Things Not To Do

30ccpickup

30ccpickup

Well-known member
How many of us have learned things the hard way? Kevin in NJ answering a novice question, more or less posted, he never uses taps and dies on Model A parts. I too learned this the hard way. The tolerances are different. Do you have anything you have learned not to do, to pass on to others?

Paul
 
30ccpickup said:
How many of us have learned things the hard way? Kevin in NJ answering a novice question, more or less posted, he never uses taps and dies on Model A parts. I too learned this the hard way. The tolerances are different. Do you have anything you have learned not to do, to pass on to others?

Paul
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Yes, after I read on the internet that Al Gore invented the internet, I learned to NOT believe most of what I read on the internet.
 
Paul you are so right ...I didn't know there were thread chasers....just used taps and dies.....but I was young back then.... in my late 60's,
 
You can use adjustable dies! The one that have a little flex in themat wide open, they do a nice job of cleaning up the threads without removing stock. For nuts, I grind cutting edges into the front of an old ford bolt and screw the nut down on the bolt/stud. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
Terry
 
I've learned to not put something back together the way it came apart. Look at a diagram, its surprising what people leave off/out. The crank flange dowel pin retainer comes to mind, as just one.
 
I never use Silicone Sealer, I still curse myself when I come across silicone that I used 30 years ago on a differential or whatever.

Darryl in Fairbanks
 
I learned not to let go of the handle of a ratchett type hoist while lowering a motor in place. Especially while standing on a ladder and having your chin in range of the ratchett handle. Not sure how many times it hit me but still have the scar the A and the memory.
 
darrylkmc said:
I never use Silicone Sealer, I still curse myself when I come across silicone that I used 30 years ago on a differential or whatever.

Darryl in Fairbanks
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Sorry, I use clear silicone on gaskets all the time. I wipe off the excess asap. It seems to work good and makes for a clean install and disassembly when necessary.
 
Stretch Cab said:
I learned not to let go of the handle of a ratchett type hoist while lowering a motor in place. Especially while standing on a ladder and having your chin in range of the ratchett handle. Not sure how many times it hit me but still have the scar the A and the memory.
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Sounds like a Road Runner cartoon.:D:p

I learned to wear leather gloves when trying to remove a tire from a rim by using a hammer and chisel.:eek:
 
A short cheater bar in one hand and a hammer in the other is better than a long cheater bar in both hands.
 
Pete said:
Ah but it never leaked a drop in 30 years.
That's worth something.
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Yes, Pete, Most everything is a "trade off" of some sort. Saving $$$$ by NOT buying FLAVORED COFFEE CREAMER= REALLY crappy tastin' coffee!:eek:
Bill W.
 

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One of the first repairs that I did as a 16 year old newbie on the Coupe fifty years ago was to remove the instrument panel to repair a leaking gas gauge.

As I removed the panel I saw the insulation on the wires was all frayed with bare wires exposed but before I could remove the battery cable, the short and resulting fire started.

My friend said that I made three trips to the tool box in panic before I found the correct sized wrench for the battery cable connector!

The only reason that the car did not burn down to the ground was that I had removed the floor boards so there was plenty of room to unhook the cable and avoid the smoke at the same time.

After installing a new wire harness the very next thing I installed was a fuse box from a VW bug. There were no fuse accessories for the Model A available that I knew about in 1963.

Good idea to remove a battery cable when working on the dash panel or have a fuse installed on your A.
 
I have a spare oil pan dipper tray that has four 3/32 holes drilled at the lowest point of each reservoir; this I don't understand.
Never just swedge the oil pan drain plug insert onto the oil pan. They will eventually slip when trying to remove the drain plug; just my experience.
Chet
 
I have learned to be careful about making any major component changes (perceived improvements) just before leaving on a road trip. A failure of an untested component has caught up with me a couple times while on the road. I guess the following applies: Don't fix it if it ain't broke.....

Good Day!
 
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