Model A Flat Rate Manual?

Tom Wesenberg

Tom Wesenberg

Well-known member
Did Ford or Chilton, or anyone else have a flate rate manual for the Model A chassis? Is so, is it being reproduced? Thanks
 
Tom,

Not sure of a "manual" per say, not to say there was not one printed HOWEVER in the INDY Ford Service Letter for April 10, 1929 the heading of SCHEDUAL OF LABOR CHARGES is described. It was "Form 193, Model A Schedual of Repair Charges".

Pluck
 
Was also in the January 17, 1930 Chicago Service Letters; Indy also reported Form 1937, Schedual of Standard Charges for Ford Service, and Form 1934, Schedual of Repair Charges, in the April 27, 1931 Service Letter.

Pluck
 
I have seen a copy of a flat rate guide for 1931. I can not remember if it was put out by Ford or not, but was for Fords. It has a break down of most every thing related to service of the Ford car.
 
Model "A" dealer 'look~see' $3.00.



Service.jpg


skip.
 
redmodelt said:
I have seen a copy of a flat rate guide for 1931. I can not remember if it was put out by Ford or not, but was for Fords. It has a break down of most every thing related to service of the Ford car.
Click to expand...

I have an old "Dyke's Automobile and Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia" Nineteenth Edition. I believe it's 1940-1941,it has a section on repair, pricing and how a shop should be sized and built. It's really fun to read!
 
I have a booklet from FMC that lists the labor charges for Model T's. I would imagine that there was one for The New Ford (as FMC called it), but I have not seen one. ;)
 
Bob A. said:
I have an old "Dyke's Automobile and Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia" Nineteenth Edition. I believe it's 1940-1941,it has a section on repair, pricing and how a shop should be sized and built. It's really fun to read!
Click to expand...

I also have Dyke's. I always thought if I could own only one book, it would probably have to be a Dyke's Manual. It's amazing how much information is packed into just one book.
 
Skip,
Any chance of getting a copy of the "Special Check-up Service" e-mailed to me. I tried to read it clearly from your post but was unable.
Thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski
Cape Cod
 
I have both a Ford dealer flat rate book, and a Chilton, the Ford book just gives prices, the Chilton gives hours + prices for most operations.

2.5 to rebush the spindles (kingpins)

20.6 R&R engine, bore cyl, rebabbitt mains --(Wilsonize)

22 hours to replace the frame

3.8 --reline all brake shoes, major adjustment

5.4 replace clutch
 
Kurt in NJ said:
I have both a Ford dealer flat rate book, and a Chilton, the Ford book just gives prices, the Chilton gives hours + prices for most operations.

2.5 to rebush the spindles (kingpins)

20.6 R&R engine, bore cyl, rebabbitt mains --(Wilsonize)

22 hours to replace the frame

3.8 --reline all brake shoes, major adjustment

5.4 replace clutch
Click to expand...

75 minutes a side to rebush the spindles seems a bit light. I hope they had impact guns and could work fast back then.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
75 minutes a side to rebush the spindles seems a bit light. I hope they had impact guns and could work fast back then.
Click to expand...

I too have an original Rate Guide from Ford for the Model A that lists the prices and I think the key is they did "work" back then. They were 'mechanics' just like you. THAT is seemingly becoming more rare in the modern workforce!
 
That does seem short for kingpins,but then again,it was all figured on all parts coming apart easily.If the bolts come out easily,I can beat that 5.4 hour clutch time by better than an hour.If I find frozen clevis pins,U-bolts,battery box bolts,smashed or bent radius rod bolts,etc.all bets are off.That is for R&R of a clutch,and not including flywheel removal and surfacing,housing dialing in,etc.Most I have taken apart had been apart shortly before and needed to have the new junk throwout bearing replaced so they really are not clutch jobs.Those take even less time.
 
Most likely no impact guns --you don't even see any in the factory photos, just speed wrenches.

The "snap on " ratchet with 10 sockets, and 5 other attachments was relativly new in the market, they just started the pay every week plan, and most mechanics tool boxes were not so large that they couldn't carry them home.

Overhaul generator---, turn,undercut commutator, replace bearing, bushing, and brushes --1.5 hours ---this is how much time I was paid for
Mercedes alternators, and starters, and if I was doing 4 or more at the same time I would average .7 each

The 20 hours to remove the engine, bore the cylinders, pour the block and machine mains, fit rods and pistons, do a valve job, clean, assemble reinstall and tune engine seems much harder to do than kingpins.

You also have to remember that there was no worring about the paint on the axle, or spindle, and that there was much less rust when the car was only a few years old.

Also a good service writer would add in adjust tie rod ends, adjust brakes,clean and repack wheel bearings, reset wheel alignment and make it into a worthwile job.
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
...I think the key is they did "work" back then. They were 'mechanics' just like you. THAT is seemingly becoming more rare in the modern workforce!
Click to expand...

Due to circumstances I have just had to take a federal job. I’m 53 years old and I only work at one speed and at one level, that is "the best I can". I have been pulled aside by my fellow workers so they can tell me how I should work.
 
Mike V. Florida said:
Due to circumstances I have just had to take a federal job. I’m 53 years old and I only work at one speed and at one level, that is "the best I can". I have been pulled aside by my fellow workers so they can tell me how I should work.
Click to expand...


Mike,At 53 years old and doing the best you can, you must be smoking the the rest of Govt. workers. :) Good luck on your new job.
 
Mike, some of the DMV workers here in California work so slow they're going backwards :) Hang in there.
 
Skip,
I'm able to enlarge the Special Check Up Form on the screen but it is not very clear. I was hoping to get a clear copy.
Thanks for your response.
Joe Grobleski
Cape Cod
 
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