Success!.....Unqualified.

Tatanka

Tatanka

Junior Member
Went over to Bob's this evening, did a few things including adjusting the timing on his '31 Model A again and Voila! "Lizzie" started fine and idled great. Let her warm up well and then adjusted the fuel/air mix screw and idle, then checked revving ability. Nice and smooth with a good rev. I think she's good to go.

Still have to figure out why she has no horn or lights (actually blew out two new headlight bulbs, so I'm thinking lack of ground), but as far a running in daylight, she sounds tip-top. It tickled me pink to see Bob so happy to have his A running again, and I've definitely enjoyed learning about these fine classic cars. I hope to maintain it for him for quite some time and continuing to learn from you folks here.

After slaying the electrical gremlin that is probably in the steering column, the next thing will be valve adjustment. I assume that by 1931 they had adjustable valve lifters.
 
Nope on the lifters. they were solid, you grind em if they are originals. Probably they got replaced with adjustables though. Sounds like you are having fun getting Bob's car working again that is what this hobby is about. Now you will have to start hunting for your next car.

Mike
 
Well, I'll check if they've been replaced with adjustable lifters. If not, I won't mess with them until I check her road performance, gas mileage, etc. Yeah, I am having a ball working on "Lizzie!" What is really gratifying is that Bob, his wife, and grandkids can see fall colors in her over the next few weeks in their Model A Deluxe Roadster. Makes me very happy!

And, in the process of working on Lizzie, I've come to understand why y'all love these classic cars so much...they were well designed, well built, and built to run for a long time. Lizzie has over 86,000 miles on her clock and from what I've heard so far from her, has another 86,000 to go before much serious engine work. You never know with mechanicals, but she sure sounds good and strong.

Bob's excited about washing her tomorrow and swinging by to pick me up for a ride, including me driving her. Looking forward to that! Thanks again, all, for the help and a great site. Gentlemen all.
 
Frequently burning out of bulbs can be an indication of a weak connection between the generator and the battery (negative if wired as original). Excess power from the generator can't get to the battery, so it is forced to go through the bulbs, and burns them out.

If you have an add-on fuse at the starter, that is often the problem. I have to be careful with mine to keep the contacts clean.

Glad to hear she is running so nicely.

Ken
 
KGBnut said:
Frequently burning out of bulbs can be an indication of a weak connection between the generator and the battery (negative if wired as original). Excess power from the generator can't get to the battery, so it is forced to go through the bulbs, and burns them out.

If you have an add-on fuse at the starter, that is often the problem. I have to be careful with mine to keep the contacts clean.

Glad to hear she is running so nicely.

Ken
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks!
 
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