A" and was very lucky to avoid serious injury to myself and my wife.

The standard Model A set-up with just one tail light is simply not good enough for modern traffic. I have since installed two LED bicycle-type tail lights that cost only $12 each. They are powered by two AAA torch batteries and are switched on manually on the rare occasions when I drive at night. They are very bright and can be seen a long way off.
 
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Wow, always amazed at the variety of styles A owners represent. Guess I lean more toward the "original is best" end of the scale. I've been driving my car fairly regularly to work and around town for 25 years now. I've got an alternator, but everything else is stock. Check that, this past summer I added a 5.5 head. Anyway, through reading posts here on the Barn, I've seen how everyone from Rodders to Restorers have their own definitions of what is best for their A. So, I vote for making mods as you go, and thus finding out for yourself how you'll best enjoy the experience. I'm occasionally inconvenienced by poor headlights that wink out at the worst times, but I still have the old bulbs and connectors. Just part of the A experience. I don't feel unsafe in my cars, so no additional lights and belts. Original points/distributor work fine, as do the brakes and steering box. If I wanted a different driving experience, I'd get a newer old car.
Enjoy your A !
 
Most of my model As are stock except for
1 aluminum 2 blade fan
2 seat belts
3 thermostat because it's cold here in winter
4 inside temperature guage
5 cast iron brake drums
6 Model B or Snyder head
7 overdrives for touring

So far I've installed an Afordable oil filter and a K&N air filter on one of my Model As to hopefully help extend oil changes and engine life.

I must admit that one of my cars has a highly modified B engine that has given me many trouble free miles for 15 years, but, the car looks stock, and I still love basically stock Model As.

I don't like and would never do, my opinion only.
1 hydraulic brakes
2 16 inch wheels
3 non Model A colors or upholstery
4 too many accessories
5 Anything that detracts from the stock Model A exterior look.
 
Add me to the nothing is NEEDED to drive the car alot, A properly restored Model A will work just fine in all conditions.

I will say NO plate glass in the car.

The trouble with mods are, when do you stop adding them?
What are you comparing the 80+ year old car against to determine the need for mods.

If you're not careful you end up with a Shay.:eek:
 
Well, I'm stepping over into the modified Model A world now. I'm putting an Optima battery into my Tudor! I'll still have a Ford script batter on had though for any showing of the car.
 
Just my opinion but I would keep it as original as possible. My daily driver is all original except turn signals and the generator wouldn't make enough light at night so I installed a 6 volt alternator and was going to use halogen bulbs but found I didn't need them with the alternator.
 
Seat belts , turn signals and good lights. If you have good reflectors and 32/50 cp bulb get plenty of light, brighter bulbs for tail lights. One of the various electronic regulators for the generator. Will work as good if not better than an alternator and can push start with a generator, but not an alternator. New Two bladed Aluminum Fan my old four blade failed and almost took out the new radiator.
If you want a chart of all the higher cp bulbs for the A send me an email to jrelliott42@gmail.com and will send you the list along with part numbers for various electrical parts. Most of the other items have bee covered by others.
 
jrelliott said:
Seat belts , turn signals and good lights. If you have good reflectors and 32/50 cp bulb get plenty of light, brighter bulbs for tail lights. One of the various electronic regulators for the generator. Will work as good if not better than an alternator and can push start with a generator, but not an alternator. New Two bladed Aluminum Fan my old four blade failed and almost took out the new radiator.
If you want a chart of all the higher cp bulbs for the A send me an email to jrelliott42@gmail.com and will send you the list along with part numbers for various electrical parts. Most of the other items have bee covered by others.
Click to expand...

I've push started many times with an alternator??????
 
Jordan said:
I've push started many times with an alternator??????
Click to expand...

Yes, both of you are correct to a certain point. The key part of this was you can't push-start a Model-A with a dead battery if equipped with an alternator, ....something most one-wire GM alternators do to a battery when left to sit for a couple weeks or longer.
 
Todd
Take it easy.
Try to be original till its on the road.
you Need :
good brakes (original)
good lights (original - i will never use an alternator )
You might use an EVR from Tom (as i do)
I changed to soft mount engine (float-A) and wouldnt do again!!
You need Fuses for sure!!!
I like my clutch adjuster !!! (see pic)
I use optima Batterie and love it.
You might find out about things once driving....

Have fun Christoph
 

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BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
Yes, both of you are correct to a certain point. The key part of this was you can't push-start a Model-A with a dead battery if equipped with an alternator, ....something most one-wire GM alternators do to a battery when left to sit for a couple weeks or longer.
Click to expand...

Well the nice part about having the 12 volt one wire alternator is being able to safely jump start off another modern vehicle so you don't have to push start it. As you know, but not many others do, you can jump start a 6v system off a 12 volt modern battery. But you run the risk of burning up some electrical parts if the cables are left on to long. And if you accidently step on the brake while the cables are connected or turn on ur lights they'll immediately blow.
 
Thanks so much for all you insights and sugestions. I really appreciate it.
From what I read on this thread and others here is what I think may be worthwhile changes: 2 blade aluminum fan. T-stat, water temp gauge. Also, I'm thinking cast brake drums may not be a bad idea.
Thanks,
Todd
 
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