Help Needed

J

johnsor

Senior Member
About six weeks ago, I sold a real nice 31 two door on Craig's List to an old gentleman in Rolla, MO. His brother came to pick it up, pay for it and we drove it on his trailer for the trip to Missouri. A few days later his brother called me that he arrived in Rolla fine but the starter was dead, but it did have lights, so they rolled it off the trailer and pushed it into the garage. Knowing the car as I do, I don't think the starting switch was making contact due to the starter push rod being a bit too short. Easy adjustment.

Turns out that this old gentleman knows absolutely nothing about a Model A, or even how to turn the gas on or start it. I think Rolla is about midway between Springfield and St. Louis (not sure). Hopefully there is a Model A guy close to Rolla who could call or stop by this mans house for some basic instructions and maybe diagnose his starting problem. Email me if you can help. John. empire05@centurytel.net
 
He may have tried to start it with the timing advanced and jammed the starter.

They need to buy a copy of the original instruction book and read it carefully. That is by far the best thing for a novice.
 
Someone made a few old cars, called a LuLu! (REALLY!)
Would I buy one without RESEARCHING it?
I saw pics of a HUGE old touring car with TANDEM front & rear AXLES! Just imagine the steering linkage & trying to align the front end??? Bill W.
 
MAFCA shows that there are a couple of Model A clubs not too far from Rolla. Not sure if they're active or not but if they are possibly some members may want to pitch in and help.

One is in Fulton, MO which is just 85 miles from Rolla.

Mid-Missouri Model A Restorers Club
1407 Colonial Drive
Fulton, MO 65251
Contact: John Wilkinson
No phone listed. Email is JohnLinda72@aol.com

The other is about 110 miles up the interstate from Springfield, MO:
Southwest Missouri Model A Club
Springfield, MO
Phone: 417-678-2602 or 417-932-9478
email: modeladan@gmail.com

There is also a shop in Rolla that might be able to help:
Classic Autowork
573-364-4417

Hope this will help the gentleman.
 
Last edited:
Marco Tahtaras said:
He may have tried to start it with the timing advanced and jammed the starter.

They need to buy a copy of the original instruction book and read it carefully. That is by far the best thing for a novice.
Click to expand...

Marco, I doubt there is anything seriously wrong as his brother told me on the phone that when he pressed on the starter button - nothing, but all the lights worked. I recall that the starter button was near the floor board and I had to press hard on it. I wish I had remembered to adjust the starter rod before loading the car on the trailer. If that's not the problem, I would then clean or replace the starter switch itself before removing the starter.
 
Maybe he is hitting the accelerator pedal instead of the starter button.

I have seen this before.

Darryl in Fairbanks
 
darrylkmc said:
Maybe he is hitting the accelerator pedal instead of the starter button.

I have seen this before.

Darryl in Fairbanks
Click to expand...

That's a good possibility Darryl. He knows nothing about an A. It will likely be a real nice looking fixture in his garage. Someday it may be a nice "Barn Find".
 
John,

I agree with a few others that the starter is probably jammed put the car in 3rd or reverse and try rocking to see if if will break free . You may try pulling the starter loose with tag 3 bolts . Be careful to unhook and disconnect the battery first
There use to be memoryville museum in rolla which is probably where Brent was thinking of. They have long since closed. I am in the St. Louis area. They could bring it to me or someone in the Springfield area. They are 1 1/2 hours from St. Louis Springfield or Fulton. John wilkinson in Fulton .
I think some reading and self education by the owner is in order. I did an engine and rebuild for the guy who use to do the upholstery work at the museum if I can find his number I will pass it along as he lives near rolla
Larry Shepard
 
Seems there is no one close to Rolla. Although modern auto mechanics may not be familiar with a Model A, there are ones with good skills that can dope it out, or give me a call and I can explain the Model A starter removal or Bendix issues if necessary. How the old gentleman will learn about adjusting the spark advance, manual throttle and GAV will be in his court now. Maybe someday a Model A a guy may be near Rolla to give him a call. His name is Robert Hancock at 573-364-8025
 
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