In terms of the seller.....an old salesman once told me there are two kinds...a seller who wants to sell and one who focuses on making money. Avoid the later. They are not hard to differentiate.
Have a 1954 Ford Customline 239 V8 and am looking for a new clutch disk. The 1954 mechanics book say it is an AE-7550-B. Can't find these but lots of B5A-7550-B are advertised as made for that year. Will the B5A-7550-B fit into the 1954 239 Y-block car?
Turn GAV at least 3/4-1 turn, and only choke for a second or less. Also have gas lever at least 2-3 notches or until you can feel gas pedal depress. If high compression head, set timing lever ahead 2-3 notches.
Re: Modified A will not Calihute
I agree with the vacuum test. Will help show an intake manifold leak or carb to manifold leak. Also agree with verifying advance at high speed.
Gas filled tube shocks are too stiff for a Model A. Fluid filled (hydraulic) shocks are much softer for these light cars. If you use Volkswagen dune buggy shocks (see past posts) your car will ride like dream. (grommet work is required)
I don't think there's a concern in that unless it is rubbing so hard as to cause problems with the advance. Mine was touching the block also until I bought a new rod and arched it slightly to miss the right side of the head. I may also have bent the connector ball on the column to give more...