Model A cruise control

Kevin - Illinois

Kevin - Illinois

Senior Member
Just wondering how many people use the steering column accelerator control instead of the foot pedal when on a tour or long stretch of flat - straight roads. The key is to remember to push it up before pushing in on the clutch...;) but I've done it without problems twice on my 350 mile trecks to see Dad.
 
There are a lot of washboard roads where I live,and I use it on every one. I don't think I ever use it on the highway though. I plowed snow with a Mack for years and did the same thing.I would pull the throttle out to 1800 RPM and leave it until I had to turn around.I kind of had to,if I tried to use the foot feed the engine would burp,burp,burp from the frost heaves.The A's do the same thing on the washboard roads.
 
When my folks were first dating my dad would drive my mom's Model A and tell her that when using the lever on column it didn't use ANY gas since his foot was not on the accelerator. After that first time whenever my dad was driving her car she would always instruct him to "use that lever that doesn't use any gas".
 
I use it on long drives of course it helps move the leg muscles to new location for afew minutes. Kinda like breaktime. I always explain it as early cruise control!
Ken
 
I use it with the floor pedal. I pull the lever down so at coast I maintain the speed I want then a light touch of the pedal is all that is needed. Keeps the strain off the ankle.
 
I am new to models A/s, but with the early 28 handbrake on far right (RHD), it is in a very awkward position to use this with a hillstart.

The hand throttle is great,

One foot on clutch and other on brake, a few hand throttle revs and take off.
 
Here is what a straight flat road looks like. Rod
 

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Rowdy - I travel through Nebraska when I go hunting at a friends ranch in Wyoming (but not in the Model A, maybe some day I will tour NE). I know exactly what you have shown there.
 
I use the "cruise" all the time when on frequent trips in our Coupe and / or Town Sedan.

When I restored the steering column, I modified the spark and throttle control rods slightly before plating by welding and grinding a very slight "V" on the rods where they contact the quadrant. That insures a positive grip of the slots and the springs hold the rods firmly in place. Of course, the controls must be "lifted" slightly when moved to keep the notches sharp. 60 thousand miles later, they still are working fine.

One must remember that this "cruise control" is constant power, not constant speed, and does not release when the brakes are applied! Gar Williams
 
Most of the time. Was a cold November rain that day. The next day it was snow and ice. Was on my way back from the farm with stuff for e-bay and had taken some additional pic's for an item that ended that night. It did not sell , so that time spent taken pic's was wasted. All I got was cold fingers for my effort. Rod
 
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