Model A Not going to Florida

29restorod

29restorod

Senior Member
I bought my model A with the idea to take it to Florida and leave it at our house down there. Well,after working on it all summer,I am giving up that idea. My wife and I feel the car is just too unreliable for that. It seams every time I take the car out something breaks or quits working,and it still leaks too much oil. I am always stoping along the road to adjust something,and every week I need to order something from Snyders,or Mac's. I am now looking for a transport company to ship my 32 Ford hot rod,by enclosed hauler. That car never needs any work,and does not leak any fluids.
 
It takes a while to find all the bugs and get rid of them.

I've put 7,000 miles on my unrestored '28 over the last 21 months with only one failure out on the road, when the fibre cam gear separated from its steel hub.

Yes, there's been lots of little tinkering and weekend projects with during that time, but I've never had to go back and fix the same issue twice ( well, not yet ).

I even drove it on a 160-mile round-trip to Macungie and back this August...

Your A might not be "ready" this season, but don't give up on it...


SC Frank
 
Concentration points should be carb, distributor, and wiring---all parts that have very often been messed with by idiots. Only way to get ahead is to learn how those work, learn which repro parts are $#@$%^, and redo with quality or original parts. At least one of your suppliers has a bit of reputation as supplying cheapest possible parts, not quite the way to go if you dislike walking home.
Without a learning curve...forget it and get a tow truck.
The ready availabilty of some really bad replacement parts (even though good ones are pretty available too) and some dumb modernization parts, combined with amateur mechanics, means if you aren't willing to study you are not going to see any reliability.
 
We have a home in Punta Gorda,and a shed that is big enough for a small car. I am lost without one of my toy cars to play with,it's just that the model A is taking all my time. Things like broken speedo cable,new cable installed,and still not working. The hood latches on one side keep popping off every 5 miles. One day the car idles just fine,the next day it won't keep running. Cut out relay,replaced with electronic unit. I need to add water every few days,as it spits it out every time I drive it,(understand it may be the new Leakless pump). I just arranged to ship my 32 Hemi powered roadster to Florida,thats been trouble free for the last 3 years.
 
If you ever do decide to bring it down, I live near Ft. Lauderdale and would be willing to drive over to lend a hand to get it running well.
 
No offense, but...you've got a hemi powered deuce (real or plastic?, did you build or buy?) and you're having trouble with an A? Have you reached out to a club or another A owner near you? Just wondering.
Paul in CT
 
My Duce is plastic,and I bought it. Spent a lot of time and money fixing things the original builder screwed up. I have a 27 T traditional hot rod,I built from the ground up,doing everything myself except upholstery,and machine work. Its a plastic body with a modified flathead ,39 trans 36 rear. The 27 was featured in Rodders Digest,and pictures appeared in Street Sceene three times. My 47 Ford I bought off E-Bay,for the "Motor City Flathead" V8,That car I had to completely rebuild the chassis,trans and rear axle. I was an experimental mechanic/test tech for 30 years. Now I am greatly slowed down by health problems. The Model A will get fixed,I am just tired of working on it for this year. I have put more miles on it in two months than the previous owner did in 12 years.
 
A bus company on Long Island provides busses to both coasts with your car(s) accompanying in an enclosed semi at a reasonable combined cost.
I wonder if such a service exists in Detroit?
 
I do custom transport ....

I do custom transport door to door ...

Same trailer - just me

On my way now to Windham, NH with this 38' La Salle

Call if you need a haul ;)



Jim
(260) 804-6695
 

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I already have a pickup date for my 32. It must go by fully enclosed trailer,with a lift gate,(too low for ramps). Thanks for the offer. One of my other cars I am taking myself on a open trailer,just like the one shown.
 
If you plan to spend all winter down here mark the last weekend in January on your calender. That's River Ranch Rod Run weekend held 18 miles west of beautiful downtown Yeehaw Junction on Hwy 60. It's open to Rods and Restos.

Lee
 
I will keep that date in mind. I have never driven a hot rod that far. The car is capable,not sure about the driver. The duce is really uncomfortable,no leg room,and bad hips and knees. I am looking for all shows and cruise nights.
 
Go for it. Can't be any worse than driving mine to SoCal and back - 7000 miles. Of course when I get home I don't go near it for a month.

Lee
 
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