Emergency Kit.
- Thread starter Huckster
- Start date
WTSHNN
Well-known member
Grab a stiff drink and read through this thread...
http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82170
-Tim
http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82170
-Tim
mass A man
Well-known member
Tools that came with the truck, some distributor parts, extra gas & rad. caps, a jack that works, a fair spare tire, duct tape, some wire and a water jug in the back. I want to get a fresh tube patch kit too. I've yet to use any of them yet myself, but others do at the shows! I make it a habit of "pre-flight" inspections to cut down on breakdowns. Seems to work.
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
AAA card.
Blessyouboys
Senior Member
The same tools that came with the car.
Richard Wilson
Well-known member
Extra gas and radiator caps?????????
"I make it a habit of "pre-flight" inspections to cut down on breakdowns. Seems to work."
Agree 100% with this one. It is always easier to repair your Model A in the garage than on the side of the road.
"I make it a habit of "pre-flight" inspections to cut down on breakdowns. Seems to work."
Agree 100% with this one. It is always easier to repair your Model A in the garage than on the side of the road.
mass A man
Well-known member
Yeah Rich, There's some real punks around here that love those caps that twist right off when we're not looking!
mass A man
Well-known member
Barney, THAT is a great picture! I'm still using an original gas cap that I keep a very close eye on, sometimes I use a repro, funny looking cap, if I park somewhere and go off. The last thing anyone wants to do is to drive a Model A without either cap in place. Stuffing a rag in the radiator filler opening won't work. You would swear that little Ford engine had a pressurized system! It will belch out everything all over your car. Even with the flame arrestor in the gas tank, gas will splash out, if warm weather and you have the windshield open, the fumes will knock you over.
BrianBurkert
Senior Member
If your A is mechanically sound you won't need much for day trips. I take a Model A tool kit as provided by Ford. The biggest problem I ever had with a fresh restoration is dirt in the fuel tank. I installed a modern fuel filter in the line under the gas tank and that eliminated most of my problems. Otherwise, taking off the bottom bowl of the carburetor and squirting carb cleaner through the jets works.
Napa Skip
Senior Member
As a short-time member of FordBarn, I have come to two conclusions:
1. Anytime I notice an avatar with a dark blue roadster with Hessian Blue wheels, I stop and re-read this individual’s post, the depth, breadth and general wealth of Model A knowledge revealed in Marco’s comments being breath-taking; and
2. There are certain queries guaranteed to elicit wide-ranging, deep-seated, visceral, sometimes emotional, and frequently contradictory responses, among which are (in no particular order):
a. Ethanol;
b. Detergent vs. non-detergent oil;
c. 6v vs 12 v (and +ive vs –ive ground) electrical systems;
d. Alternators vs generators;
e. The existence (or not) of vapor lock and it’s many remedies;
f. The efficacy of modern “upgrades” (electronic ignition, adjustable lifters, etc., etc.);
g. 19- and 21-inch vs 16-inch tires (and the associated radial vs bias ply controversy); and
h. Inserted vs poured-in-place bearings.
Additionally, as a general observation, there are perennial queries, such as “What do I take along when driving my Model A” that are always informative (and sometimes entertaining).
As regards this last topic, the answers seem to fall into two categories, namely the “for Pete’s sake, just get in and drive your A" responses and the “take along the farm” group. I will admit, having spent the better part of 22 years going to sea in submarines, first as a machinist’s mate and later as an engineering officer, that I fall in the latter category, there not being a lot of repair depots out on the pond. This somewhat conservative approach has been further burnished by an acute awareness - and finely honed appreciation - of Murphy’s Law, ergo the wide assortment of spare parts I take whenever venturing out in my 1930 coupe (which is frequent). It has also been encouraged by a raging inferiority complex coupled with a well-developed sense of paranoia, a naturally conservative outlook on life and no doubt made easier by a trunk, the stowage area under the seat, and a well-trained eye for other storage locations.
For example, and without modifying the Model A, a spare coil can be easily attached adjacent to the existing coil, enabling quick change-out of a failed coil (I have yet to avail myself of this capability, but it gives a certain peace of mind). Similarly, a spare fan belt can easily be stored on the radiator support rods (and no, I have not yet needed this either). But, you get the idea.
I will, however, admit that this sometimes results in disparaging comments from my fellow – but non-believer - club members, generally along the lines of “Good grief Keyser! What else do you have in there?” As an adherent of the “if-I-take-it-I-won’t-need-it” philosophy, I deal with these skeptical comments with a “I’m-just-taking-it-to-protect-all-the-other-Model-A-drivers-who-haven’t-taken-the-precaution-of-loading-their-Model-A-with-all-their-spares” rationalization. Apparently this works, inasmuch as the spare engine I take along (albeit in disassembled form, thank you very much) hasn’t been needed, although recently the vice-grips in my on-board tool box did prove to be useful when the plastic oil-pressure line another club member had routed too near his exhaust pipe was burned through, thereby leaving an oil stream that even a botched rear main-bearing seal modification would be proud of.
And so, I offer the following “links” to recent posts and threads that have attempted to address the “what do I take” question that many of us hope will lead to a Model A touring nirvana, namely:
a. Post #10 to the 5/22/12 “What to take on a trip” thread. This post was not only submitted by a young and good looking FordBarner but also contains references to a couple of articles in “The Restorer” and “The Model ‘A’ News” that have addressed this subject;
b. The 7/8/12 “Spare parts and tools list” thread; and
c. The 9/23/12 “What’s in your toolbox” thread.
Enough (ok, perhaps too much) said. I have to go out and check to see if there are any on-board spare parts I’m missing.
And I need to work on improving the poor gas mileage of my 1930 coupe…
1. Anytime I notice an avatar with a dark blue roadster with Hessian Blue wheels, I stop and re-read this individual’s post, the depth, breadth and general wealth of Model A knowledge revealed in Marco’s comments being breath-taking; and
2. There are certain queries guaranteed to elicit wide-ranging, deep-seated, visceral, sometimes emotional, and frequently contradictory responses, among which are (in no particular order):
a. Ethanol;
b. Detergent vs. non-detergent oil;
c. 6v vs 12 v (and +ive vs –ive ground) electrical systems;
d. Alternators vs generators;
e. The existence (or not) of vapor lock and it’s many remedies;
f. The efficacy of modern “upgrades” (electronic ignition, adjustable lifters, etc., etc.);
g. 19- and 21-inch vs 16-inch tires (and the associated radial vs bias ply controversy); and
h. Inserted vs poured-in-place bearings.
Additionally, as a general observation, there are perennial queries, such as “What do I take along when driving my Model A” that are always informative (and sometimes entertaining).
As regards this last topic, the answers seem to fall into two categories, namely the “for Pete’s sake, just get in and drive your A" responses and the “take along the farm” group. I will admit, having spent the better part of 22 years going to sea in submarines, first as a machinist’s mate and later as an engineering officer, that I fall in the latter category, there not being a lot of repair depots out on the pond. This somewhat conservative approach has been further burnished by an acute awareness - and finely honed appreciation - of Murphy’s Law, ergo the wide assortment of spare parts I take whenever venturing out in my 1930 coupe (which is frequent). It has also been encouraged by a raging inferiority complex coupled with a well-developed sense of paranoia, a naturally conservative outlook on life and no doubt made easier by a trunk, the stowage area under the seat, and a well-trained eye for other storage locations.
For example, and without modifying the Model A, a spare coil can be easily attached adjacent to the existing coil, enabling quick change-out of a failed coil (I have yet to avail myself of this capability, but it gives a certain peace of mind). Similarly, a spare fan belt can easily be stored on the radiator support rods (and no, I have not yet needed this either). But, you get the idea.
I will, however, admit that this sometimes results in disparaging comments from my fellow – but non-believer - club members, generally along the lines of “Good grief Keyser! What else do you have in there?” As an adherent of the “if-I-take-it-I-won’t-need-it” philosophy, I deal with these skeptical comments with a “I’m-just-taking-it-to-protect-all-the-other-Model-A-drivers-who-haven’t-taken-the-precaution-of-loading-their-Model-A-with-all-their-spares” rationalization. Apparently this works, inasmuch as the spare engine I take along (albeit in disassembled form, thank you very much) hasn’t been needed, although recently the vice-grips in my on-board tool box did prove to be useful when the plastic oil-pressure line another club member had routed too near his exhaust pipe was burned through, thereby leaving an oil stream that even a botched rear main-bearing seal modification would be proud of.
And so, I offer the following “links” to recent posts and threads that have attempted to address the “what do I take” question that many of us hope will lead to a Model A touring nirvana, namely:
a. Post #10 to the 5/22/12 “What to take on a trip” thread. This post was not only submitted by a young and good looking FordBarner but also contains references to a couple of articles in “The Restorer” and “The Model ‘A’ News” that have addressed this subject;
b. The 7/8/12 “Spare parts and tools list” thread; and
c. The 9/23/12 “What’s in your toolbox” thread.
Enough (ok, perhaps too much) said. I have to go out and check to see if there are any on-board spare parts I’m missing.
And I need to work on improving the poor gas mileage of my 1930 coupe…
Dave in Boise
Senior Member
I have a little bag that has a spare carb, distributor, coil, and fanbelt. That's about all I carry for 'parts'
I have used a spare carb before on a 600 mile trip.. I had a tillotson with a leak at the bottom drain below the main jet, when tightened, it stripped clean out, so no road fix for that one. Slapped on a spare zenith I had and did not have to hold up anyone in the group.
A few hand tools, tie wire, duct tape and some electrical wire and fuses round out the kit.. Already have spare(s), crank and jack onboard at all times
As we are high desert, I also carry a gallon of water.
I have used a spare carb before on a 600 mile trip.. I had a tillotson with a leak at the bottom drain below the main jet, when tightened, it stripped clean out, so no road fix for that one. Slapped on a spare zenith I had and did not have to hold up anyone in the group.
A few hand tools, tie wire, duct tape and some electrical wire and fuses round out the kit.. Already have spare(s), crank and jack onboard at all times
As we are high desert, I also carry a gallon of water.
Dave in Boise
Senior Member
also the amount of spare things I take also varies on the distance I will be from home, as well as the relative health of the other vehicles along with me on a tour..
(lol)
Driving > 400 miles, I do take a bit more along than driving 200 miles...
I know of folks in the club that have replaced rings and pinions, headgaskets, axles, bearings and babbit shims on long tours before, often 3-400 miles away from home. I tend to pack a bit lighter than they do, and so far (luckily) have not needed to pack very heavy
(lol)
Driving > 400 miles, I do take a bit more along than driving 200 miles...
I know of folks in the club that have replaced rings and pinions, headgaskets, axles, bearings and babbit shims on long tours before, often 3-400 miles away from home. I tend to pack a bit lighter than they do, and so far (luckily) have not needed to pack very heavy
Fred K-OR
Well-known member
I am with Dave. When you think of what could go wrong it is: Fuel, electrical and a few other things like fan belt and maybe water pump. Dave covers most of these things. Anything else, make sure you have your AAA paid up.
